The popularity of mobile phones as the primary means of media consumption is immense; thus, advertisers are increasingly focusing on mobile ad formats that capture attention and drive conversions.
Mobile video advertising offers a dynamic way to engage audiences and quickly deliver powerful messages.
In this article, we will dive into the top 9 mobile ad formats and share tips on creating effective mobile app advertisements that get results.
The Importance of Mobile App Advertising
Over 90% of users use their smartphones or other mobile devices to access the internet. That’s why people are much more likely to watch video content on their mobile devices compared to desktops.
Mobile app advertising, particularly in video format, allows advertisers to tell compelling stories, showcase products, and promote app installs all within seconds.
What’s even better, mobile video ads can be customised to fit various formats. This optimizes user experience and provides seamless integration into apps, websites, and social platforms.
The flexibility of mobile video advertising, coupled with the high engagement rates it offers, makes it one of the best marketing strategies for today’s competitive environment.
Things to Keep in Mind While Creating Mobile Video Ads
It’s not enough to just know the types of mobile video ads. To create them and run a successful campaign, you also have to consider several factors. Let’s discuss some of them:
Know Your Audience
Video advertising is no different from any other marketing campaign. Apart from it’s about video content. Brands must know who they are addressing to and what their expectations are to promote their product effectively.
For example, Millennials and Gen Z are more likely to interact with mobile video ads. And therefore, to purchase a product.
Pay Attention to Video Format Compatibility
Ensure your ads are optimized for mobile devices.
Popular formats like MP4 are widely supported, and using an MP4 converter to change other video formats will ensure compatibility across all platforms.
Choose the Best Ad Length
Shorter ads tend to perform better on mobile. It’s true, as with TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Reels influence, a 15-second video ad might be your best bet.
Deliver a clear message within the first few seconds to capture viewers’ attention. If you manage to catch their interest fast, there’s a high chance they will watch the entire ad.
Remember About Video Design
Don’t underestimate the visual appeal. Everyone loves a pretty picture, so adding some popular modern motion graphics, effects, or titles can’t hurt. Choose editing software, and start creating.
Adding captions is another useful idea. Many users watch videos with the sound off. Captions give them another reason to keep watching your ad.
The video orientation also matters. Designing videos vertically for mobile viewing makes your ads feel more natural and user-friendly.
Add Sound Design, Too
Being an eye candy is definitely great, but your ad has to sound good too. Add royalty-free sounds and music, and you’ll see how significantly it improves your ad.
Music, voiceovers, and extra sounds are capable of evoking all sorts of emotions within your audience. By combining sound design with visual elements, advertisers can capture viewers’ attention and highlight critical moments.
Don’t forget to pay attention to trends. Scroll through your TikTok or Instagram feeds. See what sounds and songs are popular now. Incorporate them into your ads to increase engagement.
Create Native Integration
One of the first adjectives that comes to viewers’ minds when they hear about ads is “annoying”. However, native ones take away the annoyance factor, since they are implemented naturally.
Native ads blend seamlessly into their environment. They tend to have higher engagement rates because they’re less disruptive.
If you’re struggling with finding inspiration, there are various successful native ad examples online.
Make It Clear and Simple
Avoid ambiguity and don’t try to deceive your potential customers. Viewers should clearly understand the product you’re trying to sell.
Don’t overcomplicate things or waste viewers’ time. People love getting all the essential information fast.
9 Formats of Mobile Video Advertising
When you’ve figured out what type of mobile ad suits your product and audience the most, it’s time to pick the ad format.
Make sure you know basic things about ad inventory. This will help you decide the best course of action.
1. Interstitial
Interstitial video ads are full-screen ads that appear during transitions in a mobile app.
These ads are often used between levels in games or when switching screens, offering a natural break in the user experience.
Interstitial ads can be highly engaging due to their full-screen format, which minimizes distractions.
2. Rewarded
Rewarded video ads offer users something in return for watching. It might be in-app currency, extra lives in a game, or premium content.
This format works well in gaming apps and has one of the highest engagement rates because users choose to interact with the ad in exchange for a reward.
3. Native
Native video ads blend seamlessly into the app or website’s content, maintaining a non-intrusive experience.
Since native ads match the look and feel of the platform they appear on, they can result in better engagement and higher conversion rates.
4. In-Feed
In-feed video ads appear within the natural content flow, such as social media feeds or news articles.
These ads are integrated into the user’s scrolling experience, making them less disruptive.
In-feed ads work best for brand awareness and product introductions.
5. Banner
Banner ads are a common format in mobile app advertising, and adding a video element makes them even more engaging.
These ads take up a small portion of the screen and can be easily dismissed, while still grabbing attention.
Moreover, when placed strategically, such ads might be the first thing a user sees on their app. Which makes them more memorable and catchy.
6. Playable
Playable ads allow users to interact with the content, often providing a mini-game or app demo.
They are particularly effective for mobile app advertisements, offering users a preview of the app before downloading it.
Consider using such ads, as they are one of the best formats for driving app installs.
7. Vertical
As mentioned already, vertical video clips thrive due to the fame of TikTok, Shorts, and Instagram Reels. Thus, vertical video ads have gained popularity, too.
This format takes advantage of the way users naturally hold their phones, making the experience more intuitive.
Vertical ads are commonly seen in social media stories and live streams.
8. Skippable
Skippable video ads give users the option to skip after a few seconds of viewing.
While this format can result in lower completion rates, it ensures that only engaged users watch the entire ad.
These are ideal for companies focusing on brand awareness rather than direct conversions.
9. Carousel
Carousel video ads offer multiple videos or images that users can swipe through.
This interactive format is great for showcasing multiple products or features within one ad unit.
Carousel ads are often seen on such social media platforms as Instagram and tend to perform well in mobile app advertising campaigns.
Types of Mobile Advertising Videos
Mobile video ads come in different styles, from user-generated content to professionally produced animations.
It’s up to brands to decide which type of video format best suits their objectives. Let’s take a look at 5 options.
1. In-Stream Video Ads
These ads appear within video content, either before, during, or after the main video. They are similar to commercials on TV but tailored for mobile consumption.
2. Interactive Video Ads
These allow users to interact with the video, clicking on parts of the ad or making choices that guide their viewing experience.
3. Cinematic Video Ads
High-quality, professional video ads designed to captivate with stunning visuals and storytelling. These often work well for premium brands and high-end products.
4. Short-Form Video Ads
Short-form ads, typically 6 to 15 seconds long, are perfect for mobile phones where attention spans are shorter. They deliver quick, impactful messages.
5. User-Generated Video Ads
Leveraging user-generated content helps make ads feel more authentic and relatable. Brands can encourage users to share their experiences and turn these into mobile app advertisements.
The Bottom Line
Mobile video advertising is essential for businesses that want to connect with mobile-first audiences.
With various mobile ad formats available, it’s possible to craft campaigns that engage users in ways that feel natural, interactive, and rewarding.
It doesn’t matter what ads you use, tailoring your content to suit mobile devices is crucial for maximising engagement.
By paying attention to the criteria we’ve mentioned in the article, your mobile app advertisements can be among the best in capturing attention and driving conversions.
FAQ
Q1: What are mobile video ad formats?
Ans: Mobile video ad formats refer to the various ways video advertisements are integrated into mobile apps and platforms.
Q2: What is the best mobile video ad format for app installs?
Ans: Rewarded video ads and playable ads are considered the best for driving mobile app installs.
Q3: Why are vertical video ads popular for mobile platforms?
Ans: Vertical video ads are popular because they match the natural way users hold and interact with their smartphones.
Q4: What factors should I consider when choosing a mobile video ad format?
Ans: Think about your campaign goals, target audience, and the user experience on different mobile platforms.
Q5: How long should a mobile video ad be?
Ans: Mobile video ads typically perform best when they are short and concise, with the ideal length being between 6 and 15 seconds.
