Facebook timeline image ads
Recommended: at least 1,200 by 628 pixels, 9:16 to 16:9 aspect ratio
For all image ads, Facebook recommends that you upload “the highest resolution image available” in either .JPG or .PNG format, cropped to a supported aspect ratio. Also remember that images and video that “consist of more than 20% text may experience reduced delivery,” as per Facebook’s text in images rules.
Facebook right column image ads
Recommended: at least 1,200 pixels by 628 pixels, 9:16 to 16:9 aspect ratio
Remember those right column ads are a desktop-only format, but that they “may appear in other areas of the site” too.
Facebook instant articles image ads
Recommended: at least 1,200 by 628 pixels, 9:16 to 16:9 aspect ratio
Facebook Marketplace image ads
Recommended: at least 1,200 by 628 pixels, 9:16 to 16:9 aspect ratio
Facebook panorama or 360 photo ads
Recommended: at least 600 by 600 pixels
Facebook automatically recognizes and processes these images based on “camera-specific metadata found in photos taken using 360-ready devices.”
Facebook sponsored message image ads
Recommended: at least 1,200 by 628 pixels
Facebook Audience Network image ads
Recommended: at least 1,200 by 628 pixels
Instagram image ads
Recommended: width of 1,080 pixels, height between 566 and 1350 pixels, the aspect ratio between 1.91:1 and 4:5
Instagram stories image ads
Recommended: at least 1,080 pixels wide, 1,920 pixels tall
Instagram recommends leaving roughly “14% (250 pixels) of the top and bottom of the image free from text and logos” to prevent them from being covered.
Facebook video ads
When it comes to video, Facebook has one key recommendation to its advertisers: design for mobile first.
Facebook recommends uploading a video with square (1:1) or vertical (4:5, 2:3 and 9:16) aspect ratios, to maximize compatibility on both desktop and mobile screens. The platform also recommends keeping videos short (15 seconds or less) and designing videos that work with and without sound (by enabling captions).
For best results, stick to the following specs for video ads:
Facebook timeline video ads
Recommended: at least 1,280 by 720 pixels
For all video ad types, Facebook recommends uploading the “highest resolution source video available without letter or pillar boxing.” Facebook provides an exhaustive list of aspect ratios and features available for each ad type.
Landscape videos should be a minimum of 600 by 315 pixels (1.9:1 aspect ratio), while square ads should be a minimum 600 by 600 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio). Use .MP4 or .MOV format, with a maximum file size of 4GB, maximum length 240 min, and maximum frame rate of 30fps.
Facebook Messenger video ads
Recommended: at least 1,280 by 720 pixels (16:9 to 1.91:1 aspect ratio)
Videos can be up to 240 minutes long, up to 4GB large, and have a maximum frame rate of 30fps.
Facebook slideshow video ads
Recommended: at least 1,200 by 720 pixels
Slideshow ads are designed for audiences with slower internet access. They let you transform a series of 3-10 images and a sound file (supported formats: WAV, MP3, M4A, FLAC, and OGG) into a video ad.
For best results, Facebook suggests using the highest quality images possible. They should all be the same dimensions (ideally 1,280 x 720 pixels or an image ratio of 16:9, 1:1 or 2:3). If you use different sizes, the slideshow will be cropped to be square.
Instagram in-feed video ads
Recommended: 600 by 600 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
A horizontal video should be minimum 600 by 315 pixels (1.9:1 aspect ratio), a vertical video should be minimum 600 by 750 pixels (4:5 aspect ratio).
Instagram has the same recommendations for video as Facebook:
- Upload the highest resolution video possible that fits file size and ratio limits
- Use .MP4 or .MOV format
- Maximum file size 4GB
- Maximum length 60 seconds
- Maximum frame rate 30fps
- H.264 compression, square pixels, fixed frame rate, progressive scan, and stereo AAC audio compression at 128kbps+
Instagram stories video ads
Recommended:
- At least 1,080 by 1,920 pixels
- .MP4 or .MOV format
- Maximum length 15 seconds
- Maximum file size 4GB
- Supported aspect ratios: 16:9 to 4:5 and 9:16
These videos appear between Instagram user stories for up to 15 seconds (or until dismissed) and take up the whole screen. Upload the highest resolution video possible, and consider leaving the top and bottom 14 percent (roughly 250 pixels) empty, so that it isn’t obscured by the profile icon or call to action.
Facebook carousel ads
Carousels let you showcase up to 10 images or videos in one ad, without having the user navigate to a new page. Carousels can appear in six different places on Facebook—the main Facebook feed, the right column, instant articles, Facebook Marketplace, the Facebook Audience Network, and Facebook Messenger. But all carousel formats use a similar image and video specs.
Facebook carousel images
Recommended: at least 600 by 600 pixels
Facebook carousel videos
Recommended:
- 1,080 by 1,080 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
- .MP4 or .MOV format
- A maximum file size of 4GB
- Maximum length 120 min
- A maximum frame rate of 30fps
Landscape videos should be a minimum of 600 by 315 pixels (1.9:1 aspect ratio). Square videos should be a minimum 600 by 600 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio).
Instagram carousel video ads
Recommended:
- at least 1,080 by 1,080 pixels
- .MP4 or .MOV format
- Maximum length 60 seconds
- Maximum frame rate 30fps
Like Facebook carousels, Instagram carousels let you showcase at least two and up to 10 images or videos in one side-scrolling ad.
Facebook Collections and Canvas ads
Collections are an ad type that makes it easier for users to browse and purchase products directly in the Facebook feed. A Collection usually includes a cover image or video followed by several product images.
You can choose to have your video autoplay when a user scrolls over your collection. Clicking the video will open Canvas, a full-screen experience designed to drive traffic directly to your product pages. You can add buttons, carousels, photos, text, and video to Canvas. Video and audio will automatically play when you scroll past them in the app.
Facebook Collection and Canvas images
Recommended: at least 600 by 600 pixels
Facebook Collection cover video
Recommended: at least 1,200 by 628 pixels
Facebook Canvas video ads
Recommended:
- At least 1,200 by 628 pixels
- .MP4 or .MOV format
- A maximum frame rate of 30fps
- Keep total length of all videos on canvas under 2 minutes
Facebook Lead ads
Lead ads make it easy for users to fill in forms, in turn making it easier for advertisers to collect lead info. Lead ads are made up of an ad unit and a lead form, with similar guidelines to regular link ads.
Facebook Lead ads images
Recommended: at least 1,200 by 628 pixels
Facebook Lead ads videos
Recommended:
- As large as you can
- Image ratio of 9:16 to 16:9
- .MP4 format
- H.264 video compression, high profile preferred, square pixels, fixed frame rate, progressive scan
Facebook offers ads
Offers let you share online and in-store discounts and promotions with customers on Facebook. They can appear as an image, video or carousel. Users who bookmark offers to view them later will be reminded of the offer up to 3 times, depending on their notification settings.
Facebook offers ads images
Recommended: at least 1,200 by 628 pixels
Facebook offers ads videos
Recommended: at least 1,280 by 720 pixels
Keep in mind that only Facebook pages with more than 400 likes can create offers ads.
Facebook event response ads
Event response ads let you advertise your Facebook page events to a highly targeted audience based on things like geography, age, interests and more. They can appear as an image or a video. The call to action on your event response ad can be set to ‘Interested’ or ‘Get Tickets,’ depending on your promotion goals.
Facebook event response ads images
Recommended: at least 1,200 by 628 pixels
Facebook event response ads videos
Recommended: at least 1,280 by 720 pixels
Facebook page likes ads
Page likes ads—also known as a ‘business page promotion‘—are designed to drive users to like your Facebook page. They can appear either as an image or video.
If you link your Instagram account to your Facebook Page, you can also run your Facebook page likes ad campaign on Instagram.
Facebook page like ads images
Recommended: at least 1,200 by 628 pixels
Facebook page like ads videos
Recommended: at least 1,280 by 720 pixels
Facebook post engagement ads
In addition to page likes ads, Facebook page admins can also drive users to specific page posts they make. Post engagement ads extend beyond your page and can be a great way of learning more about the kind of content your audience would like to see more of.
Facebook post engagement ads images
Recommended: at least 1,200 by 628 pixels
Facebook post engagement ads videos
Recommended: at least 1,280 by 720 pixels
Facebook video specs
Optimizing video content for Facebook is tricky, mainly because of the many different ways it delivers video to its users.
When you buy a video ad on Facebook today, it could appear in dozens of different formats (in someone’s mobile news feed, in the sidebar on the desktop version of Facebook, or even in someone’s inbox on Facebook Messenger). It pays to become familiar with the varieties of Facebook video and to find a delivery format that matches your campaign goals.
Regular Facebook feed video:
Recommended size: 1280 by 720 pixels
Minimum width: 600 pixels
Supported aspect ratios: 16:9 (horizontal), 9:16 (full portrait), 2:3 (vertical), 4:5 (vertical), square (1:1)
Tips: For best results, Facebook recommends uploading videos in .MP4 and .MOV format (see a full list of supported file formats here), with H.264 compression, square pixels, fixed frame rate, progressive scan, and stereo AAC audio compression at 128kbps+. Videos can be up to 240 minutes long, up to 4GB large, and have a maximum frame rate of 30fps.
Facebook 360 video:
Maximum size: 4096 by 2048 pixels, 2:1 aspect ratio
Minimum size: 600 pixels wide
Recommended specs: .MP4 format, maximum file size 1.75GB, maximum length 40 min, maximum frame rate 60fps
Tips: If the camera you recorded your video on automatically includes 360 video metadata with the video file, you can upload the video like you would any other video. If it doesn’t, click on the ‘Advanced’ tab when uploading to bring up Facebook’s ‘360 controls’ tab, which will let you convert unformatted footage into a 360 video.
Facebook in-stream video ads:
Recommended size: 1280 by 720 pixels
Minimum size, landscape video: 600 by 315 pixels (1.9:1 aspect ratio)
Minimum size, square video: 600 by 600 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
Recommended specs: .MP4 or .MOV format, maximum file size 4GB, maximum length 120 min, maximum frame rate 30fps
Tips: For in-stream ads, Facebook recommends uploading the “highest resolution source video available without letter or pillar boxing.” Facebook provides an exhaustive list of aspect ratios and features available for each ad type.
Facebook Messenger video ads:
Recommended size: 1280 by 720 pixels
Supported aspect ratios: 16:9 to 1.91:1
Tips: Facebook recommends uploading “the highest resolution video available that meets file size and ratio limits.” Videos can be up to 240 minutes long, up to 4GB large, and have a maximum frame rate of 30fps.
Facebook carousel video ads:
Recommended size: 1080 by 1080 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
Minimum size, landscape video: 600 by 315 pixels (1.9:1 aspect ratio)
Minimum size, square video: 600 by 600 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
Recommended specs: .MP4 or .MOV format, a maximum length of 240 minutes, maximum frame rate 30fps, maximum file size 4GB
Tips: Carousels let you showcase up to 10 images or videos in one ad, without having the user navigate to a new page. For best results, use 1080 by 1080 pixel square (1:1) video.
Facebook Collection cover video:
Recommended size: 1200 by 628 pixels
Minimum size, landscape video: 600 by 315 pixels (1.9:1 aspect ratio)
Minimum size, square video: 600 by 600 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
Recommended specs: .MP4 or .MOV format, maximum file size 4GB, maximum length 120 min, maximum frame rate 30fps
Tips: Collections are a new ad type that makes it easier for users to browse and purchase products directly in the Facebook feed. You can choose to have your video autoplay when a user scrolls over your collection and clicking the video will open Canvas, a full-screen experience designed to drive traffic directly to your product pages.
Facebook Canvas video:
Recommended size: 1200 by 628 pixels
Minimum size, landscape video: 600 by 315 pixels (1.9:1 aspect ratio)
Minimum size, square video: 600 by 600 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
Recommended specs: .MP4 or .MOV format, maximum file size 4GB, maximum length 120 min, maximum frame rate 30fps
Tips: Similar to Facebook’s instant articles, clicking on a Canvas ad immediately triggers a full-screen experience, to which you can add buttons, carousels, photos, text, and video. Video and audio will automatically play when you scroll past it inside Canvas.
Facebook slideshow video ads:
Recommended size: 1200 by 720 pixels
Recommended specs: .MP4 or .MOV format, maximum file size 4GB, maximum length 120 min, maximum frame rate 30fps
Tips: Designed for audiences with slower internet access, slideshow ads let you transform a series of 3-10 images and a sound file (supported formats: WAV, MP3, M4A, FLAC and OGG) into a video ad. For best results, Facebook suggests using the highest quality images possible, all the same dimensions (ideally 1280 x 720 pixels or an image ratio of 16:9, 1:1 or 2:3). If you use different sizes, the slideshow will be cropped to be square.
Instagram video specs
Instagram supports three kinds of video: square, vertical and horizontal.
Instagram in-feed video:
Square video: 600 by 600 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
Horizontal video: 600 by 315 pixels (1.9:1 aspect ratio)
Vertical video: 600 by 750 pixels (4:5 aspect ratio)
Recommended specs: .MP4 or .MOV format, maximum file size 4GB, maximum length of 60 seconds, maximum frame rate 30fps
Tips: Instagram has the same recommendations for video as Facebook—upload the highest resolution video possible that fits file size and ratio limits, H.264 compression, square pixels, fixed frame rate, progressive scan, and stereo AAC audio compression at 128kbps+.
Instagram in-feed video ads:
Same as above.
Instagram carousel video ads:
Recommended size: 1080 by 1080 pixels
Minimum size: 600 by 600 pixels
Recommended specs: .MP4 or .MOV format, maximum length of 60 seconds, maximum frame rate 30fps
Tips: Like Facebook carousels, Instagram carousels let you showcase at least two and up to 10 images or videos in one side-scrolling ad.
Instagram Stories video ads:
Recommended size: 1080 by 1920 pixels
Minimum size: 600 by 1067 pixels
Supported aspect ratios: 16:9 to 4:5 and 9:16
Recommended specs: .MP4 or .MOV format, maximum length of 15 seconds, maximum file size 4GB
Tips: These videos appear between Instagram user stories for up to 15 seconds (or until dismissed) and take up the whole screen. Because stories are tailored to the size of the device, exact dimensions are hard to predict. Upload the highest resolution video possible, and consider leaving the top and bottom 14 percent (roughly 250 pixels) empty of any important information, so that it isn’t obscured by the profile icon or call to action.
Twitter video specs
Twitter is optimized to handle video captured on mobile devices. If you’re uploading a video that was recorded a different way, be sure to consult Twitter’s detailed guidelines for uploading video at each bitrate.
For best results, upload the highest resolution video you can under the file size limit (512MB).
Twitter horizontal videos:
Recommended size: 1280 by 1024 pixels
Minimum size: 32 by 32 pixels
Maximum size: 1920 by 1200 pixels
Supported aspect ratios: between 1:2.39 – 2.39:1
Recommended size at 256K bitrate: 320 by 180 pixels
Recommended size at 768K bitrate: 640 by 360 pixels
Recommended size at 2048K bitrate: 1280 by 720 pixels
Recommended specs: .MP4 for web, .MOV format for mobile, maximum length 140 seconds, maximum file size 512MB, maximum frame rate 40fps, must use progressive scan, must have 1:1 pixel ratio, audio should be mono or stereo, not 5.1 or greater
Twitter vertical videos:
Recommended size: 1200 by 1900 pixels
Minimum size: 32 by 32 pixels
Recommended size at 256K bitrate: 240 by 240 pixels
Recommended size at 768K bitrate: 480 by 480 pixels
Recommended size at 2048K bitrate: 640 by 640 pixels
Recommended specs: same as above.
Snapchat video specs
Snapchat 10-second video ads:
Recommended size: 1080 by 1920 pixels (9:16 aspect ratio)
Recommended specs: .MP4 or MOV, H.264 encoded, between 3 and 10 seconds long, maximum file size 32MB
Audio specs: 2 channels, PCM or AAC codec, 192 minimum kbps, 16 or 24 bit only, 48 KHz sample rate
Tips: These ads appear in discovery, in live stories or after a user’s own story, and can link to an app installation page, article or long-form video. Make sure to avoid placing logos or any other important elements in the top and bottom 15 percent of the video, to prevent them from getting cut off.
Snapchat also restricts videos with letterboxing and text/graphics that encourage the user to “swipe up” (click here for a complete list of restrictions on video).
Snapchat long-form video ads:
Recommended size: 1080 by 1920 pixels
Supported aspect ratios: 9:16 or 16:9
Recommended specs: .MP4 or MOV, minimum 15 seconds long (no maximum length), maximum file size 1GB
Audio specs: 2 channels, PCM or AAC codec, 192 minimum kbps, 16 or 24 bit only, 48 KHz sample rate
Tips: Longform videos must contain “live and/or motion graphic video” (no “silent or still videos”). Although horizontal videos are permitted, Snapchat strongly suggests using vertical videos only.
Snapchat sponsored geofilter:
Recommended size: 1080 by 1920 pixels
Format: .PNG with transparent background, maximum 250kb
YouTube video specs
YouTube video player specs:
Recommended sizes: 426 by 240 pixels (240p), 640 by 360 pixels (360p), 854 by 480 pixels (480p), 1280 by 720 pixels (720p), 1920 by 1080 pixels (1080p), 2560 by 1440 pixels (1440p) and 3840 by 2160 pixels (2160p)
Minimum size: 426 by 240 pixels
Maximum size: 3840 by 2160 pixels
Supported aspect ratios: 16:9 and 4:3
Recommended specs: .MOV, .MPEG4, MP4, .AVI, .WMV, .MPEGPS, .FLV, 3GPP, or WebM, maximum file size 128GB, maximum 12 hours long
Tips: YouTube encourages its users to upload videos that are “as close to the original, high-quality source format as possible.” Videos should be uploaded in their native aspect ratios, and should never include letterboxing or pillarboxing bars, since YouTube “automatically frames videos to ensure that they are displayed correctly, without cropping or stretching, regardless of the size of the video or player.”
YouTube provides a full list of recommended bitrates for YouTube uploads here and a full list of supported file formats here.
Youtube video ads:
Skippable video ads: maximum length of 12 hours, skippable after 5 seconds
Unskippable video ads: max length of 15, 20 or 30 seconds (depending on region)
Mid-roll video ads: minimum length of 30 seconds
Bumper video ads: maximum length of 6 seconds
Tips: YouTube announced last year that it would phase out unskippable 30-second ads in 2018 and focus on “formats that work well for both users and advertisers.” (Shorter unskippable ads will remain, however.)
LinkedIn video specs
Linkedin shared videos:
Maximum size: 4,096 by 2,304 pixels
Minimum size: 256 by 144 pixels
Supported aspect ratios: 1:2:4 to 2:4:1
Recommended specs: .ASF, .AVI, .FLV, .MOV, .MPEG-1, .MPEG-4, .MKV, and .WebM, maximum file size 5GB, maximum 10 minutes long, maximum frame rate 60fps
Pinterest video specs
Pinterest video ads:
Minimum size: 240p
Recommended size (square videos): 600 by 600 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
Recommended size (vertical videos): 600 by 900 pixels (9:16 aspect ratio)
Recommended specs: .MP4 or .MOV, maximum file size 2GB, maximum length of 30 minutes, maximum frame rate 25fps
Tips: Promoted videos will autoplay without sound on loop in the Pinterest feed when they are 50 percent in view. Tapping the video will cause a larger version to play with sound (no looping). Videos are currently only available for mobile devices.
Barking Social 