Snapchat holds a strong place with the Saudi audience, which keeps Snapchat ads one of the most important channels for reaching the local consumer. But results depend on setup: correct sizes, tracking installed, a clear objective and a precise audience.
This guide explains how to start in Snapchat Ads Manager, which sizes are required and how to measure results. To understand the platform's role in marketing more broadly, read our article on why Snapchat marketing matters.
What are Snapchat ads?
They are paid ads that appear inside the Snapchat app between Stories, on the Discover page and elsewhere, managed from Snapchat Ads Manager. They use full-screen vertical formats with targeting by location, age, interests and behavior.
Types of Snapchat ads
- Snap Ads: the core format, a vertical full-screen image or video with a call-to-action button.
- Story Ads: appear as a series of tiles in Discover, good for telling the product story.
- Collection Ads: show several products under the main ad, suited to stores.
- Filters and Lenses: direct interaction with the audience, suited to events and launches.
- App install ads: to install or open an app.
Snapchat ad sizes
The standard size for vertical images and videos is 1080 × 1920 pixels at 9:16. Leave a safe margin at the top and bottom so the logo or text does not collide with app interface elements. Check Snapchat's official specifications before designing, as video length and file size limits can change.
Steps to launch your first campaign
1. Create an Ads Manager account
Sign up for a business account on Snapchat Ads Manager and add the business profile and payment method.
2. Install the Snap pixel
It tracks visits and actions on your site, lets you optimize for the real goal and retarget visitors. Install it through Google Tag Manager and test events before spending.
3. Choose the campaign objective
Awareness, traffic, leads, sales or app installs. Choose the objective closest to the result you actually want.
4. Define the audience
- Location: city, district or a radius around a point.
- Age, gender and language.
- Interests and behaviors.
- A custom audience from site visitors or your customer list, and a lookalike audience.
5. Design the ad
- A short vertical video that shows the idea in the first seconds.
- Brief text and a clear logo.
- A Saudi tone close to the audience.
- One call to action: buy now, book, sign up.
6. Start with a test budget
Test more than one ad and audience with a small budget, then increase spend on the best performer. Let the campaign collect enough data before editing.
How to measure results
- Impressions, reach and frequency to measure spread.
- Cost per click and CTR to measure how appealing the ad is.
- Cost per lead (CPL) or cost per purchase (CPA) to measure the result.
- Return on ad spend (ROAS) for stores.
Most important, connect the campaign to your sales system to learn lead quality. A cheap lead that never buys is not a good result.
Common mistakes
- Using a horizontal design or the wrong size.
- No pixel or conversion events.
- Too much text that covers the ad or leaves the safe area.
- Sending the ad to a slow page not optimized for mobile.
- Judging the campaign by views alone.
Manage Snapchat ads yourself or through an agency?
You can start yourself with a small budget, but managing several platforms and measuring sales takes experience. When choosing a partner, review the criteria for choosing a marketing company.
At NEOP we manage Snapchat, TikTok, Meta and Google campaigns as part of our digital marketing services, connecting tracking and the CRM from the start. Also read our TikTok ads guide, or contact us and we reply within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start advertising on Snapchat?
Create an account in Snapchat Ads Manager, install the Snap pixel, choose a campaign objective, define the audience and location, then upload a vertical ad and start with a test budget.
What is the size of Snapchat ads?
The standard size is 1080 × 1920 pixels at 9:16 vertical. Check the official specifications for any change in limits.
Are Snapchat ads suitable for the Saudi market?
Yes. The platform is strong locally and offers precise geographic targeting, suiting retail, restaurants, real estate and events.
What is the difference between Snapchat and TikTok ads?
Each platform has its own audience and content style. Test both and measure cost per result; a brand may need both.
Do I need a pixel?
Yes, because it enables optimizing for real actions, retargeting and measuring conversions.
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