AI Creative Insights – AI ad creative testing

AI Creative Insights by Decode helps marketing and research teams screen advertising creatives before launch. Upload an image, inspect predicted attention and visual hierarchy, compare revisions, and decide which concepts deserve a live audience test. The output is a forecast for creative review, not a measured click-through or conversion result.

What does AI Creative Insights do in plain language?

Imagine placing an unfinished ad in front of a reviewer who marks the places a viewer is likely to notice first. That is the practical role of this Decode module. It estimates how a visual may attract attention, where the eye may travel, whether the product, brand and offer are easy to notice, and what could be revised. Teams can use it for display ads, static social posts, posters, packaging or page screenshots. The analysis helps narrow options while a campaign is still editable. The official comparison with panel testing explains that this AI stage does not recruit people for the study itself; testing with actual participants supplies a different kind of evidence.

How to read the attention map and creative recommendations

The predicted heatmap highlights areas expected to attract the most gaze. A fogmap fades elements that may be missed in a short exposure. If the background draws attention but the logo or offer sits in a weak area, the design can be attractive without communicating the intended message. In the full analysis, you can mark an area of interest such as a price, product or call to action. Attention shows the share of viewing time spent on that element after it is found; Time to Discover indicates how long the element takes to be noticed. The written design analysis and improvement report then turn these observations into candidate edits. Review the report's objective before accepting a recommendation, because a different objective can change the advice. See the official guide to image creative analysis for definitions and examples.

Emotion simulation and audience comparison

The full product page describes modelled emotional highs and lows across a creative, plus reusable synthetic audiences for comparing likely reactions by persona. These are predictions for discussion, not recordings of a viewer's emotion in the public image test. A marketing team can use a weak emotional moment or a difference between personas as a reason to revise the story, then ask real participants whether the change works. Check the modules and plan shown in your account before assuming every capability is included in the free public experience.

A practical workflow before you buy media

Start with two or three candidate images that answer the same campaign brief. On the public AI Creative Insights experience, upload a JPG, JPEG or PNG image, add a title and category, and submit it for analysis. The public page currently accepts up to three images, each no larger than 5 MB; it asks for a name and email before unlocking the result. Compare the heatmap, message visibility and improvement suggestions for each candidate. Revise one meaningful element, such as the size or position of the brand, offer or call to action, then upload the revised file as a new version for comparison. The official guide says rerunning an analysis on the same file replaces that output, while a revised creative should be uploaded separately. Shortlist promising versions and validate the final choice with your target audience or a live campaign test. Predicted attention cannot guarantee sales, clicks or a specific audience response.

Free access, plan limits and business use

As checked on 23 September 2026, the official Decode pricing page lists a Free plan at $0, one researcher seat and five lifetime AI creative prediction scans. It describes Enterprise pricing as contact sales, with broader usage and custom options. The separate public experience currently describes three standard free creative tests and five with an eligible Product Hunt code. These are different entry points, so check the limit shown in the screen you actually use before planning a batch. The platform terms describe the service as business use and allow insight outputs to be shared with clients, agencies and advisers in connection with the commissioned research; they do not allow reselling the output as a standalone product without written permission.

Data and decision boundaries

Upload only creative files you have the right to use, particularly when they contain unreleased products or personal data. Entropik's platform terms say customers retain ownership of uploaded customer data and insight outputs, while granting processing rights needed to provide the service. Review the privacy policy and your own contract before sending sensitive material. The public image test is a fast screen for visual decisions; use real participants when your final choice depends on a specific audience, the reasons behind their reaction or measured behaviour. Do not treat a predicted score as a guaranteed media result.

Frequently asked questions

Does AI Creative Insights test real people?

The predictive analysis itself uses AI models and does not recruit participants for that study. Decode also offers panel-based research when you need actual audience responses. The two methods can be used in sequence: screen variants, then test a shortlist with people.

Which files can I try on the public page?

The public experience states JPG, JPEG and PNG images, with a 5 MB limit per image and up to three images in that flow. The broader platform has separate documentation for video creative analysis, so do not assume the public image upload accepts video.

How many free creative scans are included?

The pricing page currently lists five lifetime prediction scans in Decode Free. The public try page shows three standard tests, with five available to eligible Product Hunt code holders. Check the limit presented for your account and entry point; the enterprise plan requires a sales quote.

Can the prediction replace a live A/B test?

No. It helps find likely attention and layout problems before launch. A live A/B test or panel study measures what real people actually do or say in a defined context. Use the prediction to prioritise variants, then validate important decisions with observed results.

Official resources

• AI Creative Insights image analysis guide: interpretation of heatmaps, fogmaps, areas of interest and revision workflow.
• Decode help centre: setup and support articles for the wider platform.
• Current plans and creative scan limits: free plan and sales contact for enterprise access.