Instagram has managed to capture the hearts and attention of a billion users worldwide. Marketers have jumped through the hoops to capture this attention and reach over 22% of the world population. With heavy competition to bring their brands to the attention of users, you need every advantage you can get your hands on. And that starts with knowing the technical aspects of ad making. So in this article, we will dive deep into the types of Instagram ad and their size requirements.
So, let us begin!
Instagram Ad Types and their Specs:
There are many types of Instagram ad sizes that you can choose to advertise your products. The ad you choose totally depends on your strategy and the nature of your ad content. So, go through this list to find one that will best work for you!
1. Instagram Feed Ads
Instagram Feed ads are a great way to capture and retain your audience’s attention. Because in these types of ads, the only thing on the user’s screen will be your content. Instagram suggests you have a square dimension for these kinds of ads. So let us get down to the specs of it.
- Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 px, 1080 x 1350 px (4:5, portrait)
- Aspect ratio: 1:1, 4:5 (Portrait)
- Maximum video length: 60 seconds
- Maximum video size: 4 GB
- Video Formats: MP4 or MOV
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2. Instagram Stories Ads
Let us start by letting you know this. Instagram Stories ads are skippable and have to be within 10 seconds. Because, if it exceeds 10 seconds then the user has to click on a “Keep watching” button.
All these are indications that the best way to make the most of your story ads is by putting your best foot forward.
But, if you do manage to get the user’s attention, you can drive them straight to your Instagram shop.
So, use a dynamic type of ad with stop-motions and live-action videos to retain your audience’s attention. Use an innovative CTA to make sure that your audience interacts with your ad by swiping up. The Instagram Story ad size dimensions are:
- Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1920 px
- Aspect ratio: 9:16
- Maximum video length: 60 minutes
- Maximum video size: 4 GB
- Maximum Image size: 30 MB
- Video Formats: MP4, MOV or GIF
3. Carousel Ads
If you have multiple products in your inventory that need to be displayed in a single ad, then Carousel ads are your best bet.
With carousel ads, you can display up to 10 images or videos in an ad. And it comes with a CTA that allows people to interact with your ad. Carousel ads are proven to have a track record of getting conversions that are higher than the average rate. So, this is a good choice for your business.
The best size for Instagram Carousel ads is as follows:
- Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 px
- Aspect ratio: 1:1
- Maximum video length: 60 seconds
- Maximum video size: 4 GB
- Maximum Image size: 30 MB
- Video Formats: MP4, MOV
- Image Formats: JPG, PNG
4. Slideshow ads
Slideshow ads are very similar to carousel ads, with the added advantage that you do not have to swipe to get to the next image. Each image swipes on its own making it into a seamless transition, almost like a video. Each image lasts for about 50 seconds, which is ample time to display your product.
Instagram ad sizes for Slideshows are as follows:
- Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 px
- Aspect ratio: 1:1
- Image duration: up to 50 seconds per image
- Image Formats: JPG, PNG
5. Explore ads
The For You Page or the Explore page is where the users gain access to content and creators they do not follow yet. When you place your ads here, you ensure that your content reaches a wider set of audience. This also means that the ad content needs to be Top of the Funnel kind of content or else it might not relate with your viewers.
The ad sizes for Instagram for the Explore section are as follows:
- Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 px
- Aspect ratio: 9:16
- Maximum video length: 1-60 minutes
- Maximum video size: 4 GB
- Maximum File size: 30 MB
- Video Formats: MP4, MOV, GIF
6. Reels Ads
Getting to place your ads in the form of short-form video content and also get to take up the viewer’s whole screen? This must be some advertiser’s dream come true!
Reels, an Instagram version of TikTok has gained popularity ever since it was introduced. And, now you can create ads as reels too.
You can either make an ad that will directly go live on Reels or you can partner up with Instagram Influencers to make branded content. Either way, it is a great way of gaining traction and improving brand awareness.
However, when creating ads for reels keep in mind to not use licensed music, product tags, and effects. And finally, Keep your reels short and sweet.
- Minimum resolution: At least 500 x 888 px
- Aspect ratio: 9:16
- Maximum video length: 15 minutes
- Maximum video size: 4 GB
- Video Formats: MP4, MOV
7. Shopping Ads
Shopping ads help the user to make in-app purchases without venturing into third-party apps. This ensures a smooth and easy conversion process that encourages people to make a purchase.
You can use images from your product catalog, and pair them with nice audio and a good CTA that will prompt users to buy.
- Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 px
- Aspect ratio: 4:5
- Maximum video length: 60 minutes
- Maximum video size: 4 GB
- Video Formats: MP4, MOV, GIF
8. Collection Ads
Collection Ads are similar to Carousel Ads. This Collection ad has a cover image which will be displayed large accompanied by small images of the rest at the bottom. Whereas, in carousel ads, you have to physically swipe to see the images. This ad allows you to watch all the images on one screen.
- Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 px
- Aspect ratio: 1:1
- Maximum video size: 4 GB
- Maximum Image size: 30 MB
- Video Formats: MP4, MOV, GIF
Why Are Ad Sizes Important?
Having a well-performing ad on Instagram can bring you clients left, right, and center. One of the most important steps in ensuring your ad becomes a success is by keeping their sizes accurate. So, here is a breakdown of why you need to consider ad sizes when making Instagram ads:
1. Compatibility Issues:
This is one of the major reasons why you should maintain ad sizes. Because if you don’t Facebook might reject your ads and hinder you from getting conversions.
2. Quality Assurance:
If your ads are not created in the proper dimensions, then your ads might look stretched or constricted. And we do not have to tell you what happens when your ad is not visually appealing, right?
3. Improve chances of success:
You are going to be spending a good amount of money and lots of time making these ads. The least you can do is check all the boxes so that you give your ad every chance for it to succeed. After all, we do not want our ads to fail because we did not make it in the right size.
Best Practices For Creating Instagram Ads:
What other boxes can you check to make sure you maximize your chances of running a successful Instagram Ads? Here is a list for you to get started on:
1. Figure out your Target Audience
If you have ever looked at Facebook Targeting Metrics, you know how extensive the settings are. So, if you have your target audience figured out, then Facebook ads manager equips you with all the tools you need to target only them. Making sure you reach only the relevant people helps you spend your budget where it matters.
So, the next time you run an ad, think about who you are running it for.
2. Pull out All Plugs
When it comes to ads, there is no scope for you to cut corners. This is where you go all out, creativity side and budget side too. So, when creating ads get inspiration, use your best images, and the best copy, and put it together for an extraordinary ad.
Remember, ads are your first touch with your audience. And first impressions need to be your best impressions, right?
3. Storytelling approach
A good ad is not an ad that flashes Buy Now everywhere. It is an ad that tells a compelling story which eventually leads to a purchase. That is how your ad should work too.
Tell your audience the kind of solution that you have. How your product can help eradicate their problem. And then eventually make them understand why your product is a must-need for them.
4. Add CTAs
Why do we add CTAs?
Because, without CTAs, the audience will see your ad and move on. They do not know how to proceed and what to expect. But when you give them a clear-cut way how to proceed with the transaction or contact your business, then chances are they might.
If a user is intrigued with your product, and your ad has a good CTA that gives them direction then they are bound to interact with you.
Conclusion
By following the appropriate Instagram Ad guidelines and good design practices, you are well set to make your Instagram Ad go live. Now, if your ad will bring you the desired results is up to many factors. Adjusting these factors and making it a success is a work in progress and requires you to do a lot of guesswork and A/B testing.
Fortunately, you can take the guesswork out of your ad designing process with Predis AI. We have custom-made templates for you to choose from or you can leverage our AI-generative capabilities and get your ad design done.
With the design concerns out of the way, you can focus on other aspects and get your ads to success in half the time. So, sign up today and get started with your Instagram Ad!
