The Text Chat Ad Format
A Simple Format That Feels Human and Stops the Scroll.
The text chat ad format is one of the easiest ways to create an eye catching advert that feels personal, real, and naturally shareable. It takes the look of a chat screenshot and turns it into the ad itself.
You are not meant to print this or frame it on a wall. The value comes from using it as an ad, especially on social platforms where people already spend their time messaging.
The examples above show the idea perfectly. A pub asks a designer for a poster. The conversation becomes the ad. A BJJ instructor asks for a promo picture. The chat becomes the promo. Simple, funny, and memorable.
My wife text me asking for a "promotion picture" to promote her women's BJJ class on IG stories.
— Dan (@pizzaboy) November 27, 2025
I said ok $350
She said "I'll give you a kiss."
So this is what she gets. pic.twitter.com/D5MHhw6dVP
Why the text chat format works in ads
1. It looks native to the feed
People scroll past ads because they look like ads. A chat screenshot blends in with how people actually use their phones. It feels like content, not marketing.
2. It forces clarity
Chat bubbles only hold a few lines. This keeps your message simple. Dates, times, offers, and instructions appear in a clean, human way.
3. It tells a tiny story
Even two or three messages can create a start, middle, and end. Humans are wired to read conversations. It pulls people in instantly.
4. It is low effort but high personality
You do not need a design team. You just need a clever framing of your message. The “I love you Dave xx” style of joke adds charm and makes the ad shareable.
5. It works across almost any niche
Events
Classes
Workshops
Restaurants
Creators
Local businesses
Gyms
Everything benefits from clear info and a human voice.
How to use this format for ads
1. Create a short, believable chat
Use natural messages. It should feel like two people actually talking.
2. Plant the key information inside the bubbles
Times, dates, prices, links, locations.
Make the chat do the work for you.
3. Add a line of humour or warmth
This creates the emotional hook that makes people stop.
4. Place the chat screenshot over a relevant image or simple background
Enough to make it look intentional.
Not enough to make it look like a polished ad.
5. Export as a square or vertical image and run it as a social ad
It works brilliantly on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and even LinkedIn for more casual brands.
Why this format is becoming popular
As AI and templates make design cheaper, the only real difference between ads is the idea behind them. The text chat format is an idea that cuts through the noise because it feels familiar and real. It is the same trick as plain text ads and Apple Notes style ads. The lower the production, the more native it feels.
Final thought
The text chat ad format is not about pretending to be clever. It is about showing information in a way that feels so natural that people read it without realising they are reading an ad. It is fast to produce, easy to adapt, and perfect for modern attention spans.
