Snap Inc. is rolling out Promoted Places, a new advertising product that embeds sponsored locations directly onto the Snap Map, aiming to convert digital exploration into physical foot traffic for brands. The new feature is making its regional debut in Saudi Arabia, with major brands like Almarai and Starbucks already integrating it into their large-scale Ramadan campaigns.
Quick Facts
- New feature turns Snap Map into an ad platform.
- GCC users open the app over 45 times per day.
- Saudi Arabia is the debut market in the region.
From Social Discovery to In-Store Visits
With over 400 million Snapchatters using the Snap Map monthly, the platform is shifting from a tool for finding friends to a powerful engine for real-world discovery. Promoted Places allows retailers, restaurants, and other businesses to feature their locations as sponsored pins on the map, complete with custom 3D animations to grab user attention.
When a user taps a sponsored pin, they are taken to a dedicated “Place Profile.” Here, brands can display a Snap Ad, link their Business Profile to showcase recent Stories, and even add a custom Map Effect. Users can also save the location for later, creating a direct link between online discovery and offline intent.
Advertisers will have access to key performance metrics, including impressions, profile opens, and aggregated actions taken within the sponsored profile, providing clear data on user engagement.
“Across the GCC, discovery is deeply social and often translates quickly into real-world action,” said Hussein Freijeh, Vice President of MENA & APAC at Snap Inc. “Promoted Places allows brands to show up at the moment intent forms, turning digital engagement on the Snap Map into measurable, in-store impact.”
Saudi Brands Lead the Charge
The regional launch in Saudi Arabia has seen strong early adoption, with several major brands leveraging the new format during Ramadan to connect with consumers.
Almarai launched its “Harat ALYOUM” campaign by activating Promoted Places across high-traffic areas in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Khobar. In a first-of-its-kind execution, the brand connected the sponsored map locations to a dedicated AR Lens, allowing users to transition from the map into an interactive virtual neighborhood experience.
Starbucks, operated by Alshaya Group, activated over 350 of its locations across the Kingdom on the Snap Map. The campaign highlighted its limited-edition Ramadan Cup and Cardamom Latte, using a custom 3D rotating cup and coffee bean rainfall effect on the map to attract users. The effort was amplified by creators and a celebratory Ramadan-themed AR Lens.
Masar Destination also used Promoted Places for its “Welcome to the Heart of Makkah” campaign. The activation made the flagship residential and hospitality development discoverable to Snapchatters exploring nearby areas, driving awareness for the new landmark among visitors and residents.
A New Chapter for Location-Based Advertising
For brands in MENA focused on driving in-store traffic as a key performance indicator, Promoted Places offers a new way to bridge the gap between online engagement and offline conversion. By placing sponsored locations within a socially-driven map environment, Snap is providing a tool that targets users precisely when they are deciding where to go next, turning digital moments into measurable real-world results.
About Snap Inc.
Snap is a technology company. We believe the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. Snap contributes to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together. The Company’s three core products are Snapchat, a visual messaging app that enhances your relationships with friends, family, and the world; Lens Studio, an augmented reality platform that powers AR across Snapchat and other services; and it’s AR glasses, Spectacles.
Source: Zawya
