11 Super Successful Instagram Ad Examples To Give Inspiration in 2023

The Definitive Guide to Digital Ad Design

Start creating out-of-this-world ad designs! Get industry best practices from experts at Slack, Outbrain, Amazon and more about how to best advertise on all major ad platforms.

Get the guide

Instagram Image Ad Examples

Starting with the basics, let's take a look at some successful Instagram image ads. Imagery (whether custom shot, illustrated or otherwise) will always have a place in any digital marketing design strategy. Without relying on motion or multiple cards, there's something to be said about Instagram image ads that capture your attention and drive towards action.

1. Elementor

Key Takeaways:

• Bright, high-contrast colours: The navy and turquoise colour scheme pop and stand out in Instagram’s main feed.
• Clear and concise copy: The direct and straightforward ad copy helps viewers understand precisely what they’re going to see when they click the call-to-action.
• Bit of mystery: The ad is directing viewers to check out a ‘website transformations showcase but doesn’t include any examples, encouraging viewers to click through to the landing page to see what it’s all about.

2. Wix

Key Takeaways:

• Complementary colours: The bold colour combo of navy blue and tangerine orange is especially dynamic and pleasing to the eye.
• Informative visual: The abstract-style infographic conveys the topic of the ad in a clean and artful way.

3. FabFitFun

Key Takeaways:

• Shows off the product: The ad creative includes a styled version of a FabFitFun box, packed with tons of great products, so viewers can get a sense of what they would get when they sign up.
• Attractive offer: Who doesn’t love a good deal? The ad lets users know that they can get a box valued at over $160 for free. While it may seem too good to be true, it’s certainly enticing enough for people to want to learn more.
• Timely campaign: By tying in Women’s History Month, FabFitFun shows their support for women-founded companies while also taking advantage of increased interest in women-focused offers.

Instagram Video Ad Examples

As you likely know, video is KING on social media. From organic to paid posts, video continues to prove itself as an effective medium for campaigns. Scroll on to check out some of the best instagram video ads. We took a varied approach to show different styles of videos and why they work.

4. TransferWise

Key Takeaways:

• Recognizable format: The ad concept uses the now-familiar overhead-shot recipe video style to show the TransferWise app in action.
• Easy to digest: Financial products can seem intimidating, but the ad counteracts this by show viewers how to use the app in five simple steps with minimal text.
• Shows product in context: By showing the mobile app being used in multiple locations, the ad communicates the product’s core value proposition: users can easily access the app while on the go.

5. Adobe Photoshop

Key takeaways:

• Shows product in action: The video ad is essentially a stylized screen share, allowing viewers to see how the product works
• Use of music: The chill, lo-fi background music adds a hip flair that aligns well with Adobe’s creative-focused brand.
• Highlights one feature: Trying to convey everything Photoshop can do in one ad is nearly impossible, so Adobe keeps it simple by only focusing on one crucial element to drive ad viewers to sign up.

6. ContentFly

Key takeaways:

• Bright, bold colours: Again, we see how saturated and bold colour palette, paired with fun graphic shapes, really stand out from the Instagram feed.
• Motion graphics: ContentFly uses motion graphics to animate the creative’s copy and add visual interest.
• Value-focused copy: The copy clearly illustrates what they do (“blog posts,” “landing pages”) and the value of their offer (“content creation made easy”) and ends with a simple CTA (“start a free trial”). It provides just enough info to guide a user to the next step in the customer journey.

7. Instagram Carousel Ad Examples

Moo

Key takeaways:

• Minimalist design: The carousel ad shows the notebook in four different colourways, allowing the product to speak for itself.
• Shows off the product: The close-up of the notebook highlights some of its key selling features (e.g., premium paper, hardcover) without needing a lot of copy or other design elements.
• Value-focused copy: Rather than driving users to action, the copy highlights the product’s more premium elements.

8. Clearbit

Key takeaways:

• Tells a story: Clearbit uses the carousel format to walk users through the ‘what,’ ‘how’ and why of their product. Clearbit uses the carousel format to walk users through the ‘what,’ ‘how’ and why of their product.
• Use of arrows: The green arrow encourages users to swipe through the ad and engage with the content.
• Clever copy: While the creative copy is very concise and to the point, they use the text that appears below the ad visual to add a bit more personality and highlight the value of downloading their guide.

The Future of Design Operations

Great design doesn’t come easy, especially when it needs to be delivered at scale. In this guide we demonstrate, by example, how DesignOps can help streamline the creative process for overstretched marketing, creative and agency teams.

Get the eBook

Instagram Story Ad Examples

Now onto one of the behemoths of Instagram ad formats. It's hard to believe that there was a time when Instagram Stories didn't exist. Largely inspired by Snapchat, Stories has become an avenue for brands to really stand out and reach their target audience. From more organic looking camera shot videos, to custom flashy animations, brands are trying whatever they can to get noticed on IG Stories.

9. UP Express

Key takeaways:

• Animation: the jaunty animations add levity to a serious topic of COVID safety precautions.
• Tells a story: The ad uses a simple to-do-list-style format to explain their new safety precautions, making the content more digestible.
• Motion graphics: The ad uses animated text and arrows to make sure users are given the correct info at the right time and also guide them to the final CTA.

10. Felix Health

Key takeaways:

• Minimalist design: The plain white tube on the salmon-coloured background is very aesthetically pleasing, and its simplicity helps it stand out from the crowd.
• Clever copy: The copy highlights the company’s value while also injecting a little humour that aligns with their youthful brand.
• Use of negative space: Unlike some of the other ads on this list, Felix Health’s ad doesn’t fill up space with a lot of text or graphics. It lets its bold visuals do the talking.

11. Community

Key takeaways:

• Shows off product: The ad uses phone screen mockups to give users a glimpse at the user interface.
• Use of statistics: The ad includes stats to show how their product compares to their competitors, highlighting its value.
• Motion graphics: The moving graphics and text help underscore the ad’s key message.

While each has their unique flair, the best Instagram ads share some common traits that you can quickly adapt to your next campaign. If you’re looking to optimize your Facebook and Instagram ad creative, try going bold with your colour palette or experimenting with motion or storytelling. And don’t forget to show off your product! Otherwise, you can always get in touch with Superside and let us showcase how our advertising design services can assist your business.

Get Frictionless, Delightful Advertising Design

Superside delivers design at scale to over 400 businesses. Let's find the right solution for you.

Book a call