Instagram to Offer Self-Serve Advertising Worldwide, 30-Second Video Ads

Advertisements on Instagram aren’t a new concept, but the folks at Facebook are working to open their image sharing platform to even more businesses around the globe. Beginning on September 30th, small businesses will be able to run advertisement campaigns on the network in more than 30 countries around the world.

Facebook has a strong advertising infrastructure that will soon be available to advertisers targeting Instagram; this means that advertisers will be easily able to focus on specific demographics in the community. Those interested in running video advertisements will be able to upload content up to 30 seconds long — that’s right, advertisers won’t have to stick with Instagram’s standard 15-second limit that its users face.

Additional new features available to advertisers include the ability to publish landscape photo and video. Last month, Instagram killed its previous requirement for users to upload square photos and videos. Now, advertisers will also be able to take advantage of a bit more freedom.

Lastly, Instagram has announced a new “premium product that helps drive mass awareness and expanded reach in a short time-frame” that they are calling ‘Marquee’. The tool seems to be aimed at large businesses who want to “take over” a particular ongoing topic, and is described as “perfect for events like movie premieres and new product launches.”

(via Instagram via The Verge)