In August, Instagram opened up their API's (application programming interface) to allow more businesses access to advertise on the platform. We've put together a brief document about how this is done via Instagram's parent company, Facebook.
2. Instagram Advertising Basics
• In August, Instagram allowed more business’s to advertise on the platform
• The ads fit in to a user’s news feed
• Instagram suggest their adverts are 2.8 times more effective than other forms of online advertising
• Call to action buttons include ‘Learn More’, ‘Install Now’, ‘Sign Up’ and ‘Shop Now’
3. What does Instagram advertising look like?
• The same as normal posts on
Instagram
• Posts can be square or
landscape
• *sponsored* text in corner
• Tapping the image will take
user through to landing page
https://www.facebook.com/business/help/976240832426180/
5. How does it work through Facebook?
• Using the Power Editor
• Businesses of all sizes can create Instagram ads – but
you must have a Facebook ad account
• Instagram account isn’t needed but it is recommended
– if you don’t have an account, the handle will be
greyed out and you can’t view or respond to
comments
• Targeting options are the same as Facebook,
including Custom and Look-a-Like
• Campaigns can run with Facebook and Instagram
adverts
• Set ad objectives
6. How can I track what’s working?
• Using the Power Editor or Ads Manager on Facebook
• Campaign, Ad Set and Advert levels
• Custom columns and reports
8. Best Practice
• Image size 1080 x 1080 pixels
• Video size 30mb max
• Caption limited to 300 characters
• Avoid using URL’s within the caption
• Use images relating to your brand
• Use concept driven images
• Make sure images are well crafted
• Not too much text within the image
9. Can I do it?
Instagram advertising is not currently available to everyone –
but they are updating their preferences again in October and
will be available more widely
Appear in users news feed
Go through to landing page – that is in the facebook interface
Carousel ads as well
Using the power editor – can’t be edited in ads manager but can be edited in power editor
Need to have a facebook ad account
If you don’t have an instagram account, the handle will be greyed out so you can’t view or respond to any comments
Targeting – Location, interests, actions, - the only required target options are country, age and gender
To make an ad for instagram – you can choose it in the ‘placement’ section
Ad objectives – clicks to website, video views and mobile app installs
Reports available shortly after ads start running
They will be the same format as facebook ads
Concept driven – that tell a story, or use a specific theme throughout such as the same filter, same colour etc
Well crafted – strong focal point with good framing, not too dark, etc
Quality guidelines –
When we review Instagram ads, we look for:
Poor image quality (resolution, blurriness or cropping)
Poor copy (grammar, capitalization or excessive symbols)
Relevance (mismatch between image and copy or irrelevant landing page).