Carousel, Video, or Image: What’s the Best Ad Format for 2025? (AlmostZero Edition)

Let’s be real for a second…

You could have the most brilliant offer in the world. You could have your product priced perfectly, your copy fine-tuned, and your targeting locked in. But if the format of your ad doesn’t fit how people are consuming content today? You’re throwing money at Meta for no good reason.

In 2025, the best ad isn’t about being loud or flashy. It’s about how your message is delivered—and trust me, the format you choose matters way more than you think.

Why Format Isn’t Just a Creative Decision Anymore

Once upon a time, people just picked whatever ad format looked cool. But that’s no longer how winning brands operate. At AlmostZero, we’ve handled campaigns for all kinds of businesses—bootstrapped solopreneurs, D2C brands, even local kirana stores going digital. And one thing is consistent across the board:

Ad format is strategy. Not aesthetics.

Each format—carousel, video, or single image—has its own strength. The magic is knowing when to use which.

Meet the Players: Carousel, Video, and Image Ads

Alright, here’s the lineup. You’ve probably used at least one of these. Maybe all three. But let’s break them down without the jargon.

Video Ads

This one’s the most dynamic of the lot. Whether it's a 15-second story or a punchy 30-second Reel, video lets you do one thing static ads can’t: show, don’t just tell.

Perfect for:

Introducing new products

Building brand trust

Educating cold audiences

But fair warning: If your first 3 seconds don’t grab attention, you’re toast. People scroll fast. So don’t waste time with slow intros or boring visuals.

Image Ads

Simple. Straightforward. No fluff. A single image and your message.

Great for:

Offers and discounts

Retargeting warm users

Local service businesses

It might not be flashy, but in many cases, this is the format that converts the fastest, especially when urgency is involved. Think: “50% off today only.”

Carousel Ads

If a video is your storyteller and an image is your headline, carousel is your mini-slide deck. It lets you walk someone through your value prop—one swipe at a time.

Best for:

Showing multiple products

Explaining features

Visual storytelling (problem → solution → CTA)

But the key? Flow. Each card should make you want to see the next.

There’s No “Best Ad Format.” Only Best-Fit.

Let’s kill the myth right now—there’s no one-size-fits-all.

It’s not about picking the most creative-looking format. It’s about picking the format that matches your audience’s attention span, mindset, and position in the funnel.

Think of it like this:

Funnel Stage Best Format Why It Works

Awareness Video Builds quick trust, tells a story

Consideration Carousel Adds detail, shows range

Conversion Image Sharp CTA, direct action

At AlmostZero, we don’t guess. We test. We rotate formats depending on campaign goals—and we always look at the data, not just design.

Let’s Look at Some Scenarios

Scenario 1: A Startup Launching a New Product

What you need: Trust, awareness, and education.

Use video to tell your story. Show the product in use. Let people see the real face of the brand. Then, follow up with a carousel breaking down benefits. End with a simple image ad offering 10% off for first-time buyers.

Simple flow. Huge results.

Scenario 2: A Local Gym Running a Summer Offer

Go with an image. Just one powerful photo of a fit person working out, big bold text: “3 Months Free – This Week Only.” Done.

Add location targeting, and you’ve got a winner.

Scenario 3: A D2C Brand With 5 New Product Variants

Carousel is your best friend. Each swipe highlights one variant. Maybe a final slide with a bundle offer or testimonial.

People want clarity. Don’t give them everything at once—walk them through it.

Mistakes Most Brands Make (Don’t Be That Guy)

Using only one format for every campaign. Lazy. Also ineffective.

Overdesigning carousels. If it looks like a PPT, nobody’s swiping.

Forgetting the hook in video. Your first 3 seconds matter more than the rest.

Not optimizing per funnel stage. What works for awareness won’t work for sales.

Skipping format tests. Ads aren’t fire-and-forget. You tweak, test, and improve.

If you’ve made any of these, don’t sweat it. Happens to the best of us. But fix it now.

So, What Does AlmostZero Recommend?

We won’t hand you a generic answer because that’s not how real growth works.

What we do instead is build pre-tested, low-budget-friendly Meta Ads based on what stage you’re in, what your offer is, and what your audience responds to. Whether you're a solopreneur just starting out, or a D2C brand scaling your fourth product line—we help you choose the right format for the right moment.

And guess what?

Sometimes it’s not about picking one. It’s about layering all three to support each other.

Final Thoughts

In 2025, ad fatigue is real. People are blind to anything that looks “too perfect” or fake. So instead of trying to outdesign the competition, focus on meeting the viewer where they are—with the format that fits.

You don’t need bigger budgets. You need better ad format decisions.

That’s how you win.

Want Us to Help?

We’re AlmostZero, and we specialize in making Meta Ads work without blowing up your marketing budget.

Based in India, serving PAN India

www.almostzero.io

DM us on Instagram: @almostzero.io

If you want help figuring out your best ad format—or need plug-and-play campaigns—we’re here for it.