In the fast-paced realm of digital marketing, Instagram targeted ads shine as bright stars. Instagram has become a marketing powerhouse captivating users worldwide. It offers an incredible platform for businesses.
However, amid this vast audience, the key to success lies in understanding how Instagram targeted ads do their magic.
In this guide, we’ll take you on a journey to demystify targeted Instagram ads. We’ll explore the mechanics, uncover the art of creating Custom and Lookalike Audiences, and reveal strategies that will supercharge your ad campaigns.
Join us as we delve into the world of Instagram ads targeting options. Are you ready? Let’s go!
How Does Targeting on Instagram Work?
Instagram ad targeting is like fitting a puzzle piece into the right spot. It’s about finding your audience in the crowd. But how do targeted ads work on Instagram?
Imagine you have a map, and you mark where you want to go – that’s your location targeting. You choose the age group, like picking your team for a game. Interests? Think of it as finding more people who love the same things you do.
Also read: How Much Do Instagram Ads Cost
It’s like making sure you’re speaking the same language. Instagram’s tools help you match your message with the right folks, and that’s how your ad becomes a hit. So, here we show you how to run targeted Instagram ads and provide you with three main audience types for Instagram ads targeting.
1. Saved Audiences
Saved Audiences are your Instagram ad compass, guiding you toward the audience most likely to engage with your content and convert.
Here’s how you can target ads on Instagram using the Saved Audiences feature:
#1 Demographics
Demographics offer valuable insights. Customize your audience based on age, gender, and location. Whether you’re reaching out to millennials in New York City or baby boomers in Texas, these Instagram targeted ads list or demographics help you refine your target.
1- Locations
Location, location, location! First things first, you can zero in on your audience by specifying where they call home. Target by country, state/region, city, or even set your sights on a specific postal code. Want to be even more precise? We’ve got you covered with Instagram ad targeting options like:
1. Everyone in this Location: Imagine this as casting a wide net. When you choose “Everyone in this location,” your ad reaches users who are currently in or have recently been in the specified geographic area. It’s a broad approach that captures a wide audience, including locals and travelers alike.
2. People Who Live in this Location: Think of this as pinpointing your hometown crowd. When you select “People who live in this location,” your ad targets users whose Facebook profiles indicate this location as their place of residence. This is great for local businesses aiming to connect with their community.
3. People Recently in this Location: This option is like targeting those who’ve just stepped into your world. It focuses on users who have been tracked by their mobile device’s usage in the specific geographic area you intend to target. It’s a way to engage with those currently or very recently in the location.
4. People Traveling to this Location: This is your chance to welcome visitors with open arms. “People traveling to this location” targets users whose last recorded geographic location is at least 100 miles away from their home location. It’s ideal for businesses looking to attract tourists and travelers.
Each of these Instagram ads’ location targeting options offers a unique way to reach your audience on Instagram.
Also read: Are Instagram Ads Worth It in 2023?
2- Age
Age is more than just a number; it’s a valuable targeting tool. Whether you’re aiming for the young and adventurous or the seasoned and wise, you can set age restrictions to pinpoint your ideal audience.
3- Gender
Gender-specific campaigns? No problem. Instagram lets you tailor your ads to cater to different genders. Test the waters and see if your message resonates differently with men and women.
#4 Languages
Language barriers? Not for your Instagram targeted ads. Target your audience based on the languages they speak. Keep your message crystal clear by reaching those who understand it best.
#5 Interests
Interests are like magnets that draw people in, and they can be your superpower for accurate targeting. Focus on folks who really like things connected to what you’re selling. Whether it’s your competition or magazines about your field, you can make sure your ads reach the perfect audience.
#6 Behaviors
Behaviors speak louder than words. Leverage behaviors like purchase history, device usage, job titles, and even expat status to pinpoint your audience. It’s all about connecting with the people who are most likely to convert.
#8 Connections to pages
Your audience’s connections matter. Target users based on their interactions with Facebook pages. Whether they’ve liked your page or interacted with specific posts, you can fine-tune your outreach.
Also read: How to Do an Instagram Boost Post?
2. Custom Audiences
Custom Audiences open the door to highly targeted Instagram ad campaigns. Let’s explore how you can create and leverage them effectively:
#1 Create Custom Audiences from Customer Files
This is like having a backstage pass to connect with your existing customers and potential leads in a highly personalized way. It’s your own little black book of opportunities. Here’s how it unfolds:
1. Customer Data Upload: To begin, you gather your customer data – email addresses, phone numbers, or even app IDs. This is like collecting the VIP guest list for your exclusive event.
2. Customer File Magic: You then upload this data to Facebook, and it works its magic to create a Custom Audience. It’s like turning your guest list into a group of people you can reach with your Instagram targeted ads.
3. Tailored Messaging: Now comes the fun part. With your Custom Audience in place, you can craft tailored messages and offers specifically for this group. It’s like sending personalized invitations to your most valued customers.
4. Multiple Identifiers: Facebook allows you to match customer data using various identifiers, such as email, phone number, or mobile advertiser ID. It’s like ensuring you’re connecting with customers through their preferred channels.
5. Audience Segmentation: You can segment your audience even further, creating subsets based on specific behaviors or characteristics. This lets you send highly relevant messages to different customer segments. It’s like having different rooms at your event for various interests.
6. Dynamic Updates: As your customer list evolves, Facebook keeps your Custom Audience updated in real-time. It’s like having a dynamic guest list that always reflects your current customer base.
#2 Create Custom Audiences Based on Website Traffic
This feature is your secret weapon for reconnecting with visitors to your website. It’s like inviting window shoppers back into your store, but with a twist.
Here’s how it works:
1. Install Facebook Pixel: Before you can create these audiences, you’ll need to install Facebook Pixel on your website. It’s like planting a tracking beacon that allows you to see what users do on your site.
2. Broad or Specific Targeting: With Pixel in place, you have a range of options to create Custom Audiences based on how users interact with your site. You can:
- Target Everyone: This casts a wide net, including everyone who has visited your website.
- Target Specific Pages: Get granular by choosing to target users who visited specific web pages, like product pages or blog articles.
- Target by Timeframe: Decide whether you want to focus on recent visitors or those who haven’t been to your site for a while.
3. Remarketing Possibilities: The possibilities are endless. For instance, you can retarget users who abandoned their shopping carts, those who browsed your product catalog, or visitors who checked out your pricing page. It’s like giving them a friendly nudge to complete what they started.
4. Dynamic Updates: As users continue to interact with your website, your Custom Audiences are updated in real-time. It’s like always having a fresh list of potential customers at your fingertips.
5. A/B Testing Heaven: This feature also lends itself well to A/B testing. You can run different ad campaigns targeting specific website actions and measure which approach yields the best results. It’s like fine-tuning your marketing strategy for maximum impact.
Also read: How to Use Facebook Ads for Instagram Followers
#3 Create Custom Audiences Based on App Activity
This method allows you to target users who have engaged with your mobile app, making it a powerful tool for app marketers and businesses with mobile apps. Here’s how it works:
1. App Registration: To get started, you need to register your mobile app with Facebook and set up the specific App Events you want to track. These events could include actions like making a purchase, completing a level in a game, or signing up for an account within your app.
2. Event-Based Targeting: With your App Events set up, you can then create Custom Audiences based on specific actions (events) users have taken within your app. For instance, you can target users who have made a purchase, reached a certain level in your game, or viewed particular content.
3. Timeframe Selection: Another valuable feature is the ability to choose a timeframe for targeting. For example, you can select “In The Last 30 Days” to target users who have performed a specific action within your app in the past month. This allows you to focus your efforts on users who have recently engaged with your app.
4. Dynamic Updates: Facebook keeps these Custom Audiences updated in real-time. This means that as users continue to engage with your app and perform the specified actions, they will be automatically added to or removed from the Custom Audience based on your chosen timeframe.
Also read: How to Turn Off Ads on Instagram in 2023?
#4 Create Custom Audiences Based on Engagement
This is where the magic happens – targeting users who have interacted with your content on Facebook and Instagram. Here’s the detailed breakdown:
1. Video Views: Are you looking to connect with video enthusiasts? Custom Audiences can be crafted based on different levels of video engagement, whether it’s people who watched just a few seconds or those who watched your video in its entirety.
2. Lead Ads: If you’ve run lead generation campaigns, you can create Custom Audiences that target users who opened your lead form but didn’t submit it. It’s like giving them a friendly nudge to complete the journey they started.
3. Canvas Ads: For those who engaged with your Canvas ads by opening and clicking, you can create a Custom Audience. It’s like extending the experience for those who’ve already shown interest in your interactive content.
4. Facebook Page Engagement: You can target users who have visited your page, engaged with any post or ad, clicked a call-to-action button, sent a message, or saved a post or page. It’s like rekindling the conversation with those who’ve already shown they care about your brand.
5. Instagram Post Engagement: Don’t forget about your Instagram fans! Similar to Facebook, you can create Custom Audiences based on interactions with your Instagram posts. Whether someone liked, commented, saved, or shared your posts, you can retarget them effectively. It’s like inviting them to join the conversation on both platforms.
6. Behavioral Remarketing: You can also retarget users based on their behavior outside of Facebook and Instagram, like actions taken on your website. This extends your reach beyond the platforms and brings back users who’ve expressed interest in your products or services elsewhere. It’s like connecting the dots in the digital landscape.
3. Lookalike Audiences
Lookalike Audiences take your Instagram ad targeting to the next level by helping you find users who closely resemble your existing customer base.
Let’s explore Lookalike Audiences and a special variant known as Value-based Lookalike Audiences:
1. Raising the Bar: Value-based Lookalike Audiences are an advanced extension of Lookalike Audiences designed to help you reach users who resemble your high-value customers.
2. Customer Lifetime Value: To utilize this feature, you’ll need to provide Facebook with data on each customer’s lifetime value. This valuable information helps Facebook’s algorithms identify users who are likely to have similar spending habits.
3. Reach the Cream of the Crop: With Value-based Lookalike Audiences, your aim is to connect with potential customers who are not only similar to your existing audience but are also more likely to bring substantial value to your business.
4. Precision Marketing: This approach allows for highly precise targeting, ensuring that your ad budget is invested in reaching users who are not only similar to your best customers but also likely to generate a significant return on investment.
Also read: The Potential of Instagram Advertising for Small Businesses
Value-based Lookalike Audiences are a strategic choice for businesses aiming to optimize their ad spend and connect with high-value prospects on Instagram. By leveraging customer lifetime value data, you can ensure that your campaigns are reaching the cream of the crop in terms of potential customers.
How to Narrow Down Your Instagram Audiences?
Trimming down your Instagram audiences is like tailoring a finely-fitted suit – it’s all about finding that perfect fit for your message. Here’s your guide to precision:
1. Use the AND & OR Filters: Think of these filters like toggles on a treasure map. The OR filter casts a wider net, including anyone who fits at least one criterion, while the AND filter hones in on users who meet multiple criteria. It’s like choosing between a bustling marketplace or an intimate gathering.
2. The EXCLUDE Feature: This is your magic wand for audience refinement. You can use it to exclude certain interests or demographics. For example, if you’re selling vegetarian products, you can exclude meat lovers from your audience. It’s like crafting an invitation list and then discreetly removing those who don’t quite fit.
3. Refine by Engagement: If you’ve got a group of users who’ve engaged with your content before, give them special attention. This is like inviting your most loyal friends to the VIP section of your event. They’ve shown interest, so cherish those connections.
4. Laser-Focused Custom Audiences: Custom Audiences are like bespoke outfits tailored to perfection. Use data like website activity, app usage, or engagement to create these finely-tuned segments. For example, retarget users who abandoned their shopping carts. It’s like inviting window shoppers back to the store.
5. Dynamic Exclusions: Just like trends change, your audience may evolve. Stay vigilant and dynamically exclude those who’ve converted, ensuring your message reaches fresh ears. Think of it like regularly refreshing your contact list.
6. Match Your Offer: The most crucial step is making sure your message aligns with your audience’s interests and needs. It’s like speaking their language. If you’re promoting a new tech gadget, you don’t want to invite fashionistas; you want tech enthusiasts.
Also read: The Complete Guide to Advertising on Instagram
So, when it comes to narrowing down your Instagram target audience, think of it as curating an exclusive guest list for an unforgettable event. Tailor your filters, use the exclusion magic, and ensure your message resonates with the hearts of your audience. It’s not about reaching everyone; it’s about reaching the right ones with the perfect message.
In the upcoming section, we also have a valuable recommendation to enhance your Instagram growth without relying solely on tailored Instagram targeted ads.
Boost Your Instagram Ad Success with Ghost Follower Removal by AiGrow
In our quest to maximize Instagram ad efficiency, it’s not just about finding the perfect audience; it’s also about ensuring your existing followers are genuine and engaged. Enter AiGrow’s Ghost Follower Removal service, a powerful tool that goes beyond traditional targeting to enhance your ad campaigns.
Why Ghost Follower Removal Matters for Instagram Targeted Ads
Ghost followers are the silent spectators on your Instagram account. They neither engage with your content nor contribute to your brand’s growth. In fact, they can actually harm your ad campaigns. Here’s how:
1. Lower Engagement Rates: When your engagement rate is inflated by ghost followers, it can mislead the algorithm into showing your ads to the wrong audience.
2. Wasted Ad Budget: Ghost followers don’t convert, yet they consume a part of your ad daily budget when your ads reach them. This means your valuable ad dollars are being spent on an uninterested audience.
3. Damaged Reputation: A high number of ghost followers can also tarnish your brand’s reputation. To your genuine audience, a low engagement rate may signal that your content isn’t worth engaging with.
The AiGrow Solution: Ghost Follower Removal
AiGrow offers a comprehensive Ghost Follower Removal service that identifies and cleans up your Instagram followers list, removing inactive and irrelevant accounts. Here’s how it benefits your ad campaigns:
1. Enhanced Targeting: With ghost followers out of the equation, your targeting becomes more accurate. Your Instagram targeted ads will reach a genuinely interested audience, increasing the chances of conversion.
2. Optimized Ad Spend: Your ad budget is now directed solely at those who matter, maximizing the return on investment (ROI) for your campaigns.
3. Improved Credibility: A clean and engaged audience enhances your brand’s reputation, making it more attractive to potential customers.
Sign up now and remove all your ghost followers.
AiGrow: Your Partner in Instagram Success
Beyond ghost follower removal, AiGrow offers a suite of Instagram growth services and expert guidance to elevate your Instagram presence. From organic growth strategies to content planning, AiGrow empowers you to succeed on Instagram, even without relying solely on ads.
Incorporating Ghost Follower Removal by AiGrow into your Instagram advertising strategy is like ensuring your ad campaigns have a solid foundation.
It’s about quality over quantity, and AiGrow is your trusted ally in achieving Instagram ad success. Don’t let ghost followers haunt your campaigns – take control with AiGrow and watch your ad costs decrease while your engagement soars.
Last Words on Instagram Targeted Ads
In the dynamic realm of advertisement for Instagram, precision targeting is your key to success. We’ve delved into the intricacies of Instagram ad targeting, from narrowing down audiences to the critical task of removing ghost followers. These strategies are your path to more effective campaigns, higher ROI, and a stellar brand reputation.
But the journey to Instagram excellence doesn’t end there. Beyond tailored ads, organic growth plays a significant role. Here’s where AiGrow enters the picture. With AiGrow’s expert guidance and a suite of growth services, you can boost your Instagram presence and engagement organically, without relying solely on ads.
So, as you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of Instagram advertising, remember the power of precision and the support of AiGrow. By combining targeted strategies with organic growth, you’ll not only thrive but also soar to new heights in the world of Instagram advertising. Your journey to success continues with AiGrow by your side.
FAQs
Now that you know enough about Instagram targeted ads, it’s time for some frequently asked questions.
1. Can You Run Ads to Get Followers on Instagram?
Yes, you can run ads on Instagram to gain more followers. While Instagram primarily offers ad objectives like driving website clicks or app installs, there’s also an objective called “Engagement.” Within this objective, you can choose the “Follow” action as your goal. By doing so, your ads will be optimized to encourage users to follow your Instagram profile, helping you grow your follower count.
2. What Are the Types of Instagram Ads to Choose from?
Instagram offers a variety of ad formats to choose from, including:
1. Photo Ads: Single images that appear in users’ feeds.
2. Video Ads: Short videos, which can be up to 60 seconds long, that appear in users’ feeds.
3. Carousel Ads: A series of images or videos that users can swipe through, each with its own link.
4. Stories Ads: Full-screen vertical ads that appear in users’ Stories feed.
5. IGTV Ads: Ads that appear within IGTV video content.
6. Explore Ads: Ads that appear when users browse the Explore page.
7. Shopping Ads: Ads that allow users to shop directly within the Instagram app.
8. Collection Ads: A combination of images or videos and product images for a more immersive shopping experience.
Each ad format has its own strengths and can be used to achieve different marketing objectives, whether it’s brand awareness, engagement, website visits, or conversions.
