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If LinkedIn is your company's number one priority for social, scheduling LinkedIn posts in advance can ease the workload and help you maintain an active online presence even when you're not at your computer. In this article, you'll learn how to schedule LinkedIn posts...
Sep 19, 2025
Growing your Instagram account is all about learning how to blend organic reach with paid promotion. That includes simple habits like taking time to schedule Instagram posts, but more importantly, it means running ads that catch people’s attention and make them want to stick with your brand a little longer. And what better way to learn how to create good promotion than by looking at some great Instagram ad examples?
Instagram offers you a lot of different ad formats and sharing mediums to choose from. It’s up to you to determine which works best for your business and the product or service you’re promoting. By looking at some brands that are doing the ad game right, you can draw inspiration and up your paid promotion game.
Without further ado, let’s break down the different types of ads Instagram lets you run and look at 20 ad examples that will inspire you.
By now, you know that running ads will bring your content in front of your target audience faster. But do you know what types of ads you can run on Instagram and what their specifications are? I’ll break down each of them and explain what they look like and where they’ll show up on the app.
Instagram image ads are static photo ads that show up on users’ feeds. They’re great if you want people to run into your promotion while they scroll through updates from people they follow.
They can be a simple image or a graphic, whichever best represents what your brand is trying to promote. Instagram photo ads can be portrait (600 X 750 pixels, 4:5 aspect ratio), square (1080 X 1080, 1:1 aspect ratio), or landscape (1200 X 628 pixels, 1.9:1 aspect ratio). Your photo files should be uploaded as JPG or PNG with a maximum size of 30 MB.
Carousel ads also show up on people’s feeds, but they feature up to ten photos and videos in a row. This way, you can add more information and even tell a story through visuals and text. Each photo can have its own link, so you can promote more than just one product or lead people to multiple landing pages.
Carousel ads should have an aspect ratio of either 1:1 or 4:5 and a minimum resolution of 1080 x 1080 pixels. The images should be PNG or JPG of up to 30 MB, and the videos should be MP4, MOV, or GIF of up to 4 GB.
The last of the feed ad types, Instagram video ads also blend in with the content from accounts users follow. When you feel like a simple image can’t tell the whole story, and a carousel doesn’t quite reach the level of production you need, a video ad is the way to go.
Videos can also be portrait 600 X 750 pixels, 4:5 aspect ratio), square (1080 X 1080, 1:1 aspect ratio), or landscape (1200 X 628 pixels, 1.9:1 aspect ratio), and they should be uploaded as MP4, MOV, or GIF of up to 4 GB. Meta’s recommendation is that you keep the video at a 4:5 ratio. The duration can be up to 60 minutes, though 15 seconds should be more than enough to capture attention.
Instagram Reel ads can be both images and videos. They show up in the Reels feed in between organic videos. While the regular feed is made up of people users follow, this one displays videos based on what the algorithm has learned the user’s interests are.
Thanks to their 9:16 aspect ratio (with the recommendation being 1440 x 2560 pixels), Reel ads are full-screen, making them more mobile-friendly and immersive. You can use these types of ads to participate in trends and challenges, share user-generated content, or educate people about your products. You can also use them to interrupt your audience’s scrolling with an attention-grabbing visual. Unlike feed ads, Reels don’t support GIF files.
Instagram Story ads are also full-screen, with a 9:16 aspect ratio, both images and videos. People scroll horizontally through Stories, and ads appear in between organic posts.
Videos can be up to 60 minutes, but only a maximum of 35 seconds will be displayed entirely in the Story, usually broken down into 15-second increments (the number of Story cards displayed is personalized to each user). If the video is longer, users will have the option to tap to watch more.
All the same file requirements remain when it comes to the videos and images, and, unlike Reels, Stories allow for GIFs as well.
Now that you know what types of ads you can create on Instagram, it’s time to get to the exciting part and look at 20 scroll-stopping Instagram ads that you can learn from. I’ll break down different image, carousel, video, Reel, and Story ads so you can get valuable takeaways from each. This way, you can be sure you’re putting your ad spend to good use from the get-go!
Remarkable’s entire Instagram presence is sleek and professional, and its ads are no exception. This image ad captures attention through its simplicity and very clearly presents not only what their product is, but what it excels at.
Imagine scrolling through your Instagram feed in the first days of the year, when you’re most determined to make a change in your lifestyle, and you run into exactly the tool that can help you plan the year ahead. Tempting, right? That’s exactly the point, and why this ad is a success.
If you were to ask me what I associate MailChimp’s branding with the most, I think the color yellow would be the first thing on my mind. If you’re at all familiar with them, it’s almost impossible to run into this very yellow feed ad and not instantly associate it with them. And, if you don’t know them yet, it’s a color that’s sure to stick in your mind.
Adding numbers is always a good idea when you want to prove that you’re good at what you do. MailChimp didn’t just make a promise to deliver more revenue, it gave you a tangible result: 141%! With such a spectacular (or, as they called it, Mailchimptacular) result dangled in front of you, how can you resist? That’s what you should be aiming for in your own ads as well.
Professional-looking visual? Check. Impactful design? Check. Recognizable brand colors and fonts? Check!
Monday’s ad isn’t just visually pleasing, it also asks users an important question. It highlights their pain points and sparks the idea in their mind that Monday can be the one to address them. When you’re making your own ads, think about what it is that your product or service can deliver to address the pain points of your target audience.
Most of the time, people use social media to unwind, which means the content they seek is light-hearted. Finding a way to make your ad fun, like Planable did, is a great strategy. This gamified ad highlights exactly what pain points Planable can address, but keeps its tone of voice light and friendly.
Ad strategies are usually pretty straightforward. Got a problem? We have a solution! But Planable’s approach is refreshing and new. Don’t have a problem? Your life will be better with us anyway!
It’s obvious that this Instagram carousel ad looks great. If you think about it, the design of the visuals themselves can be an ad for Kittl’s features and the results it can offer. The carousel format allows Kittl to give a more in-depth look into what a subscription to their tool can bring to the table (and the diffused images of its competitors in the background really seal the deal).
There’s another important lesson to learn from this ad, though. Even if you weren’t to scroll through all the images, just the first one by itself would be an impactful enough ad for the tool. It’s good to keep in mind that not everyone will want to look through your entire Instagram carousel, so its cover should deliver a powerful message.
It seems that graphic design tools are on a roll when it comes to carousel ads, though it makes sense, right? In this case, Indieground took the creative decision to showcase what some of their editing features look like in action, so you can visualize what you can do by using their service.
I’ve talked about the possibility of users not feeling like scrolling through your carousel ad and stopping at the first slide. But how can you prevent that from happening? Well, by making sure to include a hook in your first image. In this example from the European Investment Bank, the hook comes in the form of a question that they proceed to answer in the following slides.
Carousels are a great opportunity to educate. Pose an interesting question or start with a statement that could be seen as controversial, and proceed to elaborate on it in the next visuals. This way, people will be compelled to scroll until the end.
There’s only so much trust a business can gain from its audience by selling its own services. What truly inspires confidence in potential customers is the positive experiences of real clients. Building a carousel of real positive reviews, like Planable did, will assure people that your company truly brings value to its client base.
I also previously mentioned the power of numbers, and it applies here, too. Mentioning the number of marketers (and an impressive one at that) who trust Planable increases the chances of the viewer soon becoming part of them.
Moving on to Instagram video ads examples, this one from Lightroom is a great first one to analyze. What they created is essentially a video walkthrough of how their tool works and what you can do with it, making the video ad educational and bringing value to viewers.
The video is high quality, a must always, but especially when what you are promoting is an editing tool. Your ads should always showcase your expertise, not only through their content but through their quality as well.
Maybe not the ad you expected to see on this list, but think about it. What could be better suited for a video ad than a game? Nothing incentivizes people to download one more than seeing its gameplay. It’s a direct view into what you can expect if you decide to give it a shot.
Creating videos that give a hands-on view of what your company has to offer will create buzz and leave people intrigued and excited to find out more or try the product out themselves.
This video ad from Wix Studio takes giving your clients a voice to the next level. It features video testimonials from entire teams that have benefited from their services from all around the world. Unlike usual video testimonials, these are filmed at a professional production level, with overlays of Wix Studio in action.
Giving a face to the satisfied customers who have worked with your company will increase brand trust and loyalty, as viewers can build an emotional connection with the ad.
When your ad relies on conveying a message through text, you have to make sure that your audience is interested in reading what you have to say to the end. The best way to do that is to keep the text short, keep the sentences impactful, and create a video where the transitions keep the viewer hooked. This is exactly what Harvard Business Review did in this video about their Ask AI tool.
Despite not being the classic trendy Reel, this Elementor ad captures attention for a number of reasons. First, it uses large, easy-to-read typography with a powerful value proposition. Also, the bright purple background and neon green accent make the ad pop in a crowded feed. These colors aren’t just attractive, they’re also on-brand and draw attention within the first second.
The use of a mouse cursor clicking ‘Accept’ quickly conveys action and interactivity. It helps illustrate how easy it is to get started, reinforcing the “fast” message visually. Including the “Copilot” feature snippet and interface-style visuals gives viewers a peek into what using Elementor AI might actually look like, without overwhelming them with a full tutorial.
This perfume Reel ad from Routine Paris is minimalistic but incredibly sophisticated at the same time. The colors, the elements surrounding the perfume bottle, they all give an idea of what the smell and the vibe of the perfume are. The end of the video, which features the name of the perfume and then the brand in white text on a black background, written in the company font, only adds to the idea of quiet luxury.
Routine Paris kept their ad short, knowing that anything longer could risk losing the viewer’s attention. Sometimes, simple is the most effective.
What do you think about when you think of a vacation at a luxury resort? Perhaps sun, relaxation, nature. They’re all featured and conveyed through Sani Resort’s Reel ad. Videos give you the opportunity to really sell an experience, and Sani took that opportunity to showcase their resort in Greece in the best way.
Another element that makes this ad so successful is the collaboration with Bear Grylls. Featuring celebrities or influencers who are important in your niche increases visibility as well as credibility. In this case, what better way to promote an escape in nature than with the king of nature exploration himself?
Planable’s Reel ad is fast-paced, and it uses humor to connect with the viewer. It showcases what the tool can do for you, but in a way that feels less like a promotion and more like an entertaining video you’d stumble upon while scrolling through your vertical video feed.
Don’t hesitate to keep your Reel ads lighthearted. People will still take you and your services seriously, but they’ll also find your brand relatable and your content interesting, which means you might gain both a new customer and a new follower in the process.
This Adobe Creative Cloud Story ad works well because it gets straight to the point. The offer, 46% off, is big, bold, and impossible to miss. The bright blue background and clean layout grab attention instantly, and the modern, city-style illustration adds a creative touch that fits the product perfectly.
The message is simple: you get access to 20+ creative apps at a lower price. The “Subscribe” button at the bottom is clear and encourages quick action. What you should take from this is that when you create your own Story ad, you should use color, clarity, and a strong offer to pull viewers in and make them want to learn more or sign up.
This Story ad from Sana Labs stands out by making learning look sleek and modern. The clean design, simple headline (“Learning never looked so good”), and realistic product visuals on both mobile and desktop instantly communicate value.
The layout makes it clear that the platform is user-friendly and visually appealing. Showing actual onboarding and leadership content helps the viewer picture themselves using it. When creating your own Story ad, keep the design clean and product-focused. Show real use cases, not just logos, and make your CTA pop against the background.
This Booking.com Story ad is visually powerful because it lets the imagery do all the talking. With six stunning travel photos, it instantly sparks wanderlust and appeals to a wide range of tastes, whether you love historic charm, modern architecture, or luxurious relaxation. And the best part? It’s shoppable! All you need to do is click on the hotel or accommodation you like, and it’ll take you directly to their reservation page on Booking.com.
There’s no clutter, no lengthy text, just eye-catching visuals and a clear “Book Now” button that makes it easy to act on impulse. The ad works because it focuses on the emotional appeal of travel and provides an immediate next step. When making a shoppable Story ad, lead with strong visuals and keep the CTA simple and direct.
This BYD Europe Story ad is bold, sleek, and built for speed, just like the car it’s promoting. The motion blur effect adds a sense of power and movement, while the sharp “Let’s electrify” text creates instant energy and emotion. The clean branding and minimal layout keep the focus on the car, making it the hero of the ad.
The “Visit Instagram Profile” CTA is subtle but effective, encouraging users to explore more without interrupting the visual flow. If you’re promoting a product with strong visual appeal, let it take center stage and match the design with a punchy, emotion-driven message.
There are so many creative directions you can take with your Instagram advertising that it’s almost intimidating. These 20 examples from all five types of Instagram ads should help you get started on creating your next Instagram ad that will bring impressive results. Don’t hesitate to draw inspiration from those who are already pros at the game, but make sure to always add your personal touch and bring something authentic to users’ Instagram feeds.
To keep all of the new followers you’ll gain from your ad strategy hooked on your content, you’ll need an Instagram management companion. With Planable, you can visually plan your feed, schedule posts, collaborate with your team in real time, and get feedback before anything goes live. Give it a try and watch your Instagram game grow to new heights!
Stumbled upon content writing when trying to put her love of writing to good use 4 years ago and never left. Dabbles in social media marketing. Loves that scrolling on Instagram and TikTok is considered work research.
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