Instagram ads will soon include multiple images and links

Yesterday, Instagram announced it will soon beef up its advertising platform.

Specifically, the Facebook-owned social network said it will soon allow marketers to display multiple images inside their sponsored ads using a dedicated ‘carousel’ format. Additionly, Instagram said these advertisements will also feature a new ‘Learn More’ button which will link users to a dedicated website of the advertisers' choosing.

This notes the first time that Instagram has allowed anyone to link outside of Instagram, with the exception of the single link inside profile’s ‘Bio’ section. Instagram’s hope is that this new method of letting companies further reach out to consumers will drive up its advertising revenue, which is gathered on a cost-per-impression method rather than cost-per-click.

Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Instagram’s Global Head of Business and Brand Development, James Quarles, said, “Users see ads on Instagram and ask where they can find [products], and businesses want to help them learn more.”

In addition to presenting the new ads, Instagram is also dedicated to further improving its targeting methods, which would further tailor-fit advertisements to your interests and tastes based on who you follow, what images you like and more.

Advertising aside, the most interesting aspect of this news is the new carousel feature. Instagram has long been a single-image platform when sharing, but it’s not entirely impossible standard users might see the option to share multiple images through the carousel feature in the future.