Creating Instagram Video Ads: Best Sizes, Formats, and Real Tips That Work

Instagram is one of the most sought-after and binge-watched platforms out there, so it's no surprise that brands are going all in with ads on the app. As a creator, this is your moment to craft an Instagram video ad that doesn't just look good, but actually boosts your brand in real time.

Of course, if you're just getting started, stuff like Instagram video ad dimensions, Instagram ad video length, or the right Instagram video ad sizes can still feel a bit confusing.

No worries though, we're here for you. Just scroll down and we'll walk you through the best formats, clear up those tricky Instagram video ad specs, and show you exactly how to make video ads for Instagram that actually work using the best video editor.

Part 1. Instagram Video Ad Specs Made Simple (For Reels, Feed, and Stories)

To make your IG video ad work and stand out, it all starts with getting the right specs and requirements in place. This part can get a little tricky because Instagram gives you three different spots to show off your ad: reels, feed, and stories. Each one needs its own video ad specs so your content looks perfect.

Lucky for you, we've made it simple so you can understand it quickly. Check out the table below for the key Instagram video ad aspect ratio, sizes, lengths, and formats for each type.

Getting the right Instagram video ad size ensures your ad looks sharp and fits perfectly—no blurriness, stretching, or cut-offs. Correct aspect ratio, dimensions, and length keep your message clear and high quality.

By following these requirements, you're making sure your IG video ad looks good, feels professional, and gets people's attention.

Part 2. How to Make Effective Video Ads for Instagram on Your Mobile

Now that you've got the Instagram video ad specs down, it's time to put them to work and start creating. Below, we've put together a complete guide on how to make video ads for Instagram right from your mobile, so you can create content that looks great and gets results.

2.1 Get Ready Before You Start

Before making your Instagram video ad, think about what you want it to do and who you're trying to reach. Are you promoting a product or building brand awareness? Once you're clear on that, plan out your content. Write a simple script so you know what to say and show in the video.

2.2 Pick the Right Tools

Next, choose the best tool for making your Instagram video ad. If you want something quick and easy, go for a mobile app. It's great for simple edits on the go. But if you want more advanced features, use a desktop editor.

With both mobile and desktop versions, Wondershare Filmora gives you the flexibility to edit anytime, anywhere.

Try It Free Try It Free

Scan to get the Filmora App

Install free Filmora App Install free Filmora App

Secure Download

Get it for Mac, PC, AndroidiOS

Here's what makes Filmora Mobile App the best editor for making IG video ads:

• Supports Every Instagram video ad Format: Feed, stories, reels, you name it. Filmora has the right aspect ratio, format, and dimensions so your ad always looks perfect.
• Ads Video Templates Ready to Use: Filmora gives you lots of ad templates for different products. Just pick one and you're already halfway done. No need to start from scratch.
• Comprehensive Editing Tools: Once you've got your template, you can tweak it with Filmora's full editing toolkit. Add text, trim clips, adjust colors, and more to make it polished and professional.
• Rich Media Library: Filmora comes with stickers, filters, transitions, video effects, music, and more to help your Instagram video ad pop and catch attention.
• Direct Upload to Instagram: When you're finished, you can post your Instagram video ad directly from the app. No extra steps are needed.

Filmora

AI Video Editing App & Software

Try It Free Try It Free

Scan to get the Filmora App

Best tool for making videos anywhere for all creators!

Create Instagram video ads quickly and effortlessly.

Install free Filmora App Install free Filmora App

Secure Download

Get it for Mac, PC, AndroidiOS

And if you ever want to level up your editing, Filmora also works on a desktop. The desktop version gives you even more features, perfect for bigger projects or advanced edits.

2.3 Start Creating

Now it's time to bring your Instagram video ad to life. Just follow these simple steps to get started.

1

Step 1. Shoot your ad

Start by gathering all your photos, videos, and any other materials you want to use. Whether it's product shots or behind-the-scenes clips, make sure you have everything ready to tell your story in the ad.

2

Step 2. Open Filmora and select a template

Now it's time to pull all your clips together and turn them into one awesome Instagram video ad. To do that, open Filmora Mobile on your phone and tap "Explore" at the bottom right of the home screen.

Then head over to the "Template" section and check out all the options. If you're making an IG video ad for your jeans brand, just type "Fashion clothing" in the search bar to find the right templates faster. Once you find a template you like, tap "Make Video" at the bottom to start editing.

3

Step 3. Upload your footage

Now pick the photos and videos you want to use in your Instagram reel ad. For this example, you'll need about six clips. Once you've selected them, tap "Import" at the bottom right. Filmora will automatically put your clips together into a video, and you can preview it to see how it looks.

If you want to swap a clip or tweak something, tap "Video Edit" to make quick changes. If you're happy with it, you can go ahead and export. But if you want more control and extra editing options, tap "Project Edit" to customize it even more.

4

Step 4. Edit text according to your product

Now that you're in the main editing timeline, you'll see your video laid out based on the template. To change the text for your brand, just tap on the text in the timeline and hit "Edit" from the menu below.

Type in the words you want to use for your brand's message. You can also move the text around or try different styles and templates to match your vibe. Once you're happy, tap the checkmark icon to save it. Keep doing this for each text until everything looks the way you want.

5

Step 5. Enhance your video ad and check the aspect ratio

As you can see, the template from Filmora already comes with captions and background music, but you can make it even better by adding filters, effects, stickers, and more. Also, make sure the aspect ratio is set right for Instagram Reels (9:16) by tapping the "Scale" option to double-check.

6

Step 6. Export and share your video ad

Once everything looks good, tap "Export" at the top right, pick your resolution (go for 1080P), and tap "Export" again. Your Reel will be saved and ready to post on Instagram in no time.

Try It Free Try It Free

Scan to get the Filmora App

Install free Filmora App Install free Filmora App

Secure Download

Get it for Mac, PC, AndroidiOS

When to Choose Instagram Over Other Channels

While every social platform has its strengths, Instagram remains the go-to choice for brands that want to combine visual storytelling, community engagement, and commerce. Here's how it compares to other major platforms:

💡 Pro Tip: Use Instagram Reels and in-app editing tools (or enhance them with software like Filmora) to create scroll-stopping short videos that maintain brand consistency across channels.

Part 3. The Best Instagram Video Ad Examples to Learn From

As you can see, creating Instagram video ads with Filmora Mobile is easy, effective, and can be fun! Now, you can make as many as you want. But if you really want your IG video ad to keep improving, it helps to learn from the pros.

So, let's take a closer look at some top Instagram video ad examples and see what tricks you can borrow to make your next ad even better.

1. Gatorade

This Instagram video ad from Gatorade is truly one of the best. Somehow, they turned an ad for a drink into something so powerful and inspiring. It mixes clips of legendary moments from athletes across different sports, all tied together with a voiceover from Kendrick Lamar. On top of that, they used one of his trending songs, which instantly made the ad more shareable and boosted views.

Key Lessons to Learn From:

• Use powerful storytelling to connect emotionally.
• Pair visuals with trending music to increase reach.
• Feature familiar faces to build trust and grab attention.

2. Uniqlo

Uniqlo nailed it with this Instagram video ad to introduce their new Roger Federer-inspired clothing line. They created a whole series, but this one stands out. It uses a split screen to show two sides of Federer: one as the legendary tennis player, the other as a simple husband and dad. Through a laid-back interview, the ad highlights both his on-court and off-court styles, promoting outfits for each.

Key Lessons to Learn From:

• Create more than one video ad for better promotion.
• Showcase real moments to make your Instagram video ad feel relatable.
• Highlight product versatility by linking it to different sides of life.

3. JBL

JBL keeps it simple with this Instagram video ad. They show their new earphone in action by unboxing it and testing it. You see it get wet and dusty, proving it's waterproof and dustproof. There's no voiceover, just clear captions and strong visuals. It gets the message across fast and easy.

Key Lessons to Learn From:

• Show the product in action instead of just listing features.
• Keep captions short and clear to guide the viewer.
• Let visuals do the talking for a more powerful impact.

15 Instagram Video Ad Best Practices

Creating high-performing Instagram video ads isn't just about good visuals — it's about combining creativity, technical precision, and platform insight. Here are 15 proven practices to help your campaigns stand out and convert.

3.1 Creative Strategy (5 Tips)

• Hook Viewers in the First 3 Seconds: Attention spans are short — make the opening frame visually striking or emotionally resonant to stop the scroll immediately.
• Design for Sound-Off Viewing: Over 80% of Instagram videos are watched without sound. Use captions, expressive visuals, or on-screen text to deliver your message effectively.
• Use Captions and Text Overlays: Layer short, readable text that reinforces your call to action (CTA) or highlights product benefits — especially for quick-view formats like Reels.
• Optimize Video Thumbnails: Choose a clear, bold thumbnail image that aligns with your brand and intrigues viewers to tap "Play." Think of it as your mini billboard.
• Test Multiple Creative Angles: Don't rely on a single visual idea. A/B test different hooks, emotions, and formats (e.g., product-focused vs. lifestyle) to see what resonates most with your audience.

3.2 Technical Optimization (5 Tips)

• Shoot in Native Aspect Ratios: For Reels and Stories, stick to a 9:16 vertical format. For feed videos, use 1:1 or 4:5 to maximize screen space.
• Compress Files Without Losing Quality: Keep file sizes light for smooth playback on mobile, but avoid pixelation. Tools like Filmora's export settings allow you to balance clarity and compression perfectly.
• Add Closed Captions for Accessibility: Captions improve engagement and make your ad inclusive for all audiences — especially when sound is off by default.
• Use High-Quality Audio: Even though many users watch on mute, clear and polished audio adds professionalism and credibility when sound is enabled. Filmora's AI Audio Denoise and Audio Stretch features can help.
• Optimize for Mobile Loading: Keep videos under 15 MB where possible and ensure they load quickly on slower connections. Fast-loading ads retain viewers and improve completion rates.

3.3 Platform-Specific Tactics (5 Tips)

• Leverage Trending Audio: Incorporate popular sounds or songs that fit your brand. Instagram's algorithm favors videos that use trending audio tracks.
• Use Interactive Stickers in Stories: Add polls, emoji sliders, or "Shop Now" stickers to encourage participation and create a sense of real-time engagement.
• Create Loopable Videos: End your video seamlessly so it loops without a visible break — perfect for Reels or short product teasers. It increases watch time and algorithmic reach.
• A/B Test Different Lengths: Shorter videos (6–10 seconds) often perform best, but some storytelling formats work better at 15–30 seconds. Test both to find your brand's sweet spot.
• Time Your Posts Strategically: Post when your audience is most active — usually mornings, lunch hours, and evenings. Use Instagram Insights to track engagement patterns over time.

Conclusion

As one of the biggest social media platforms today, learning how to make video ads for Instagram can give your brand a serious boost. So, this guide covers everything you need to know about the right Instagram video ad specs, including Instagram video ad aspect ratio, Instagram ad video length, and Instagram video ad sizes for reels, feeds, and stories.

When it's time to create your IG video ad and make it stand out, you'll want a video editor that's both reliable and fun to use. Filmora Mobile is the perfect choice for this. Not only does it offer creative templates that make the process super simple, but you can also level up your ads with its powerful features and rich built-in library to help your videos get noticed by the right audience.

Try It Free Try It Free

Scan to get the Filmora App

Install free Filmora App Install free Filmora App

Secure Download

Get it for Mac, PC, AndroidiOS