Instagram Stories ads are full-screen vertical ads that appear between the Stories people already watch every day. They run from Meta Ads Manager, use 1080 by 1920 creative, and can carry link stickers, polls and countdowns. Stories are hugely popular across the UAE and the Middle East, which makes them one of the best formats for reaching a mobile-first audience. Here are the specs and the tips that make them work.
Stories ad specs at a glance: vertical 1080 by 1920, video segments under 15 seconds, captions for sound-off viewing, and interactive stickers like polls and quizzes.
Why Instagram Stories
Short answer: Instagram Stories are full-screen vertical posts that disappear after 24 hours and are used daily by over 500 million accounts. For businesses they offer low-cost reach, interactive stickers like polls, questions and links, and Story ads. They suit offers, launches and behind-the-scenes content.
Over 500 million Instagram accounts use Stories every day. And businesses are using story ads for a range of objectives. The reason why it’s more popular is that there is More Space and Fewer Distractions. Stories make full use of the mobile screen, offering businesses a beautiful, distraction-less canvas.
Instagram Stories is the new newsfeed
The traditional Instagram Newsfeed which is scrolling up is good. But Scrolling right to left on top is the new newsfeed. Right now Facebook wants more video content and they are generous with showing your stories to your followers compared to a post in the newsfeed. Video content is the new game to be discovered. Since this is a relatively new platform it’s best to use it every day.
Organic insta stories are seen by people that follow your Instagram account and disappear from view after 24 hours. With Instagram Stories, the full mobile screen is a showcase for creativity. Any existing creative asset can be turned into a native stories ad, or you can create content that’s tailor-made for stories.
In Our Below post you will read more on Instagram Stories Tips :
Specs and how to set a Stories ad live
Stories ads are vertical only. Anything cropped from a square feed asset will look wrong and perform worse.
- Aspect ratio 9:16, 1080 x 1920 pixels. Keep text and logos away from the top and bottom edges, where the profile bar and the call to action sit.
- Video up to 60 seconds, or a single still image. The first second decides whether people tap through or tap past.
- Sound off by default. Caption anything that carries the message.
To set one live in Meta Ads Manager: create a campaign, choose your objective, then in the ad set open Placements, switch from Advantage+ placements to manual, and select Instagram Stories. Running Stories on its own rather than bundled with feed lets you judge the format on its own numbers.
Targeting and measurement are the same as any other Meta placement, and you can build audiences from people who watched a set percentage of your Story, which is a cheap way to retarget genuine attention rather than accidental impressions.
Post Instagram Stories
Organic stories are seen by people that follow your Instagram account and disappear from view after 24 hours. Things move fast in stories. Try and land your message and showcase your brand quickly. A single-story can contain several quick chapters, scenes, or moments.
Insta Stories advertising tips
Most Stories are watched with the sound off, so add captions and on-screen text first, then use music, dialogue and sound effects to reward the people who do listen.
Offering more than 1 stories moment to the next can help keep people engaged with your story.
Land your product, brand, or message at the beginning of your story, and then use the end card to reinforce.
People look to stories for inspiration. Find out how you can use stories to form new connections.
Use stories to bring your brand to life on Instagram.
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Use the vertical canvas to tell creative stories
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Build creative that’s relevant and well-branded to build brand equity and perception
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Choose key brand moments like launches and premieres for driving action and awareness
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Share authentic content (like sneak peeks of products) to drive brand loyalty
If you have a larger following, and a high number of followers but your organic post doesn’t help, try this insta posting/advertising tips. Even better? Try Instagram ads, they are new and cheap and you can get impressions and engagements for pennies.
Talk to us about your insta stories advertising or your social media strategy. See also our full guide to how to advertise on Instagram.
