Here we describe that what are carousel ads .A carousel ad is a single advertisement that features multiple images or videos that users can swipe through. These ads are termed “carousels” because they have a rotating effect, much like a conveyor belt or merry-go-round, allowing users to interact with a series of content.
Carouse ads can be created on a variety of social platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. For this discussion, we’ll focus on Meta’s platforms—Facebook and Instagram.
In Meta’s Ads Manager, carousel ads can be set up for various ad placements.
- Facebook Feed
- Messenger
- Facebook Marketplace
- Instagram Feed
- Instagram Stories
- Audience Network
Each carousel ad can include up to 10 images or videos, also known as “cards.” Each card can feature its own headline, description, link, and call-to-action button, providing multiple chances to engage and convert users.
Effective carousel ads are designed to be seamless, using cohesive visuals or videos to tell a story, showcase a process, or highlight a range of products, features, or services. By creating a narrative or theme across the carousel, you can capture attention and drive more meaningful interactions.
Why should you use carousel ads?
Carousel ads are not only more visually engaging and interactive, but they also deliver better performance compared to single-image ads.
When Facebook first launched the carousel format, carousel link ads saw a 30-50% reduction in cost per conversion and a 20-30% drop in cost per click compared to single-image link ads.
Similarly, carousel ads are highly effective on Instagram. For instance, a case study involving Lacoste demonstrated that carousel ads on Instagram Stories led to a 61% increase in click-through rate (CTR) and a 32% decrease in cost per click (CPC) compared to other ad formats.
Pro tip: To create ads on both Facebook and Instagram, you’ll need a Facebook Business Page. If you don’t have one yet, here’s a quick guide to setting up your Facebook Business Page.
The benefits of carousel ads
Carousel ads offer a host of benefits that make them a powerful tool for marketers looking to enhance engagement and drive results across digital platforms. These ads, which allow advertisers to showcase multiple images or videos in a single ad unit that users can swipe through, have proven to be more effective than single-image or video ads in several key areas.
1. Increased Engagement: Carousel ads are inherently interactive. By allowing users to swipe through a series of images or videos, these ads engage users more actively than traditional single-image ads. This interactivity keeps users interested and encourages them to explore more about the product or service being advertised. The ability to include multiple visuals in one ad also provides a richer narrative and more context, which can lead to higher engagement rates.
2. Improved Ad Performance: Data consistently shows that carousel ads outperform single-image ads in terms of cost efficiency and conversion rates. For example, when Facebook introduced carousel ads, advertisers observed a 30-50% reduction in cost per conversion and a 20-30% decrease in cost per click. This improved performance is attributed to the format’s ability to present a more compelling and detailed story, which can drive higher click-through rates and ultimately better ROI.
3. Versatile Storytelling: The carousel format allows advertisers to showcase multiple aspects of a product or service. This versatility is particularly useful for highlighting different features, presenting a range of products, or telling a cohesive story through sequential visuals. For instance, an e-commerce brand can use carousel ads to display various products in a collection or illustrate different uses of a single product, giving users a comprehensive view without the need for multiple separate ads.
4. Enhanced Visual Appeal: Carousel ads capitalize on visual storytelling, making them more eye-catching and memorable. By featuring a series of images or videos, they offer a dynamic and engaging experience that stands out in users’ feeds. This increased visual appeal can lead to better brand recall and higher chances of users taking the desired action.
5. Better Tracking and Optimization: Carousel ads provide valuable insights into which images or videos are performing best. This data allows marketers to optimize their campaigns by adjusting the creative elements based on performance metrics. Understanding which parts of the carousel resonate most with users can help refine future ad strategies for even greater effectiveness.
Overall, carousel ads are a versatile and effective format that can enhance user engagement, improve ad performance, and provide richer storytelling opportunities. Their ability to capture attention and deliver measurable results makes them a valuable asset in any digital advertising strategy.Facebook
What social platforms are Carousel Ads available on?
Facebook & Instagram Messenger
Facebook Audience Network
How to create a Carousel Ad
- Open Facebook Ads Manager and click “Create.”
- Select an objective that supports the Carousel format (avoid Engagement or Video Views).
- Complete the Audience, Duration, Budget, and Schedule sections.
- At the ad level, choose “Carousel” as your ad format.
- Decide whether to enable or disable the option to “Automatically show the best-performing cards first.”
- Upload your images or videos.
- For each carousel card, enter the specific landing page URLs, descriptions, and call-to-action buttons.
- Repeat steps 6-7 for each card, aiming for 3-5 cards initially.
- Preview your ad on various platforms (e.g., desktop and mobile) to ensure it looks good.
- Review your ad settings and confirm to finalize.
Three rules to create an amazing Carousel Ad
- 1. Use high quality visuals
- 2. Use ad copy wisely
- 3. Optimize based on results
