Meta has expanded overlay ads to Instagram Reels, offering new ad placements to reach users with banner ads while they watch reels. Overlay banner ads, already available on Facebook Reels, come in two forms: single-image ads and image carousel ads.
Key points:
Overlay ads are now available on Instagram Reels, appearing as banner ads at the bottom of the screen during video playback.
Two types of overlay ads are offered:
- Single-image ads: Static banners that appear after the Reel has started.
- Image carousel ads: A series of 2-10 images that users can swipe through.
Advertisers can access this new placement through Meta Ads Manager:
- By selecting Advantage+ placements (formerly automatic placements)
- Or by choosing Manual placements and selecting overlay and post-loop ads on Reels
- Or by selecting Manual placements, then Stories and Reels
Brand safety tools, including inventory filters, block lists, publisher lists, and delivery reports, are available for these ads.
In addition to overlay ads, fullscreen ads can appear between Reels. Users can interact with these ads similarly to regular Reels content.
Meta notes that these features are being introduced gradually and may not be immediately available to all advertisers. The company also mentions ongoing improvements to fullscreen ads on Facebook Reels and their reporting methodology.
This expansion of ad options to Instagram Reels reflects Meta's continued focus on monetizing short-form video content across its platforms, providing new opportunities for advertisers to reach engaged audiences.
Meta communicated this update directly to advertisers through their Ads Manager accounts, so Swipe Insight couldn't link to an external URL. However, a screenshot of the update is provided below, and you can refer to Meta's site for more details about Overlay ads.
