MEDIA CHANNEL: INSTAGRAM ADS

Adacado simplifies the process of creating and running Instagram ads with a streamlined setup. You have access to a variety of targeting options and a daily ad-serving scheduler. You can either adjust spending and targeting manually or use the default settings for convenience. Below is an overview of the key options you can configure.

1.1. Campaign Objectives

• Choose between creating a single ad or a product catalog ad, which requires a product data feed in Adacado.
• Define the primary goal of your ad campaign to ensure optimal performance.

NOTE: Product targeting is available only for product catalog ads and is directly managed by Meta.

1.2. Audience

• Specify the demographics and interests of your target audience. 
• While Adacado targets a broad audience by default, you can refine this by age, gender, interests, employment, life events, and languages.

1.3. Budgeting and Scheduling

Manage your ad spending and schedule for serving your ads on Instagram. Meta will optimize the spend and impression bids each day within the budget and schedule you set.

Budget

• The default daily budget is $10 USD, and the minimum daily spend for Meta is $1.30 USD

Schedule

• Set a date range for ad serving. The default setting is “Always On.”
• Customize your daily ad-serving schedule by clicking and dragging to toggle ad-serving for any given hour. 
• The ad schedule is based on the individual viewer’s timezone, not the advertiser’s timezone.

NOTE: 

• Separately, Adacado fees are incurred based on impressions generated for Instagram ad generation. Additionally, product costs apply to processing data feeds for product catalog ads. Learn more about Adacado’s pricing.
• For Adacado’s Freemium advertisers with a valid credit card on file, the first 300 daily impressions from ad generation by Adacado are free. Beyond the first 300 impressions from ad generation, fees will be incurred based on our usage-based pricing. This is completely separate from, and does not cover, the impressions served and charged for by Meta.

1.4. Location

• Target ads to specific geographical areas.
• By default, ads are targeted around your advertiser location, but you can refine the location to a country, state/province/region, or city.

1.5. Devices

• Ensure your ads are displayed on the appropriate devices, operating systems, and browsers. By default, all devices are targeted, but you can narrow this down as needed.

2. Ad Content

Create compelling Instagram ads with ease by adding images, messages, click-through URLs, and data feeds. Tailor your content to suit a single image ad or a product catalog ad.

1) Ad Image

Single Image Ad

A single image ad is static and displays consistent information without using data feeds. Use them to:

• Introduce your business or product to potential customers.
• Enhance your brand presence.
• Highlight discounts, deals, and promotions.

Image Upload Options

Add an image to the media area of a Instagram post, where the primary visual content is displayed. You have two options:

Upload an Image:

• Directly upload an image using one of the image upload options
• This is the fastest option if you already have an image ready to go.

Available Formats & New Creative:

• Design your ad image from scratch using our creative editor.
• Or, use a 600×600 ad format that’s already available in your campaign. 

To create a new ad image, click “New Creative” to open the creative editor with a blank 600×600 Instagram ad format added to your campaign.

Product Catalog Ads

Product images from your data feed will automatically populate your ad. If you prefer a custom design, create one using our creative editor.

2.1. Ad Message & Click-Through URL

• Include your message and any relevant hashtags to engage viewers with your brand, deals, or product. This message will appear in the caption of your Instagram post.
• Examples:
  “Check out our latest collection! #NewArrivals”
  “Limited time offer: 20% off all items! #Sale”

Click-Through URL

• The default ad click-through URL is set to your advertiser’s website URL. You can edit the URL manually. 
• Make sure your URL includes a protocol (http:// or https://) and a top-level domain (.com, .ca, etc.). Otherwise, it won’t work and will cause ad creation to fail.

3) Ad Preview

• An ad preview is generated whenever you add or update an image or message.
• If you see a broken image or no image at all:
  • Ensure you are logged into your Meta Business Account.
  • Check your browser privacy settings and disable any extensions that might block content.
  • Try clearing your browser cache and cookies, then reload the page.
  • Keep in mind that Meta caches images in the ad preview, so you might still see a product image displayed here even after removing it from your data feed.

Prerequisites for Creating Instagram Ads

Ensure you have the following prerequisites in place before starting:

Resources:

• Adacado Account
• Meta Business Portfolio
• Meta Ad Account (Facebook Ad Account)
• Facebook Business Page
• Instagram Business Account

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started

This guide walks you through each step of configuring your targeting and scheduling, creating your ad content, and publishing Instagram ads. Before diving into ad creation with Adacado, make sure you’ve completed all the prerequisites.

Step 1: Navigate to the Campaign’s Ad Delivery Settings

• Click the “Serve My Ads” tab in the footer to access your campaign’s “Ad Delivery Settings.”
• If you don’t already have an advertiser or campaign set up, click here to learn how to create them.

Step 2: Access Instagram Ads Settings

• Locate “Instagram Ads” and click the “Customize” button to open the “Publish Ads to Instagram” page.

Step 3: Log into Your Meta Business Account and Select Your Advertising IDs

• Ensure you have completed prerequisites and have all IDs ready to connect.
• Log into Facebook first. When you see the green check mark next to the Facebook login, select matching IDs from the dropdown of each ID field, including Business ID, Ad Account ID, Instagram Business Account ID and Facebook Business Page ID. 
• After successfully connecting all necessary IDs, proceed to the next step to configure targeting, budgeting and scheduling.

Step 4: Configure Targeting, Budgeting and Scheduling

• Configure targeting settings, and adjust your budget and schedule to optimize ad serving.
• Product targeting is available only for product catalog ads and is directly managed by Meta.

Step 5: Create and Preview Ad Content

1. Single Image Ad

Step 1: Upload or Select an Image

Add an image to your ad using one of the following options:

• Upload an Image: You can upload your own image or choose one from our “Free-to-use image library.”
• Available Formats/New Creative: Design a new image from scratch using our creative editor or select a 600×600 ad format available in your campaign.

Step 2: Add an Ad Message & Review Click-Through URL

• Enter your add message and, if needed, edit the click-through URL.

Step 3: Preview Ad

• Preview the ad and make any necessary adjustments to the content.

2. Product Catalog Ad

Product catalog ads use data feeds to display product information within a single frame. These ads automatically pull and show product details such as product images, titles, and prices from your data feed. They are ideal for:

• Showcasing individual products from your catalog.
• Highlighting product details to attract potential buyers.
• Promoting special offers or new arrivals.

Step 1: Upload Your Data Feed

• Upload and configure your data feed to generate product data. 
• Ensure all products have an image and a product link.
• Once the data is successfully processed, the status will update from “Incomplete” to “Complete.”

Step 2: Preview Ad

• Once product data is available for your campaign, the “Ad Preview” will show details of a product from your feed. 
• When your ads go live on Instagram, tailored product details will appear based on Meta’s product targeting logic.

Step 3: Review and Adjust Product Details As Needed

• Review the selected product information for the “Ad Message” and make any necessary adjustments by choosing from the dropdown options.
• By default, the click-through URL will match the product URL associated with the image displayed in the ad preview.

Alternative: Using a Custom Template

To create a custom design for your product catalog ad, follow these steps:

• Click “New Creative” to start with a custom design for your product catalog ad.
• Use the creative editor to design a Facebook ad format template (600×600) and add a product image placeholder using the “Product Image” widget.

• Click “Customize” for the Instagram Ads channel in the “Ad Delivery Settings.”
• Ensure the template thumbnail appears in “Available Formats” and mark the checkbox if you want to use the template for your ad.
• Choose which product details (e.g., title price) to display in each message field.
• Review the ad preview and make any necessary adjustments to the content and template.

Step 6: Publish/Serve Ads

• Review your campaign’s configuration and targeting summary, and make any necessary adjustments.
• Toggle “Publish/Serve Ads” to start media buying after creative approval.

IMPORTANT:

If you haven’t entered valid payment information, including credit card details, in both Meta and Adacado, you’ll receive a warning message. Your ads will only go live once billing details are provided in both platforms. To Enter Billing Information in Adacado:

• Click your account in the upper right corner and select “Account & Payment Info” from the dropdown menu.
• Click “Billing” on the left and enter your payment details.

You’re all set! When your “Instagram Ads” channel is “ACTIVE” or “SCHEDULED”, your ads will start serving to viewers immediately or according to the schedule.