Instagram video ads have become an essential tool for businesses looking to engage their audience, boost brand visibility, and drive conversions. With the ever-evolving nature of social media, video content continues to be the most engaging format, and Instagram has embraced this with a variety of video ad options. In this guide, we will explore why Instagram video ads are crucial for business growth, how to create them, and the best practices to ensure they perform at their best.
Can You Do Video Ads on Instagram?
Absolutely! Instagram offers several ways to incorporate video into your advertising strategy, making it one of the most effective platforms for engaging users. Businesses can use Instagram video ads on various sections of the app, such as the feed, stories, and explore page, to reach a broader audience and drive higher engagement rates.
Instagram video ads are an ideal way for businesses to tell their story visually, demonstrate products in action, or promote brand messaging. Video ads on Instagram capture user attention more effectively than static images, as they are dynamic and often evoke stronger emotional connections. With users spending more time watching videos on social media, Instagram video ads offer businesses a powerful way to grow and connect with their target audience.
How Much Does a Video Ad Cost on Instagram?
The cost of Instagram video ads can vary depending on several factors, such as your target audience, the duration of your campaign, and the overall demand for ad space. Typically, Instagram video ads use a bidding system based on cost-per-click (CPC), cost-per-impression (CPM), or cost-per-action (CPA), meaning you only pay when users engage with your ad.
On average, Instagram video ads cost anywhere from $0.20 to $2.00 per click or impression, depending on your targeting and competition. The key to keeping costs low is targeting the right audience with relevant content, testing different ad formats, and optimizing your campaigns for better performance.
While Instagram video ads can be cost-effective, it’s important to set a budget that aligns with your goals and continuously monitor your ad performance to ensure you’re getting the most value for your investment.
What Are the Types of Video Ads on Instagram?
Instagram offers a wide range of video ad formats to help businesses effectively connect with their audience. Some of the most common Instagram video ad formats include:
1. Instagram Feed Video Ads
Instagram feed video ads appear in users’ main feed, making them one of the most common video ad formats. They typically appear alongside organic posts, making them less intrusive while still engaging. The recommended Instagram video ads size for feed ads is 1080 x 1080 pixels, with a 1:1 aspect ratio.
2. Instagram Stories Video Ads
Instagram Stories video ads appear between organic Stories as users swipe through their content. These ads provide an immersive, full-screen experience that can be highly engaging. Instagram users are highly active on Stories, making this a powerful format for businesses to grab attention. The ideal Instagram video ads specs for Stories are 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 aspect ratio.
3. Instagram Explore Video Ads
These ads appear within Instagram’s Explore page, which shows content relevant to the user’s interests. Video ads in this section can reach a broader audience and often generate higher engagement. Instagram video ads specs for Explore are similar to feed ads, with the recommended size being 1080 x 1080 pixels.
4. Instagram Carousel Video Ads
Instagram carousel video ads allow businesses to showcase multiple videos or images in a single ad. This format is ideal for storytelling or promoting a series of related products. The Instagram carousel video ads specs are similar to regular video ads, with the size depending on the format of each video frame.
Instagram Video Ads Best Practices
To maximize the effectiveness of Instagram video ads, it’s essential to follow best practices that ensure your ads are optimized for engagement and conversions. Here are some Instagram video ads best practices to keep in mind:
1. Hook Your Audience in the First Few Seconds
Since Instagram users typically scroll quickly through their feeds, it’s crucial to grab their attention within the first few seconds. Start with an eye-catching opening that piques interest and encourages users to keep watching your ad.
2. Optimize for Mobile Viewing
Most Instagram users access the app via mobile devices, so it’s essential to design your video ads for mobile-first viewing. Ensure that your visuals are clear, easy to understand, and that any text or branding is large enough to be seen on smaller screens.
3. Include a Strong Call-to-Action
Each Instagram video ad should have a clear call-to-action (CTA) directing users to take the next step, whether it’s visiting your website, making a purchase, or signing up for your newsletter. Be sure to include an actionable CTA that aligns with your campaign goals.
4. Keep It Short and Sweet
While Instagram allows up to 60-second video ads, shorter videos tend to perform better in terms of engagement. Aim to keep your Instagram video ads under 30 seconds, as they are more likely to be watched in full, increasing the chances of conversion.
5. Test and Optimize Your Ads
Continuous testing is key to successful Instagram video ads. Experiment with different ad lengths, formats, and messaging to see what resonates best with your audience. Use Instagram’s analytics tools to monitor performance and adjust your campaigns based on the data.
Instagram Video Ads Specs
It’s important to adhere to the Instagram video ads specs to ensure that your ads are properly displayed across all devices. Here are the main Instagram video ads specs you should follow:
- Size: The recommended size for video ads on Instagram is 1080 x 1080 pixels (for feed and Explore ads), and 1080 x 1920 pixels for Stories ads.
- Aspect Ratio: Instagram supports different aspect ratios depending on the type of ad:
- 1:1 aspect ratio for feed video ads.
- 9:16 aspect ratio for Stories and vertical videos.
- 16:9 aspect ratio for horizontal videos in the feed.
- Length: Instagram video ads can be up to 60 seconds in length, though shorter videos (15-30 seconds) tend to perform better.
- File Type: Instagram supports MP4 or MOV file formats for video ads.
- File Size: Keep video file sizes under 4GB for smooth uploading and optimal performance.
How Long Can Instagram Video Ads Be?
Instagram video ads can last anywhere from 3 seconds to 60 seconds. However, shorter ads (under 30 seconds) tend to have better engagement rates, as users are more likely to watch them in full. For Instagram story video ads, the maximum length is 15 seconds per frame, so if you’re running multiple frames in a carousel, you can create a longer story with multiple short videos.
Best Instagram Video Ads
Some of the best Instagram video ads are those that create an emotional connection with the viewer, showcase a product in action, or tell a compelling story. The best-performing ads are often those that are visually appealing, concise, and clear in their messaging.
For example, brands like Nike and Coca-Cola have effectively used Instagram video ads to tell stories, promote new products, and engage their audience with creative, high-quality content. By maintaining a consistent brand voice and using eye-catching visuals, these brands have seen success with their video ad campaigns.
Making Instagram Video Ads Performant
To make your Instagram video ads as performant as possible, ensure they are optimized for fast loading times and engagement. This means compressing your video files to ensure they load quickly on mobile devices and keeping the content visually appealing and relevant to your audience.
You can also optimize the performance by targeting the right audience, testing different video lengths, and refining your messaging based on performance metrics.
Instagram Story Video Ads
Instagram Story video ads offer a full-screen, immersive experience that can significantly boost engagement. Since users are already highly engaged with Stories, these video ads can be an effective way to capture attention and drive conversions. To make the most of Instagram story video ads, ensure your videos are quick, visually striking, and have a clear CTA.
Conclusion
In the fast-paced world of social media marketing, Instagram video ads are one of the most effective ways for businesses to engage their audience and drive growth. By creating high-quality video content that resonates with your target market, businesses can boost brand awareness, increase conversions, and ultimately grow their presence on Instagram.
Whether you’re using feed video ads, Stories ads, or carousel video ads, it’s essential to follow Instagram video ads best practices to maximize their performance. Make sure your video ads are optimized for mobile, have a strong CTA, and tell a compelling story that captures attention.
Ready to boost your business growth with Instagram video ads? Learn more about creating effective video ad campaigns and watch your brand thrive. Visit BlueGift Digital for expert advice on Instagram ad strategies.
