September 24 / 2025
Snapchat Ads: A Complete Guide to Running Campaigns in 2025
Introduction
In today’s digital world, businesses must pay attention to the platforms where their customers are most active. While Facebook, Instagram, and Google Ads are popular choices for many brands, Snapchat has become a significant tool for reaching younger audiences. With over 400 million daily active users worldwide, Snapchat offers brands a chance to build awareness, drive engagement, and convert customers through visual and interactive ad formats.
This blog will cover everything you need to know about running ads on Snapchat, including why it’s effective, the various ad types available, strategies for success, and how your business can use Snapchat advertising in 2025.
Why Snapchat Ads Matter for Businesses
1. A Unique Audience
Snapchat’s main users are Gen Z and Millennials, two groups known for their strong online presence and spending habits. If your brand targets people aged 13 to 35, Snapchat is a direct way to reach them. Unlike other platforms, Snapchat has fewer ads, which gives your brand a better chance to stand out.
2. High Engagement
Snapchat is built for short, attention-grabbing content. Users spend an average of over 30 minutes each day on the platform, engaging with friends, stories, and Discover content. Ads fit smoothly into this experience, making them feel less intrusive and more engaging.
3. Advanced Targeting Options
Snapchat Ads Manager lets you target users based on demographics, interests, behaviors, and even lookalike audiences. You can run personalized ads that reach the right audience at the right time.
4. Cost effective Advertising
Compared to platforms like Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat ads can provide better CPM (Cost per 1000 impressions) and CPC (Cost per click), making them a smart choice for businesses with limited budgets.
5. Innovative Ad Formats
Snapchat is known for its creative ad formats like AR (Augmented Reality) filters, interactive lenses, and shoppable collection ads. These features help brands connect with audiences in fun and memorable ways.
Types of Snapchat Ads
Snapchat provides several ad formats, each with specific benefits. The right type depends on your campaign goals.
1. Snap Ads
- Full-screen vertical videos that appear between stories.
- Can include a call-to-action (CTA) like “Swipe Up” to visit a website, download an app, or shop.
- Great for brand awareness and conversions.
2. Story Ads
It appears in the Discover section as branded story tiles. They let businesses share a collection of 3 to 20 images or videos. These ads are great for storytelling and showcasing multiple products in a creative and engaging way.
3. Collection Ads
Collection Ads feature tappable product tiles at the bottom of a video ad. They are perfect for e-commerce businesses looking to boost sales. These ads allow users to shop directly within the ad, which creates a smooth shopping experience.
4. AR Lenses
AR Lenses are interactive ads that let users try on products or play with fun filters. They work well for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands since they improve brand recall and encourage strong user interaction.
5. Filter Ads
Filter Ads act as custom overlays that users can add to their snaps. They are especially useful for local businesses or event promotions, helping brands connect with audiences in a fun and personalized way.
6. Commercials
Commercials are non-skippable ads that last six seconds and appear within premium content. These ads aim to maximize visibility and brand awareness, ensuring that the message catches the audience’s attention right away.
How to Run Snapchat Ads Successfully
Running Snapchat ads isn’t just about posting content online it requires a strategy. Here are key steps to ensure your campaigns perform well:
1. Define Your Goals
Every ad campaign should start with a clear objective. Snapchat Ads Manager offers goals such as:
- Awareness (reach as many people as possible).
- Consideration (drive traffic, app installs, or video views).
- Conversions (boost sales or lead generation).
2. Understand Your Audience
Use Snapchat’s Audience Insights to learn about user demographics, interests, and behaviors. Tailor your content to match what resonates with your target group.
3. Create High-Quality Visuals
Snapchat is a visual-first platform, so your ads need to be attractive. Keep them short, creative, and optimized for vertical viewing. Use bold text, bright colors, and interactive elements to stand out.
4. Use Clear Calls-to-Action (CTA)
Always guide users on what to do next. Examples include:
“Swipe up to shop now.”
“Download our app today.”
“Learn more about our offer.”
5. Test and Optimize
Don’t stick to just one ad format. Run A/B tests with different visuals, messages, and CTAs to see which performs best. Analyze results regularly and adjust as needed.
6. Leverage Retargeting
Snapchat’s Pixel Tracking lets you retarget users who interacted with your ads but didn’t convert. Retargeting helps increase conversions by reminding potential customers about your brand.
Best Practices for Snapchat Advertising
When creating ads, it’s important to keep them short and snappy, since users scroll quickly and your message needs to land within the first few seconds. Being authentic also matters, as content that feels natural tends to perform better than overly polished ads. You can further boost engagement by leveraging user-generated content (UGC), encouraging people to create and share snaps using your filters or lenses. For local businesses, geo-filters are a powerful way to reach audiences, especially during events or at restaurants and retail stores. Finally, always track performance metrics such as impressions, swipe-ups, conversion rates, and ROI to measure success and refine your strategy.
Case Studies: How Brands Win with Snapchat Ads
1. Nike
Nike used AR lenses that allowed users to try on new sneaker designs virtually. The campaign generated millions of interactions and boosted online sales.
2. Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola launched a geo-filter campaign targeting festivals. Attendees used branded filters in their snaps, increasing awareness organically.
3. E-commerce Brands
Many small businesses use Collection Ads to showcase their products directly on Snapchat. This format often leads to higher conversions compared to traditional ads.
The Future of Snapchat Ads in 2025
As technology evolves, Snapchat continues to innovate. With advancements in AI-driven targeting, AR shopping, and 3D filters, the platform will become even more powerful for businesses. For brands that want to stay ahead of the competition, running Snapchat ads is now a requirement.
Conclusion
Snapchat advertising is one of the most effective ways to reach younger, engaged audiences in 2025. With its unique ad formats, affordable pricing, and precise targeting, Snapchat allows brands to connect with users in genuine and interactive ways. Whether you’re a small business looking to increase awareness or an e-commerce store aiming for sales, Snapchat ads can produce real results when implemented with the right strategy.
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