The Complete Guide to Social Media Ad Sizes
As social media apps continue to evolve, it can be tough for marketers to keep up with the latest changes and trends. One area that's particularly important to stay on top of is social media advertising. With millions of users on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, social media ads offer a powerful way to reach your target audience and drive conversions.
But creating effective social media ads requires more than just a great design and compelling copy. You also need to understand the specific ad sizes and requirements for each platform to ensure your ads look great and perform well. To help you get started, let's take a closer look at the different ad sizes for some of the most popular social media platforms.
YouTube
Display Ads: 300x250, 300x60, 480x70, 728x90, 970x90, 970x250
Skippable and Non-Skippable Video Ads: Skippable: 300x60, 480x70, 728x90, 970x90,
Non-Skippable: 300x250
Image Ads: 1200x628 pixels
Video Ads: 1280x720 pixels (16:9 ratio)
Carousel Ads: 1080x1080 pixels (1:1 ratio)
Collection Ads: 1200x628 pixels (cover photo)
Image and Video Ads: 1080x1080 pixels (1:1 ratio), 1080x1350 pixels (4:5 ratio)
Carousel Ads: 1080x1080 pixels (1:1 ratio), 1080x1350 pixels (4:5 ratio)
Snapchat
Snap Ads: 1080x1920 pixels (9:16 ratio)
Filters: 1080x1920 pixels (9:16 ratio)
Lenses: 1080x1920 pixels (9:16 ratio)
Image and Video Ads: 800x800 pixels (1:1 ratio)
Carousel Ads: 800x800 pixels (1:1 ratio)
It's important to note that ad sizes and requirements can change, so it's always a good idea to double-check the latest guidelines before creating your ads. You can find the latest ad specifications and guidelines for each platform on their respective websites.
What are Skippable and Non-Skippable Ads used in YouTube?
Skippable ads, also known as TrueView in-stream ads, are video ads that viewers can choose to skip after five seconds. Advertisers are only charged if the viewer watches the ad for 30 seconds or until the end of the ad, whichever comes first. Skippable ads can be shown before, during, or after a YouTube video, and can be up to three minutes long.
Non-skippable ads are video ads that viewers must watch before their selected video can be played. These ads cannot be skipped and can be up to 20 seconds long. Advertisers are charged per impression for non-skippable ads.
What are Carousel Ads?
Carousel ads are a type of social media ad format that allows advertisers to showcase multiple images or videos in a single ad unit. They appear as a series of swipeable cards within a user's social media feed and allow users to engage with the ad by scrolling through the cards.
Each card in a carousel ad can feature a unique image or video, along with its own headline, description, and call-to-action button. This allows advertisers to tell a more compelling and engaging story about their brand or product, and to showcase different features or use cases in a single ad.
Carousel ads are available on several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. They are particularly effective for e-commerce businesses that want to showcase multiple products or product variations in a single ad. They also provide a more interactive and engaging experience for users, as they can swipe through the cards to learn more about the brand or product.
To create effective carousel ads, it's important to choose high-quality images or videos that are visually appealing and aligned with your brand's messaging. It's also important to use clear and concise copy and to include a strong call-to-action button that encourages users to take the next step.
Overall, carousel ads are a powerful way to tell a compelling story about your brand or product and to engage with your target audience in a more interactive and engaging way.
What are Collection Ads?
Collection ads are a type of social media ad format that allows advertisers to showcase their products in a more immersive and visually appealing way. They appear on Facebook and Instagram feeds and allow users to browse multiple products from the same ad without leaving the app.
Collection ads consist of a cover image or video that can be followed by a collection of four product images, each with its own title and description. When users click on a product image, they are taken to an Instant Experience (formerly known as Canvas), which is a full-screen landing page within Facebook where they can browse more products, view product details, and make a purchase.
Collection ads are particularly effective for e-commerce businesses that have a wide range of products to showcase, as they allow advertisers to display a variety of products in a single ad, making it easier for users to discover and shop for products they are interested in. They also provide a seamless and immersive shopping experience for users, as they can browse and purchase products without leaving Facebook or Instagram.
Overall, collection ads are a powerful way to showcase your products and engage with your target audience in a more immersive and visually appealing way. They can help increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, and boost sales for e-commerce businesses.
Online Resources
Here are several online resources that can help you stay up-to-date on social media trends and changes. Here are a few popular ones:
Social Media Today (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/): Social Media Today is a leading online community for social media professionals, marketers, and business owners. They provide news, tips, and insights on social media trends, strategies, and best practices.
Social Media Examiner (https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/): Social Media Examiner is a popular online publication that provides news, insights, and tips on social media marketing. They offer a wide range of resources, including articles, podcasts, webinars, and online courses.
Sprout Social Insights (https://sproutsocial.com/insights/): Sprout Social Insights is a blog that covers social media trends, strategies, and best practices. They provide a wide range of resources, including articles, webinars, and industry reports.
Hootsuite Blog (https://blog.hootsuite.com/): Hootsuite Blog is a popular online publication that covers social media trends, strategies, and best practices. They offer a wide range of resources, including articles, webinars, and industry reports.
Buffer Blog (https://buffer.com/resources): Buffer Blog is a popular online publication that covers social media trends, strategies, and best practices. They offer a wide range of resources, including articles, podcasts, and webinars.
These resources can help you stay updated on the latest social media trends and changes while providing valuable insights and tips on how to optimize your social media marketing strategies.
Links
https://youtu.be/rS-_ITrMZsk Animated Instagram post design in Photoshop
https://youtu.be/NfBCchod82E Social Media Carousel in Photoshop
https://youtu.be/BhTYWE_LNOw Social Media Carousel in InDesign
https://youtu.be/D126KH5e2k0 Instagram Carousel made in Canva
https://youtu.be/54GGjLFFyCc LinkedIn Carousel