To run Instagram ads, follow these key steps primarily using Meta Ads Manager, which is the main platform for creating and managing Instagram ads:
Steps to Run Instagram Ads
1. Convert to a Professional Account
First, make sure your Instagram profile is converted to a professional account
(business or creator), which allows you to run ads directly from Instagram or
through Meta Ads Manager
. 2. Access Meta Ads Manager
Go to Meta Business Suite, then open Ads Manager. This platform lets you
create and manage ads across Facebook, Instagram, and other Meta platforms
. 3. Create a New Campaign
Click "Create" under the Campaigns tab. Choose your buying type:
- Auction (flexible, efficient)
- Reservation (planned, predictable)
For most, Auction is recommended
4. Select Your Campaign Objective
Choose an objective that fits your goal, such as Traffic, Engagement, Leads,
or Sales. Most objectives work with Instagram ads except Awareness campaigns
. 5. Set Up Your Campaign
Decide if you want Meta to automate placements and targeting or if you want to
do it manually. You can also enable features like Advantage Campaign Budget
and A/B testing to optimize performance
. 6. Define Your Audience, Budget, and Schedule
Select your target audience demographics (location, age, gender, interests),
set your daily or lifetime budget, and schedule your campaign dates
. 7. Choose Ad Placements
You can let Meta automatically place your ads or manually select Instagram
placements only (Feed, Stories, Reels, Explore)
. 8. Create Your Ad
Upload your ad creative (images, videos, carousel, or collections). Add ad
copy, call-to-action buttons, and destination URLs. If directing to a website,
install Meta Pixel on your site to track and optimize performance
. 9. Review and Publish
Preview your ad to ensure it looks good on Instagram, then click "Publish."
Your ad will go through Meta’s approval process before going live
Additional Tips
- You can also boost existing Instagram posts directly from the Instagram app once you have a professional account
- Use tools like Hootsuite for a streamlined ad creation process if preferred
- Start with a small budget and test different creatives and audiences before scaling
This process allows you to create targeted, optimized Instagram ads that appear in users’ feeds, stories, reels, and other Instagram placements to meet your marketing goals
