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Meta creative specs 2026: Reels, stories, Advantage+ placements

Meta refreshed its creative policies and automatic placements for 2026. Our studio tested every format across 38 accounts in the last quarter. This guide captures the specs, briefing templates, and QA checklists we now use internally.

By Glimmio Creative Studio | Updated Jan 8, 2026

Quick reference table

Save this table for editors and motion designers. These specs ensure assets pass automated checks and render crisply across Advantage+ placements.

Placement Aspect ratio Resolution Duration Safe zones
Reels 9:16 1080 × 1920 (prefer 4K) 6��30 sec (sweet spot: 22 sec) 200 px top/bottom for captions & CTAs
Stories 9:16 1080 × 1920 5��10 sec 250 px bottom for buttons
Feed (Advantage+) 4:5 preferred 1080 × 1350 Up to 60 sec for video 90 px top/bottom to avoid cropping
In-stream 16:9 1920 × 1080 15 sec skippable 60 px safe zone

Creative workflow upgrades

Specs are half the battle. The bigger unlock came from retooling how our media and creative teams collaborate. Three practices made the biggest difference:

  • Multi-track storyboards. We now storyboard in three tracks��hook, proof, and CTA. Editors know exactly which beats to hit, and media traders can swap hooks without rebuilding the whole video.
  • Performance annotations. Every export includes a metadata sheet with audience, funnel stage, and hypothesis. Traders add results back into the sheet so editors see what worked.
  • QA automation. We built a simple Figma to Airtable pipeline that checks aspect ratios, safe zones, and file sizes before uploads. It cut studio QA time by 40 percent.

Brief template (copy/paste)

Use this structure to align marketing, creative, and product stakeholders.

Objective: e.g., Acquire first-time customers for Summer '26 drop
Primary KPI: CAC & first purchase ROAS
Audience: Urban millennials, 24-34, beauty enthusiasts
Hook angles: "Dermatologist-approved routines", "7-day skin reset", "Before & after series"
Proof: Clinical study call out, influencer testimonials, UGC snippets
CTA: "Start your 7-day trial", "Shop now", "Take the skin quiz"
Mandatory: Logo end card within safe zone, legal copy for SPF claims

QA checklist

Before handing files to media teams, run through this list:

  1. Aspect ratio and resolution match placement from the table above.
  2. Audio levels peak at -2 dB, with captions burned in (yes, even for Reels).
  3. Safe zones validated using our Figma overlay.
  4. File naming convention: Brand_Placement_Hook_Stage_Date.
  5. Performance annotation sheet updated with hypothesis and primary KPI.

Download the full toolkit

We share editable storyboard templates, overlay guides, and Airtable QA rules with clients and partners. Want access?

Request toolkit Email our studio