How to Run Instagram Ads in 2026 (A Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide)

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This 2026 meta guide to running Instagram ads shows you how to advertise step-by-step, both inside the app and with Meta Ads Manager. Learn the strategies pros use to get results. Promote apps, websites, sale products and get leads with this Simple Instagram h@ck

Instagram is constantly changing, and the ad strategies that worked a few years ago will likely get you banned or waste your money today. Yet, with over 2.4 billion active users and an exploding Reels ecosystem, it remains one of the most profitable places to run ads in 2026.

But how do you do it the right way?

In this step-by-step tutorial, we will show you both the quick beginner’s method for running ads directly inside the Instagram app and the professional method using Meta Ads Manager. We’ll cover the latest AI-powered settings, targeting strategies, and creative formulas that are working right now.

Table of Contents

Why Run Instagram Ads in 2026?

The power of Instagram ads comes from Meta’s unified system. Because Meta owns both Facebook and Instagram, your ads can run on both platforms for the same price, giving you massive reach. The platform’s advanced AI targeting is now so intelligent that it can find your ideal customers with incredible precision.

Method 1: The Quick Beginner’s Way (Boosting a Post Inside the App)

This is the fastest way to get started and is perfect for beginners who want to promote a single post.

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Step 1: Switch to a Professional Account

Before you can run ads, your Instagram account must be a “Professional” or “Creator” account. This unlocks the promotion tools.

How to do it: Go to your Instagram Settings > Account > Switch to Professional Account.

Step 2: Add a Payment Method

You need to have a valid payment method linked to your account.

How to do it: Go to Settings > Business > Ad Payments > Add Payment Method. You can add a credit/debit card or PayPal.

Step 3: Choose a Post to Boost

Not all posts are ad-ready. The best posts to boost are:

A short video (6-12 seconds) demonstrating a product or result.
A high-value carousel post that teaches something.
Avoid: Stock photos or random selfies with no clear message.

Step 4: Tap “Boost Post” and Configure Your Ad

Once you tap “Boost Post” on your chosen content, you will configure these simple settings:

Goal: Choose your objective. For beginners, the best options are “More Website Visits” (if you’re sending traffic to a blog or store) or “More Messages” (to start conversations).
Audience: Select “Automatic.” This is Instagram’s AI targeting. Let Meta’s algorithm do the work and find the right people for you.
Duration & Budget: Set a duration of 5-7 days and a budget of 15 per day. This gives the algorithm enough time and data to learn.
Call-to-Action (CTA): Choose a button like “Learn More,” “Shop Now,” or “Send Message.”

Boosting is a great starting point, but it’s not enough for serious results. If you want cheaper conversions, detailed reporting, and advanced features like retargeting, you need to use the professional method.

Method 2: The Professional Way (Using Meta Ads Manager)

This is where serious advertisers build, manage, and scale their campaigns with precision.

Step 1: Open Meta Ads Manager

Go to business.facebook.com/adsmanager. This is your command center for all Facebook and Instagram ads.

Step 2: Choose Your Campaign Objective

Click the green “Create” button. The most important choice you will make is your campaign objective.

Sales/Conversions: Choose this if your goal is to sell a product.
Leads: Choose this if you are collecting emails or contact information.
Traffic: Choose this if your goal is simply to drive clicks to a blog post or landing page.
Engagement: Choose this if you want to grow your audience and get more likes, comments, and Reel views.

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Pro Tip: Never choose the “Awareness” objective unless you have a massive budget. It is designed for brand recognition, not for getting clicks or sales.

Step 3: Define Your Audience (The 2026 Strategy)

In 2026, the best strategy is to go broad. Meta’s AI is now so smart that you no longer need to layer on dozens of interests.

Location: Target your main buyer countries.
Age: A broad range like 18-55 often works well.
Targeting: Leave detailed targeting open or use only a few very broad interests.

Let the algorithm find your customers for you. You can create Custom Audiences for retargeting later (e.g., targeting people who have visited your website or engaged with your Instagram profile).

Step 4: Choose Your Ad Placements

To run your ads only on Instagram, select “Manual placements” and then tick ONLY the following:

Instagram Feed
Instagram Reels
Instagram Stories
Instagram Explore

Pro Tip: In 2026, Reels and Stories are providing the cheapest and most effective ad placements.

Step 5: Set Your Budget and Schedule

For testing a new campaign, a budget of 20 per day is a good starting point. Set it to run continuously.

Crucial Mistake to Avoid: Do not edit your budget every day. This resets the algorithm’s “learning phase” and hurts your performance. If you need to make changes, only increase the budget by 20-30% every 3 days.

Step 6: Add Your Ad Creative and Copy

Your ad creative is the most important element. The best-performing Instagram ads are:

Vertical (9:16 aspect ratio).
Short (6-11 seconds long).
Have clear text overlays and captions.
Show the product, result, or problem within the first 2 seconds.

Use a simple and clean ad copy formula: Hook > Benefit > Proof > CTA.

Example: “Struggling with productivity? This 2026 app automates your schedule. 50,000+ users trust it. Tap Learn More to try it for free.”

Step 7: Set Up Tracking with the Meta Pixel

This is a non-negotiable step for any serious advertiser. The Meta Pixel is a small piece of code you install on your website. It allows you to track conversions (like purchases or leads) and, most importantly, it teaches the AI who your customers are.

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In your ad setup, select your Pixel and choose the conversion event you are optimizing for (e.g., “Purchase”). This tells the algorithm to go find more people who are likely to buy.

How Long Should You Test an Ad?

Run your new ad campaign for at least 4-6 days without touching it. The ad needs to exit the “learning phase” before you can accurately judge its performance. Pausing or editing your ad too early is one of the biggest mistakes beginners make.

Summary: Your Path to Instagram Ad Success

Running profitable Instagram ads in 2026 is a skill that anyone can learn.

For a quick and easy start, use the “Boost Post” feature inside the app with “Automatic” targeting.
For serious results and scalability, master the Meta Ads Manager. Trust the AI, use broad targeting, and focus on creating high-quality, engaging ad creatives.

By following the steps in this guide, you can avoid common mistakes and build an effective advertising strategy that drives real results for your business.

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