Here’s What Makes A Valid Instagram Ad, By Instagram’s Standards

Instagram is under no pressure to start bringing money to its parent company Facebook. So it’s taking it’s time to roll out ads the right way.

Instagram’s main goal has always been to keep its users happy. This is still a priority as ads appear on the platform. Slapping obvious ads with CTAs on everybody’s feed would degrade their experience and would result in a whirlwind of negative feedback. So the only solution to transition into a profitable business is to ease users into it.

This perfectly fine billboard would never be an Instagram ad

How do you launch ads without selling out? Instagram has a 2-part answer:

First, have a limited test with a small batch of clients (15 to 20 brands announced so far). These are the brands who are already fluent with Instagram. Levi’s, General Electric and Ben & Jerry’s are 3 of them. All 3 were commended on their Instagramming technique long before ads were even on the table.

Then, educate other businesses on best practices. In other words: prepare them to run their ads in the future.

What does that mean for you and your brand, if you aren’t one of the 15 to 20 fortunate selectees? It means you can align your Instagram strategy to become a valid client for them.

How to make a good Instagram ad

Jim Squires / Instagram

Through the newly launched Instagram for business website, you’ll learn the basis of being a good Instagramming brand. It’s a good start!

In a recent interview with Business Insider, Instagram’s director of market operations Jim Squires defines 9 of the points that make a valid Instagram ad:

• Clients are not allowed to repurpose images they previously used elsewhere, in other ads for instance.


• No heavy use of image filters.


• No text is allowed on ad imagery in Instagram.


• No gimmicks!


• Clients cannot put their logos on the ads (although if a product logo appears in a photo as a natural, non-obvious part of a scene, that is allowed).


• Images must be “true to your brand” — and not be cheesy or shocking.


• Ads should take their cues from existing creative community hashtags that are popular on Instagram.


• Ads should capture “moments,” not products. Ads must not simply be a product shot, in other words.


• Users will not see the same creative twice inside Instagram.

This list isn’t exhaustive, but it will put you on the right tracks!

Brand posts that could pass as Instagram ads

Here’s a selection of photos by various brands that aren’t ads, but are valid according to the 9 rules stated above… Just to give you the shot of inspiration you need to get started:

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Now, you just have to apply these rules to your sharing on Instagram and who knows, maybe you’ll soon get picked by Instagram as a preferred ad partner?

What do you think about these rules? Do you notice brands already applying them that we didn’t mention here? Let us know in the comments!

via Business 2 Community http://ift.tt/1pgIjrf