How to create Multi-Product Ads in Facebook. Step-by-step guide

A 9 step tutorial and example of Facebook's multi-product ads

Facebook has rolled out an exciting new update in recent weeks - the Multiple product ad - not to be confused with Dynamic Product ads which are a retargeting option most relevant to retailers .

The Multiple Product ad option means that you can feature more than one product or service (or blog post even) in the sponsored News Feed without having to create multiple adverts. You'll need to be using Power Editor (if you don't know about that well I have a one day training course as well as an Online Masterclass you can sign up for...). Multi-product ads will allow you up to five images at a time. Obviously you can use them to show more products, but you could also use a succession of images to tell a story or provide more details and close-ups of your product. When you go to create an ad using either Clicks to Website or Website Conversion objectives you'll now see the option for either a "Single image and link in one ad" or "Multiple images and links in one ad".

Assets - what you need to have ready:

The specification for what you need is here in Facebook's helpful Business Ads Guide. When you go to create your multiple product ad, you'll need some text that goes at the top above all the images. You'll also need 600x600 images (each complying with the 20% rule - image checker here) plus headline and descriptive copy for each of your images/products. Facebook will try to pull the image, headline and description from the meta data on your page link, but remember that you can overwrite these. Do note that these product ad images are square so very different from the usual rectangular 1200x628 that you would normally be using for single image posts. I've used Canva to create my images below. You'll also need to add in a "See More" URL which will appear at the end of your links/images. Facebook will auto pull the Page's profile photo for that and you can't override it. At the bottom you can provide URL tags and tracking pixels. If you've set your objective to Website Conversions, you'll need to also set a Conversion Pixel.

Putting the ads together

Below you will see a screen grab of my work in progress in putting together a multiple product ad. In this instance, the "product" is a number of digital marketing training days (and yes, I'd love to have you there - we have some online options if you are not local to London or Manchester). If you're familiar with Power Editor and creating ads already, it's pretty straight forward.

1. Create a new ad (I'm assuming you will have created a Campaign and Ad Set already)
2. Select "Multiple images and links in one ad"
3. Add in the text for the top of the ad
4. Pop in your first image, a destination url, Headline for that image/product and Description for that image/product
5. Click on image #2 and repeat.
6. Check "Creative Optimization" if you want Facebook to decide which images to show in which order
7. Add in your "See More" url - maybe a home page or related product and a simpler "Display URL" if appropriate
8. Add in URL tags, conversion and tracking pixels
9. Upload

Below is a screen grab showing the process in action. As you progress through the ad creation process, you have the option to tick the "Creative Optimization" box. If unchecked, Facebook will show the links in the order you entered them. If checked, Facebook will show them based on the level of engagement they receive. Helpful optimization algorithms at work here.

Have you used Multi-Product Ads yet? How have you found them? Any examples of really creative use?

Still need help? (Shameless plug)

Join Marie in London, Manchester or online to learn more about Facebook marketing as well as advertising using Power Editor. Use the coupon code DIGITAL2015 to grab a 50% discount on the face-to-face days. With the online Masterclasses you will save £25 on each session when two or more are booked at the same time. As well as Facebook we are running a number of other Masterclasses in the "Other" social media platforms, content marketing, PPC, Google Analytics and more.