How can I create ads for Instagram?

• Set up a Meta business account and an ad account, and connect your Instagram account.
• Choose a campaign objective, a budget and an audience.
• Upload the ads: video in 9:16 and 4:5, or statics.
• Submit for review.

Meta says ad review is usually completed within 24 hours, though it can take longer, and ads can be reviewed again at any time, including after they go live. Source: Meta's Advertising Standards, checked on 2 November 2026.

Meta does not allow ads that assert or imply a person's personal attributes, including physical or mental health and medical conditions. Its own examples allow "New diabetes treatment available" and reject "Do you have diabetes?" Source: Meta's Personal Attributes ad policy, checked on 2 November 2026.

Our free ad specs and safe zone checker cover the sizes.

Instagram ads follow Meta's policies, so the health rules are the same as on Facebook. Ads for dietary, health, weight loss or weight gain products and services must be targeted to people at least 18 years old. Source: Meta's Health and Wellness ad policy, checked on 3 November 2026.

Meta does not allow prescription drug ads to target people under 18, and ads that promote telehealth services in general do not need Meta's written authorization. Source: Meta's Drugs and Pharmaceuticals ad policy, checked on 3 November 2026.

If you use lead ads, Meta says ads must not request health information, including physical health, mental health, medical treatments, medical conditions or disabilities, without its prior permission. Source: Meta's Advertising Standards, checked on 3 November 2026. More on our healthcare Facebook ads page.

Meta says its ad review system is designed to review all ads before they go live, and that it relies primarily on automated technology. It may restrict advertisers that do not follow its Advertising Standards, Community Standards or other policies and terms. Source: Meta: About the enforcement of Meta Advertising Standards, checked on 3 November 2026.

A restriction can go as far as loss of the ability to advertise on Meta platforms, which takes Instagram with it. Source: Meta: About advertising restrictions, checked on 3 November 2026. On Performance Partner, we also run the ad accounts; see our media buying page.

We make each batch by taking one angle and making it in 10 different ways: 5 videos in 5 different formats and 5 statics. Each video has one hook, so a result points to one idea.

Comparing two ads inside one Meta ad set is not a randomized test, because Meta sends each ad to the people it expects to respond. For a fair comparison, use Meta's A/B test tool or split traffic on the landing page.

Motion graphics are a cheap place to start testing copy, because the format is quick to change. More on our performance marketing page.