> Quick answer: Use 1080 x 1350 px images, lead with the discount percentage in bold, pick the Conversions objective, and A/B test offer messaging. Coinis's Sale Promo workflow handles the creative side automatically.
A discount ad lives or dies on one thing: clarity. If shoppers can't spot the offer in two seconds, they scroll. Here's how to make an Instagram discount ad that stops the scroll and drives real sales.
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Step 1: Choose the Right Image Dimensions
Start with the right canvas. Wrong dimensions mean cropped images and wasted impressions.
Feed ads: 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 aspect ratio)
The 4:5 format takes up more screen space on mobile feeds. More vertical space means more attention on your discount offer.
Square format: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
Square works across feed and some Stories placements. It's a safe pick for multi-placement campaigns.
File specs: Max 30 MB, JPEG/PNG/GIF, mobile-optimized
Per the Meta Business Help Center, Instagram image ads max out at 30 MB. Accepted formats are JPEG, PNG, and GIF. Keep files lean for fast mobile load times.
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Step 2: Design a Discount-Focused Creative
Meta's documentation states that effective image ads are on-brand, concept-driven, and well-crafted. For discount ads, that means one clear visual hierarchy.
Make the offer impossible to miss
Your discount percentage should be the first thing people see. Big font. High contrast. Don't bury it below the logo.
Keep design simple and on-brand
Cluttered layouts kill conversions. Use your brand colors, one hero image, and the offer front and center. Nothing else competing for attention.
Use contrasting colors for text overlays
Per Meta's creative best practices, there's no text limit on ad images. A bold color background behind your discount number makes it pop against any feed.
Avoid cluttered layouts
One message per ad. If you're running 30% off, that's the whole ad. Don't mix in product feature bullets or secondary offers.
Coinis's Sale Promo workflow handles all of this automatically. Enter a product URL, set your discount amount, and get on-brand Instagram ad images in seconds.
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Step 3: Write Clear, Action-Oriented Copy
Short copy wins on Instagram. Shoppers move fast.
Lead with the discount percentage or savings
"30% off" in your first three words beats any clever headline. Make the offer the hook.
Include a clear call-to-action
"Shop Now," "Claim Offer," and "Get 30% Off Today" all convert well. Pick one and use it consistently across your ad set.
Keep copy short and benefit-focused
Two lines max in primary text. State the offer. Add the CTA. Done.
Use urgency language
"Today Only" and "Limited Time" push people to act. Note: Meta's ad policies require time-limited offers to include accurate expiration details. Keep your claims truthful.
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Step 4: Set Up Your Campaign in Ads Manager
Choose Conversions as your campaign objective
Per Instagram for Business, the Conversions objective is built for driving online sales. It optimizes ad delivery toward people most likely to complete a purchase.
Select Instagram Feed as your placement
Use manual placements to stay in control. Feed placements pair best with 4:5 discount creatives built for vertical mobile viewing.
Target relevant audiences
Use interest-based, lookalike, or custom audiences. Warm audiences, like past site visitors or email subscribers, convert especially well on promotional offers.
Set budget and bidding strategy
Start with a daily budget. Lowest cost bidding is a solid default for new discount campaigns with limited performance history.
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Step 5: Launch and Monitor Performance
Track conversion rate and cost-per-purchase
These are your primary metrics for any discount campaign. Watch them daily in the first week of delivery.
Monitor click-through rate on your discount offer
A low CTR usually signals the offer isn't visible enough in the creative. Refresh the image before touching the audience.
A/B test variations of your discount messaging
"30% off" versus "$20 off" can perform very differently for the same audience. Test both and let the data decide.
Optimize based on performance data
Pause underperformers after 3-5 days of meaningful spend. Scale what converts. Save winning creatives to your Coinis Creative Library so you can reuse them across future campaigns fast.
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Pro Tips for Discount Ads That Convert
Use Stories for time-limited offers
Instagram Stories are particularly effective for flash sales and short-window deals. Full-screen format creates high urgency and makes the CTA easy to tap.
Test multiple discount amounts to find your sweet spot
What converts for one audience won't always work for another. Run tests before committing to one offer depth across your whole budget.
Highlight the discount visually
Badges, banners, and bold overlays draw the eye immediately. Don't let the offer live only in body copy where most people won't read it.
Ensure the offer leads in your primary image
The image carries most of the creative weight on Instagram. Make the discount the visual hero, not a footnote at the bottom of the frame.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What image size is best for Instagram discount ads?
1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 aspect ratio) is best for feed ads. It takes up more screen space on mobile, giving your discount offer more visibility. Square (1080 x 1080) works if you're running across multiple placements.
What campaign objective should I use for a discount ad on Instagram?
Use the Conversions objective. It optimizes ad delivery toward people most likely to complete a purchase, making it the best fit for promotional campaigns driving online sales.
Is there a text limit on Instagram ad images?
No. Per Meta's creative best practices, there is no longer a text percentage limit on ad images. Use text overlays freely to communicate your discount amount and call-to-action clearly.