5 Things to Know About Dynamic Creative Optimization (DCO) in 2025
DCO

As digital advertising evolves to meet rising consumer expectations, Dynamic Creative Optimization (DCO) is gaining traction as a tool to automate ad personalization at scale. Industry experts note an uptick in adoption across retail, travel, and entertainment sectors as brands aim to boost engagement through relevance.

How DCO Works?

DCO technology assembles personalized ad creatives in real time by combining user data with modular ad components. The system selects headlines, visuals, offers, and calls to action based on data signals such as browsing behavior, location, and time of day.

The process relies on artificial intelligence and machine learning, enabling continuous testing and refinement of ad variations. Ads are tailored at the impression level, helping marketers deliver messages aligned to user interests without manual intervention.

Industry Use Cases

Retailers are using DCO to retarget shoppers with ads based on products viewed or abandoned carts. Travel brands are tailoring destination promotions to local weather or user search history. Streaming services have implemented DCO to recommend shows based on viewer preferences and watch history.

The technology is typically integrated into the broader martech stack, working alongside Creative Management Platforms (CMPs), Data Management Platforms (DMPs), and Demand-Side Platforms (DSPs).

Measurable Benefits

Marketing analysts highlight several operational advantages:

  • Increased click-through and conversion rates due to improved ad relevance
  • Reduced creative production timelines through asset modularity
  • Lower ad fatigue through variation and personalization
  • Enhanced ROI via real-time optimization and data-driven targeting

DCO also supports omni-channel delivery, with campaigns running across display, mobile, email, and social platforms.

Looking Ahead

With privacy regulations reshaping digital marketing, the future of DCO lies in its ability to function effectively using first-party data and contextual signals. Vendors are also investing in generative AI to further automate creative generation and improve targeting precision.

Analysts expect broader adoption among mid-sized businesses as platforms become more user-friendly and integration costs decrease.