Instagram Ads in UAE: A Beginner’s Guide to Setting Up Your First Campaign

Instagram Ads are paid advertisements that appear on Instagram in different formats such as images, videos, carousels, and stories. These ads help businesses reach a wider audience, attract new customers, and increase sales. Unlike regular Instagram posts, ads are shown to users based on their interests, behaviours, and demographics, even if they don’t follow your business account.

If you own a business in the UAE, Instagram Ads can be a game-changer. With millions of active users in the region, Instagram ads are one among the many social media marketing services provided by the leading social marketing company in the UAE. They are a great opportunity to showcase your brand, increase engagement, and drive conversions. Whether you run a small café, an online store, or a large company, advertising on Instagram can help boost your visibility.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Instagram ads in the UAE, from different ad formats to setting up your first campaign.

Before diving into how to create your first ad, let’s understand the different types of Instagram ads available. Choosing the right format depends on your business goals and target audience. Here are the main Instagram ad formats:

 

1. Photo Ads

Photo ads are single images that appear in the Instagram feed. They are perfect for showcasing products, promotions, or brand messages with a simple yet striking visual.

 

2. Video Ads

Video ads allow you to share short clips (up to 60 seconds) to engage your audience. Videos can be used to demonstrate products, share customer testimonials, or create a compelling brand story.

 

3. Carousel Ads

Carousel ads let users swipe through multiple images or videos in a single post. This format is ideal for businesses that want to showcase different products, features, or step-by-step guides.

 

4. Stories Ads

These ads appear between Instagram Stories and take up the full screen. They are highly engaging, allowing businesses to use images, videos, and even interactive elements like polls and stickers.

 

5. Reels Ads

Reels Ads appear within Instagram Reels, making them a great option to attract a younger audience. They blend naturally with organic content, increasing the chances of getting noticed and even going viral.

 

6. Explore Ads

Explore Ads appear in the ‘Explore’ section of Instagram, where users discover new content. This format is effective for reaching people who are actively looking for fresh and interesting posts.

Instagram Ads are useful in various scenarios, depending on your marketing goals. Here’s when you should consider using them:

 

1. Launching a New Product or Service

If you’re introducing a new product or service in the UAE, Instagram Ads can help create awareness and attract potential customers.

 

2. Increasing Brand Visibility

If you want more people to recognise your brand, Instagram Ads can help you appear in front of the right audience, even if they haven’t heard of you before.

 

3. Driving Website Traffic

If you run an online store or a service-based business, Instagram Ads can drive potential customers to your website, increasing leads and sales.

 

4. Boosting Engagement and Followers

Want more likes, comments, and followers? Running ads can help grow your Instagram presence, improving your overall engagement rate.

 

5. Promoting an Event or Offer

If you’re hosting a sale, webinar, or in-store event, Instagram Ads can help spread the word quickly and effectively.

With the right Instagram growth strategies in the UAE, you can reach your ideal audience and grow your brand significantly.

Now that you understand Instagram Ads, let’s walk through the steps to create your first ad campaign.

 

Step 1: Switch to a Business or Creator Account

Before running ads, ensure your Instagram account is set to a business or creator account. This unlocks insights, ad tools, and better audience targeting.

 

Step 2: Go to Meta Ads Manager

Instagram Ads are managed through Facebook’s Meta Ads Manager. Log in to your Facebook Business Suite and navigate to Ads Manager.

 

Step 3: Choose Your Objective

Instagram Ads offer different campaign objectives, such as:

• Brand Awareness
• Reach
• Traffic (to your website or app)
• Engagement
• Conversions
• Video Views

Pick the objective that best aligns with your marketing goals.

 

Step 4: Define Your Target Audience

Selecting the right audience is crucial for ad success. You can target people based on:

• Location (UAE-specific targeting)
• Age and gender
• Interests (e.g., fashion, food, fitness)
• Behaviours (e.g., online shoppers, frequent travellers)

You can also create ‘Lookalike Audiences’ to reach people similar to your existing customers.

 

Step 5: Choose Your Ad Placement

Decide where you want your ad to appear. Options include:

• Instagram Feed
• Instagram Stories
• Reels
• Explore Page

You can choose ‘Automatic Placements’ to let Instagram optimise the best placement for you.

 

Step 6: Set Your Budget and Schedule

You can choose between:

• Daily Budget – The amount you spend per day.
• Lifetime Budget – The total amount spent for the campaign.

You can also select the ad duration and schedule it for specific times.

 

Step 7: Create Your Ad

Now, it’s time to design your ad. Upload high-quality visuals, write an engaging caption, and add a clear Call-to-Action (CTA) like ‘Shop Now’ or ‘Learn More.’

 

Step 8: Review and Publish

Double-check all details before submitting your ad. Once approved by Instagram, your ad will go live and start reaching your target audience.

Running Instagram ads in the UAE can be an effective way to boost brand awareness, increase engagement, and drive sales. Whether you’re a small business owner or a large corporation, leveraging Instagram growth in the UAE can help you reach the right audience and grow your business.

By following this guide, you now understand how to set up your first Instagram ad campaign. Start experimenting with different ad formats, target audiences, and content strategies to see what works best for your brand. If you’re seeking expert guidance, consider partnering with a social media company in Dubai to maximise your ad performance.

With the right strategy and creative approach, you can create highly effective Instagram ads that capture attention, engage users, and help your business thrive in the UAE market. So, why wait? Start your Instagram advertising journey today.