Ad Spy Series (Part 3): How to Clone Image Ads with AI
In Parts 1 and Parts 2, we covered how to identify which ads are worth replicating. Now in Part 3, we'll walk through how to use image generation models to actually clone those ads.
The Current Landscape of Image Models
Image generation models are evolving fast — and getting impressively good. As of this writing, the best image model on the market is NanoBanana 2, which is what we'll be using throughout this guide.
Setting Up Your Inputs
To clone an image ad, you'll need to upload your assets in a specific order — and the order matters:
- Image 1 (Required): The reference ad you want to clone
- Image 2 (Optional): Your chosen avatar/model, if you want a specific face or person in the output
- Images 3+ (Required): 2–3 photos of your own product, ideally from different angles
Writing the Image Prompt (The Most Important Step)
This is where most people go wrong. A vague prompt like "generate something similar" will produce mediocre results, and you'll end up burning time cycling through generations ("pulling cards") hoping to get lucky.
A strong prompt needs to be precise and technical. Here's a real example from one of our generations:
Why Structure Your Inputs This Way
Since NanoBanana 2 doesn't have dedicated input fields for "reference," "avatar," and "product," we define their roles through upload order and make it explicit in the prompt itself. This approach helps the model correctly interpret the hierarchy of your inputs.
When writing your own prompts, go beyond just describing the scene. Specify:
- 📷 Camera angle (e.g., over-the-shoulder, bird's-eye, close-up)
- 🎨 Color palette and lighting
- 🖼️ Background environment
- 🧍 Model positioning and gesture
- 📦 Product fidelity constraints (as shown above)
The more structured and professional your prompt language, the more consistent and on-brand your outputs will be.
Results: Denote Image Clone in Action
Below are example outputs generated using Denote Ad Clone:
Posted Apr 7, 2026, 11:24 AM UTC