Instagram is all about visual storytelling and lifestyle integration—especially the immersive full-screen formats like Stories and Reels—as well as its ads. Unlike Facebook's text-heavy approach or LinkedIn's professional tone, Instagram demands high aesthetic quality and native-feeling content. Because the platform combines entertainment with shopping functions seamlessly, it’s a great platform for e-commerce and direct-to-consumer (DTC) businesses to reach wider audiences and drive conversions.
Before we jump into examples, here’s a quick rundown of Instagram ad essentials:
Ad Types: Feed Ads, Stories Ads, Reels Ads, Carousel Ads, Shopping Ads, and Explore Ads. Each format is designed to engage users in different parts of the user experience.
Ad Sizes: Recommended dimensions vary—1080x1080px for square posts, 1080x1350px for vertical images, and 1080x1920px for Stories and Reels.
Best Practices: Focus on eye-catching visuals, concise text, and a clear call-to-action. Personalized messaging and mobile-first designs are crucial for making great ads on Instagram.
Do’s and Dont’s for Instagram Ad Design
Dos:
- Optimize for mobile-first viewing: Use vertical 9:16 format when possible and make text readable on small screens.
- Keep branding subtle but consistent: Integrate brand elements naturally, maintain a recognizable style, and use consistent color schemes and fonts.
- Tell visual stories: Show products in real-life contexts if applicable, or create a space where your audience can see themself in. Create emotional connections with your visuals.
- Targeted messaging: Think about your target audience’s persona. By using language, themes, and imagery that resonate with a particular demographic, good Instagram ads speak directly to the hearts and minds of their audience.
Don’ts:
- Over-design: Don't clutter compositions and don't overcomplicate visuals.
- Overwhelm with text: Avoid putting too much text into your visuals. Instagram is where attractive visuals with minimal text dominate the attention. Let the image or video do most of the talking.
- Neglect ad placements: Consider, or even better, test where your ad will perform best (feed, stories, explore, etc.) and tailor the size, content, and format to fit the placement.
- Forget to update ads frequently: Don't let your ad creatives become stale. Keep the content fresh and engaging to avoid ad fatigue among your target audience.
Now, let’s dive into the best Instagram ad examples we spotted in 2025.
1. Linktree
- Ad Type: Problem-Solution Ad
- Visual: The ad shows a close-up image of a concerned person with a strong expression of frustration. The text emphasizes the costs of running a website, specifically “domain fee” and “hosting fee,” with bold, large typography to capture attention.
- CTA: “Ditch your website. Get a Linktree.”
- What’s good about this ad: The ad identifies a common pain point for individuals or businesses, specifying the cost of domain and hosting fees for websites. By presenting Linktree as a better alternative, it positions the service as a practical solution for users. The bold typography and the eye-catching background emphasize the problem, while a conversational CTA provides a clear resolution.
2. Descript
- Ad Type: Before/After Ad
- Visual: The split-screen layout indicates two different user experiences—before and after using the product. The "How it started" side is visually more complicated, resonating with the tedious podcast editing process. The "How it's going" side displays a simplified interface with a “Remove filler words” option, suggesting ease and efficiency. The bold text in the header (“but don’t say um”) emphasizes the core value proposition.
- What’s good about this ad: This ad uses meme language (“How it started” and “How it’s going”)to express the "before and after" format, offering a fresh take. The ad’s clean, straightforward design and use of familiar language ("umms and ahhs") make it relatable. By contrasting the labor-intensive manual process with Descript’s automated solution, it cleverly delivers the software’s time-saving benefit.
3. SurveyMonkey
- Ad Type: Problem-Solution Ad
- Visual: The ad uses a visual metaphor to represent the idea of standing out among similar options. The bold yellow background and dark green text create a contrasting, attention-grabbing color scheme. The SurveyMonkey logo is displayed at the top, and the “Stand out” button is big and clear.
- CTA: "Stand Out"
- What’s good about this ad: This ad uses visual storytelling to remind the target audience, namely business owners, of the challenge they are facing: the market is competitive. The call to stand out creates a sense of urgency and strong motivation for the audience to take immediate action. It subtly suggests that SurveyMonkey can help brands differentiate themselves by appealing to customers. The clean design and metaphor make the message clear and memorable.
4. Wise
- Ad Type: Feature Callout Ad
- Visual: The ad features a cheerful person holding a large map, creating an emotional connection with frequent travelers. The catchphrase "Travel spending made simple" is clear. The bright green Wise card is prominently displayed alongside the Interac logo, making the integrated feature easy to understand.
- What’s good about this ad: What’s good about this ad: This ad focuses on Wise’s value proposition for international travelers. The image makes the ad relatable and emotionally engages the target audience. While the benefit-oriented header catches attention, the subheader provides a further explanation, offering transparency and building trust. By mentioning the Google exchange rate, the ad also addresses common pain points.
5. ahead
- Ad Type: Explainer + Social Proof Ad
- Visual: The ad uses a playful, purple background with a minimalist cartoon character showing a humorous yet relatable emotion—regret. The catchphrase, "Duolingo, but for anger," is bold and instantly clarifies the app's purpose with a familiar reference. The app’s logo and Apple Store badges showcase credibility visually.
- What’s good about this ad: This ad combines humor with relatable scenarios to attract attention and resonate with the target audience. By likening itself to Duolingo, it conveys that the app has both educational and gamified features. The mention of prestigious universities strengthens the app's credibility. The design and copy communicate a lighthearted approach to a serious topic, aligning with the value and branding position of the product.
6. Eva Home
- Ad Type: Comparison Ad
- Visual: A single Eva Mattress versus a stack of nine standard mattresses—the comparison is very clear. The catchphrase and price difference further explain the benefit of the product This clear, minimal design emphasizes Eva’s value and versatility
- What’s good about this ad: This ad highlights the product’s convenience and cost savings with visuals, one simple header, and numbers (prices). The visual contrast quickly conveys the concept. The ad’s clean, organized layout and gentle color scheme enhance readability and resonate with the comforting value the product stands for.
7. Jones Road Beauty
- Ad Type: Social Proof Ad
- Visual: A close-up of a vibrant pink product definitely draws attention to its color and texture. The quote “I’ve never gotten this many compliments in my life” indicates a strong, positive, emotional evaluation by the user. At the bottom, a five-star rating and “29,931 5 Star Reviews” emphasize customer satisfaction and trust.
- What’s good about this ad: It combines benefits, social proof, and product visuals in one ad without feeling overwhelming. The time-limited promotion (Labor Day Weekend) and specific offer ($100) also create a sense of urgency.
8. Joy Milk Tea
- Ad Type: Comparison Ad
- Visual: The ad uses visual elements to contrast their product with their competitor’s. On the left, an image of typical milk tea is shown with a blended background and standard font. On the right, JOY Milk Tea is highlighted with a vivid imagery background, bolder font, and text with icons. The slogan and the five-star rating provide additional visual support.
- CTA: "Get 15% Off Today"
- What’s good about this ad: It addresses common complaints about milk tea and positions JOY as the healthier, more natural option, appealing to health-conscious consumers. The clean, divided layout quickly communicates benefits, while the discount offer encourages immediate action.
9. Buffy
- Ad Type: Question + Feature Callout Ad
- Visual: The ad showcases a plush white comforter against a calming blue background, creating a sense of tranquility. Key features are listed. The header and subheaders are positioned at the top but do not overpower the overall calming design. The “Shop Now” button provides a clear call to action.
- CTA: "Shop now"
- What’s good about this ad: This ad emphasizes comfort and quality, using a clean design and soft colors. The question “Did you know you spend 1/3 of your life in bed?” grabs attention and persuades consumers to consider investing in better sleep. The simple checklist presents benefits at a glance. A clear CTA button after “Make every moment count” strengthens the value of this purchase.
10. Lyft
- Ad Type: Feature Callout Ad
- Visual: The ad uses a winding route in the brand’s purple-to-pink gradient color scheme, with icons that visually depict the journey from “bored” to “boarding” with simple text and emojis. A car icon on the route explains Lyft’s role as a ride service. The overall design is minimalistic, playful, and efficient.
- What’s good about this ad: This ad effectively communicates Lyft’s function as a fast, convenient transportation option, showing that it turns a dull moment into an exciting one. The path and car icon create an intuitive association with transportation, while emojis and minimalist design create a clear narrative. The ad uses a specific use case and explains the key feature of the app.
11. Velotric
- Ad Type: Feature Callout Ad
- Visual: The iPhone Notes layout adds a personal touch, while the yellow theme and vibrant product image capture a sense of adventure.
- CTA: “Check now”
- What’s good about this ad: Bullet points with key features emphasize the bike’s performance, and arrow emojis encourage immediate action. The first-person headline connects with users’ aspirations, making the ad feel relatable and inviting.
12. AG1
- Ad Type: Social Proof Ad
- Visual: The eye-catching quote draws attention right away, while two hands clinking AG1 bottles highlight the product in action. The five-star rating and “47,000+ 5-Star Reviews” add credibility. Icons showcasing probiotics, prebiotics, and digestion benefits make the health perks clear. The green, fresh color scheme gives the ad a clean, healthy feel.
- What’s good about this ad: The humorous, relatable testimonial makes this ad memorable and engaging. The icons break down the product’s benefits simply, and the impressive “47,000+” five-star reviews build trust, encouraging viewers to give AG1 a try.
13. Huel
- Ad Type: Explainer Ad
- Visual: A close-up of the product in action (liquid being poured) against a dark background immediately grabs attention. Key product benefits are listed in simple text alongside a strong statement. The product name is displayed in a smaller font at the bottom for clarification.
- What’s good about this ad: This simple, bold design effectively highlights Huel’s nutritional benefits. The direct statement suggests that Huel offers an easy, effective nutrition solution for people without requiring drastic lifestyle changes.
14. Cymbiotika
- Ad Type: Explainer Ad
- Visual: The product image shows the name of the product for clarification, while the hand holding it adds a bit of a human touch. The sunny, bright imagery brings a sense of wellness and relaxation, resonating with the product positioning.
- What’s good about this ad: The ad spotlights the product’s benefits with a clean, elegant design, appealing to health-conscious consumers. The key ingredients and their benefits are listed for credibility and transparency. The serene background and straightforward labels make it easy to understand the message.
15. cove
- Ad Type: Feature Callout Ad
- Visual: The interface on the right shows how the product works—live camera feeds of a home. Key features listed on the left are highlighted with statistics that grab attention.
- What’s good about this ad: The ad highlights Cove’s core features by using a phone mockup to show how the app and system work. The message, “You deserve to feel safe,” emphasizes the brand’s commitment to security and is reinforced by the listed features.
Lessons from the Best Instagram Ad Examples
A closer look at high-performing Instagram ad examples reveals several best practices that drive results:
- Eye-catching visuals: The best Instagram ad examples leverage visuals that immediately grab attention. Whether it’s vibrant colors, dynamic compositions, or engaging content, these visuals are designed to stop the scroll.
- Relatable content and storytelling: Create authentic narratives that resonate with your audience. Be creative and playful. Ads that tell a story and deliver emotions tend to create a deeper connection and can drive better engagement.
- Optimized for mobile experience: Given that Instagram is mostly accessed via mobile devices, ensuring that your ads are optimized for mobile viewing is important. This includes clear visuals, readable text, and relevant CTA.
- Targeted Messaging: By using language, themes, and imagery that resonate with a particular demographic, these Instagram ad examples speak directly to the hearts and minds of their intended audience.
Conclusion
These Instagram ad examples stand out not just for their visual flair, but also for how well they highlight the practical benefits of the products. High-quality visuals are essential for Instagram, so ensure your ads are visually striking and align with your brand identity. Write concise, short captions with a strong call to action. Focus on tapping into the everyday desires or challenges that resonate with your target audience. Build emotional connections through your imagery and messaging, highlight what sets your product apart, and inspire viewers to take immediate action.
FAQs
What are the differences between advertising on Instagram and Facebook?
Instagram ads are highly visual and thrive on creative imagery or short videos, making them perfect for a younger audience, including millennials and Gen Z. Facebook ads offer more versatility in formatting (e.g., more text, links, and call-to-action buttons) and can reach a broader demographic spectrum.To maximize your reach and results, consider running campaigns on both platforms, tailored the content to their respective audience.
Do I need an Instagram account to run ads on the platform?
If you don't have an Instagram account yet, you can run ads on Instagram using your Facebook Page. But honestly, setting up an Instagram Business Account is a smart move. It gives you more control over your ads and a chance to really show off what your brand is all about. Plus, having an Instagram account lets you connect more directly with followers and get insights into what your audience loves. Hit two birds with one stone: you boost your ads and grow your social media vibe at the same time.
What's the best format for my Instagram ads?
It depends on your marketing goals and your audience behavior. Stories are ideal for engaging, time-sensitive content with a direct call-to-action, such as limited-time offers or behind-the-scenes looks, as they appear full-screen and support interactive elements. Feeds are better for complete storytelling, showcasing high-quality visuals, and driving sustained engagement. Consider testing both formats to see which resonates more with your audience.
How to find inspiration for my ad campaign?
The Meta Ad Library provides a collection of ads running across Facebook and Instagram, allowing you to search by industry or company. You can save competitor ads to collections and follow industry-leading brands. MagicLibrary is a curated collection of high-performing social ad examples and templates. Featuring top ads from various industries, this library helps you find inspiration and create ads efficiently.
