Instagram Threads Starts Showing Video Ads: What Indian Users and Creators Should Know

Meta has officially announced that its app Threads, a rival to X, will start showing video ads in India and globally. The move is part of Meta’s larger ad push and was revealed during Meta’s recent event for advertisers. This comes at a time when Threads has crossed 350 million monthly active users and is seeing a big jump in usage.

Let’s read what this means for users, brands, and content creators in India.

Threads Will Now Have Video Ads in the Feed

Meta is slowly rolling out video ads on Threads. A “small number” of advertisers will test different video formats like 19:9 (wider view) and 1:1 (square view). These video ads will appear between posts in your Threads feed, like on Instagram or Facebook.

While Meta still has not shared pricing or how often these ads will appear, one thing is clear: Threads is now opening doors for more business promotions on its platform.

Threads is Growing Fast, and Better Recommendations

Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, recently shared that Threads has seen a 35% increase in users’ time spent on the app. This growth is because of improvements in the app’s recommendation system, meaning Threads is getting better at showing users content they’ll enjoy. This growth is big news for Indian influencers and creators, especially those looking for newer platforms to grow their audience beyond Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts.

Meta Is Also Testing Reels Trending Ads

Along with video ads on Threads, Meta also introduced a new ad feature called Reels Trending Ads. These ads will appear next to the most popular Reels from top creators. So if you’re a brand or a business in India, this could be a good way to promote your product through viral content and reach the right people. This is similar to what TikTok is doing globally with its Pulse Suite, which allows advertisers to place ads next to trending videos based on categories, events, and cultural moments. Meta is clearly stepping up its game to compete.

New Tools for Advertisers and Creators

Meta also shared more updates during the same presentation:

• It will test “Trends” inside Instagram’s Creator Marketplace. This will help advertisers find what’s currently trending so they can connect with creators who are talking about those topics.
• It also tests a Creator Marketplace API, which allows businesses to easily discover and work with high-quality creators at scale. This is a game-changer for Indian influencer marketing agencies and social media managers.

Also read: Over 23,000 Scam Accounts Removed by Meta in India-Focused Cleanup

Facebook Reels Gets a Video Expansion Tool

Meta hasn’t forgotten Facebook. It’s rolling out a feature called Video Expansion for Facebook Reels. This tool uses smart technology to adjust video size and fill the screen better, even generating new pixels in each frame. The goal? A smoother, more native watching experience. This upgrade could help Indian creators who shoot in different formats and want their Reels to look perfect without having to manually edit them.

What does it mean for Indian Brands and Creators?

With these updates, Meta is making it clear: video ads and creator marketing are the future.

For brands: If you’re running an ad campaign, you can now test video ads on Threads and boost visibility on trending Reels.

For creators: You can prepare to earn more by being part of the Creator Marketplace and making content that trends.

For users: Expect to see more ads on Threads, but they’ll likely be more targeted and well-placed within content you already follow.

Meta blends its platforms, Instagram, Threads, and Facebook.

This is giving Indian users and businesses more power to grow online. The move to bring video ads to Threads shows that Meta sees the platform as more than just a Twitter alternative. It’s a serious space for creators and advertisers alike. Stay tuned to The Reelstars as Threads rolls out more features. And if you’re a creator or digital marketer in India, now is the best time to explore this growing platform.

For more updates on social media trends and digital marketing in India, follow this space, The Reelstars.