Snapchat Unveils New Ramadan Features for Brands in Saudi Arabia and UAE
RIYADH, February 17, 2025 (SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS) – Snapchat is rolling out new advertising and engagement tools for brands in the GCC region during Ramadan, introducing innovative ways for businesses to connect with users. Among its key offerings is Sponsored Snaps, an ad placement tool that delivers full-screen vertical video messages directly into Snapchatters’ Chat inboxes.
The initiative is being launched first in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, reflecting the platform’s strong engagement in the region during the holy month.
Snapchat’s Ramadan Offerings
Snapchat has long seen surging user activity during Ramadan, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where audiences open the app over 45 times a day, viewing 10 billion stories daily. Augmented reality (AR) features remain particularly popular, with AR lenses used 220 million times daily across the GCC.
Hala Zgeib, Head of Luxury MENA at Snap Inc., highlighted the importance of fostering authentic relationships between brands and users:
"Innovation, while staying true to the essence of the platform, has always been at the heart of Snapchat. This Ramadan marks an exciting chapter as we enable brands to engage meaningfully with their audience, deepen resonance, and celebrate culture through initiatives like the Snap AR Ramadan Mall and HAZAR FAZAR, while also enhancing collaborations with our creators."
Enhanced Shopping and AR Experiences
With shopping becoming a communal activity during Ramadan, Snapchat is bringing back the Snap AR Ramadan Mall, after 16 million shoppers visited the virtual space in 2024. The new version is designed to mirror traditional old towns and modern shopping districts in the GCC, offering an immersive retail experience for brands and users alike.
Additionally, Snapchat is introducing HAZAR FAZAR, a new AR storytelling experience that showcases GCC culture through branded AR lenses. The lenses, activated by riddles, feature unique characters and interactive elements, creating an engaging user experience.
Creator Collaborations and Sponsored Content
Brands can also engage audiences through Snapchat Creators, utilizing tools like:
Creator Midrolls
The Creator Collab Studio
Sponsored or promoted Creator content
These features allow businesses to collaborate with popular Snap Stars, further integrating their presence into the Ramadan experience.
By combining Chat, AR, and creator partnerships, Snapchat aims to deepen engagement and enhance the shopping and social experiences of users in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.