Instagram Video Ad: The Ultimate Handbook for Beginners
No matter if you have just started with Instagram or have amassed a large following with a strong presence, Instagram video ads have become an essential element for success on the platform, especially if you own a business account!
As a social media platform, Instagram serves an interactive place to showcase your products or services to a broader audience. With over one billion active users, Instagram allows businesses to increase brand awareness, promote themselves, drive website traffic, and boost sales through video ads.
Targeting the audience is not unachievable, but it needs to have a clear vision of what works for your niche and what’s not! And if you miss that part, creating the perfect Instagram ads can be daunting, even if you have many followers.
In fact, from video formats to dimensions, length, and sound requirements, it is vital to know how to create an Instagram ad that stands out. That’s why we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the Insta video ad specs world.
So, whether you’re running a small business or a marketer looking to improve your Instagram game, let us take you through the ultimate guide to Instagram video ad specs. By the end of this guide, you’ll be well on your way to creating stunning video ads that will engage your audience and drive your business goals.
Let’s get started!
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Why Are Video Ads More Effective?
Statistics show that online shoppers are avid consumers of online video. One-third of them will purchase a product after viewing a video ad. That is why a quarter of all igtv ads are single videos.
Video ads are great for informing and educating because they convey messages through audio and visual elements.
They are very effective for product demonstrations as potential clients can see what a product does or how it works. The chances of converting sales for a product increase by up to 35% if the item’s description includes a video ad.
Moreover, people who find creative e-commerce video ads interesting tend to share them with their followers on social media, thus increasing their visibility further. And the emotional impact of video ads is more incredible than image ads. They are more engaging and can tell your story better than other formats, appealing to people’s emotions.
Instagram Video Ad Specs
Landscape Video Format
It is ideal for showcasing wide or panoramic shots. This format is perfect for businesses looking to showcase a larger space, like a beautiful landscape, or to show a product in use. The recommended dimensions for landscape videos are 1080 x 608 pixels, and the aspect ratio is 16:9.
Square Video Format
The square video format is great for creating an immersive experience for your audience and is a popular format for igtv ads. This format is perfect for showcasing products, interviews, or content requiring a closer focus.
The recommended dimensions for square videos are 1080 x 1080 pixels, and the aspect ratio is 1:1.
Vertical Video Format
It is the most common video format for Instagram Stories and is perfect for creating a more personal experience for your audience. This format is ideal for showcasing a person or product in action, giving your audience a glimpse into your brand’s personality.
The recommended dimensions for vertical videos are 1080 x 1920 pixels, and the aspect ratio is 9:16.
Well! Choosing the suitable video format for your Instagram video ad is crucial, depending on the content you’re showcasing and your audience’s preferences. Remember that each structure will have different dimensions and aspect ratios, so choosing the right one is essential to avoid any cropping or distortion.
Video Length And Sound Requirements
Video length and sound requirements are critical considerations when creating compelling video ads. An Instagram video ad can be up to 60 seconds long, but you should still use up the total duration. Research has shown that shorter videos perform better on the platform, with an optimal length of around 30 seconds.
It’s essential to remember that many Instagram users watch videos without sound, so incorporating captions or subtitles into your video ads is necessary. Captions and subtitles ensure that your message is still conveyed even when the sound is off, making your video ads more accessible to a broader audience.
Regarding sound requirements, it’s best to use music and sound effects sparingly and ensure that they don’t overpower the message of your video ad. If you decide to use music, it’s essential to ensure that you have the rights to the music you’re using, as using copyrighted music can result in your video being taken down.
In addition to captions and subtitles, Instagram also offers an automatic captioning feature that generates captions for your video ads. While this feature isn’t always 100% accurate, it can be a great starting point for creating captions or subtitles.
Another option for adding captions or subtitles to your Instagram video ad is to create them using video editing software or hire a professional to make them for you. It can ensure that your captions or subtitles are accurate, aesthetically pleasing, and in line with your brand’s tone and style.
Tips To Amplify Your Instagram Video Ad
Competitor Research:
Well! What if we say there is no need to keep experimenting with different content?
Competitor research is crucial to any successful marketing strategy, and Instagram video ad research is no exception. By analyzing your competitors’ Instagram video advertisement campaigns, you can gain valuable insights into their strategy, tactics, and messaging, helping you to improve your ad campaigns and grow your business.
You might feel overwhelmed as we have covered multiple hacks to gain a target audience in the funnel. Though Instagram marketing is all about experimenting with different forms, the fact is — it asks for a lot of time!
Don’t worry! We’ve got you here.
Competitor research is undoubtedly a fantastic way to hit the right content. But again, it takes a lot of time to research consistently. Thus, you can use powerful Instagram ad spy tools like PowerAdSpy.
Let’s learn more about the software!
PowerAdSpy 
PowerAdSpy is an advanced ad intelligence tool that allows you to research your competitors’ Instagram video ads, uncovering their strategies and tactics. By analyzing their ad campaigns, you can get insights into what works and what doesn’t. It directly helps you to create more effective video ads that resonate with your target audience.
One of the critical benefits of PowerAdSpy is that it allows you to search for ads by keyword, advertiser, or even ad type. It means you can quickly and easily find video ads relevant to your niche or industry, making creating video ads tailored to your target audience easier.
In addition to searching for video ads, the Instagram ad spy tool allows you to analyze key metrics such as ad spend, engagement rates, and demographics. This data can help you to identify trends and patterns in your competitors’ ad campaigns, allowing you to create more effective video ads that resonate with your target audience.
Another great feature of PowerAdSpy is its ability to create custom audiences based on the ads you spy on. It means you can create highly targeted audiences for your Instagram video ad, ensuring that your ads are seen by the right people at the right time.
Consider Your Brand’s Aesthetic:
Before choosing a video format, consider your brand’s aesthetic and style. Vertical videos may work well if your brand has a more casual or personal tone. Landscape or square videos may be a better fit if your brand has a more professional or polished look.
Keep Your Audience in Mind:
It’s essential to consider your audience’s preferences when choosing a video format. For example, if your audience is primarily mobile, vertical videos may be a better option as they are optimized for mobile viewing.
Experiment with Different Formats:
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different igtv ad formats to see which resonates best with your audience. You may find that square videos work best for one campaign while vertical videos work better for another.
Use the Right Dimensions:
When creating your video ad, use the recommended dimensions for your chosen format. Using the wrong dimensions can result in cropping or distortion, distracting and taking away from your message.
Keep It Short and Sweet:
Regardless of your format, keeping your video ad short and to the point is essential. An Instagram video ad can be up to 60 seconds long, but research shows shorter videos more effectively capture the audience’s attention.
Add Captions:
Since many users watch videos on Instagram with the sound off, adding captions to your video ads can help ensure your message is still being conveyed.
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Conclusion
Well! Conducting competitor research for Instagram video ads can be a game-changer for your business. By analyzing your competitors’ ad campaigns, you can gain valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t in your industry or niche, helping you to create more effective video ads that resonate with your target audience.
Additionally, competitor research can help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in Instagram advertising and identify gaps in the market that you can capitalize on. By learning from your competitors’ successes and failures, you can improve your overall marketing strategy, increase your ROI, and gain a competitive edge over your rivals.
So why not conduct competitor research for your Instagram video ad today?
