11 Best Types of Shoppable Ads to Use in 2025 (With Real Examples)

Shoppers today scroll endlessly, but few ever click “buy.” That gap costs brands millions every year.

Shoppable ads are interactive formats that let people purchase directly from the content they’re already engaging with—turning curiosity into instant conversions. 

In 2023, one in four UK and U.S. consumers bought from shoppable search results, and 17% purchased straight from social media content.

No wonder brands are doubling down on shoppable ads—younger shoppers (16–34) convert at rates up to 38%, while older audiences lag far behind.

This article breaks down the 11 best types of shoppable ads to use in 2025, complete with real-world examples. Let’s dive into the formats every brand should know.

What are shoppable ads and why they matter in 2025

Shoppable ads are ads you can buy from directly, without leaving the platform. They cut out extra steps in the buying process—important when cart abandonment rates are already so high.

You’ll see them in search results, on social media, or inside web pages. They blend advertising and shopping into one, creating a faster way for people to go from browsing to buying.

In the U.S. and UK, the most common formats are product listing ads in search results, followed by social media shoppable posts. Brands are also testing visual search, influencer-driven formats, and shoppable images.

This shift is clear: visual search grew in popularity in 2024, even beating voice assistants and AR tools as a way for U.S. shoppers to find products.

The numbers show why shoppable ads matter. In 2023, 1 in 4 UK and U.S. consumers bought through shoppable search results, and 17% purchased from social media content.

Younger shoppers drive most of this growth. Ages 16–34 engage at 22% to 38%, while only 4% of shoppers over 55 interact with influencer or creator-led ads.

On the business side, adoption is fast. In 2024, one-third of U.S. brands and agencies ran shoppable ads, with video formats leading. They skip traditional product discovery and deliver more personalized shopping experiences.

That’s why in 2025, shoppable ads aren’t just an option—they’re one of the most effective ways for brands to convert attention into sales.

1. Shoppable video ads on TikTok and YouTube

Shoppable video ads combine two of the internet’s most engaging formats: video and instant shopping. Instead of watching passively, viewers can click a product tag or button and buy on the spot.

TikTok has led the charge here. Its Video Shopping Ads integrate with TikTok Shop, letting users check out without leaving the app. A skincare brand like Medik8 has used this format, running creator-led product demos that end with a direct “Shop Now” button.

YouTube’s version is TrueView for Shopping ads, which connect a brand’s Google Merchant Center feed with video content. This allows clickable product cards to appear below or beside the video. For example, Nike has used YouTube shopping ads to showcase new sneakers during campaign launches, turning product discovery into direct sales.

The strength of video shoppable ads lies in timing. When users are already engaged with storytelling or tutorials, they’re primed to buy. In fact, research shows consumers are 15% more likely to purchase after seeing a shoppable ad compared to a standard ad.

For brands, this format also removes friction. Instead of redirecting traffic to multiple landing pages, the ad itself becomes the storefront. That means fewer steps, higher conversions, and a more seamless experience.

2. Instagram and Facebook shoppable carousel ads

Carousel ads on Instagram and Facebook are designed to let shoppers swipe through multiple products in one ad, with each card linking directly to its product page. It feels less like an ad and more like browsing a mini catalog inside your feed.

A great example is Gymshark’s Whitney Legging relaunch. Instead of pushing just one image, they built a carousel showing the leggings in different colors and styles. Each slide linked to its own product page, making it easy for shoppers to go straight from discovery to checkout.

This format works because it mirrors real shopping behavior—people like to compare. Instead of forcing someone to click away and hunt for other styles, the carousel brings the options to them in one smooth swipe.

Meta reports that carousel ads drive up to 10x more traffic than single-image ads, which explains why brands keep relying on them. They grab attention, tell a product story, and keep users engaged longer.

The good news is, setting them up doesn’t have to be complicated. Tools like Cropink automatically turn your product feed into polished carousel ads, with all the data—price, description, availability—synced and ready to go. You can even start free and test your first campaign without heavy design work.

3. In-feed shoppable posts with product tags

In-feed shoppable posts look just like regular social posts, but with clickable product tags. This makes them powerful because they blend naturally into the feed without feeling like traditional ads.

A strong example is Mansur Gavriel, the luxury bag brand. They run Instagram posts with product tags placed directly on each bag in the photo. Shoppers can tap the tag, see details like price and material, and head straight to checkout—all without leaving Instagram.

The success comes from how natural the content feels. Instead of shouting “buy now,” the ad lets the product live in a lifestyle photo, and the shopping tags are there for those who want to explore more. It’s seamless, visual, and easy.

Tools like Cropink make it simple to sync product feeds so every post has accurate pricing and availability. That way, you never risk showing something that’s sold out.

4. Live stream shopping ads

Live shopping ads turn product demos into real-time sales opportunities. They’re engaging because people can ask questions, see products in action, and buy instantly.

A good case study is Walmart’s TikTok Live events. They’ve hosted streams where influencers try on clothes or test products while viewers shop in real time. Products are pinned on screen with direct “Buy Now” buttons, and limited-time offers keep urgency high.

The success of this format comes from trust and interactivity. Viewers don’t just see a static ad—they watch real people using the product and can buy the exact one in front of them. Walmart reported higher engagement and a measurable sales lift after these events.

For smaller brands, live shopping doesn’t need Walmart’s budget. Even simple Instagram or TikTok Lives can build the same trust. And with Cropink, your campaigns can stay synced so what you feature live is always in stock.

5. YouTube shoppable video overlays

YouTube shoppable video overlays let clickable product cards appear right under or beside a video. They work best when paired with tutorials, unboxings, or product launches.

Nike has used this format effectively in sneaker campaigns. In one YouTube launch video, viewers could click directly on product cards below the video to shop the exact sneakers being showcased.

The overlay format succeeds because it catches people when interest is highest. If you’re watching a product demo, chances are you want more information—and the “Shop Now” button removes friction.

It also helps brands measure impact more clearly, since clicks happen within the ad itself instead of a separate landing page. That’s why many marketers call this format a direct line from attention to purchase.

6. Shoppable stories on Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat

Stories are full-screen, immersive, and naturally high-engagement—perfect for shoppable ads. A single tap on a product tag can take a viewer from browsing to checkout.

Mansur Gavriel again provides a strong example. Their Story ads showcase handbags in clean visuals, with product cards linked at the bottom. Each card opens to product details and checkout, making the purchase feel effortless.

This format works because Stories are fast-moving and personal. A Story ad feels less like an interruption and more like natural content sliding between posts. With the right creative, people barely notice the switch from entertainment to shopping.

For brands, pairing Stories with shoppable tags is a low-barrier way to drive impulse buys. With Cropink, you can auto-sync your product feed so the tags are always up to date, even when you run dozens of Story ads.

7. Pinterest shoppable pins

Pinterest has always been about discovery, and shoppable pins make that discovery instantly actionable. They show price, availability, and a direct link to buy.

A great example comes from Ruggable, the washable rug company. Their Pinterest ads blend naturally into home décor boards, showing rugs styled in real homes. Each promoted pin links directly to the exact product page.

The success here comes from context. People use Pinterest for inspiration, so a product that fits seamlessly into that inspiration has a high chance of converting. For Ruggable, it means shoppers move from “I like that living room” to “I can buy that exact rug” in seconds.

8. Google Shopping and search shoppable ads

Google Shopping ads are among the most common shoppable formats because they show products right in search results—when intent is highest.

Best Buy uses them extensively. If you search “laptop deals,” you’ll often see a row of product listing ads with images, prices, and ratings, all linking directly to Best Buy’s product pages.

The success here is timing. Someone searching “laptop deals” is already in buying mode, and the ad puts the product directly in front of them without an extra step. That’s why one in four UK and U.S. consumers purchased through shoppable search results in 2023.

With Cropink, syncing your product feed for Facebook and Instagram ads is seamless—helping you mirror the same precision shopping experience as Google, but inside social platforms.

9. Shoppable display banners on publisher sites

Shoppable display banners let products be bought directly from traditional website ad placements. They work by embedding product galleries or “buy now” buttons into the banner itself.

Sephora has used interactive display banners on publisher sites. Their banners feature a rotating product gallery, allowing users to click on beauty items and shop directly without leaving the page they’re reading.

The success of this format is that it turns otherwise passive ad real estate into something interactive and useful. Instead of ignoring a banner, people engage with it like a mini shopping window.

10. Shoppable Reels and Shorts

Reels and Shorts are the fastest-growing formats on Instagram and YouTube, and now they’re shoppable too. A tag or CTA button lets viewers buy products featured in short-form videos.

Glossier has leveraged Instagram Reels ads with shopping tags. In one campaign, a beauty influencer demonstrated their Universal Pro-Retinol, and a “Shop Now” button let viewers buy immediately.

This format works because it feels native. Reels and Shorts are already where people go for inspiration, hacks, and quick reviews. By keeping ads short, authentic, and tagged, Glossier captured impulse buyers at the moment of curiosity.

11. In-app retail shoppable ads on Amazon, Walmart, and Target

Retail giants like Amazon, Walmart, and Target run shoppable ads directly inside their apps. These ads promote products at the very moment people are browsing to buy.

Amazon Sponsored Brands ads are a strong example. They appear at the top of search results in the app, featuring a brand logo, headline, and a carousel of products. Clicking takes the shopper straight to the Amazon product page.

The power here is placement. On Amazon, shoppers already have wallets open. An ad doesn’t need to convince them to shop—it just needs to point them toward the right product. That’s why these ads often deliver some of the highest conversion rates in retail media.

For smaller brands, competing on Amazon can feel intimidating, but syncing campaigns across channels helps. Cropink lets you manage Facebook and Instagram shoppable ads with the same product data you use for Amazon listings, keeping your brand consistent wherever you appear.

How to choose the right shoppable ad format for your brand

Choosing the right shoppable ad format doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a simple way to match the format to your business:

Step 1: Look at your product type

• If your products are visual (fashion, home décor, beauty), use Instagram carousels, Pinterest pins, or Reels. These let shoppers swipe, tap, and picture your products in their lives.
• If your products need demonstration (electronics, fitness gear, skincare), go for YouTube shopping overlays or TikTok videos, where people can see the product in action.

Step 2: Match the platform to shopper intent

• If your audience is actively searching for products, formats like Google Shopping ads or Amazon Sponsored Brands perform best. They reach buyers when they’re ready to purchase.
• If your goal is discovery and impulse buys, stick with Stories, in-feed posts, or Reels that fit naturally into browsing behavior.

Step 3: Think about your sales funnel

• Use quick formats like Stories and in-feed posts for top-of-funnel awareness
• Save live shopping events for launches or deeper engagement when you want to create community and urgency.

Step 4: Test and refine

Start small, try two or three formats, and measure results. The winning format will show up in conversion rates and ROAS.

FAQs

Final thoughts 

Shoppable ads are no longer just an experiment—they’ve become one of the most effective ways to turn attention into sales. With 1 in 4 consumers already buying from shoppable search ads in 2023, and 17% purchasing directly from social media, the opportunity is too big for brands to ignore.

The formats may differ—from TikTok videos to Google Shopping—but the principle is the same: meet shoppers where they are, cut out friction, and make the purchase effortless. Brands that embrace this in 2025 will stay ahead; those that don’t risk losing buyers at the moment of intent.

At Cropink, we help brands get there faster. Our platform turns your product feed into engaging Facebook and Instagram shoppable ads—automatically enriched with data, always synced, and ready to launch. You can even start free today and see how simple it is to run shoppable ads that convert.

Ready to turn browsers into buyers? Try Cropink now and launch your first shoppable ad campaign.

Sources

1. Statista. Shoppable ads - statistics & facts
2. Celtra. 5 Shoppable Ads to Consider In Your Product Suite
3. SHUTTLEROCK. Shoppable Ads: Streamlining The E-Commerce Purchase Journey
4. Shopify. Shoppable Ads: How To Drive Sales With Shoppable Ads