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📱 How to Run Ads on Instagram Step by Step (Complete Guide)
Want to grow your brand, get more followers, or promote your products online? Running Instagram ads is one of the most effective ways to reach a large and targeted audience. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn exactly how to run ads on Instagram even if you are a beginner.
1️⃣ Create a Business or Creator Account
To run Instagram ads, you must have a Business or Creator account. If you already have a personal account, you can switch easily:
- Open your Instagram app.
- Go to Settings → Account → Switch to Professional Account.
- Select Business or Creator and follow the instructions.
2️⃣ Connect Your Instagram to a Facebook Page
Instagram ads are managed through Meta Ads Manager (Facebook’s ad platform). So, you’ll need to connect your Instagram account to a Facebook Page:
- Go to Settings → Linked Accounts → Facebook.
- Select your business page or create a new one.
- Now your accounts are connected for ad management.
3️⃣ Open Meta Ads Manager
Visit Meta Ads Manager on your browser. This is where you will create, edit, and monitor your ad campaigns. Make sure you’re logged into the Facebook account connected to your Instagram.
4️⃣ Choose Your Campaign Objective
Click on the Create button and select your ad objective. Instagram offers multiple ad goals such as:
- Brand Awareness
- Reach
- Traffic (to drive visitors to your website)
- Engagement (likes, comments, and shares)
- Leads or Conversions
Pick the one that matches your marketing goal.
5️⃣ Define Your Target Audience
Targeting is the key to successful Instagram ads. You can define your audience by:
- Location – country, city, or region
- Age & Gender
- Interests – hobbies, brands, and topics they follow
- Behaviors – purchase activity and device usage
The more specific your targeting, the better your ad performance.
6️⃣ Set Your Budget and Schedule
Decide how much you want to spend. You can choose a daily budget or a lifetime budget. Also, set the start and end dates for your campaign. Start small — even ₹200–₹300 per day can give you good results when optimized well.
7️⃣ Design Your Ad
Now, choose the ad format you want to use. Instagram offers different types:
- Image Ads – single photo with caption
- Video Ads – short clips showcasing your product
- Carousel Ads – multiple images or videos in one post
- Story Ads – vertical full-screen stories
- Reels Ads – perfect for short, creative content
Upload your visuals, write a catchy caption, and add a clear Call-to-Action (like “Shop Now”, “Learn More”, or “Sign Up”).
8️⃣ Review and Publish
Before publishing, double-check all your ad settings — targeting, budget, and content. Once everything looks perfect, click Publish. Your ad will go through a quick review process by Meta, and once approved, it will start running on Instagram.
9️⃣ Track Performance
After your ad starts running, keep an eye on the results using Meta Ads Manager. You can monitor:
- Reach and Impressions
- Clicks and Engagement
- Cost per Result
- Conversions or Leads
Use this data to adjust your targeting, ad design, or budget to improve performance.
💡 Tips for Successful Instagram Ads
- Use high-quality photos and videos that grab attention instantly.
- Keep your caption short and engaging.
- Add relevant hashtags to increase reach.
- Experiment with different ad formats and audiences.
- Always test multiple versions of your ad (A/B testing).
🎯 Final Thoughts
Running ads on Instagram is one of the best ways to grow your online presence and attract real customers. With the right strategy, clear goals, and engaging content, you can reach thousands of people who are genuinely interested in your brand.
Now that you know how to run Instagram ads step by step, go ahead and create your first campaign today!
