adlist

App ad formats, with real examples

Every ad in Adlist is tagged by how it’s made. Pick a format to see what it looks like, how long those ads run and which hooks they use, with real examples from top apps.

UGC app ads

UGC (user-generated content) ads look like a regular person’s post: someone films themselves on their phone, talks to camera and shows the app in their own life. They borrow the trust of a friend’s recommendation rather than the polish of a brand ad.

See all UGC app ads

Talking head app ads

Talking-head ads put one person on screen speaking straight to camera, usually framed from the chest up. The words carry the ad, so the script and the first line matter more than the visuals.

See all talking head app ads

Screen recording app ads

Screen-recording ads show the app itself, captured straight from the phone. They answer “what does it actually do?” in seconds, and often sit under a voiceover or on-screen captions.

See all screen recording app ads

Photo carousel app ads

Photo carousels are swipeable slides instead of a video: a hook on the first image, then a few frames that make the point. They’re quick to make and easy to test, which is why apps run so many of them.

See all photo carousel app ads

Green screen app ads

Green-screen ads place the creator in front of a screenshot, article or app screen, pointing at it as they talk. It lets one person react to the product and explain it in the same shot.

See all green screen app ads

Skit app ads

Skit ads are short scripted scenes, often with two characters, that act out the problem the app solves. They entertain first and sell second, so they feel native to the feed.

See all skit app ads

Animation app ads

Animated ads use illustration or motion graphics instead of filmed footage. They suit apps whose value is easier to draw than to film, and they stand out in a feed full of faces.

See all animation app ads