What’s more profitable than one video ad? Multiple video ads at the same time.
Instagram is expanding its ad carousel unit to now include five separate videos, up to 60 seconds long. The photo-sharing app launched the carousel last fall, letting brands add multiple images into a swipeable format along with a link that directs people to the company’s website.
The format has been a hit: People are 10 times more likely click on photo carousel ads compared to a static sponsored post, so Instagram is likely hoping the same success rate happens for the video-heavy carousel format.
Airbnb, Macy’s, ASOS, and Taco Bell, which has skillfully made fun of recipe videos in its latest Instagram campaign, are among the first brands to try the carousel. The new ads are sold on a cost-per-thousand basis. (In December, Digiday reported that Instagram ad prices were about 65 cents per click, or between $5.75 and $6 for a thousand views.)
Instagram has been pushing video on to its users lately. In March it extended the total possible length of videos from 15 seconds to a minute and remodeled the Explore tab to show off more videos.
Users will begin seeing the new ads in the coming weeks.
More in Media
Kroger’s new CEO, a Walmart veteran, is focused on speed and execution
Foran joined Kroger in February after serving as CEO of Air New Zealand since 2020. Before that, he was president and CEO of Walmart U.S. for about six years.
In Graphic Detail: The real impact of creators at the World Cup
The 2026 World Cup buzz was all about creators; we look at the numbers breaking down their impact at the global tournament.
Media Briefing: Brand authority and trust are becoming publishers’ newest AI assets
Some publishers are betting that trusted brands and editorial authority are becoming their biggest competitive advantage with LLMs.