Everything you need to know about Instagram ads
Although the original launch of Instagram saw the platform being solely used for sharing photos of your lunch and day-to-day activities, edited with overly contrasted filters, Instagram has come a very long way since then.
Instagram has evolved into the world’s fourth most popular social media platform, and its video content is one of the primary reasons why. Approximately 500 million people use Instagram stories every single day to post images or videos. Of that 500 million, around 50% have visited a website after seeing a product or service advertised to them via Instagram’s range of options for advertising: including photo ads and Instagram carousel ads, as well as Instagram video ads and video & photo ads on Instagram Stories.
As experts in the video production industry, DreamingFish knows the ins and outs of Instagram in order to make the most of your ads and boost your brand awareness. We can work directly with you to design adverts that coincide with your brand image and messaging to effectively target your desired demographic and generate leads. In this blog, we’ll break down all you need to know about Instagram Video Ads.
Instagram story ads
Instagram video ads in Stories are full-screen, vertical video or photo ads shown to your target audience as they browse Stories. This hugely popular format differs from personal Stories, as ads don’t automatically disappear after 24 hours. Instead, they run for a custom duration to maximise reach and connect with your target audience at the right time.
These are the specs for Instagram Story ads:
- Aspect ratio: 9:16
- Max video size: 4MB
- Resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels
- All formats should be either MP4 or MOV
- Maximum duration: 2 minutes (we advise keeping them shorter!)
Instagram Reels ads
Whilst very similar to Stories, Reels were only recently introduced on the platform in June 2021. They are also full-screen, vertical, videos, but they loop rather than play once. Users can like, comment, save, and easily share this kind of content. Below are the specs:
- Aspect ratio: 4:5
- Max video size is 30GB
- Recommended resolution: 1080×1080
- Recommended video formats include MP4 and MOV
- Maximum video length is 2 minutes
In-stream video ads
Previously known as IGTV, In-Stream Instagram video ads allow for longer content being shown pre-roll, mid-roll, or post-roll. These ads also use the full-screen vertical video format, and typically have a 15-second Instagram video ad time limit. Essential specs:
- Aspect ratio: 4:5
- Max video size is 30GB
- Recommended resolution: 1080×1080
- Recommended video formats include MP4 and MOV
- Video length is 2 minutes (max)
Instagram explore ads
While the Explore feature has been around since Instagram’s launch, being able to produce Instagram video ads for Explore is a fairly recent addition. Users worldwide are constantly browsing the explore section and it is said that 200 million daily active accounts that view the page, and 50% of accounts on Instagram use Explore at least once a month. Explore targets users with posts specifically for them – so it makes a tonne of sense to advertise here, right? Here are the basic guidelines:
- Recommended resolution: Upload the highest resolution video possible
- Video length: 1 to 120 seconds
- Video captions are optional but highly recommended
What are the best practises for Instagram video ads?
When it comes to uploading Instagram video ads, there’s a few important things to consider. Below, are some of our top Instagram Video ads best practises:
1. Cut to the chase!
How long should an Instagram video ad be? While some Instagram video ad max video lengths can be as long as two minutes, depending on their placement, it is a rare occurrence that someone will be willing to watch a two-minute ad when they can simply swipe away to the next slide…Research has shown that Facebook and Instagram users are 23% more likely to remember a brand if the name is used in the first 3 seconds of an ad!
2. Use captions effectively
Captions are an easy way to generate more interest in an Instagram ad. Adding subtitles onto your ads is a way of keeping your target audiences engaged as well as making it more accessible to those with audio impairments or those users who browse Instagram with no sound. A great example of this can be seen over on Marvel’s Official Instagram where they shared a teaser for the 2021 superhero film ‘Shang Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings’.
3. Originality is key
In a world where content is being uploaded at staggering speeds, originality is a key component in standing out amongst the competition. Creativity, originality, and presenting content in new and exciting ways is what we do best at DreamingFish. A bland showcasing of your products or services won’t catch anyone’s eye, so an original and exciting solution to producing the best possible Instagram video ads that align with you and your brand’s creative vision will help to generate leads and enhance your brand image amongst stringent competition.
Interested in learning more?
At DreamingFish, our team is well-versed in creating video ads that help brands connect with their target audiences and demographics around the world. From live-action videos to animation, to something extra cool and unique, we will ensure your message is heard loud and clear. Why not check out our portfolio?
