Are you considering paying for social media adverts? Want to know the correct size graphics you should use for each network?

Organic social media reach can only get you so far (especially as social networks keep trying to reduce it). Creating posts that go viral every time is near impossible so if you have an sales offer or piece of content that you need to be shared, adverts may be a route you want to go down.

The guys at Bannersnack have included ad size dimensions for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Google Plus in the infographic below.

 

In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, social media advertising has become a cornerstone for businesses looking to reach their target audience. With billions of users on various social platforms, it’s no wonder why companies invest heavily in creating effective social media ad campaigns. However, one critical aspect that often gets overlooked is the sizing of these ads. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide you with a complete ad size cheat sheet for some of the most popular social media platforms, ensuring your ads look stunning and perform at their best.

The Importance of Proper Ad Sizing

Before we dive into the specifics of ad sizes for different platforms, let’s understand why getting your ad dimensions right is crucial.

1. Visual Appeal: An ad that’s properly sized will look more appealing and professional. Users are more likely to engage with an ad that’s visually appealing and fits seamlessly into their feed.
2. User Experience: Incorrectly sized ads can disrupt the user experience, leading to frustration and a negative perception of your brand. Users may associate poorly designed ads with a lack of attention to detail.
3. Ad Performance: Different platforms have different display requirements, and adhering to these guidelines can directly impact your ad’s performance. Ads that are too large or too small may not display correctly or could be penalized in terms of reach and engagement.
4. Consistency: Maintaining a consistent look and feel across your social media advertising campaigns is essential for brand recognition. Properly sized ads contribute to this consistency.

Now that we understand the importance of getting the dimensions right, let’s break down the optimal ad sizes for some of the major social media platforms.

Facebook

With over 2.8 billion monthly active users, Facebook is a powerhouse for social media advertising. Here are the recommended ad sizes for various formats on this platform:

1. Image Ads

• News Feed: 1200 x 628 pixels
• Right Column: 1200 x 628 pixels
• Carousel: 1080 x 1080 pixels

2. Video Ads

• In-Feed: 1280 x 720 pixels
• Stories: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Carousel: 1080 x 1080 pixels

3. Slideshow Ads

• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 or 1:1
• Minimum Resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels

4. Collection Ads

• Image Ratio: 1:1
• Image Size: 1200 x 1200 pixels

5. Instant Experience Ads

• Recommended Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels

Instagram

Instagram boasts more than 1 billion monthly active users and is known for its visually appealing content. Here are the recommended ad sizes for Instagram:

1. Image Ads

• Feed: 1080 x 1080 pixels
• Stories: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Carousel: 1080 x 1080 pixels

2. Video Ads

• Feed: 1080 x 1080 pixels
• Stories: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Carousel: 1080 x 1080 pixels

3. Instagram TV (IGTV) Video

• Aspect Ratio: 9:16 or 16:9
• Minimum Resolution: 720 pixels

Twitter

Twitter, with its 330 million monthly active users, is a popular platform for real-time engagement. Here are the recommended ad sizes for Twitter:

1. Image Ads

• Timeline: 1200 x 675 pixels
• Promoted Tweet: 1200 x 628 pixels
• Fleet: 1080 x 1920 pixels

2. Video Ads

• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 or 1:1
• Minimum Resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels
• Maximum Duration: 2 minutes and 20 seconds

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the go-to platform for B2B advertising, with over 774 million users. Here are the recommended ad sizes for LinkedIn:

1. Image Ads

• Sponsored Content: 1200 x 627 pixels
• Sponsored InMail: 1200 x 628 pixels
• Dynamic Ads: 100 x 100 pixels (logo)

2. Video Ads

• Sponsored Content: 1280 x 720 pixels
• Sponsored InMail: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Dynamic Ads: 100 x 100 pixels (logo)

Pinterest

Pinterest, a platform known for visual discovery, has over 400 million monthly active users. Here are the recommended ad sizes for Pinterest:

1. Image Ads

• Standard Pin: 1000 x 1500 pixels
• Carousel Pin: 1000 x 1500 pixels (minimum 600 x 900 pixels)
• Shopping Ad: 1080 x 1080 pixels

2. Video Ads

• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 or 1:1
• Minimum Resolution: 600 x 600 pixels
• Maximum File Size: 2GB

Snapchat

Snapchat, known for its ephemeral content, has over 265 million daily active users. Here are the recommended ad sizes for Snapchat:

1. Image and Video Ads

• Snap Ad: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Collection Ad: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Story Ad: 1080 x 1920 pixels

YouTube

YouTube, the largest video-sharing platform, has more than 2 billion logged-in monthly users. Here are the recommended ad sizes for YouTube:

1. Video Ads

• Skippable In-Stream Ads: 16:9 aspect ratio, minimum 1280 x 720 pixels
• Non-Skippable In-Stream Ads: 16:9 aspect ratio, minimum 1280 x 720 pixels
• Discovery Ads: 16:9 aspect ratio, minimum 1280 x 720 pixels
• Bumper Ads: 16:9 aspect ratio, minimum 1280 x 720 pixels, maximum 6 seconds

TikTok

TikTok has gained immense popularity, with over 1 billion monthly active users. Here are the recommended ad sizes for TikTok:

1. Video Ads

• In-Feed Video Ad: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Branded Hashtag Challenge Cover: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Branded Hashtag Challenge Banner: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• TopView Ad: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Branded Effects: Varies by effect

Best Practices for Social Media Ad Design

Now that you know the optimal ad sizes for various social media platforms, let’s explore some best practices for designing effective social media ads:

1. Keep it Simple: Avoid clutter and use concise messaging. Your ad should convey the message quickly and effectively.

2. High-Quality Visuals: Use high-resolution images and videos to ensure your ad looks professional and attractive.

3. Mobile Optimization: Given that a significant portion of social media users access platforms via mobile devices, ensure your ads are mobile-friendly.

4. Branding: Maintain consistency with your brand’s colors, fonts, and logos to enhance brand recognition.

5. Call to Action (CTA): Include a clear CTA that encourages users to take the desired action, such as clicking a link or making a purchase.

6. A/B Testing: Experiment with different ad creatives and formats to identify what resonates best with your audience.

7. Ad Copy: Craft compelling ad copy that complements your visuals and provides value to the audience.

Tools to Create Social Media Ads

Creating visually appealing social media ads can be a breeze with the right tools. Here are some popular options:

1. Canva: Canva offers a wide range of templates and design tools, making it easy to create eye-catching social media ads.
2. Adobe Creative Cloud: For more advanced design needs, Adobe’s suite of tools, including Photoshop and Illustrator, can help you create stunning visuals.
3. Videoleap: If you need to edit videos for your social media ads, Videoleap is an excellent mobile app for iOS devices.
4. Animoto: This online video maker allows you to create engaging video ads quickly.
5. Facebook Ads Manager: The built-in ad creation tool on Facebook provides templates and features for designing effective Facebook and Instagram ads.

Conclusion

In the world of social media advertising, the right ad size can make all the difference. Adhering to the recommended dimensions for each platform ensures that your ads look professional, maintain user experience, and perform at their best. Remember to follow best practices in ad design, experiment with different creatives, and use the right tools to make your social media ads stand out and drive results for your business. Stay up to date with platform changes and continue to refine your ad campaigns for optimal performance in this ever-evolving digital landscape.