Instagram Ads For Beginners

Have you ever wanted to ensure that your Instagram content reaches the right audience without relying on the algorithm? Or make it easier for people to access your products, content, or website without asking them to click the link in your bio? That’s where Instagram ads come in. Over 1.4 billion people use Instagram, which means that there is an excellent chance your target audience is on there. Although organic content is important and can perform well on its own, running an ad can help give you an extra boost and increase your visibility.

What Are Instagram Ads?

Instagram ads are paid posts that businesses use to reach specific target audiences on the platform. These ads appear in users’ feeds, Stories, and Explore pages, and usually have the look and feel of regular Instagram content. They can feature images, videos, or carousels. While Instagram ads resemble standard posts, they’re marked with a “Sponsored” label and often include additional features like clickable links, call-to-action (CTA) buttons, and product tags.

How To Run Instagram Ads:

There are two ways you can run Instagram Ads- by boosting a post or by using the Meta Ads Manager. Boosting a post is very simple- you simply select a post that you have previously published, and click “Boost Post”. You can then choose your target audience and what CTA you’d like, along with your budget and ad duration. To use Meta Ads Manager, go to your Meta Business Suite. From there, you can choose from a wider variety of options to get your ad up and running. Boosting a post and creating ads through Meta Ads Manager are both effective- there is no “better” option between the two; it just depends on your goal and the level of customization you want for each specific ad.

Types Of Instagram Ads:

Photo Ads: Photo ads are simple and effective- just a single image in either landscape or square format. They’re a great starting point if you’re new to advertising on Instagram. Although photo ads are simple, they can perform very well with the right image and caption.

Video Ads: Video ads can be up to 60 seconds long, giving you plenty of time to grab your audience’s attention. Your video does not need to be over-the-top, but make sure that it is high-quality and has a clear message. Shorter videos tend to perform better, so try to keep your video ad under 30 seconds and provide more information in the caption or through links in your bio.

Carousel Ads:

Carousel ads are ads comprised of multiple images that users can swipe through. If you want to promote multiple products, carousel ads are probably your best choice. For the most success with carousel ads, choose photos that are somewhat cohesive. New releases, best sellers, or other themed carousels help to keep your audience from scrolling past after only looking at a photo or two.

Story Ads:

Story ads are just what they sound like- ads that appear when your audience is flipping through Instagram Stories. Unlike regular Instagram Stories, Story Ads do not automatically disappear after 24 hours. Story Ads are a great way to reach your audience, as they appear in-between the stories of people that they are following. While they might not stay on your ad for the full duration it is set to run, there is a very high probability that they will actually pause to read it. Although you can run short videos on story ads, pictures tend to do better as you can present all of your information quickly before users tap over to the next story.

Instagram Ads are not a replacement for organic content, but can help give you a boost. Instagram ads are simple and customizable, making it a great option even for beginners. Try different ad styles and types to see what works best for you, and enjoy your Instagram Ad success!