Snapchat Ads Guide 2025 | Strategies, Costs & Targeting Tips

In today’s fast‑paced digital economy, small businesses in the MENA region particularly in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar are constantly searching for effective ways to reach their target customers. Among the many social media platforms they can leverage, Snapchat stands out in a unique way: it’s a youth‑oriented, highly engaging app where creativity, interactivity, and authenticity matter. For small business owners and marketers, Snapchat Ads offer a powerful channel to connect with younger audiences, build brand awareness, and drive conversions. This guide dives deep into how small businesses in MENA can harness the power of Snapchat Ads including AR lenses ads, Snap Discover, and other formats to boost their marketing strategy, engage the youth, and grow their brand credibly.

Why Snapchat Ads Matter for Small Businesses in MENA

Snapchat has become a powerful platform for small businesses in the MENA region, particularly in countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar, where a large portion of the population is young and digitally active. Its popularity among Gen Z and millennials makes it an ideal channel to reach audiences who are highly receptive to interactive and visually engaging content. Snapchat Ads, including formats like Snap Ads, Story Ads, and AR lenses ads, allow small businesses to create campaigns that encourage user interaction, sharing, and stronger brand recall. In addition, features like Snap Discover provide a curated space where small brands can tell their stories, showcase products, and increase visibility among potential customers. By leveraging Snapchat’s targeting options and creative tools, businesses can drive youth engagement, boost brand awareness, and achieve measurable results. For small businesses in MENA, Snapchat Ads are not just a marketing tool—they are a strategic channel to connect with the next generation of consumers and grow their presence in a competitive digital landscape.

Types of Snapchat Ads

Understanding the different ad formats Snapchat offers is key for small businesses to choose the right mix. Here are the main ad types, including how AR lenses ads and Snap Discover can be leveraged.

1. Snap Ads (Single Image or Video)

What they are: These are full-screen vertical ads (9:16 format) that appear between stories or in users’ feeds. According to Snapchat’s business guide, they support video (.mp4, .mov) or image (.jpg) formats.
Best for: Driving brand awareness, swipe-up actions (to websites or app installs), or conversions.
Tips: Use a strong call‑to‑action (CTA) like “Shop Now,” “Learn More,” or “Sign Up,” which Snapchat supports in its Ads Manager.

2. Story Ads (or Collection Ads)

What they are: Ads that appear as branded tiles in the Snap Discover section. When users tap them, they open into a series of Snaps (images or video) telling a story, or showcasing a product line.
Benefits:
- Leverage the immersive storytelling environment of Discover.
- Engage through sequential content — you can build a mini-narrative, show product benefits, or guide users step-by-step.
- High visibility — appearing in Discover means many users will scroll through.

3. AR Lenses Ads

What they are: Interactive, augmented reality experiences that users can apply to their camera. These AR lenses can include animations, branded graphics, 3D effects, and even generative AI.
Why they're powerful:
- Provide high engagement: users play with them, share, and send them to friends.
- Foster brand memorability: custom AR experiences leave a lasting impression.
- Encourage user-generated content: people realistically enjoy using lenses and sharing them, which can amplify reach.
Regional relevance: In the MENA market, AR is especially potent. According to The Meridio, 85% of Snapchatters in KSA and UAE engage with AR daily.
Use cases:
- Virtual try-ons (beauty products, fashion accessories)
- Branded AR games or filters for events
- Interactive campaigns around holidays (e.g., Ramadan-themed lenses)

4. Filter Ads

What they are: Branded overlays that users can add to their Snaps. These are often geo-targeted — useful for local small businesses.
How to use them:
- Promote in-store events, pop-ups, or grand openings
- Create special filters for major holidays or regional celebrations
- Offer location-based discounts or promos that people can share with friends

How to Set Up Snapchat Ads for Small Businesses

Setting up Snapchat Ads for small businesses in MENA requires a structured approach to ensure campaigns are effective, engaging, and yield measurable results. By following these steps, even small brands can create professional campaigns that drive awareness, engagement, and conversions — just like the strategies used by an above-quality company in digital marketing.

Create a Snapchat Business Account

The first step is to create a Snapchat Business Account through Snapchat Ads Manager. Completing your business profile with accurate information, logos, and contact details establishes credibility and trust with your audience. Creating a Public Profile is highly recommended, as it allows users to follow your brand, view Stories, and engage with interactive content such as AR lenses ads. A well-set-up business account ensures your brand is recognized as professional and ready to engage with users.

Define Your Campaign Objective

Before launching your ads, it’s essential to define your campaign objective. Snapchat provides options such as awareness, engagement, or conversions, each suited for specific business goals. For instance, awareness campaigns help increase visibility among your target audience, engagement campaigns encourage interactions with features like AR lenses ads, and conversion campaigns aim to drive website purchases or app installs. Aligning your objective with measurable outcomes is crucial for maximizing the return on investment, a practice commonly followed by an above-quality company.

Target Your Audience

Audience targeting is a critical component of any Snapchat Ads campaign, especially in MENA countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar. Small businesses should focus on location, age, gender, interests, and online behaviors to reach the right people. For youth-focused campaigns, targeting Gen Z and millennials is key to maximizing youth engagement. Additionally, using custom audiences and lookalike targeting allows brands to retarget existing customers and find new ones who closely resemble their best-performing segments, increasing the likelihood of campaign success.

Set Your Budget & Bidding Strategy

Setting an appropriate budget and choosing the right bidding strategy ensures your ad spend delivers results. Snapchat Ads Manager offers flexibility with daily or lifetime budgets, allowing small businesses to test campaigns with modest investments. Bidding strategies can be optimized for cost per 1,000 impressions (CPM), cost per click (CPC), or conversions. Starting small and analyzing performance before scaling is a strategy recommended by above-quality companies, helping businesses control costs while learning which ads perform best.

Create Engaging Ad Content

The creative content of your Snapchat Ads directly affects user engagement and campaign performance. Using vertical video or image formats optimized for mobile screens is essential, and integrating interactive elements such as AR lenses ads can greatly increase user participation. Content should be culturally relevant for MENA audiences, including Arabic or bilingual copy where appropriate. High-quality visuals, concise messaging, and engaging storytelling not only attract attention but also build trust — an approach that mirrors professional practices of an above-quality company.

Launch Your Campaign & Monitor Performance

Once your campaign is set up, launch it carefully and continuously monitor its performance. Use Snap Pixel to track user actions, such as website visits, form submissions, or purchases, and measure metrics like impressions, swipe-ups, conversions, and engagement. Optimization should be ongoing; underperforming ads can be adjusted, targeting refined, and budgets reallocated to maximize ROI. Consistently monitoring and improving your campaign ensures that your Snapchat Ads continue to engage audiences effectively and deliver measurable results.

How to measure the success of Snapchat ads

Tracking performance is essential to understand whether your Snapchat Ads are working. Here’s how to do it effectively:

Track Key Metrics: Monitor impressions, swipe-ups, clicks, and engagement rates to see how many users interact with your ads.
Use Snap Pixel: Install Snap Pixel to track conversions such as purchases, sign-ups, or app downloads.
Measure ROI: Calculate return on ad spend (ROAS) to evaluate the profitability of your campaigns.
Analyze Audience Segments: Check performance by age, location, and interests to optimize targeting for youth engagement in MENA.
Test & Iterate: Run A/B tests on creatives, ad formats, and CTAs, then scale the best-performing campaigns.
Monitor AR Lenses & Story Ads: Track interaction and sharing rates for immersive content formats to gauge engagement effectiveness

Challenges & Solutions for Small Businesses in MENA

Like any digital marketing channel, Snapchat Ads come with challenges, but small businesses can navigate them effectively with smart strategies.

Challenge 1: High Cost / Budget Constraints

Problem: Producing or running Snapchat Ads, particularly AR lenses ads, can seem expensive for small businesses. Solution: Start small with test campaigns using modest budgets. Focus on simpler formats like Snap Ads or Story Ads first, then reinvest earnings into more interactive ads such as AR lenses. Use cost-effective bidding strategies and refine your targeting to maximize results.

Challenge 2: Creative & Technical Expertise

Problem: Designing AR lenses or interactive campaigns requires design or technical skills. Solution: Use tools like SwipeStudio to design lenses affordably or partner with local creative agencies. Alternatively, collaborate with influencers or run contests to generate engaging content while keeping production costs manageable.

Challenge 3: Cultural Sensitivity & Relevance

Problem: Ads that aren’t culturally aligned may underperform or harm brand perception. Solution: Incorporate local insights into your campaigns. Test creatives with small audiences, gather feedback, and adjust accordingly. Use Arabic or bilingual copy and visuals that resonate with local tastes and aesthetics to improve engagement.

Challenge 4: Measurement & ROI Tracking

Problem: Without proper tracking, it’s hard to know if campaigns are delivering value. Solution: Implement the Snap Pixel from the start to track key actions like website visits, purchases, or app downloads. Define clear KPIs, review performance regularly, and run small experiments to identify the best-performing campaigns before scaling.

Challenge 5: Ad Account Support / Approval Issues

Problem: Advertisers sometimes face account suspensions or ad approval delays, causing frustration. Solution: Follow Snapchat’s ad policies carefully, start with smaller campaigns, and maintain professional, documented communication with Snapchat support. Building a track record of compliant, high-quality ads reduces risk and improves the chances of smooth campaign management.

Conclusion

Snapchat Ads offer small businesses in MENA a powerful platform to reach youth audiences, increase engagement, and drive measurable results. With formats like AR lenses ads, Story Ads, and Snap Ads, businesses can create interactive and culturally relevant campaigns that resonate with local audiences in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and beyond. While challenges such as budget constraints, creative requirements, cultural relevance, and tracking may arise, following a structured approach—setting clear objectives, targeting the right audience, creating high-quality content, and monitoring performance—can help businesses succeed. Leveraging professional strategies similar to an above-quality company ensures campaigns are effective, compliant, and scalable. For small businesses ready to embrace Snapchat Ads, the key lies in starting smart, testing continuously, and optimizing campaigns for engagement and ROI. By doing so, brands can build awareness, foster loyalty, and unlock the full potential of Snapchat as a marketing tool in the MENA region.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How much does Snapchat advertising cost in MENA?

A: Costs vary depending on ad format, targeting, and budget. AR lenses tend to cost more to produce, but you can start with simpler Snap Ads or Story Ads. Use the Ads Manager’s bidding tools (CPM, CPC, conversion-optimized) to control spend.

Q: Are AR lenses ads effective for small businesses?

A: Yes — especially for brands targeting younger audiences, beauty, fashion, or retail. They offer high engagement, shareability, and can drive both awareness and conversions.

Q: Is Snap Discover worth investing in?

A: It can be, particularly for storytelling and brand-building. Discover ads show in a curated content space, giving your story more visibility to engaged users.

Q: How does Snapchat Ads compare to Instagram or TikTok for MENA small businesses?

A: Snapchat stands out in its combination of ephemeral content, AR interactivity, and deep youth engagement. While Instagram and TikTok are powerful too, Snapchat’s ad formats may offer more creativity and novelty, especially for youthful, experience-driven campaigns.

Q: What tips can help small businesses in MENA optimize their Snapchat ad campaigns?

A: Start with a small budget, build locally relevant creatives, use Snap Pixel for tracking, test different formats, and iterate based on performance.

Snapchat Ads: The Ultimate Guide for Small Businesses in MENA

Why Snapchat Ads Matter for Small Businesses in MENA