25 Instagram Advertising Examples To Inspire Your Campaign This 2023

Have you seen a massive decline in your Instagram reach?

Do you find that your posts used to generate thousands of reactions and engagement from your followers and now only generate hundreds or less?

If you’ve spent a lot of time building your Instagram followers, getting this little to no engagement from your them can be a heartbreak for you.

Enter Instagram advertising.

For those who have been utilizing Facebook as a part of their marketing strategy…

… you already probably know that this decline in reach is actually just an invisible push for marketers to use Facebook advertising.

You have to pay to play and reach your target audience.

Instagram is no different of course, given that it is also owned by Meta.

So the question now is, how do you use Instagram advertising to still be able to reach, engage, and convert your target market?

Check out these 25 Instagram advertising examples that you can use to help you get started with your Instagram ad campaign.

Let’s jump right in!

25 Instagram Advertising Examples To Help Get You Started

1. The Fab Story

If you want your target audience to stop scrolling on Instagram, give them something to ponder and think about.

We’re talking about interactive quizzes and posts.

Check out this Instagram ad by The Fab Story wherein they created a fun test for users to participate in.

Then they’ve used the “Take the test” as their CTA in their ad creative to drive users to their app.

Instagram advertising examples like these is a smart way to make your target audience consider using your services.

2. Unstoppable Domains

The caption theme for this Instagram ad campaign by Unstoppable Domains is FOMO or Fear Of Missing Out.

The copy encourages users to register their domain today as hundreds of domains have already been registered.

So if you own a blockchain domain, this would probably make you decide right away to register yours too because you wouldn’t want to be left behind by your competitors.

3. Elementor

The lavender background color of this ad campaign will surely catch your attention and stop your scroll.

In this Instagram ad, Elementor promotes their new service which is a fixed-rate annual subscription of WordPress Builder + Built-in Hosting.

Aside from the cheap price, they also put in a “30-day money back guarantee”. This is to pique the interest of those who want to try it risk-free.

And their copy went straight to the point and listed the benefits of using their new service.

4. Kajabi

Instagram carousel ads are effective for those promotions that have a lot of information.

But there’s a catch, if you don’t use it wisely, users won’t even be interested in reading the rest of what you have to say.

So in this Instagram advertising example, Kajabi did a great job in using visual cues for their carousel ad.

Each ad creative used visual elements like hands, arrows, and graphics that extend to the next slide. This entices users to keep on swiping to learn more.

How they use each slide to tell a story and then progress as you swipe to the next slide is also an effective way to lead users to the sign-up CTA.

5. Mountain Equipment Coop

You’ll probably agree with us when we say most of the ads we see on Instagram and other social channels are always trying to sell us something.

So Instagram advertising examples like these from Mountain Equipment Coop are refreshing to see on our Instagram feed.

It doesn’t directly sell you its products but rather connects with you on an emotional level to give you a glimpse of what it would be like to use its brand.

Using ads like this is a powerful method of establishing a deep connection with your potential customers but be sure to make your videos short and sweet.

Something that will truly captivate them!

6. Aspiga

Founders bear a sense of credibility that when they use the products themselves, consumers are automatically drawn into them.

This is the case for Aspiga, a London-based fashion brand. For this Instagram ad example, they featured the brand’s founder and director, Lucy Macnamara.

In the video, she introduced her top picks of outfits that can be worn for special occasions, particularly for weddings.

Then it was followed by a short and skimmable caption which quickly describes the offer.

This is a great example of how you, as a founder, can help increase your ad’s exclusivity by simply promoting the products yourself.

7. Funnel.io

Funnel.io’s ad visual appeal is simple but it definitely succeeded in getting the message across to its target audience.

They used powerful words such as “get rid” and “free trial” which both compel users to go ahead and sign up on their list.

They also created graphics that feature their brand colors so people will easily recognize their ads and connect it with their brand even when scrolling through hundreds of feed posts.

And in their ad’s copy, they didn’t use a lengthy caption, instead, it directly tells users how their app can help them to get better marketing insights.

Offering free trials is a smart way to increase your email sign-ups because people will be able to test your features without making a monetary commitment yet.

8. MeetFrank

This Instagram ad from MeetFrank is all about numbers.

They used a custom design featuring a growth curve chart which is great for drawing the user’s attention.

And in the chart, they showed the ratio of salary based on the years of experience – an element that is also effective in getting more eyes to your ad.

Then they asked for a “Ui/UX Designer” which immediately gets the attention of those working in this field.

So if you have a particular set of people you’re targeting, let them know in your ad! Like what MeetFrank did with their ad creative.

9. Marriott Hotel

If you could show your target audience how it would feel like using your products or getting your services, then go ahead and do it!

For instance, in this Instagram ad example from Marriott Hotel, they painted a picture of how it would feel to check into their hotel after a long trip.

It’s simple yet draws potential customers in as they imagine themselves being on this journey.

The ad also did a great job of showcasing the top features and ambiance of the hotel.

Lastly, notice the length of their social media video ad. It’s only a 15-second video but it already gives you the feeling of getting their hotel services.

That’s a great example of how to capture your audience’s attention in a short span of time.

10. Levi’s

Levi’s is one of the most well-known brands when it comes to fashion. They have always been one to keep up with the latest fashion trends.

On their Instagram, they offer an enticing collection of clothing apparel sorted into different categories.

Users won’t have a hard time browsing through these collections as they can be viewed and accessed easily.

They also highlighted the products that are on sale to get more people to click and buy them.

If you own an e-commerce store – be it a brand that sells clothes, beauty products, etc, this Instagram ad is a great inspiration.

11. McDonald’s

When you have successful branding, people will be able to recognize your brand in an ad even without your logo or name sprinkled all over it.

Take it from this McDonald’s ad.

You can see how they simply used a flip flop on their ad creative, nothing else – but you can easily recognize at a glance that this ad is by McDonald’s.

The color is the give away as well as the letter “M” which looks like their logo.

If you have great branding, don’t be afraid to think outside the box and create something unique that will capture the attention of your target audience.

12. Cider

Moving on to our next Instagram advertising examples is this Instagram carousel ad from Cider.

Carousel ads are great for showcasing multiple products in one ad. And in this particular Cider carousel ad, they featured their summer clothing line.

What’s great about this ad is that it showed details and maximized each slide. It both has a closeup of the product as well as the full product picture.

Doing so allows you to let people know what to expect when they buy your product. And in this case, Cider’s dresses.

As for their ad graphics, they used warm colors to add that visually pleasing effect to their ad.

13. Pup Socks

Fur parents out there will surely love this Instagram ad from Pup Socks!

Imagine your pup’s face on a pair of cute socks – that’s easy.

The copy of this ad made sure that potential customers know the step-by-step process of ordering their custom socks.

And in their creative, they clearly showed how your pup’s face will look when they put it on their custom socks.

Creating an ad with your buyer persona in mind definitely makes a big difference in the response that you’ll get from your target audience.

14. HubSpot

You don’t need to spend too much time designing your ad creatives.

Take it from HubSpot. They used a very simple orange background with text but it stands out.

In a newsfeed full of photos and videos, using bright colors like this has a bigger chance of getting noticed by users.

They also used straightforward texts on the graphic and copy. This is proof that oftentimes, simplicity is the key to successful ads.

15. New Society Publishers

Use those few sentences to reach your desired audience. This is what the New Society Publishers’ ad did.

The copy clearly targeted those who are interested in forestry and therefore, would be intrigued to check out their book.

They also highlighted a limited period offer of a 25% discount to get more eyeballs on the ad.

And in their ad graphic, they used the book’s cover at the center to showcase what they’re promoting.

16. Uber

User-generated content is basically word-of-mouth marketing in the digital world. It works and it’s low-cost, so don’t miss the opportunity to use it on your Instagram ads!

For instance, Instagram advertising examples like this from Uber use this screenshot of a funny tweet for their ad.

It’s funny, it’s shareable, and it’s relatable – two elements that can help you connect with your audience.

And if being humorous doesn’t fit with your brand, you can also use reviews or testimonials of your existing customers for your ad.

If you don’t have enough UGC to use for your ad, you can start hashtag campaigns to gather social proof from your audience.

17. Oven Story

When you offer a product that you know people wouldn’t mind buying two, take advantage of that!

Just like what the Oven Story did with their Instagram ad. As we all know, pizza is one of those foods people indulge in.

So in this ad, Oven Story showed two pizzas and then put in a catchy tagline “Half price, double fun”.

They also highlighted the new price in bold and bigger font to instantly catch people’s attention.

Using a photo of a happy customer also helped in making this ad more on the positive side.

18. Lull Bed

While it’s a popular belief that you should always stick to high-quality images when creating ads on social media, it doesn’t mean they have to look staged or stocky.

Check out this Instagram ad example from Lull Bed, a mattress brand.

They chose to partner with an influencer who in return filmed themselves using Lull Bed’s product.

The brand then used this post on Instagram and converted it into a branded content ad.

As we mentioned earlier, using UGC in your ads can create a sense of authenticity and make it more relatable for your target audience.

19. MasterClass

Take away any objections your potential customers may have when buying your product or getting your service.

This is exactly what MasterClass did in their Instagram ad.

First, they took down the common myth of lessons lasting for hours and being generally boring.

They addressed it in the first line of the ad copy which says their lessons are quicker and will only last for 15 minutes.

MasterClass also gave a sneak peek of the class they’re promoting by showing short clips of Gordon Ramsay cooking some delicious meals.

Giving people a glimpse of what to expect when they buy your product aka your product benefits will help them to positively consider your offer.

20. Hirect India

We often see ads that say “This fits you”, “This is what you need”, “You have to try this”, etc.

But how often do you see an ad that has a negative ad copy? Like this Instagram ad from Hirect India, for instance.

Instead of sticking to the old, traditional copy “This is for you”, they used a negative copy and said, “This is not for you.”

But do you notice how the words “for you”, “jobs”, and “fast-growing startups” are in a different color which makes them stand out from the rest of the texts?

It’s an eye-catching ad and will make you focus on those three words/phrases when you scroll your feed. Also, don’t forget to design mobile-first ads to maximize your results.

To sum it up, don’t be afraid to try unique ads (whether it’s about ad copies or visuals).

The best way to stand out from the crowd is to make an ad that your target audience has never seen before.

21. The Dots

If you don’t have your own high-quality images that you can use for your ads, it’s okay to use stock images or even those you can find on free resource websites.

However, be sure not to choose those free and overused images. Instead, go for unique ones that people haven’t seen before.

Check out this Instagram ad from The Dots.

They used an image that is obviously not theirs since they are a professional networking website that helps people find jobs and meet collaborators.

What makes this ad creative stand out is that aside from the colorful background image, the socks have a dotted design which relates it to the brand – The Dots.

See what they did there? They chose a stock image that has a unique flair but is still relevant to their brand image.

22. The Ridge

If you think wallets are all the same, then this ad from The Ridge will prove you wrong.

In their ad, they made sure people know why their wallets are different from others in the market.

It also listed down in bullet points what you will get when you buy their product.

The video creative also showed the top reasons why you need their smart wallet beating your objections and addressing your pain points.

So if your product has a unique selling point (we believe it does), then go ahead and highlight it in your ad.

23. WP Engine

Starting your ad copy with questions will make the user stop and think of an answer.

The great thing about asking questions is that it hooks the readers right off the bat. It stops them from scrolling through their feed and checking out more of your ad.

Like this Instagram ad from WP Engine. They started their ad by asking, “Looking to start a new WordPress site?“

If you stumble upon this on your feed and are actually considering creating a new website, you would most likely want to learn more about their offer.

They also used the “download” CTA to encourage more users to get their lead magnet – something that would help grow your email list.

24. Walmart

If you have ads for special occasions or holidays, make sure they’ll stand out from the crowd by not using a generic ad creative.

Let your creative juices flow like what Walmart did in this Instagram advertising campaign.

Walmart’s Father’s Day ad encourages its target customers to shop for their favorite products for this special occasion.

They used a Shoppable ad and showcased their products in an aesthetic and neat layout.

And since this ad is timely, it generates more attention and clicks from users.

25. Qantas

Now onto the last on our list of Instagram advertising examples, Qantas used a Story ad to reach more of their millennial audience.

This ad is for their millennial brand AWOL which showcased global destinations in a stunning video.

If Gen Z and millennials are your target audience, keep in mind that they are highly influenced by other people’s recommendations.

So in this video, Qantas targeted them by putting together influencers’ trips on Instagram enticing them to go and start their adventure out AWOL.

If you want to learn more about using Instagram Stories for small businesses, read this post next.

What Type of Advertising Does Instagram Use?

Now that you have this list of Instagram advertising examples, you’re probably more than excited to try running one for your business. But hold up!

You might assume that Instagram only has two types of ads: image and video. But it is more than that.

There are actually different types of Instagram ads but they are categorized by format.

And there are two basic ad formats in Instagram ads: format-based and section-based.

Format-based ads mean that the ad content is delivered in a specific format.

On the other hand, section-based ads mean that your ad will be seen by your audience on different sections of the Instagram platform.

Let’s talk about format-based ads first.

A. Format-based Ads

Basically, format-based Instagram ads are content that are usually shown in the normal Instagram feed. However, they can also appear in other sections.

Here’s the list of the types of format-based ads:

• Photo/Image ads
• Carousel ads
• Collection ads
• Video ads
• Shopping ads

B. Section-based Ads

Moving on to section-based ads, are ads that are shown in different sections in the Instagram platform compared to format-based ads which are content-based.

These ads are usually more powerful because they utilize different methods in reaching their target audience. Here’s the list of the types of section-based ads:

• Stories ads
• Explore ads
• Feed ads
• Reel ads

How is Instagram Good for Advertising?

Instagram is one of the most powerful social media platforms for advertising.

With over 200 million businesses around the world that use Instagram for advertising, it’s hard to fall behind the competition.

And with 17.6% of the world’s population that use Instagram, you would surely find your target customers on the platform.

And 70% of these users say that they find new products to buy through Instagram.

You just need to create an effective marketing campaign to reach this million people.

And what better way to be in front of these users and increase your brand recall than by using Instagram ads?

Check out more of these benefits of Instagram advertising.

• Audience targeting is easier to maneuver using Facebook Ads Manager
• Helps you build your brand awareness and followers on your Instagram and Facebook Business page
• Easier to get started as it doesn’t have complex features
• Gives a higher engagement rate compared to other social media platforms for business
• Easy to track and measure performance using Facebook Pixel
• Compliments other digital marketing strategies

Wrapping Up

So there goes our list of Instagram advertising examples to inspire you on your next campaign.

If you haven’t tried using Instagram to advertise your business, now’s the perfect time to get started!

We know that there are other social media apps that people also spend time on today, but the power Instagram holds is still strong.

It still works and helps you achieve your goals to connect with your target audience.

If you want to learn more about using Instagram for your business, we have tons of blog posts here that you can read next.

But if you want to save time and achieve your goals in no time, give our Instagram advertising agency a call today!

Other Instagram Advertising Resources

• Cost to Advertise on Instagram
• Instagram Marketing Strategy
• Instagram Marketing Tips
• Instagram Best Practices
• Why Use Instagram

• Get Free Instagram Followers
• Instagram Giveaway
• Instagram Engagement Hacks
• How to Get Verified on Instagram
• Instagram Analytics

The post 25 Instagram Advertising Examples To Inspire Your Campaign This 2023 appeared first on Digital Marketing Blog.