Let’s cut through the noise – everyone’s fighting over the same crowded ad spaces while overlooking some absolute goldmines. After managing millions in ad spend and testing countless placements, I’ve discovered some hidden gems that most marketers completely ignore.
Instagram Story Poll Ads
Remember those interactive poll stickers everyone loves? Hardly anyone uses them in ads, which is crazy because they’re engagement magnets. We tested these with a skincare brand and saw 3x higher engagement compared to regular story ads. The secret? People can’t resist voting. Plus, you get instant feedback on your product ideas.
LinkedIn Document Ads
While everyone’s pushing sponsored posts, document ads are quietly crushing it for B2B. These bad boys look like slideshows and get way more shares than regular ads. One of our clients landed their biggest enterprise deal through a simple 5-page PDF ad that cost them peanuts compared to traditional LinkedIn campaigns.
Facebook Search Results
Did you even know Facebook has search ads? Most people don’t. They show up when users search for specific terms, just like Google. The best part? Way cheaper than News Feed ads and super high intent. We’ve seen conversion rates up to 15% higher than regular placements.
YouTube End Screens
Everyone’s obsessed with pre-roll ads, but end screens are where the magic happens. People who watch videos till the end are already engaged, making them perfect targets. We tested this with a software tutorial channel and saw 2.5x better click-through rates than mid-roll ads.
Pinterest Shop the Look Pins
Regular promoted pins are fine, but Shop the Look pins are where you can make serious money. They let users click on multiple products within a single image. One fashion brand we worked with saw a 4x return on ad spend compared to standard pins.
TikTok In-Feed Spark Ads
Instead of creating ads from scratch, Spark Ads let you boost existing organic content that’s already performing well. The authenticity factor is through the roof, and the costs are surprisingly low because you’re riding the wave of content that TikTok’s algorithm already likes.
The Bottom Line
These underutilized placements work because they feel more natural and face less competition. The key is getting in early before they become mainstream. Test them out, but move fast – good things don’t stay secret forever in digital marketing.
FAQs
Q: How much budget should I allocate to testing these placements? A: Start with 20% of your regular ad budget. Run tests for at least two weeks to get meaningful data before scaling up or down.
Q: Do these placements work for all industries? A: Not necessarily. B2B companies might see better results with LinkedIn Document Ads, while e-commerce brands might crush it with Pinterest Shop the Look pins. Know your audience.
Q: What’s the minimum daily budget needed? A: You can start testing most of these placements with $20-30 per day. LinkedIn might need a bit more, around $50 daily, to get meaningful results.
Q: How often should I rotate creative for these placements? A: For platforms like TikTok and Instagram Stories, refresh creative every 7-10 days. LinkedIn and Pinterest content can run longer, typically 3-4 weeks before seeing fatigue.
Q: Should I completely abandon traditional ad placements? A: Absolutely not. Think of these as powerful additions to your existing strategy, not replacements. The best approach is usually a mix of both mainstream and underutilized placements.
Remember, digital marketing is always evolving, and what’s underutilized today might be tomorrow’s go-to strategy. The key is staying ahead of the curve and being willing to experiment. Start small, test thoroughly, and scale what works for your specific business.
Remember, digital marketing is always evolving, and what’s underutilized today might be tomorrow’s go-to strategy. As a leading social media agency in London, we’ve seen countless trends come and go, but the fundamentals of testing and optimization remain constant. Whether you’re managing campaigns in-house or working with an agency like ours, the key is staying ahead of the curve and being willing to experiment. Start small, test thoroughly, and scale what works for your specific business. Feel free to reach out to our London team if you need guidance on implementing these strategies – we’re always happy to share our expertise on getting the most out of your social media advertising budget.
