top of page
Writer's pictureMuthu Kumar Santhanaraja

Types of Instagram Ads

Updated: Jan 5

In the realm of digital marketing in social media, Instagram has emerged as a powerhouse for Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising. With its visually-driven platform and extensive user base of more than a billion active users, Instagram offers a diverse range of ad formats to elevate your PPC strategy. In this article, we'll explore the seven different types of Instagram ads that can help scale your business to new heights and achieve your marketing goals.


Table Of Contents:



1. Image Ads


Example of Instagram Image age
Image ad by frame.io

Simple yet effective, image ads are the foundation of Instagram advertising. These ads feature compelling visuals to showcase your product or service. The key here is to capture attention with high-quality, eye-catching images that align with your brand identity. Image ads comes in square format or in landscape format. These are the most commonly used ads in Instagram. You just need a single image to create a image ad. Image ads in Instagram is the most commonly used Ad format mainly due to the ease of creating one.


Format: Image file with JPG or PNG format.


2. Video Ads




Video ads on Instagram allow you to tell a story, demonstrate your product, or share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business or simply tell a story. Video ads can be as long as 60 seconds, but in our experience we have found that shorter videos are more effective. With the autoplay feature on users feeds, you have the opportunity to make an immediate impact and drive higher engagement.


Video ads are also known as reels ad.


Format: Video file with MP4, MOV or GIF extension.

3. Carousel Ads


For businesses with multiple products or a captivating story to tell, carousel ads are a game-changer. This format lets users swipe through a series of images or videos in a single ad, providing a more interactive experience. Use carousel ads to highlight different features, showcase a product line-up, or narrate a sequential story.


Format: Image file with JPG or PNG extension or Video file with MP4,MOV or GIF format.

4. Slideshow Ads


Slideshow ad example gif
Slideshow ad by stash

Slideshow ads combine the simplicity of image ads with the motion of video ads. This format allows you to create a looping sequence of images, adding a dynamic element to your ad. Slideshow ads are an excellent choice for conveying a message in a concise and visually appealing manner. You can also turn an existing video ad into slideshow ads by using Instagram's advertising tools.

So at this point you might wonder if there is a difference between Carousel ads and Slideshow ads since they sound the same, the answer is yes. Slide show ads are basically video ads which consists of a few images, whereas carousel ads can display up to 10 images or videos but it only moves on to the next segment after interactive swipe is obtained from the user. And each carousel segment can have its own link.


Format: Image file with JPG or PNG extension or Video file with MP4,MOV or GIF format.

5. Story Ads


example of a story ad
Story Ads by clickup_app

Below are few example of video story ads.





Instagram Stories have become immensely popular, and businesses can leverage this trend with story ads. These full-screen, vertical ads appear between users Stories, offering an immersive and temporary viewing experience. With story ads you can even plug in your product so people can purchase it straight within the app or create a poll to gauge what your audience think!. Instagram Story ads use photos, videos and carousal ads. The call to action is presented as a swipe up link at the bottom of the story ad.


Format: Image file with JPG or PNG extension or Video file with MP4,MOV or GIF format.

6. Collection Ads


Instagram collection ad example
Instagram Collection Ad

For e-commerce businesses, collection ads are a powerful tool. These ads feature a primary image or video followed by product thumbnails. When users click on the ad, they are directed to a full-screen shopping experience where they can explore your products in more detail. Collection ads seamlessly blend visual appeal with direct shopping functionality. This is ideal for a storefront operating within the ad.

Format: Image file with JPG or PNG format.

7. Explore Ads


Instagram Explore is a discovery platform where users explore content tailored to their interests. Explore ads allow your brand to reach new audiences by appearing in users' Explore feeds. This format is an excellent way to introduce your business to potential customers who may not be following you yet.


Format: Image file with JPG or PNG extension or Video file with MP4,MOV or GIF format.


The Bottom Line


If your advertising goal is to drive product sales and leads using a efficient economical model then the best way to go about it by using image ads and other shopping ads. However if engagement is your priority then reels ad and story ads are your best bets.


By using A/B testing while experimenting with different ad formats, you can find the best performing ads which will help you achieve your goals.

At StatPPC we are experienced in running ads that maximize your advertising ROI. Schedule a free consultation call today to discuss your advertising goals with our experts having 50+ combined years of experience in the SaaS industry.


14 views0 comments

Comentarios


bottom of page