In today’s fast-paced digital world, social media has become a core component of digital marketing strategies. Among the many platforms, Snapchat stands out as one of the most influential—especially among youth and teenagers in Saudi Arabia. Creating effective Snapchat ads can be a game-changer for your brand when executed strategically and thoughtfully.
In this article, you’ll learn step by step how to create effective Snapchat ads tailored specifically to the Saudi market, focusing on demographics, digital behaviors, and the best advertising practices on the platform.
Why the Saudi Market Matters on Snapchat
Before diving into the steps of creating a successful ad, it’s important to understand why Saudi Arabia is one of the most attractive markets for Snapchat advertising:
- High usage rate: Saudi Arabia has one of the highest numbers of active Snapchat users in the Middle East, with over 20 million Saudis interacting with the platform daily.
- Target age group: Most users are aged between 13 and 35, making it the perfect channel to reach the rising generation of consumers.
- Visual-driven culture: Saudis love fast visual content and short stories, perfectly aligned with Snapchat’s nature.
1. Define the Advertising Objective
Every successful ad campaign starts with a clear purpose, such as:
- Increasing brand awareness
- Promoting a new product or service
- Boosting website or store conversions
- Driving downloads for a mobile app
Your Snapchat ad design and targeting will depend entirely on this objective.
2. Research the Saudi Audience
To create high-performing Snapchat ads, you must understand the Saudi audience:
- Language and tone: Arabic is essential, and using the Saudi dialect in some phrases adds authenticity.
- Habits and interests: Popular interests include fashion, tech, food, travel, cars, and religious content.
- Timing: The peak active hours are in the evening, especially after 9 PM.
3. Create a Snapchat Ads Manager Account
To begin advertising on Snapchat, you must create an account on Snapchat Ads Manager. This platform lets you:
- Define your audience
- Design your ad
- Track performance
- Manage billing
4. Choose the Right Ad Format
Snapchat offers multiple ad formats. The best choice depends on your campaign goal:
1. Snap Ads (Vertical Video Ads)
- Appear between stories
- Up to 3 minutes long (but best between 5–15 seconds)
- Can include a “Swipe Up” link
2. Story Ads
- Displayed as a tile in the Discover page
- Suitable for multi-product promotions
3. Collection Ads
- Showcase multiple products in one ad
- Ideal for e-commerce stores
4. Filters & Lenses
- Interactive filters users can apply
- Extremely effective for brand awareness
5. Designing an Engaging Snapchat Ad
1. Capture attention instantly
Use bright colors, expressive faces, and strong hooks like “Did you know?” or “Don’t miss out!”
2. Keep the message simple
Saudis prefer quick, clear messages. Use short sentences and local expressions if possible.
3. Add a strong CTA
Such as:
- “Swipe up to shop now”
- “Download the app”
- “Book now”
4. Use local visuals
Include Saudi cultural elements: Arabic coffee, traditional attire, or landmarks like Kingdom Tower.
6. Targeting the Right Audience
Snapchat allows precise targeting based on:
- Age
- Gender
- Interests
- Location (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam…)
- Device type (Android / iPhone)
Example:
If you’re promoting a food delivery app in Riyadh, target users aged 18–35 living in Riyadh with high mobile activity.
7. Setting Budget and Schedule
Snapchat lets you:
- Choose a daily or total budget
- Set campaign duration
- Schedule ads during peak hours
Start with a small budget (e.g., SAR 50–100/day) and scale later.
8. Analyze Performance and Optimize
Using Ads Manager, track key metrics:
- Impressions
- Video completion rate
- Swipe-ups
- Conversion rate
Use these insights to improve future campaigns.
9. Golden Tips for Snapchat Success in Saudi Arabia
- Collaborate with local influencers
- Use daily stories to stay connected
- Leverage Saudi holidays and seasons
- Run A/B tests
Real Success Examples
- A local restaurant used a simple time-limited offer and achieved a 40% increase in app orders.
- A retail store used Collection Ads and saw higher sales within a week.
- A tech brand launched a Saudi-themed AR lens during National Day and reached over 2 million interactions in 3 days.
The Future of Snapchat Advertising in Saudi Arabia
With advancements in AI and AR, Snapchat ads will become even more immersive. Saudis—particularly youth—are highly receptive to these technologies, making innovation essential for staying competitive.
Challenges to Consider
- Maintaining attention in a crowded content space
- Adapting content to cultural norms
- Ensuring compliance with Snapchat’s content policies
Understanding the local market and continuous testing are key to overcoming these challenges.
Conclusion
With the right tools and a deep understanding of the Saudi audience, Snapchat can become a powerful marketing channel that boosts your business growth. The key lies in creativity, precise targeting, and authentic local content.
If you’re new to digital advertising, start experimenting with Snapchat ads—and watch how a single platform can transform your marketing strategy.
