Instagram ad examples: what top brands run in Feed, Stories and Reels
Short answer
Most Meta ads run on Facebook and Instagram at the same time, but the ones that win on Instagram look native: vertical video, creator-style footage, captions with hashtags, and a product shown in use. Below are real Instagram placements from our index, sorted by reach.
Do Instagram ads differ from Facebook ads?
Technically, no. They're set up in the same Ads Manager, and about nine in ten ads in our index run on both apps. In practice, creatives built for Instagram lean on vertical framing, people on camera and fast cuts, while Facebook tolerates longer copy.
Patterns that show up in high-reach Instagram ads
- Creator-style videos that look like organic posts (“POV: …”, unboxings, routines).
- Captions with branded hashtags and a creator handle, often from beauty brands.
- A product shown in the first second, before anyone can scroll past.
- Short on-screen text that works without sound.
Video ads running on Instagram
See more →Zalando
Inactive
Video@bayagorbusha’s winter rotation? No notes. 🎥: @bayagorbusha 🔎 Sneakers: AD111A2MD-D11 #adidasOriginals 🔎…
- Reach
- 12.1M
- Spend
- €363.4K
The North Face
Inactive
VideoThe North Face on. City explored. Coffee earned. @thenorthfaceuk #NeverFearTheForecast #TheNorthFace…
- Reach
- 8.9M
- Spend
- €266.6K
My Sweet Smile
Active
VideoIf a 53-year-old woman used a teeth whitening powder for just 2 minutes per day, here's what would happen 👇…
- Reach
- 6.8M
- Spend
- €203.9K
Crep Protect
Inactive
VideoWhat sneaker got you like this? 🥹 (via: @sniperkicks32) #Sneakers #SneakerAddict #Sneakerhead
- Reach
- 6.2M
- Spend
- €184.6K
adidas Running
Inactive
VideoINSPIRED BY THE WORLD'S FASTEST, FOR YOU TO FEEL YOUR FAST IN YOUR EASY RUNS
- Reach
- 5.6M
- Spend
- €167.9K
Medicube
Active
VideoBedazzled PDRN gel mask #pdrncollagenmask #skincare #glasskin #medicube @medicube_global_official
- Reach
- 4.9M
- Spend
- €148.5K
Feel Reformed
Active
VideoWhat if your morning coffee did more than wake you up? Reformed Coffee delivers: - 15g of Hydrolysed Collagen…
- Reach
- 4.6M
- Spend
- €138.2K
BetterMe Men
Active
VideoReach muscle goals💪 Stick to this simple plan to succeed: 1. Take a 1-minute quiz 📊 2. Get a workout and…
- Reach
- 4.1M
- Spend
- €122.5K
FAQ
Questions about this guide
Can I search only Instagram ads?
Yes. On Free Ad Library, set the platform filter to Instagram. The Meta Ad Library has the same platform filter.