LinkedIn Ads Examples: 25 High-Performing Campaigns
The best LinkedIn ads share common traits: they lead with value, speak directly to their audience's challenges, and make the next step clear. But understanding these principles in theory is different from seeing them in action.
This guide breaks down 25 high-performing LinkedIn ad examples across different formats, industries, and campaign objectives. Each example includes analysis of what makes it effective and how you can apply the same techniques to your campaigns.
What Makes a LinkedIn Ad High-Performing?
Before diving into examples, let's establish what separates effective LinkedIn ads from the rest. According to 2026 performance benchmarks, top-performing ads share these characteristics:
| Element |
What Works |
What Doesn't |
| Hook |
Specific pain points, numbers, questions |
Generic statements, "We're excited to..." |
| Value Prop |
Clear benefit to reader |
Feature lists, company branding |
| Visual |
People, data visualizations, clean design |
Stock photos, busy graphics |
| CTA |
Single, specific action |
Multiple options, vague asks |
Single Image Ad Examples
Single image ads remain the most common LinkedIn format. Here's what top performers look like.
Example 1: The Data Hook
Ad Copy: "78% of B2B buyers won't respond to outreach that isn't personalized. Here's how 200+ sales teams are hitting quota in 2026."
Why It Works:
- Opens with a specific, relevant statistic
- Implies the reader might be in the failing 78%
- Promises a solution backed by peer success
- Numbers create credibility and urgency
Apply This: Lead with a statistic that highlights a gap between what your audience does and what succeeds.
Example 2: The Direct Question
Ad Copy: "Still spending 10+ hours weekly on manual reporting? Finance teams at Stripe, Notion, and Figma automated theirs in 3 weeks."
Why It Works:
- Addresses a specific, quantifiable pain point
- Name-drops recognizable companies for credibility
- Offers a concrete timeline for results
- Creates FOMO by implying competitors have solved this
Apply This: Quantify the problem you solve and show that respected companies already benefit.
Example 3: The Contrarian Take
Ad Copy: "Most 'thought leadership' is just noise. We analyzed 10,000 LinkedIn posts to find what actually builds pipeline."
Why It Works:
- Challenges conventional wisdom
- Backs up the claim with data ("10,000 posts")
- Promises insider knowledge
- Speaks to a frustrated audience
Apply This: Challenge an assumption your audience holds, then promise evidence-based alternatives.
Example 4: The Social Proof Stack
Ad Copy: "Trusted by 500+ B2B marketing teams. Rated 4.9/5 on G2. Here's why they switched."
Why It Works:
- Multiple trust signals (customer count, rating, platform)
- "Why they switched" implies competitors are moving
- Creates curiosity about the reasons
- Quantified social proof is harder to dismiss
Apply This: Combine multiple social proof elements rather than relying on one.
Example 5: The Before/After
Ad Copy: "Before: 47 spreadsheets. 12 hours of reconciliation. 3 days late to close.
After: Automated close in 4 days. Zero spreadsheets."
Why It Works:
- Contrasts pain with solution visually
- Specific numbers make it believable
- Reader self-identifies with "before" scenario
- Clear transformation promise
Apply This: Paint the painful "before" vividly, then show the transformed "after."
Video Ad Examples
Video ads achieve 80%+ completion rates with AI subtitles when done well.
Example 6: The Customer Story
Format: 45-second customer testimonial
Structure:
- 0-5s: Customer name, title, company (credibility)
- 5-20s: Problem they faced (relatability)
- 20-35s: Solution and results (proof)
- 35-45s: Recommendation to peers (CTA)
Why It Works:
- Real person, real results
- Peer-to-peer recommendation feels authentic
- Short enough to watch completely
- Captions enable sound-off viewing
Example 7: The Explainer
Format: 30-second product demonstration
Structure:
- 0-5s: Problem statement as text overlay
- 5-25s: Quick walkthrough of solution
- 25-30s: CTA with specific offer
Why It Works:
- Shows rather than tells
- Hooks with the problem immediately
- Demonstrates value before asking for anything
- Works with or without sound
Example 8: The Founder Story
Format: 60-second founder-led narrative
Structure:
- Personal story about why they built the company
- Insight into the problem they solve
- Invitation to learn more
Why It Works:
- Humanizes the brand
- Creates emotional connection
- Differentiates from competitor ads
- Thought Leader Ads perform exceptionally well for founder-led brands
Example 9: The Quick Tip
Format: 15-second tactical advice
Structure:
- One actionable tip
- Brief explanation
- "Want more? [CTA]"
Why It Works:
- Provides immediate value
- Respects viewer's time
- Creates reciprocity
- Positions brand as helpful, not salesy
Example 10: The Event Teaser
Format: 20-second webinar promotion
Structure:
- Speaker intro with credentials
- 3 key takeaways as text
- Date and registration CTA
Why It Works:
- Speaker credibility drives registrations
- Specific takeaways set expectations
- Urgency from dated event
- Clear next step
Carousel Ad Examples
Carousel ads let you tell stories across multiple cards. Users who swipe engage more deeply than single-image viewers.
Example 11: The Framework Reveal
Cards:
- "The 5-Step Framework Used by $100M ARR Companies"
- Step 1 explanation
- Step 2 explanation
- Step 3 explanation
- Step 4 explanation
- Step 5 explanation
- "Get the full playbook" (CTA)
Why It Works:
- Promise of a complete system
- Each card delivers partial value
- Natural progression builds investment
- Final card converts engaged readers
Example 12: The Myth Buster
Cards:
- "5 LinkedIn Ads Myths Costing You Money"
- Myth #1 + Truth
- Myth #2 + Truth
- Myth #3 + Truth
- Myth #4 + Truth
- Myth #5 + Truth
- "Stop wasting budget—get our guide"
Why It Works:
- Challenges beliefs (engaging)
- Educational positioning
- Each card is standalone valuable
- Builds credibility before the ask
Example 13: The Comparison
Cards:
- "Old Way vs. New Way"
- Old approach #1 / Better alternative
- Old approach #2 / Better alternative
- Old approach #3 / Better alternative
- Summary of transformation
- CTA card
Why It Works:
- Visual contrast is compelling
- Reader identifies with "old way"
- Shows evolution, not criticism
- Positions product as the modern choice
Example 14: The Case Study Breakdown
Cards:
- Company logo + "How [Company] increased pipeline 3x"
- The challenge they faced
- The solution implemented
- Key result #1
- Key result #2
- Key result #3
- "Get similar results" CTA
Why It Works:
- Real company provides proof
- Story format is engaging
- Multiple results demonstrate breadth
- Easy to digest complex information
Example 15: The Data Report Preview
Cards:
- "2026 State of [Industry] Report"
- Key finding #1 with data
- Key finding #2 with data
- Key finding #3 with data
- Key finding #4 with data
- "Download the full report" CTA
Why It Works:
- Original research establishes authority
- Data is inherently shareable
- Creates desire for complete picture
- Clear value exchange
Document Ad Examples
Document ads achieve CPLs of $38-$82—often the lowest of any format.
Example 16: The Playbook
Document: "The 2026 LinkedIn Ads Playbook"
Structure:
- Cover page with clear title
- Table of contents
- 8-10 tactical pages
- Final page with company info and CTA
Why It Works:
- "Playbook" implies actionable content
- In-feed viewing removes friction
- Demonstrates expertise before asking for anything
- Shareable with teams
Example 17: The Checklist
Document: "B2B Campaign Launch Checklist"
Structure:
- Single-page checklist format
- Grouped by phase (planning, execution, optimization)
- Checkbox design for satisfaction
Why It Works:
- Immediately useful
- Simple to consume
- Printable/saveable
- Positions brand as helpful resource
Example 18: The Benchmark Report
Document: "LinkedIn Ads Benchmarks by Industry"
Structure:
- Industry-by-industry data
- Key metrics (CTR, CPC, CPL, conversion rate)
- Visual charts and tables
- Methodology page for credibility
Why It Works:
- Answers "how am I performing?" question
- Original data is valuable
- Reference material keeps brand top-of-mind
- High share potential
Example 19: The Template Collection
Document: "10 High-Converting Ad Copy Templates"
Structure:
- Template #1 + example
- Template #2 + example
- (repeat)
- Customization tips
Why It Works:
- Immediately applicable
- Reduces work for the reader
- Demonstrates copywriting expertise
- Natural lead-in to services
Example 20: The ROI Calculator Preview
Document: "Calculate Your LinkedIn Ads ROI"
Structure:
- Input section (spend, leads, conversion rate)
- Calculation explanation
- Benchmark comparisons
- Invitation to use full interactive tool
Why It Works:
- Helps readers justify budget
- Educational value
- Leads to website interaction
- Sales-enablement content
Message Ad Examples
Message ads achieve 11-18% reply rates when personalized correctly.
Example 21: The Exclusive Invite
Subject: "You're invited, [First Name]"
Body: "Hi [First Name],
We're hosting an exclusive roundtable for [Job Function] leaders at [Company Size] companies on [Date].
Only 15 seats. No sales pitch—just peer discussion on [Topic].
Interested?"
Why It Works:
- Exclusivity creates desire
- Specific targeting signals relevance
- "No sales pitch" reduces friction
- Single question CTA is easy to respond to
Example 22: The Content Share
Subject: "Thought you'd find this useful"
Body: "Hi [First Name],
Our team just published research on [Topic]—figured it'd be relevant given your work at [Company].
Key insight: [One compelling finding]
Here's the link if you want the full report: [URL]"
Why It Works:
- Feels personal, not promotional
- Provides value before asking
- Company name shows research
- Soft CTA (no commitment required)
Example 23: The Event Follow-Up
Subject: "Missed you at [Event Name]"
Body: "Hi [First Name],
We hosted a session on [Topic] at [Event]. Based on your role, thought you might want the recording.
Main takeaways:
• [Bullet 1]
• [Bullet 2]
• [Bullet 3]
Want me to send the link?"
Why It Works:
- Creates connection to real event
- FOMO from "missed you"
- Bullet points preview value
- Easy yes/no response
Conversation Ad Examples
Conversation ads create interactive, choose-your-own-path experiences.
Example 24: The Qualification Path
Initial Message: "Hi [First Name]! Looking to improve your [Outcome]? Let me point you to the right resource."
Button Options:
- "I'm researching solutions" → Educational content
- "I'm ready to evaluate vendors" → Demo booking
- "Just browsing" → Newsletter signup
Why It Works:
- Respects different buying stages
- Self-qualification improves lead quality
- Each path delivers appropriate content
- Feels like conversation, not pitch
Example 25: The Assessment Offer
Initial Message: "Want to know how your LinkedIn ads stack up? Take our 2-minute assessment."
Flow:
- Question 1 about current performance
- Question 2 about goals
- Question 3 about challenges
- Results + personalized recommendation
Why It Works:
- Interactive engagement
- Provides immediate value
- Gathers qualification data
- Natural lead-in to consultation
Ad Copy Formulas That Work
Based on high-performing examples, here are proven copy formulas:
The Problem-Agitate-Solution (PAS)
- Problem: State the pain point
- Agitate: Emphasize the consequences
- Solution: Present your answer
Example: "Losing deals to competitors? Every day without proper intel is revenue walking out the door. Here's how top sales teams fight back."
The Before-After-Bridge (BAB)
- Before: Current painful state
- After: Desired future state
- Bridge: How to get there (your solution)
Example: "Before: Scattered data, missed opportunities. After: Unified view, 40% more pipeline. The bridge? [Product]."
The Social Proof Lead
- Proof: Start with evidence
- Context: Why it matters
- Invitation: Join the success
Example: "500+ B2B teams increased conversion 35% last quarter. Here's what they're doing differently."
The Direct Question
- Question: Challenge the reader
- Insight: Share relevant data
- Solution: Path forward
Example: "When did you last audit your tech stack? 67% of companies have redundant tools costing $50K+ annually."
Testing Your LinkedIn Ads
High-performing ads emerge from systematic testing:
What to Test
| Element |
Variations to Try |
| Hook |
Question vs. statement vs. statistic |
| Proof |
Customer names vs. data vs. awards |
| CTA |
Direct vs. soft vs. curiosity-based |
| Visual |
People vs. product vs. data |
| Format |
Single image vs. video vs. carousel |
Testing Best Practices
- Test one element at a time
- Run tests for statistical significance (1,000+ impressions)
- Document learnings for future campaigns
- Apply winners across campaigns
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a LinkedIn ad high-performing?
High-performing LinkedIn ads combine a specific hook addressing real pain points, clear value proposition, appropriate social proof, and a single focused call-to-action. According to 2026 benchmarks, Document Ads and Lead Gen Forms typically achieve the lowest cost per lead, while video ads with captions see completion rates above 80%.
How long should LinkedIn ad copy be?
LinkedIn allows up to 600 characters for introductory text, but shorter often performs better. For single image ads, aim for 100-150 characters that hook attention quickly. For Document Ads and carousels where users are already engaged, longer explanatory copy can work. Test both approaches for your audience.
Should I use video or image ads on LinkedIn?
Both can work well depending on your objective. Video ads excel at explaining complex products, building trust through customer testimonials, and founder-led storytelling. Image ads are simpler to produce, test quickly, and often achieve comparable results for straightforward offers. Start with images, then graduate to video as you learn what messaging resonates.
How often should I refresh LinkedIn ad creative?
Refresh creative every 4-6 weeks or when frequency exceeds 3-4 impressions per person. Signs of creative fatigue include declining CTR, increasing CPC, and lower engagement rates. However, don't change what's working—refresh underperforming variants while letting winners continue running.
Key Takeaways
- Lead with specific hooks—numbers, questions, and contrarian takes outperform generic statements
- Document Ads deliver the lowest CPLs ($38-$82 average) when offering genuinely valuable content
- Video ads with captions achieve 80%+ completion rates and work for both awareness and conversion
- Message and Conversation Ads drive 11-18% reply rates through personalization and interactive paths
- Test systematically by changing one element at a time and documenting what works for your audience
Want help creating high-performing LinkedIn ads? Our team specializes in B2B LinkedIn advertising and can help you develop creative that converts. Contact us | Get a free consultation
