Designing Facebook ads involves more than just setting up campaigns. You need audience insights, clear campaign goals, a realistic budget, and most importantly—ad creatives that truly stand out. In 2021, as social media users scroll through their feeds, they’re inundated with ads from countless brands. The challenge is no longer just about being seen—it’s about stopping the scroll and sparking action.
In this blog, we’ll walk through five powerful Facebook ad examples from 2021, breaking down why they work and what you can learn from them to apply in your own campaigns.
Nike continues to dominate the advertising world by blending emotional storytelling with powerful visuals. Their Facebook ads in 2021 highlighted real athletes overcoming challenges, tying the message back to their brand slogan, “Just Do It.”
Why It Works:
Builds an emotional connection with the audience.
Strong video format keeps viewers engaged.
Focuses on lifestyle and values, not just products.
Lesson for You: Don’t just sell a product—sell a story that resonates with your audience’s aspirations.
As travel began bouncing back in 2021, Airbnb ran ads showcasing cozy homes and unique travel experiences. The ads used minimal text and high-quality visuals, focusing on emotions like comfort, safety, and belonging.
Why It Works:
Beautiful, eye-catching images.
Clear CTA (“Book your stay”) directly aligned with intent.
Personalization—ads tailored to different user demographics and interests.
Lesson for You: Sometimes less is more. Let visuals speak louder than words.
Apple’s Facebook ads for the iPhone 12 highlighted stunning product visuals and crisp copy. Instead of clutter, Apple used sleek, minimalistic designs that showed the phone in action—whether in photography mode or showing 5G speed.
Why It Works:
Clean, professional aesthetic.
Focus on a single benefit per ad.
Perfect balance of product and lifestyle imagery.
Lesson for You: Keep your ads simple and highlight your product’s most powerful feature.
Gymshark, the fitness apparel giant, leaned into community-driven ads. By featuring real customers, influencers, and UGC (user-generated content), they created ads that felt authentic and relatable.
Why It Works:
Builds trust through social proof.
Feels genuine compared to polished “studio” ads.
Encourages engagement and sharing.
Lesson for You: People trust people. Showcase real customers to create credibility.
Spotify’s “Wrapped” campaign became a viral sensation in 2021, and they used Facebook ads to amplify it. The ads highlighted personalized playlists, top artists, and listening habits, making every user feel unique and special.
Why It Works:
High level of personalization.
Encourages sharing, fueling organic growth.
Fun, colorful designs that grab attention.
Lesson for You: Personalization increases relevance—and relevance increases clicks.
The best Facebook ads in 2021 all had one thing in common: they focused on the user experience. Whether it was storytelling, minimalism, community engagement, or personalization, these brands knew how to connect with people in meaningful ways.
If you want to create Facebook ads that work, remember:
Focus on emotions and storytelling.
Keep designs simple but impactful.
Use personalization and social proof.
Always align with your audience’s needs and desires.
By applying these lessons, you’ll not only stand out in crowded feeds but also build campaigns that convert.
