Native ads examples: 19 proven campaigns from Facebook, Instagram and more
See the best native ads campaigns — 19 winning examples from Facebook, Instagram, and beyond to boost your marketing results.
Have you ever scrolled through Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest and clicked on something you thought was a post, only to realize later it was an ad? That’s the power of native advertising.
Unlike traditional ads that pop up, flash, or interrupt, native ads blend into the content around them. They can be stories, product recommendations, short videos, quizzes, or even podcast mentions. Instead of shouting “buy now,” they invite you into a conversation or experience. That’s why marketers say native ads are not only more engaging but also more trusted.
What is native advertising
Native advertising is a paid media strategy where promotional content matches the form, function, and design of the platform it appears on. Unlike disruptive banners or pop-ups, native ads integrate directly into the user experience, making them appear relevant, useful, and trustworthy.
Native advertising differs from traditional advertising by blending instead of interrupting. While pop-ups and display ads often stand out as intrusive and deliver very low CTRs, native ads appear as part of the feed or article flow and achieve 8 – 10x higher engagement. This design makes them more effective for building trust, reducing ad fatigue, and delivering measurable ROI.
Key formats of native ads:
- In-feed native ads: Appear within Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter/X feeds, styled to mirror organic posts and boost engagement
- Sponsored content: Long-form branded articles, listicles, or features on platforms like The New York Times, Forbes, or BuzzFeed that use editorial storytelling to build thought leadership
- Content recommendation widgets: Powered by Taboola or Outbrain, shown at the end of articles; typically achieve 1 – 2% CTR, making them strong for traffic acquisition and retargeting
- Native video ads: Integrated into YouTube, Instagram Reels, TikTok, or in-app video streams; designed for autoplay and higher completion rates compared to pre-roll ads
- Programmatic native advertising: Uses demand-side platforms to automate ad placement at scale while optimizing CPC, CPA, and ROI in real time
In a digital world where consumers are exposed to 6,000 – 10,000 ads per day, native advertising stands out because it minimizes disruption, aligns with user intent, and enhances ad relevance. By mirroring platform design and context, native ads reduce banner blindness, outperform traditional display formats, and deliver stronger outcomes in CTR, engagement, and brand lift.
Top 19 best native ads examples
These 19 best native ads examples demonstrate how brands achieve seamless integration for maximum engagement. Each example highlights a different format and platform, showing how native ads blend with content to drive results.
1. BuzzFeed’s sponsored content with brands
BuzzFeed has long been a master of viral content, and their sponsored posts show how advertising can ride the same wave. Think listicles like “10 Ways to Stay Cool This Summer” where a brand’s product naturally pops up alongside GIFs, jokes, and share-worthy tips. Instead of feeling like a sales pitch, the content feels like entertainment, something readers would tag their friends in. The genius here isn’t the product placement, it’s the tone match: BuzzFeed doesn’t change its personality when a sponsor comes in, and that’s exactly why users trust it.
The lesson? Don’t try to “stand out” in a way that breaks the platform’s flow. Instead, blend in so well that people forget they’re reading an ad, until they’ve already engaged with it.
Photo source: BuzzFeed
2. Nike’s Facebook in-feed native ads
Scrolling through Facebook, Nike’s ads often look like just another inspiring post in your feed. A short video of an athlete training, an emotional caption, maybe even a story you’d expect from a fan page. Nike understands that the feed is personal territory, so their ads don’t scream for attention, they earn it through relevance. Add in Facebook’s precise targeting, and suddenly the ad feels like it was made just for you.
The lesson? Emotion beats promotion. When your ad feels like it belongs in someone’s personal feed, you don’t have to force the click, people lean in naturally.
Photo source: Meta Advertisement Library
3. Taboola content recommendation ads for e-commerce
You’ve probably seen them: “10 Gadgets You’ll Wish You Bought Sooner” at the end of an article you’re reading. That’s Taboola in action. These recommendation widgets sit right where curiosity is highest, after you finish reading something and you’re ready for “what’s next?” For e-commerce brands, it’s a goldmine: a well-placed image + curiosity-driven headline can send readers straight into a shopping funnel without feeling like an interruption.
The lesson? Catch people in discovery mode. If your product shows up at the right moment with the right framing, you’re not interrupting — you’re helping them find something interesting.
Photo source: Taboola
4. Google admob native ads in Android apps
Open a mobile game or utility app, and you might not even notice you’re looking at an ad, that’s Google AdMob at work. These ads are designed to match the app’s layout and feel like part of the interface, whether it’s a banner, a card, or even a video unit. Instead of disrupting play or usage, they sit quietly in the flow, letting developers monetize without annoying users.
The lesson? In mobile, the best ad is the one that doesn’t feel like an ad at all. If you respect the user experience, you keep people engaged while still generating revenue.
5. Sponsored articles on The New York Times
When a sponsored article appears in The New York Times, it doesn’t scream “advertisement.” Instead, it reads like a thoughtful piece of journalism, maybe about innovation trends or cultural shifts with the sponsor’s brand tied neatly into the story. Readers get real value from the article while subconsciously associating credibility and authority with the sponsoring company.
The lesson? Authority rubs off. Partner with respected publishers, but make sure your content is as informative as their usual reporting, that’s how you earn both trust and recall.
Photo source: New York Times
6. Native video ads on Instagram by Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola knows Instagram isn’t the place for stiff commercials, so their ads often look like short, vibrant videos you’d expect to see from a creator. These clips tell little stories: a moment of joy, friends sharing a Coke, designed for swipes, taps, and quick emotional hits. The result feels less like advertising and more like part of the social feed’s energy.
The lesson? On mobile-first platforms, play by the same creative rules as users. Make your ads feel like stories people would actually want to watch, not skip.
7. Programmatic native ads via Outbrain
Outbrain takes the guesswork out of native advertising by automating placements and targeting. Instead of manually picking where an ad should run, the system uses algorithms and real-time bidding to slot branded content into the right feeds and articles. For advertisers, that means scale, precision, and campaigns that keep optimizing themselves over time.
The lesson? Automation isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about reach. Let programmatic do the heavy lifting so you can focus on strategy and creative.
Photo source: Outbrain
8. In-content native ads on Forbes
Forbes often places sponsored content directly within its articles, styled to look like part of the reading experience. A reader scrolling through business insights might encounter a native placement that matches the tone and subject matter seamlessly. The ad doesn’t break concentration, it extends it, keeping attention where advertisers want it.
The lesson? Blend into the editorial flow. If your content feels like it belongs in the story, readers will treat it like content, not an interruption.
Photo source: Forbes
9. Sponsored listings on Amazon
Search for a product on Amazon, and the first few results often carry a subtle “Sponsored” tag. These listings don’t pop out as ads, they look like part of the marketplace, complete with ratings, images, and reviews. For sellers, it’s the ultimate real estate: your product sits exactly where buyers are already searching.
The lesson? Meet customers at the moment of intent. Native ads work best when they show up as helpful options, not distractions.
Photo source: Amazon
10. Native ads in mobile games via Unity
In some mobile games, ads aren’t pop-ups or forced videos, they’re billboards on a racetrack or branded items inside the gameplay. Unity has mastered this subtle integration, turning advertising into part of the experience rather than a pause in it. Players stay immersed, developers earn revenue, and brands connect without breaking the moment.
The lesson? Respect immersion. When ads feel like part of the environment, users engage naturally instead of resisting.
Photo source: Unity
11. BuzzFeed quiz-based sponsored content
Few things travel faster on the internet than a BuzzFeed quiz. Brands tap into this by sponsoring quizzes like “Which Celebrity’s Style Matches Yours?” with subtle product tie-ins. Users click, share, and laugh their way through the content, while brands gather data and ride the wave of virality.
The lesson? Make your ad interactive. People love content that tells them something about themselves, and they’ll spread your brand message for you.
Photo source: BuzzFeed quizzes
12. Facebook carousel native ads for Shopify Brands
Shopify merchants use Facebook carousels to tell multi-frame stories, each card showcasing a different product or feature. A quick swipe lets users explore a whole collection without leaving the feed. It’s like window shopping, but right inside the scroll.
The lesson? Think beyond a single image. When you have more to show, a sequence of visuals can turn one impression into a browsing session.
Photo source: Meta Advertisement Library
13. Taboola widget ads on news sites
At the bottom of many news articles, you’ll see “Recommended for you” stories and some of them are sponsored. Taboola’s widgets use algorithms to surface these ads where curiosity is already high. The result? Readers click, linger, and often discover products or stories they wouldn’t have searched for directly.
The lesson? Curiosity is your hook. Place your ad in discovery zones where people are primed to keep exploring.
Photo source: Taboola
14. Sponsored posts on LinkedIn by B2B brands
On LinkedIn, a sponsored post from a B2B company might look like a case study or a thought-leadership update. It blends into the feed of professional updates but carries a brand’s perspective on solving industry challenges. Done right, it positions the advertiser as an authority without feeling like a pitch.
The lesson? Lead with insights, not sales. In professional spaces, the smartest ad is the one that adds genuine expertise to the conversation.
Photo source: LinkedIn Advertise
15. Native video campaigns on TikTok
TikTok ads that really work feel like trends. Brands jump on dances, memes, and challenges with their own spin, making the promotion look like just another piece of content in the endless scroll. When it hits right, the algorithm boosts it into virality.
The lesson? Play by the platform’s cultural rules. If you want to win on TikTok, your ad has to look like something users would create themselves.
16. Programmatic buying with DSPs
Demand-side platforms let advertisers bid for native placements in real time across multiple sites and apps. Instead of guessing where to run an ad, brands tap into exchanges that handle the auctions automatically. The result is smarter spending, better targeting, and campaigns that optimize for ROI at scale.
The lesson? Don’t just buy ads, buy efficiency. Programmatic makes precision targeting possible without manual grunt work.
Photo source: Google Marketing Platform
17. In-feed ads on X by Tesla
Tesla’s Twitter ads often look like regular posts about product updates or innovations. They show up in the feed just as users are scrolling through trending conversations, making the brand feel like part of the dialogue. That timeliness keeps Tesla visible in the fast-moving world of social chatter.
The lesson? Ride the moment. On platforms built for conversation, your ad works best when it feels like you’re joining in, not interrupting.
Photo source: X Business
18. Content discovery ads on Yahoo
Yahoo’s discovery ads slip into its content feeds, styled like news or lifestyle recommendations. They pique curiosity with broad, intriguing headlines that encourage clicks. With Yahoo’s reach, even niche campaigns can find large audiences ready to explore.
The lesson? Curiosity-driven discovery still works. Cast a wide net with compelling headlines and let users self-select into your funnel.
Photo source: Yahoo Ads
19. Integrated native ads in podcasts by Spotify
On Spotify, podcast hosts often weave brand mentions right into their episodes. Instead of a jarring commercial break, listeners hear a trusted voice recommend a product in the same tone as the show. The message feels natural, authentic, and more likely to be remembered.
The lesson? Trust the messenger. When your ad comes through a voice the audience already believes, it feels like a recommendation, not a script.
Photo source: Spotify Advertising
Conclusion
Native advertising is one of the most effective ways to reach people today. Unlike banners or pop-ups, native ads blend into the content and design of each platform. They match the style of Facebook feeds, Instagram stories, Pinterest pins, YouTube videos, or even sponsored articles on The New York Times. With Zeely AI ads generator, you can instantly create both static ads and engaging videos tailored to your brand. The tool automatically adapts your creatives for different formats and platforms, ensuring they look perfect across all major social media channels.
Because they feel natural and useful, you are more likely to engage with them, share them, and trust the brand beh\ind them.
The best native advertising examples show that success comes from relevance, storytelling, and seamless integration. Whether it’s Nike using in-feed ads on Facebook, Coca-Cola running native video ads on Instagram, or Spotify embedding promotions in podcasts, the goal is the same: connect with you in a way that doesn’t disrupt your experience.
As you plan your next campaign, remember the key strengths of native ads:
- Higher click-through rates than display ads
- Better audience targeting and personalization
- Stronger brand trust and credibility
- Flexibility across social media, publisher sites, apps, and video platforms
If you want to build lasting connections with your audience, native advertising is not just an option, it’s a strategy you need. By focusing on formats that match the platform, tell real stories, and provide value, you can turn ads into experiences that drive both engagement and conversions.
