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Introduction

<p style='margin-bottom: 40px;'>Advertising is a cornerstone of any successful business strategy. Instagram ads are no exception. With over one billion monthly active users and a wide audience — from teens to adults — it's a great platform to promote your brand, products, or services. But when did Instagram ads start? In this article, we’ll explore the history of Instagram ads, the different types of ads, and tips and best practices for leveraging them to maximize ROI.</p>
<h2 style='font-size: 32px; color: #000; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline;' id='table-of-contents'>Table of Contents</h2>
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          <th style='border-bottom: 2px solid #000;'>Section</th>
          <th style='border-bottom: 2px solid #000;'>Link</th>
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          <td>Introduction</td>
          <td><a href='#introduction'>Go to section</a></td>
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          <td>Body</td>
          <td><a href='#body'>Go to section</a></td>
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          <td>Tips and Best Practices</td>
          <td><a href='#tips-best-practices'>Go to section</a></td>
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          <td>Case Studies or Examples</td>
          <td><a href='#case-studies'>Go to section</a></td>
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          <td>Conclusion</td>
          <td><a href='#conclusion'>Go to section</a></td>
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          <td>FAQ</td>
          <td><a href='#faq'>Go to section</a></td>
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<div id='body' style='margin-bottom: 20px;'>
    <p style='margin-bottom: 20px;'>Instagram has become one of the most popular social media platforms, particularly for businesses looking to connect with their target audiences.  As such, it’s no surprise that businesses are turning to Instagram ads to reach those audiences. But when did it all begin? Let’s dive into the history and evolution of Instagram ads.</p>
    <ul>
        <li>When Instagram ads were launched in 2013</li>
        <li>Types of Instagram ads available today</li>
        <li>Best practices for leveraging Instagram ads</li>
        <li>Examples of successful Instagram campaigns</li>
        <li>FAQ about Instagram ads</li>
    </ul>
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<h2 style='font-size: 32px; color: #000; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline;' id='history'>History of Instagram Ads</h2>
<p style='margin-bottom: 40px;'>Instagram first introduced ads in 2013, starting with sponsored posts from select brand partners. Ads were targeted to users based on their location, gender, and age. This was the first time the platform allowed businesses to directly reach users beyond their followers, and thus, a new era of digital marketing began.</p>
<p style='margin-bottom: 40px;'>In June 2015, Instagram announced videos and carousel ads to the platform. Videos are ads that appear like regular Instagram posts, but with the addition of a 30-second video instead of an image. Carousel ads, on the other hand, are ads that include multiple images that can be viewed in order or cycled through using arrows. These new ad formats allowed businesses to reach their target audiences more effectively through richer media.</p>
<p style='margin-bottom: 40px;'>Instagram further expanded its ad offerings in 2016 by introducing ads to its Stories feature. Stories are temporary videos and photos that only appear in the app for 24 hours. Ads in Stories allow businesses to reach users who had previously scrolled past their content in their regular feeds.</p>
<p style='margin-bottom: 40px;'>Today, Instagram ads have become even more sophisticated. With the introduction of advanced targeting options, businesses are now able to target users based on their interests, behaviors, and even lifestyle. Additionally, the platform has released new ad formats such as Collection Ads, which allow businesses to showcase multiple products in a single ad, and lead ads, which allow users to sign up for newsletters or other offers from businesses.</p>
<h2 style='font-size: 32px; color: #000; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline;' id='tips-best-practices'>Tips and Best Practices</h2>
<p style='margin-bottom: 40px;'>Now that you know when Instagram ads started and the different types of ads available today, let’s take a look at some tips and best practices for leveraging them to maximize ROI. </p> 
<ul>
    <li>Start by setting SMART goals: Before you create an ad, it’s important to set goals. Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART). This will help you measure the success of your campaigns and determine whether or not you’re hitting your desired objectives.</li>
    <li>Choose the right ad format: Different ad formats are better suited for different goals. For example, if you’re looking to generate leads, you may opt for lead ads, and if you’re looking to showcase multiple products, you may consider collection ads. Be sure to choose the ad format that best aligns with your objectives.</li>
    <li>Craft compelling copy: The copy in your ads is just as important as the visuals. You want to be sure to include a call to action that encourages users to take action, as well as a sense of urgency to motivate them to do so right away.</li>
    <li>Test different visuals: A/B testing is key when it comes to Instagram ads. Test different visuals and copy to see which combinations perform best and iterate accordingly.</li>
    <li>Optimize for mobile: With over 80% of users browsing Instagram on their mobile devices, you want to be sure to optimize your ads for mobile. This means ensuring your visuals are clear and legible, your copy is concise, and your calls to action are easily clickable.</li>
</ul>
<h2 style='font-size: 32px; color: #000; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline;' id='case-studies'>Case Studies or Examples</h2>
<p style='margin-bottom: 40px;'>To get a better understanding of how businesses are leveraging Instagram ads for success, let’s take a look at two case studies:</p> 
<ul>
    <li>UNICEF: In 2017, UNICEF leveraged Instagram Stories ads to raise awareness and funds for its Field Airlift Operation, which transports essential supplies to remote areas in Yemen. Their ad featured a 60-second video of a real-life girl in Yemen who received medical supplies from the airlift. The message was simple and powerful, and it resonated with viewers — resulting in over $3 million in donations.</li>
    <li>Sephora: Sephora leveraged Instagram effortless experiences to promote its Beauty Insider rewards program. Its ads featured shoppable collections, allowing users to browse products directly from the ad and easily make purchases. As a result, the campaign resulted in a 12X return on ad spend.</li>
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<h2 style='font-size: 32px; color: #000; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline;' id='conclusion'>Conclusion</h2>
<p style='margin-bottom: 40px;'>Instagram ads are an incredibly powerful tool for businesses to reach their target audiences and connect with potential customers. From the very first sponsored post in 2013, to the sophisticated ads available today, Instagram ads have come a long way, and they’re continuing to evolve and become even more advanced. By leveraging these tips and best practices, you can ensure that you’re getting the most out of your Instagram ad campaigns.</p>
<p style='margin-bottom: 40px;'>Want to take your Instagram ads to the next level? Get in touch with the professionals at EcomlyAds Marketing Agency to unlock your brand's growth potential. Visit us at <a href='https://ecomlyads.com'>https://ecomlyads.com</a>!</p>
<h2 style='font-size: 32px; color: #000; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline;' id='faq'>FAQ</h2>
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        <th style='border-bottom: 2px solid #000;'>Question</th>
        <th style='border-bottom: 2px solid #000;'>Answer</th>
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        <td>What types of ads are available on Instagram?</td>
        <td>Instagram offers a variety of ad formats, including video, carousel, Stories, Collection, and Lead Ads.</td>
    </tr>
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        <td> How can I target my ads on Instagram?</td>
        <td>You can target your ads on Instagram based on user demographics (location, age, gender), interests, behaviors, and lifestyle.</td>
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        <td>How do I know if my ads are successful?</td>
        <td>You can measure the success of your ads by tracking key metrics such as reach, impressions, clicks, and conversions.</td>
    </tr>
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        <td>What are the best practices for creating Instagram ads?</td>
        <td>Some of the best practices for creating Instagram ads include setting SMART goals, crafting compelling copy, testing different visuals, and optimizing for mobile.</td>
    </tr>
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        <td>How can I get help with my Instagram ads?</td>
        <td>You can get help with your Instagram ads by working with a professional digital marketing agency