Facebook Posts and Ads with images get 2.3x more engagement than those without images. People also remember 80% of what they see but only 20% of what they read. So, now that we established how important visual content is for advertising and marketing. Let’s see how to maximize conversions using the best images for Facebook Ads.
Should you even use Facebook Image Ads?
We know from experience that images are still at the heart of good design, mainly if you advertise on social media. And while videos have recently become more popular on all social media platforms, images remain the leading visual medium for several reasons.
- They are the easiest to create. To make an image add, you don’t have to be a cinematographer or create a video script and then edit it. All it takes is finding or taking a great image. Optionally, you can edit it lightly and add some text or shapes to it, but that’s as far as you have to go.
- They are the most familiar. Many people, especially older generations, haven’t gotten used to the video yet and prefer getting information this way.
- They are practical. We often use mobile phones in surroundings where they can’t watch videos, so images win yet again. And finally, videos are larger in size, so people with poor internet connections might be unable to load them.
Image Dimensions for Facebook Ads
The dimensions vary based on which Facebook ad placement you choose. You can choose between the Facebook feed, right column, instant articles, marketplace, stories, and many more. The recommended resolution is at least 1080 x 1080 pixels, and the recommended ratio is 1:1 across all ad placements.
However, some placements are more flexible and follow the most common wallpaper sizes for devices where Facebook will show the ad.
Recommended resolution
| Placement | Min width | Min height |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook Feed | 600 pixels | 600 pixels |
| Facebook right column | 254 pixels | 133 pixels |
| Facebook Instant Articles | 1080 pixels | 1080 pixels |
| Facebook in-stream video | 600 pixels | 600 pixels |
| Facebook Marketplace | 1080 pixels | 1080 pixels |
| Facebook Stories | 500 pixels | 1080 pixels |
| Facebook search results | 600 pixels | 600 pixels |
| Facebook Business Explore | 600 pixels | 600 pixels |
| Facebook Reels overlay | 600 pixels | 600 pixels |
Recommended image ratios
| Placement | Recommended ratio | All ratios* |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook Feed | 1.91:1 to 1:1 | 4:5 |
| Facebook right column | 1:1 | 1.91:1 to 1:1 |
| Facebook Instant Articles | 1.91:1 to 1:1 | 16:9 to 9:16 |
| Facebook in-stream video | 1.91:1 to 1:1 | 4:5 |
| Facebook Marketplace | 1:1 | 16:9 to 9:16 |
| Facebook Stories | 9:16 (1.91:1 for dynamic stories) | All |
| Facebook search results | 1.91:1 to 1:1 | 16:9 to 9:16 |
| Facebook Business Explore | 1.91:1 to 1:1 | 4:5 |
| Facebook Reels overlay | 1:1 | – |
* Only valid if you don’t use a link, or Facebook may mask them to the recommended ratio.
File types
You may use JPG or PNG file formats, which are the gold standard for images on the web. You may also recommend videos in MP4 and MOV formats. If you have a GIF, you should upload it as a video and not an image.
Best practices
You can never know how your ad will perform upfront unless you have a ton of experience. Therefore, we recommend you create multiple designs and employ A/B testing. However, there are several actionable steps you can take when creating a Facebook Image Ad to maximize its success on the first try:
- Use the recommended aspect ratio for each placement. Different placements on Facebook, Feed, Stories, and Marketplace require different aspect ratios. For example, a 1:1 ratio can be used for Facebook Feed and a 9:16 ratio for Facebook Stories.
- Use high-resolution images. Always use at least the minimum pixel size for photos, but we recommend you use a higher resolution for better-looking results. Facebook recommends at least 1080 x 1080 pixels, but you can also go much higher. Just make sure your images are not blurry or pixelated.
- Showcase your brand, service, or product. People will quickly recognize your brand when you use a logo, which is beneficial for two reasons. First, they are more likely to stop and inspect the ad if they already know and like you. Second, your brand will be imprinted in their memory if they don’t know you yet.
- Don’t use too much text. We use images to avoid using text at all. But if you must use text, remember that images with less than 20% text perform the best.
- Emphasize your message. Images capture your audience’s attention, but using a vague image won’t work. Therefore, don’t be afraid to frame the most critical part of the image.
Best Images for Facebook Ads
There are three ways of getting images for Facebook Ads, which depend on your budget and the type of image you need.
- Take the picture yourself or hire a photographer. If you want to show your product in the best light, you either need to take the photo yourself or hire a photographer. Both are possible because if you want to take the picture yourself, you will need to buy a camera, learn how to use it (learning photography can take years), and even set up a studio for product photography. Hiring a professional photographer, on the other hand, is cheaper but still quite expensive.
- Stock photos are ideal if you do not need to image your product because they are the cheapest ($0.22-$100/image). This is the case if you promote something more general, such as a course. They are also great if you want to increase brand awareness. In this case, you can find a stock image of people, an office, or some other general topic and put your logo over it with optional text.
- Graphic design services are expensive but do all the work for you. You just need to tell them what you want, send them your brand kit (colors, logo, fonts), and they will send you several versions of a design.
Since stock images are the cheapest, they are also the most commonly used. We will show you where to get them, but before that, we should discuss whether it’s a good idea to use free stock images and Google images.
Can you use Google Images for Facebook Ads?
First, you must understand that Google Images are not Google’s and are not free to use. Instead, Google Images is merely a search engine that shows you all images on the internet related to your search phrase.
But in reality, they come from websites, blogs, social media posts, stock photo sites, and other image databases. And most of these are not free to use, especially not for commercial purposes, i.e., Facebook Ads. Google lets you use filters to show only Creative Commons images. You can do this by selecting “Tools,” and from the “Usage Rights” dropdown menu, choose “Creative Commons licenses.”
But we found that it’s not very accurate. For example, the very first suggestion of this search comes from a website whose images are not Creative Commons. Therefore, we urge you not to use Google Images for Facebook Ads or other public purposes.
What about free stock photo sites?
Yes, you can use free stock photos for your Google ads. Most free stock photo sites do not require you to give credit (although recommended), even if you use the images for commercial purposes. But there’s a reason we do not think they are a good idea when used commercially (for education, they can be great):
Free stock photo websites do not guarantee that the person who uploaded the images (usually an amateur photographer) is the rightful owner. This means that the copyright of the images could be infringed, making their use illegal. Therefore, free stock photo websites do not offer legal protection, the so-called compensation that would protect you if the image gets you into trouble.
Since you are likely to spend thousands of dollars on Facebook ads, we recommend you spend a few more and buy an image from one of the many paid stock photo agencies. This will also ensure that you receive compensation for each image, ranging from $10,000 to $250,000, depending on the license type.
Standard vs. Extended Royalty-free Licenses
When buying stock photos, you usually get a royalty-free license. But depending on the site where you’re buying the photos, there are many flavors of the royalty-free license, most commonly the standard, and extended licenses. The main differences between the two are the price (~$1 vs. ~$80), the number of copies/prints allowed (500K vs. unlimited), whether or not you may use it for merchandise, and the indemnity amount.
The good news is that since you need images for Facebook Ads, which count as a web impression, you should get a much cheaper and more abundant standard royalty-free license. In other words, there is no need to get an extended license, although you can if you want to get a higher indemnity — usually $250,000 instead of $10,000.
Best stock photo sites for Facebook Ads images
We have already created an extensive guide on the best websites for stock photos, so we’re not going to rehash the ideas in this article, but here’s the gist:
1. Shutterstock: Best Overall
Pros
- 396+ million images.
- Ten free images during a 30-day trial.
- Great image quality.
Cons
- Limited on-demand options.
- Not the best for videos.
Number of images: 396+ million | Pricing: $0.22–$14.50/image | Free trial: Yes (10 images)
With over 396 million images in its database, 200 thousand images added weekly, and rigorous technical standards, Shutterstock is an ideal source of photos for Facebook ads. We like it because it ensures two crucial points when using images in advertising: Use high-quality images and always have fresh content at hand.
Since you only need the Standard License ($0.22–$14.50), subscriptions will be your best bet because they are the cheapest. But if you don’t need images regularly (at least 10 a month), it’s better to get an image pack. They are a bit more expensive per image but give you more flexibility. However, we recommend Adobe Stock instead of Shutterstock if you want an image pack.
2. Adobe Stock: Best for graphic designers
Pros
- Superb image and video quality.
- Offers templates, 3D objects, and fonts.
- More than 1 million free images.
- Creative Cloud integration.
- Works with Photoshop, Illustrator, & others.
Cons
- More costly than some alternatives.
- No promo codes or coupons.
- Expensive premium content.
Number of images: 297+ million | Pricing: $0.26–$9.99/image | Free trial: Yes (10, 25, or 40 images)
Adobe Stock is excellent both for subscriptions and on-demand (with credits). However, it truly excels in integrating all Adobe apps, including Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, and several others. This feature allows you to browse and use Adobe Stock assets (images, videos, etc.) inside those apps without ever leaving them, which significantly improves your workflow. Moreover, you can use all of them for free with a watermark, and you pay only for those you use at export.
Compared to Shutterstock, Adobe Stock is cheaper and more flexible for on-demand buying but more expensive with subscriptions. Yet, we like the free trial that lets you download up to 40 free images, thus saving you up to $79.99. In comparison, other stock image free trials usually grant you only 10 free images.
3. iStock: Best for premium images
Pros
- 140+ million images.
- The signature collection is of superb quality.
- Competitive prices.
- 10 images with the free trial.
Cons
- Signature images are a lot more expensive.
- Expensive extended license.
Number of images: 140+ million | Pricing: $0.22-$9.90/image | Free trial: Yes (10 images)
iStock’s pricing combines Adobe Stock’s credits (on-demand) and Shutterstock’s subscriptions. Additionally, it brings subscriptions for premium images to the table, making it affordable compared to other premium stock agencies.
However, where iStock lacks is the number of images with less than half of what Shutterstock and Adobe Stock have, plus pretty poor customer support. Also, the free trial is only available in a select few countries and not worldwide, so you might not be able to use it.
4. Depositphotos: Best for bloggers and SME
Pros
- 224+ million images
- Good image quality
- No daily limit
- Reverse image search
- Excellent customer support (phone, live chat, and email)
- A collection of free images
Cons
- No custom packs (only available for enterprises).
- Limited flexibility of on-demand options.
Number of images: 224 million | Pricing: $0.22–$14.00/image | Free trial: Yes (10 images)
Depositphotos is particularly good for Facebook ad images for those who don’t need many downloads each month since their small subscriptions are much cheaper than elsewhere. But the lower prices come at the expense of a lower indemnity of $5,000 instead of $10,000.
We recommend Depositphotos only when you want to buy up to 30 stock images per month, in which case you should get a subscription or when you need images for demand. But we discourage you from using Depositphotos for videos because video packs are too fragmented to be useful.
5. Canva: Budget pick
Pros
- 30-day free trial
- Inexpensive subscription
- Intuitive and super easy-to-use
- Huge built-in stock photo library
- Prompts team-work
Cons
- Bad at photo editing
- No one-time purchase option
- Can’t use it offline
- Lacks advanced design options
Number of images: 110+ million | Pricing: $9.99-$12.99/month | Free trial: Yes (30 days)
Canva is an excellent online graphic design tool for creating Facebook Ads, especially for beginners, because you can leverage templates made by professionals specifically for that purpose. You then have to add your text, personalize colors to match your branding, and swap images and logos. And you can do all that for free.
If you want to take your designs a step further, get Canva Pro, which grants you unlimited access to 110 million stock images. You also get a free scheduler, branding kits, thousands of fonts, and other advanced tools for $9.99 per month.
Examples of Images in Facebook Ads
Over the months, we collected the best example of using images in Facebook Ads. Here we explain what makes each ad example suitable and what you can learn from it:
Example 1: Microsoft
Notice how Microsoft brilliantly uses its logo in the top left and its branding colors and fonts to be immediately recognized. They also use a clean, professional stock image (their photographer might have taken it) and some text on the right side to explain their service.
Key takeaways:
- Use your logo, brand colors, and brand fonts.
- Use images with people.
- Pick images of people interacting with your type of product (i.e., for tennis shoes, find pictures of people jogging).
Example 2: Dealify
Dealify is an eCommerce site that intelligently leverages Facebook Image Carousel Ads, which allow you to use multiple ads within the same allotted space. Instead of using its logo, Dealify promotes the deals in its eCommerce store by providing its logos. However, notice Dealify’s logo in the profile picture, their name in the profile name, and their name as the first word in the description.
Although their ad images are very descriptive, minimal text is in line with the modern approach to graphic design, using minimalism. Instead, they use screenshots of the products they promote to associate the product with your consumer’s visual perception quickly.
Key takeaways:
- When beautifully designed, you can even use screenshots.
- Use contrasty backgrounds to emphasize the image/screenshot.
Example 3: Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
For this example, we chose a screenshot from a video ad because it perfectly demonstrates everything you need to consider when creating image ads.
Key takeaways:
- Use your brand colors, but experiment with gradients, not just solid color background.
- Add a call-to-action button.
- Add your logo.
- A simple text describing the product.
How to Create Facebook Ad Images
Now that you learned from the previous examples, it’s time to apply them to your designs. Knowing how to create a beautiful graphic, will skyrocket your conversions. And just a hint: it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Follow these 6 simple principles to create Facebook image ads:
1. Clear message
One of the most important aspects of a successful Facebook ad is a clear and concise message, which you deliver through the smart use of an image and text. Since an image is only one part of the ad, it is important that it harmonizes well with the rest of the ad.
Also, the message of the ad should be consistent with the landing page. This is called ad scent, and it is important that the message and images of the ad match those of the landing page.
2. Brand and complementary colors
Most people scroll through their Facebook news feed without looking at the ads. To make sure your ad grabs people’s attention, use colors that stand out from the rest of your posts.
If you have a set color palette for your brand, stick to it. If you do not have a set color palette, you can use a website like Coolors.co or Canva’s palette generator to create a palette that looks professional and coordinates well.
3. High-quality images of people
When creating image ads, it is important to use high-quality images to avoid coming across as unprofessional. There are many resources available that make it easy to find high-quality photos and illustrations. When choosing images, it is important to look at the licenses associated with them to ensure you are legally able to use them. Avoid using images from a Google image search, as this can result in copyright violations. If you are not explicitly given permission to use an image, it is best to avoid it.
4. Avoid too much text
When designing your ads, use very little text on your images. Highlight your offer or include a call to action. If your ad requires explanation, do so in the ad text and not on the image itself. Facebook will limit the reach of your ad if you use too much text. This used to be known as the 20% rule. Now, ads with more text can be allowed, but the reach of the ad is determined in part based on the amount of text in the image.
Use fonts that are easy to read and not distracting. You should use a maximum of 2 fonts, but if you can, choose only 1 and stick with it. Make sure your fonts are also licensed for commercial use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get sued for using AliExpress images as Facebook ads?
If you uploaded the images to AliExpress, you can safely reuse them for Facebook ads. However, if you do not own the images, you cannot use them for Facebook ads as this would constitute copyright infringement. The only way to safely use someone else’s images for your commercial purposes is to get their permission.
What photos are best for Facebook ads?
The best photos for Facebook ads must have a resolution of at least 1080 x 1080 pixels, be in PNG or JPG format, not be blurry, and have an aspect ratio of 1:1. The best images show people doing something or depict everyday objects.
Can I sell branded images and videos for Facebook ads made from stock images?
You may only use branded images for resale when it’s your brand. However, you may not use other companys’ branded images for Facebook ads, unless you get their permissions, such as when you work as their ads manager.
What’s next?
If you’ve read through this article and considered the examples, you’re now ready to create your first Facebook image ad. Here’s how you should do it:
- Get an idea about what you want to promote.
- Generate a clear vision of the design.
- Browse one of the best stock photo sites and find a great photo.
- Create a Facebook Ad.
- Publish the ad.
Sources
- Recommended minimum image pixel requirements across placements. Meta Business Help Centre, Facebook. Accessed August 4, 2022.
- Best Practices For Image Ads. Meta Business Help Centre, Facebook. Accessed August 4, 2022.
- Facebook Ads Guide – Image. Meta Business Help Centre, Facebook. Accessed August 4, 2022.
- Alexandra Sheehan. Facebook Ad Sizes and Specs for 2022 + Free Resizing Tool. Shopify Blog. Accessed August 5, 2022.
About your guide
Matic Broz is a multifaceted creative professional, with experience as a photographer, graphic designer, and business owner. He has a decade of experience in helping other creatives improve their craft and start their own businesses. His writing and research have been featured in notable publications such as The Guardian, PetaPixel, and USA Today. Additionally, his scientific research has been recognized with a cover feature in the prestigious MDPI-owned journal. In his leisure time, he enjoys photography, hiking, and spending time with dogs. Read more
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