Video Ads Formats


Trying to keep up with rapidly shifting social media trends, especially when videos are involved, can be overwhelming. Every social media platform has different requirements for posting content, so we decided to make a fun, simple guide for your usage. 

Check it out below, then visit the platform you're investigating to learn more about each type of video ad unit they provide, including details, advice on content, and more. 



Instagram Video Specs 

As it works wonders for highly visual brands, Instagram is a must-have for businesses looking to connect with younger, more engaged audiences. Instagram, owned by Facebook, attracts many of the same users, yet their browsing habits suggest that they are more receptive to brand advertising. 

Utilize these Instagram advertising guidelines to succeed with your subsequent Instagram post and pick up some new followers. 


Check out some of the most standard Instagram video dimensions below. 


  1. Instagram Carousel Video Ads: 
  • a. Length: 3-60 seconds per video (up to 10 videos). 
  • b. Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (square) or 4:5 (vertical). 
  • c. Resolution: Minimum 600 x 600 pixels. 
  • d. File Type: MP4 or MOV. 
  • e. File Size: Maximum 4 GB per video. 


Best Practices: 

  • Begin with an eye-catching opening shot to engage viewers. 
  • Use clear, concise messaging and captions to communicate the benefits of your product or service. 
  • Include a call-to-action (CTA) in the caption or on the video itself. 
  • Use high-quality visuals and sound to improve the overall ad experience. 


  1. Instagram In-Feed Video Ads: 
  • a. Length: 3-60 seconds. 
  • b. Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (square), 4:5 (vertical), or 16:9 (horizontal). 
  • c. Resolution: Minimum 600 x 315 pixels (horizontal), 600 x 600 pixels (square), or 600 x 750 pixels (vertical). 
  • d. File Type: MP4 or MOV. 
  • e. File Size: Maximum 4 GB. 


Best Practices: 

  • Keep the video concise and to the point. 
  • Use strong visuals and compelling storytelling to grab the viewer's attention. 
  • Include a CTA in the caption or on the video itself. 
  • Use captions or subtitles to cater to users watching with the sound off. 


  1. Instagram Stories Video Ads: 
  • a. Length: Up to 15 seconds (can be extended with multiple stories, but each story lasts 15 seconds). 
  • b. Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (vertical). 
  • c. Resolution: Minimum 600 x 1067 pixels. 
  • d. File Type: MP4 or MOV. 
  • e. File Size: Maximum 4 GB. 


Best Practices: 

  • Use full-screen vertical visuals to maximize screen space. 
  • Add text overlays or captions to communicate your message without sound. 
  • Feature a clear CTA as a "Swipe Up" function or within the video content. 
  • Create a sense of urgency or exclusivity to encourage immediate action. 


Remember that the key to creating successful Instagram video ads is to be visually appealing, clear in messaging, and engaging to your target audience. 

Instagram video content ought to be entertaining, beautiful, and powerful. 


Do's: 

  • Employ animation. 
  • Play music. 
  • Utilize logos and brand colors. 
  • Use eye-catching, vivid imagery. 
  • Publish a CTA. 


Don'ts: 

  • Don't Use voiceover; Instagram's videos do not have captions. 
  • Don't employ stagnant video. 
  • Don't use expansive shots. 
  • Text should be placed very to the edge. 



Facebook Video Specs 

Facebook is the largest social network for both brands and individuals, whether you're launching a video organically or running sponsored ads. With more than one billion active users, Facebook is the most popular social networking platform despite its waning appeal. That's a sizable audience, and with the right Facebook ad specifications, your video is guaranteed to be a smash hit. 


To maximize engagement and effectiveness for your different Facebook ad formats, it's essential to tailor your content to each ad type. Here's a suggested format for each of the four ad types mentioned: 


  1. Facebook Feed Video Ads: 
  • Length: 15-30 seconds (with key messaging in the first 3 seconds) 
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:5 or 1:1 (square) for mobile; 16:9 (landscape) for desktop 
  • Resolution: 1080p 
  • Format: .MP4 or .MOV 
  • Captions: Optional, but recommended (SRT format) 
  • Clear call-to-action (CTA) button 


Key points: 

  • Use attention-grabbing visuals at the start 
  • Include clear branding and logo 
  • Tell a story or showcase a product/service with benefits 
  • Testimonial or social proof (optional) 
  • End with a strong CTA 
  1. In-Stream Video Ads 
  • Length: 5-15 seconds 
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (landscape) 
  • Resolution: 1080p 
  • Format: .MP4 or .MOV 
  • Captions: Recommended (SRT format) 


Key points: 

  • Concise, memorable message 
  • Strong, relevant visuals 
  • Clearly display branding and logo 
  • Direct viewers to take action (e.g., "Learn more" or "Shop now") 
  1. Carousel Video Ads 
  • Length: Up to 10 cards, each 15-30 seconds long 
  • Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (square) 
  • Resolution: 1080p 
  • Format: .MP4 or .MOV 
  • Captions: Optional, but recommended (SRT format) 


Key points: 

  • Showcase multiple products or services 
  • Create a narrative or step-by-step guide 
  • Consistent visual and text elements across cards 
  • Use carousel cards to provide additional information and benefits 
  • Include a strong CTA on the last card or every card 
  1. Messenger Ads 
  • Length: 15-30 seconds 
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.91:1 (landscape) or 1:1 (square) 
  • Resolution: 1080p 
  • Format: .MP4 or .MOV 
  • Captions: Optional, but recommended (SRT format) 


Key points: 

  • Personal and conversational tone 
  • Address the user's potential pain points or interests 
  • Showcase product/service benefits 
  • Clear branding and logo 
  • Encourage users to engage with the bot or click a CTA button for more information 

By customizing your video content according to these formats, you can effectively engage your audience and achieve better results with your Facebook ads. 

Facebook videos should have a good time, be relatable, and have a clear purpose. 


Do's 

  • Use up-close shots of joyful faces. 
  • Employ animation. 
  • Utilize logos and brand colors. 
  • Use music and/or subtitles as needed. 


Don'ts 

  • Don't tell lengthy, intricate tales. 
  • Don't use images unconnected to your company's name, goods, or services. 
  • Don't be offensive, provocative, or violate any other Facebook rules. 
  • Don't overlay the video with text. 



LinkedIn Video Specs 

Want to connect with other business people? The best place to be is LinkedIn! For B2B outreach and brand exposure, use LinkedIn. The LinkedIn audience is one of the best when you're seeking to attract decision-makers or executives with buying power because of limited targeting possibilities and a work-ready mindset. 


These LinkedIn ad standards will definitely make a difference in your upcoming significant video campaign if you have the correct ad strategy in place. 


Below are some of the most typical dimensions for LinkedIn videos. 


Streaming Video 

  • Size Minimum: 256 x 144 pixels 
  • Size Limit: 4096 x 2304 pixels 
  • Aspect Ratios Supported: 1:2.4 to 2.4:1 
  • Formats supported include ASF, AVI, FLV, MPEG-1, MPEG-4, MKV, QuickTime, WebM, H264/AVC, MP4, VP8, and WMV3. 
  • The maximum file size is 5 GB. 
  • Natively on the LinkedIn Feed 


Ad videos 

  • 1920 x 1080 pixels is the maximum
    size 
  • Minimum: 480 x 360 pixels 
  • The following aspect ratios are supported: 4:3, 16:9, and 1:1. 
  • Specifications: MP4, maximum file size 200 MB, maximum length 30 minutes. 
  • Natively on the LinkedIn Feed 

  

Length 

The shortest videos on LinkedIn often provide the best results. The length of organic Feed video should range from 15 to 90 seconds, providing you more time to establish your business message. We advise limiting your video advertising under 30 seconds. 


Content 

A LinkedIn video might highlight a wonderful interview, tell your company's story, or demonstrate your expertise in a certain field. 


Do's 

  • Use up-close shots of joyful faces. 
  • The most crucial information should be included in the first 10 seconds of your film. 
  • Make use of vivid, powerful images. 
  • Use music or subtitles as needed. 


Don'ts 

  • Do not over promote. 
  • Users should be aware of your brand. 
  • Don't be monotonous, formal, or impersonal. 
  • Please don't give your video more time than it requires. 



Twitter Video Specs 

Twitter is the ideal channel for interacting with your audience, disseminating business advice, announcing exclusive deals, and more! The short lifespan of the majority of Twitter's organic content makes the platform's video ads even more effective. Once you get going, you'll probably discover the low cost and high return to be a significant advantage. 


Start experimenting with these Twitter ad specifications right away. 


The most typical Twitter video dimensions are listed below. 


Video ad 

  • Size: 720 × 720 pixels in square form, 1280 x 720 pixels in the horizontal direction. 
  • Size Minimum: 32 x 32 pixels 
  • 1920 x 1200 pixels maximum 
  • Supported Aspect Ratios (inclusive): 1:2.39 to 2.39:1 
  • Specifications: MP4 or MOV format, no longer than 140 seconds, 512 MB maximum file size, progressive scan, 1:1 pixel ratio, mono or stereo audio, no more than 5.1 audio. 
  • Placement: Pre-roll or native on Twitter Feed for premium video content 


Length 

Shorter is ideal because videos on Twitter can only be two minutes and 20 seconds long at most. Twitter videos should be between 15 and 30 seconds long, and any necessary information should be included in brief, concise text. 

Content 

Twitter material has a limited shelf life, so you should make your video as captivating as you can. 

Do's 

  • Create a CTA. 
  • Be cellular-friendly. 
  • Make use of vivid, powerful imagery. 
  • Grasp the attention of your audience right away. 
  • Put some music on and some subtitles if you like. 


Don'ts 

  • Please don't give your video more time than it requires. 
  • Don't focus on too many different things. 
  • Don't be too formal or serious. 
  • The use of user-generated content should be avoided. 



Amazon Video Specs 

Making your Amazon listing or running Amazon advertisements the first stop for anyone looking to buy could propel your online marketplace to the next level. 

These Amazon ad specifications will also help make your business stand out from the competition because so few companies are utilizing Amazon's video capabilities to their most significant potential. 


Check out some of the most common Amazon video dimensions below. 


 Amazon Product Video Ads 

  1. Video format: MP4 or MOV 
  2. File size: Up to 500 MB 
  3. Video duration: 15-30 seconds (recommended) 
  4. Aspect ratio: 16:9 (horizontal) or 1:1 (square) 
  5. Resolution: Minimum 1280 x 720 pixels (HD) or higher 
  6. Frame rate: 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, or 30 fps (progressive scan) 
  7. Audio: Stereo, AAC codec, minimum 96 kbps, 48 kHz sampling rate 
  8. No end cards, text overlays or superimposed logos allowed 
  9. Video should have a clear call-to-action and showcase product features 

Amazon Video Ads 

  1. Video format: MP4 or MOV 
  2. File size: Up to 1 GB 
  3. Video duration: 6-15 seconds (short form) or 15-60 seconds (long form) 
  4. Aspect ratio: 16:9 (horizontal) or 1:1 (square) 
  5. Resolution: Minimum 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD) or higher 
  6. Frame rate: 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, or 30 fps (progressive scan) 
  7. Audio: Stereo, AAC codec, minimum 96 kbps, 48 kHz sampling rate 
  8. Subtitles: Optional, but recommended for accessibility (SRT or VTT format) 
  9. Video should be brand-focused, with clear messaging and call-to-action 

DSP (Demand-Side Platform) Video Ad 

  1. Video format: MP4 or MOV 
  2. File size: Up to 1 GB 
  3. Video duration: 6-30 seconds (recommended) 
  4. Aspect ratio: 16:9 (horizontal) or 9:16 (vertical) 
  5. Resolution: Minimum 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD) or higher 
  6. Frame rate: 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, or 30 fps (progressive scan) 
  7. Audio: Stereo, AAC codec, minimum 96 kbps, 48 kHz sampling rate 
  8. Subtitles: Optional, but recommended for accessibility (SRT or VTT format) 
  9. Video must comply with IAB's VAST (Video Ad Serving Template) standards 
  10. Ad creative should be engaging, with clear messaging and call-to-action 

Please ensure that all video ads comply with Amazon's Creative Acceptance Policies and are suitable for a general audience 


Length 

Keep your Amazon video to no more than 30 seconds, and be sure to highlight your goods. 

 
Content 

Use this video to emphasize the advantages and features of your product solely; avoid telling a story. This calls for concentrating on close-ups of your goods, showcasing the label or packaging, and possibly providing a brief tutorial or demonstration. 


Do's 

  • Make sure your video is brief and well-focused. 
  • Simpleton your background. 
  • Include close-ups, in-action photos, and wider shots when shooting your products from different angles. 
  • Include the brand name and any relevant measurements. 


Don'ts 

  • Don't forget to change the title and description of the video. 
  • Don't attempt to accomplish too much in one video. 
  • Don't dress up the video too much; keep things simple and limit your responses to the most pertinent queries. 
  • Make your video mobile-friendly instead of ignoring mobile. 



YouTube Video Specs

Without a doubt, YouTube is the king of online video. YouTube is the best place to start if you want to embed a video on your website, advertise it on any social media network, or share it with just about everyone. 


Using YouTube as a hosting option is a wise choice, even if you don't run adverts on the site. You can use these YouTube ad standards as a barometer to assess the general effectiveness and online suitability of your video thanks to the wide range of upload sizing options available. 


Check out some of the most common YouTube video dimensions below. 


YouTube Player 

  • Sizes include 426 x 240 pixels (240p), 640 x 360 pixels (360p), 854 x 480 pixels (480p), 1280 x 720 pixels (720p), 1920 pixels (1080 pixels), 2560 pixels (1440 pixels), and 3840 pixels (2160 pixels) 
  • Minimum Requirement: 426 x 240 px 
  • Maximum Size: 3840 x 2160 pixels 
  • Supported Ratios: 16:9 and 4:3. 
  • Specifications: maximum file size of 128 GB, maximum length of 12 hours, and formats of MOV, MPEG4, MP4, AVI, WMV, MPEGPS, FLV, 3GPP, or WebM. 


YouTube Video Ads 

The same as above, but 

  • Skippable video advertisements with a maximum runtime of 12 hours and a 5 second skip. 
  • Unskippable video advertisements are limited to 15, 20, or 30 seconds (depending on the location). 
  • Mid-Roll Video Ads: 30 seconds minimum 
  • Bumper Video advertisements: maximum 6 seconds 


Length 

YouTube videos can have practically any length. Keep social media posts under 30 seconds, webinars and long-form video content under an hour, and brand videos and ads under three minutes. 


Content 

Nearly everything is acceptable here! The content you submit can be as diverse as you like as YouTube is only a hosting platform. Use it for a variety of purposes, such as brand videos, behind-the-scenes material, and more. 


Do's 

  • Keep in mind who you're trying to reach. 
  • Monitor your success measures. 
  • Add a captivating thumbnail. 
  • Share the links to your YouTube videos wherever you can by embedding them. 
  • Continue to publish. 


Don'ts 

  • Ensure that you go "viral." 
  • Don't forget to add metadata to each published video. 
  • Don't upload shoddy video content. 
  • Don't make YouTube the final destination of your videos. 



Pinterest Video Specs 

With the ideal Pinterest video, aid customers in discovering your company. It's one of the most well-liked sites for young, creative people worldwide because it's so captivating and visually stimulating. 


What's best? Uploading your first video ad to Pinterest is simple because to its user-friendly interface and clear and straightforward ad specifications. 


The most typical Pinterest video dimensions are listed below. 


Featured Video 

  • Size: 600 × 600 pixels (vertical), 600 x 600 pixels (square). 
  • Resolution Requirement: 240 ppi 
  • Supported Aspect Ratios: 1:1 (square), and 9:16 (vertical) 
  • Specifications: MP4 or MOV format, 30 minute maximum runtime, 2 GB maximum file size 
  • Placement: Naturally on Pinterest Feed, one or two columns wide 


Length 

We advise keeping your Pinterest video under 15 seconds in length and focused. This is an excellent chance for you to emphasize your good or service and its best qualities. 


Content 

Due to Pinterest's emphasis on visual content, brief, concise videos work best. 


Do's 

  • Keep your graphics simple but vivid. 
  • Concentrate on the item you are promoting. 
  • Use up-close shots of joyful faces. 
  • Utilize logos and brand colors. 
  • Use product, DIY, and how-to videos. 


Don'ts 

  • Don't rely on audio or voiceover to convey your message. 
  • Don't use thought leadership videos, industry, or interview videos. 
  • Don't limit your video to 30 seconds. 
  • Remember that videos start playing silently when they are 50% visible. 


Conclusion 

The possibilities for employing video content are genuinely limitless. As social media platforms continue to broaden their selection of material and as the popularity of video grows, video is increasingly playing a significant part in driving ROI. 


The time to start using video on your social media channels if you haven't already. 

 


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