When it comes to Snapchat ad examples, the platform offers more than just promotional content; it enables brands to deliver creative, interactive, and highly targeted experiences. Successful Snapchat ads, like those from Sephora, Gucci, and Tinder, demonstrate how brands can effectively combine storytelling, cutting-edge technology, and audience personalization to drive results.
From AR games to location-based targeting and innovative product showcases, Snapchat campaigns redefine how brands connect with their audience.
This article explores standout Snapchat ad examples, why they worked, and how you can use these insights to craft your own winning campaigns.
Key Points
- Brands like Sephora and Gucci showcase how innovative features, such as gamified AR and virtual try-ons, capture user attention and encourage action, setting new standards for ad creativity.
- Hopper’s location-based ads and Depop’s focus on diversity highlight the power of audience segmentation to create ads that feel personal and resonate deeply with viewers.
- Campaigns like Bacardi’s immersive summer vibes and Tinder’s relatable six-second narratives illustrate the impact of connecting with audiences through storytelling.
- Ads like Motorola’s focus on product benefits and Shipt’s vibrant visuals emphasize the importance of clarity and visual appeal to convert engagement into measurable results.
Snapchat Ad Examples and Why They Work
Snapchat ads are more than just promotional tools—they are creative, interactive experiences that can transform brand engagement. Here’s a look at some of the best Snapchat ad examples, why they were successful, and how you can draw inspiration for your campaigns.
#1. Sephora: Gamified AR Lens
Sephora, a renowned beauty brand, used Snapchat to launch an engaging augmented reality (AR) game. This campaign, which ran for four weeks, allowed users to unlock a coupon code by participating in a fun, interactive game. The results were remarkable: Sephora achieved a 5% increase in online transactions.
Why It Worked
The gamified approach held users’ attention for over 37 seconds—a significant feat in today’s short-attention-span era. By combining creativity with value (a redeemable coupon), Sephora not only captured attention but also turned engagement into action.
#2. Hopper: Location-Based Targeting
Hopper, an app that helps users find flight deals, kept their Snapchat ads simple yet effective. They used static visuals with clear calls-to-action, tailored to specific travel routes and locations. This precision led to Snapchat users being 37% more likely to watch a flight route and booking rates that were four times higher than on other platforms.
Why It Worked?
Hopper’s strategy of combining location-based targeting with relatable visuals resonated with millennials. By using geographically relevant ads, they made their campaigns feel personal, driving both engagement and conversions.
#3. Bacardi: Immersive Summer Vibes
Bacardi launched its “Do What Moves You” campaign on Snapchat, targeting younger audiences with an immersive, summer-inspired experience. Their efforts paid off, reaching 2.5 million Snapchatters and revitalizing their brand image for a younger generation.
Why It Worked?
By leveraging Snapchat’s ad formats, Bacardi created an atmosphere of fun and energy that matched their audience’s lifestyle. Their focus on delivering experiences rather than just ads helped them connect with their audience on a deeper level.
#4. Motorola: Highlighting Unique Product Features
To promote the Moto g7 Power smartphone, Motorola used Story Ads and Snap Ads to emphasize the phone’s three-day battery life. The visually engaging campaign significantly boosted brand awareness and consideration intent.
Why It Worked?
Motorola’s ad strategy focused on solving a common problem—short battery life. By presenting a clear benefit through creative storytelling, they captured users’ interest while communicating their product’s value.
#5. Gucci: AR Shoe Try-On Campaign
Gucci became a trailblazer by launching the first global AR shoe try-on campaign on Snapchat. Users could virtually try on four different sneakers and make purchases directly through the app. This innovative campaign increased sales and delivered a strong return on ad spend (ROAS).
Why It Worked?
Gucci’s campaign combined cutting-edge technology with an intuitive shopping experience. The AR try-on feature captivated Snapchatters and seamlessly guided them from engagement to purchase, proving how effective Snapchat ad examples can be for high-end brands.
#6. Shipt: Expanding Audience Reach
Shipt, a grocery delivery service, used animated Snap Ads to showcase its offerings. Their visually compelling campaign reached over 10 million Snapchatters within just two months, establishing Shipt as a leader in the competitive grocery delivery space.
Why It Worked?
Shipt used fun, illustrative animations to stand out. Their clear, engaging visuals and messaging ensured their brand resonated with potential customers, driving awareness in a crowded market.
#7. e.l.f. Cosmetics: Diversity and Inclusivity
e.l.f. Cosmetics embraced short, snappy video ads to promote its products. The campaign highlighted diversity and inclusivity with the tagline “for every eye, lip, and face,” resulting in a 20% increase in website visits and a 60% boost in ad recall.
Why It Worked?
The concise six-second videos aligned perfectly with the young Snapchat audience’s consumption habits. By showcasing inclusivity, e.l.f. connected emotionally with their audience, making their products more relatable and desirable.
#8. Ralph Lauren: Aesthetic Consistency
Ralph Lauren’s Snapchat collection ads featured their products in a curated, visually captivating manner. Clicking on any item took users directly to the product page, making the path to purchase seamless.
Why It Worked?
The consistent use of Ralph Lauren’s iconic muted color palette reinforced brand identity while the elegant layout intrigued users. This mix of aesthetic appeal and functionality made their campaign both memorable and effective.
#9. Depop: Diverse Sellers for Maximum Appeal
Depop leveraged Story Ads to highlight its fashion marketplace by showcasing a variety of sellers and their unique styles. To encourage downloads, they added prominent App Store and Google Play icons in their ads.
Why It Worked?
By featuring diverse sellers, Depop connected with young women seeking individuality in their fashion choices. The addition of recognizable app icons made it easy for viewers to take immediate action.
#10. Tinder: Promoting Positive Vibes
Tinder used six-second Snapchat commercials to target Gen Z and Millennials, showcasing fun, adventurous scenarios of singles living their best lives. The result? They exceeded their cost-per-completed-view (CPCV) goals by more than 4x.
Why It Worked?
Tinder’s campaign tapped into its audience’s lifestyle aspirations. The use of short, forced-view ads ensured maximum reach, while the positive, relatable visuals resonated with their target demographic.
How do you Make a Good Snapchat ad?
Snapchat ads are a powerful way to connect with a younger, mobile-first audience, but without the right strategies, your efforts might fall flat. With millions of daily users, Snapchat offers unique opportunities to deliver eye-catching, engaging content. However, it’s essential to master the platform’s best practices to ensure your ads achieve maximum impact and ROI. Here are key strategies, paired with standout Snapchat ad examples, to inspire your campaigns and help you avoid common pitfalls.
#1. Optimize for Vertical Viewing
Snapchat is designed for vertical, mobile-first content, so your ads must seamlessly fit the platform’s 9:16 aspect ratio. This vertical format ensures your visuals fill the screen, immersing users in your message. One of the standout Snapchat ad examples comes from Casper, the mattress brand.
They pack detailed information into a compact, vertical space, ensuring their ad is visually compelling while maintaining clarity. If your ad isn’t tailored for vertical viewing, it risks being skipped, no matter how engaging the content might be.
#2. Incorporate Bold CTAs
Every Snapchat ad needs a strong and clear call-to-action (CTA) to drive user engagement. Whether it’s prompting viewers to shop, download an app, or learn more, a CTA should stand out and guide users effortlessly. An excellent Snapchat ad example showcases a bold CTA like “Enhance Your Shower Experience,” ensuring users know exactly what step to take next. A direct and prominent CTA bridges the gap between engagement and conversion.
#3. Leverage Intelligent Audience Targeting
Snapchat’s audience skews younger, which means targeting is crucial to ensure your ads resonate. Use the platform’s advanced demographic and interest-based targeting options to segment your audience effectively. For example, you could design ads for younger users interested in beauty or gaming while targeting another group with fitness or travel-related ads.
By personalizing ads for specific segments, your campaign becomes more relevant, leading to higher engagement.
#4. Design Visually Stunning and Engaging Ads
On Snapchat, first impressions matter. Use bold visuals, animations, and text overlays to captivate viewers. Bright colors and creative storytelling can make your ad memorable. Take inspiration from successful Snapchat ad examples that blend unique visuals with interactive filters to keep viewers engaged. Remember, your goal is to ensure viewers not only watch but also remember your ad.
#5. Include User-Generated Content (UGC)
Encourage your audience to share their experiences with your brand by creating contests or campaigns that inspire creativity. User-generated content adds authenticity and relatability to your ads. After gathering UGC, select the most compelling pieces that align with your brand message.
Using UGC can humanize your campaign and make it more appealing to Snapchat’s audience, who value authenticity over polished, overly corporate ads. A perfect Snapchat ad example might involve showcasing real customer reviews, testimonials, or creative entries from a campaign. For instance, a skincare brand could feature short clips of users demonstrating how their products improved their skin, creating trust and relatability.
#6. Utilize Snap Pixel for Retargeting
Snap Pixel is a game-changer for brands aiming to boost conversions. This tool allows you to track users’ interactions with your website and retarget them with tailored Snapchat ads. For example, if a user browses a product on your website but doesn’t purchase, you can use Snap Pixel to display ads specifically showcasing that product.
Such retargeting campaigns keep your brand top-of-mind and improve ad spend efficiency. Successful Snapchat ad examples leveraging Snap Pixel include brands that personalize their ads with product recommendations based on past browsing behavior, making it easier for users to return and complete their purchase.
#7. Create Story-Driven Campaigns
Storytelling is at the heart of Snapchat’s appeal. Ads that unfold like a short narrative are far more engaging than static visuals. For example, a travel brand might use a sequence of ads to take viewers on a virtual trip, from packing essentials to arriving at a dream destination. Incorporating storytelling into your campaign allows users to connect emotionally, making your brand more memorable.
The Benefits of Advertising on Snapchat
Snapchat isn’t just another social media platform; it’s a goldmine for brands that know how to use its unique features. By offering highly engaging, interactive tools, Snapchat helps businesses connect with their audience in ways that feel personal and impactful.
Let’s break down the major benefits with personalized insights and optimized for the keyword benefits of advertising on Snapchat.
#1. Direct-to-Audience Video Interaction
One of Snapchat’s standout features is its ability to deliver personalized messages straight to your audience. Imagine creating a video ad where your brand speaks directly to the viewer, addressing their needs and making them feel seen. Personalization on Snapchat leaves a lasting impression, especially with younger generations who value authenticity. It’s a direct line to consumer hearts, helping brands not only grab attention but also foster loyalty.
#2. Reach an Authentic Audience
Snapchat is the go-to platform for younger demographics, such as Gen Z and Millennials. Traditional advertising often struggles to connect with these audiences, but Snapchat’s playful, fast-paced environment is where they thrive. The benefits of advertising on Snapchat lie in its ability to capture attention where other platforms fall short, giving brands a unique edge in connecting with this elusive but influential audience.
#3. Precise Audience Targeting
Snapchat’s targeting tools let you pinpoint your ideal audience with precision. You can define who sees your ads based on criteria like age, location, interests, and even behaviors. For instance, a fashion retailer could target teens interested in streetwear in Lagos, delivering ads that resonate with their lifestyle. The result? Your ads not only reach the right people but also drive higher conversions.
#4. High Engagement with Interactive Features
Snapchat is all about interactivity. With features like Sponsored Lenses and Snap Ads, users don’t just passively watch ads—they actively engage with them. For example, a beauty brand could create a sponsored lens that lets users “try on” makeup virtually. These immersive experiences are far more engaging than static ads, ensuring your brand stays top-of-mind.
#5. Showcase Multiple Products with Collection Ads
Snapchat’s Collection Ads are a game-changer for e-commerce brands. This ad format allows you to feature multiple products in an interactive, visually appealing layout. Think of it as a digital storefront where users can swipe through products seamlessly. It’s perfect for showcasing a range of items while keeping users engaged, making it one of the standout benefits of advertising on Snapchat.
#6. Boost Brand Awareness in Unique Ways
Snapchat’s innovative features, like Snap Map and Stories, open up new avenues for increasing brand awareness. You could create a location-based campaign that ties your product to a trending event or use Stories to share behind-the-scenes content. These creative tools help brands connect with users in fun, memorable ways, strengthening their presence in a competitive market.
#7. Encourage Creativity in Campaigns
Snapchat thrives on creativity. Its tools encourage brands to think outside the box and develop ads that don’t just blend into the background. From gamified campaigns to storytelling through Snap Ads, the platform gives you endless opportunities to innovate. A brand that embraces this creativity is not only more likely to stand out but also to leave a lasting impact on its audience.
Who Is the Target Audience of Snapchat?
Snapchat is more popular with younger audiences. Most of its users are aged between 13 and 34, with a significant portion being teenagers and young adults. The gender distribution is pretty much split down the middle, with 49.1% of users identifying as female.
What Kind of Ads Are on Snapchat?
7 Types of Snapchat Ads:
- Single Image or Video Ads. Single image or video ads, used to be called Snap Ads, are the OG Snapchat Ads format, as they were the first ad format launched by Snapchat
- Collection Ads
- Dynamic Collection Ads
- Story Ads
- Commercial Ads
- AR Lens Ads
- Filter Ads
What Are Snapchat Ad Objectives?
Awareness: Increase awareness of your brand or products across Snapchat. Promote your story to get more subscribers. Promote your places to Snapchatters. Consideration: Send Snapchatters to your app, website, or AR experience, or drive more engagement, leads, or views.
Conclusion
Snapchat is more than just a social media platform; it’s a creative playground that rewards innovative, audience-specific campaigns. By following these best practices—like optimizing for vertical viewing, incorporating bold CTAs, leveraging UGC, and a lot more—you can ensure your campaigns stand out.
Remember, Snapchat thrives on creativity, so always push the boundaries with your campaigns to keep users engaged and invested in your brand!
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