• Image credit: Will Francis

    If you’re talking to everyone, you’re talking to no one

    This is the premise of generic ads or content videos that do not have a clear target audience. Now this is going to change.

    Facebook continues to improve its technical features to help retailers and content creators maximise both their impact and their ability to optimise the audience they are targeting with their ads.

    Although still in beta, the platform has launched a new way to filter the type of video ads to be shown by topics, allowing for even more customisation of the user and potential consumer experience.

    Where can I add them?

    These ads can appear before, during or after the video, or even be static images that accompany it. The minimum time an ad can be shown in a video with automation enabled is 30 seconds, if it is a static image, and 45 seconds if it is a video.

    In order for a content creator to be eligible to add this type of ad, they must have a series of minimum requirements: 10,000 followers or more, 600,000 total minutes with views in the last 60 days, with at least 60,000 minutes of their live videos viewed and a minimum of 5 active videos on their page.

    With ad automation and the algorithm, the platform is trying to get closer to optimising the ads it displays. In this case, Facebook’s ad auction system detects the best time to show an ad to the user.

    In order to choose the best type of ad to show on the videos you need to have some things in consideration:

    • Before the video: These ads, showed before the video, are targeted for users actively searching for an specific content. More views equal more payments for the creator of the content where the ads are showed.
    • During the video: This kind of ad is perfect for videos with natural breaks. Most of the videos are discovered in the news feed of the platform, we recommend creators to schedule their content to show ads during the video.
    • Image ads: these ads are static images displayed below the content. They are perfect for videos where it’s difficult to insert publicity.
    • After the video: This kind of ad can be shown to viewers who did not see ads before the video or image advertising.

    What else is new?

    This is not the only new feature the platform is introducing for advertisers, as it is also currently testing sticker ads that creators and advertisers will be able to add to their stories.  This type of advertising will allow creators to monetise their Facebook stories, receiving part of the profits generated by these stickers.

    In addition, Instagram, a platform owned by Facebook, is testing Reel ads. These ads can be a maximum of 30 seconds and will allow users to comment on them, like, view, save, share or skip them.

    There are undoubtedly many new features coming to the different social networks that will help brands and creators to maximise their advantages and optimise their content.

    Want to know more?

    In SamyRoad we are experts in social networks, if you want to know how we can help you do not hesitate to contact us.