The holiday season is a critical time for marketers. Therefore, Snapchat is making its case as the go-to platform for holiday campaigns. In fact, the message is clear: start now to capture the attention of valuable shoppers and maximize your results.
Takeaways 🚀
✅Start campaigns early for results
✅Reach Gen Z, millennials easily
✅Users spend more on Snapchat
✅Peer sharing drives purchase decisions
✅Lower October ad costs advantage
Why Advertise on Snapchat?
Snapchat connects brands with an audience they can’t ignore. Notably, the platform reaches 75% of Gen Z and millennials across the United States and more than 25 other countries. These users are not just browsing; rather, they are active, high-intent shoppers.
According to Snap, 88% of its users love to shop. Additionally, they outspend users on other platforms in key retail categories like apparel and beauty. This holiday season, 45% of Snapchatters plan to increase their shopping budget, with many expecting to spend over $1,000 on gifts. As a result, this creates a powerful opportunity for advertisers to reach an engaged audience ready to buy.
The Early Shopping Trend
Many marketers focus on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. However, holiday shopping on Snapchat starts much earlier. Consequently, brands have a longer window to make an impact.
For example, Snapchat’s data reveals that two-thirds of its users start looking for gift ideas in July. By September and October, 60% are actively planning their purchases. Moreover, a significant 26% of users are already buying gifts in October. This early start means that campaigns launched before the traditional holiday rush can capture shoppers’ attention when they are open to new ideas.
Beyond timing, the platform also thrives on social discovery. About 30% of users have bought products from brands they first saw on Snapchat. Furthermore, 48% of users will likely send or receive gift ideas on the app this season. In turn, this peer-to-peer sharing helps move shoppers from inspiration to purchase.
Get More for Your Ad Spend
Starting your campaigns early on Snapchat can also be cost-effective. For instance, the cost-per-thousand impressions (CPMs) in October can be up to 70% lower than during the peak Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend.
During this lower-cost period, brands have a valuable opportunity. They can test different ad creatives, refine their audience targeting, and figure out what works best. By launching campaigns early, you can gather data and optimize your strategy before the competition heats up. This approach then prepares you to scale your efforts efficiently when the holiday rush peaks.
Your Next Steps
Ultimately, Snapchat’s message for marketers is direct: the time to launch your holiday campaigns is now. By starting early, you can connect with an engaged audience, take advantage of lower advertising costs, and build momentum for a successful end-of-year sales season. With its powerful connection to Gen Z and millennial shoppers, Snapchat offers a unique platform to drive holiday marketing success.

