When most people think of Snapchat, they think of teenagers sending disappearing selfies, dog filters, and that one friend who still insists on documenting their entire night out in 10-second bursts. What most people don’t realize is that Snapchat Ads are one of the best-kept secrets in the world of digital marketing, quietly delivering high engagement rates, affordable clicks, and ridiculously powerful targeting options that make Facebook and Instagram look like the grumpy old uncles at the family barbecue. If you’ve been wondering how to use Snapchat Ads for business, keep reading, because not only am I going to show you how to start, how to target, and why it works, but you’ll also walk away with $375 of free Snapchat ad credits to get your campaign rolling.
Why Snapchat Ads for Business Are Worth Your Time
Snapchat might not get the same buzz as TikTok or Instagram these days, but the numbers tell a very different story. Over 400 million daily active users, most of them aged 18 to 34, and an average of 30+ minutes spent per day inside the app. If you’re targeting Gen Z and millennials, you won’t just find them here, you’ll find them actually paying attention, because Snapchat’s full-screen format commands focus in a way that scrolling feeds never do. The platform’s ad engagement is so strong that even brands who swore off “the kids’ apps” end up quietly reallocating budget once they see the conversion rates.
How to Start Running Snapchat Ads
Getting started with Snapchat Ads is easier than you think, and no, you don’t need a Gen Z consultant to explain what “streaks” mean. First, sign up for a Snapchat Ads Manager account, which is the dashboard where you’ll set up, track, and optimize everything. Next, grab your $375 free ad credit (yes, it’s real money, no disappearing act here), and use it to test campaigns without risking your own budget. You’ll need a business account, a payment method, and ideally a creative ready to upload, but Snapchat makes the process incredibly step-by-step, so even if you’ve only ever run a boosted post on Facebook, you’ll be able to figure it out.
Targeting Options That Actually Work
One of the biggest advantages of Snapchat Ads for business is targeting. You can go broad with demographics like age, gender, and location, or you can get creepy-specific with custom audiences, lookalikes, and interest-based targeting that’s powered by Snap’s partnerships with big data providers. Want to reach 23-year-olds who love sneakers, live in New York, and have recently searched for flight deals? Snapchat will happily deliver them to you in a neat package. You can also retarget website visitors, app users, and even people who have interacted with your previous ads, which means your funnel doesn’t just stop at awareness, it keeps nudging until they buy.
The Types of Snapchat Ads You Can Run
There’s more than one way to show up on Snapchat, and each format has its own strengths. Snap Ads are the bread-and-butter, those full-screen vertical videos that appear between Stories. Collection Ads are great if you’re selling products and want a shoppable catalog experience. Story Ads let you live inside the Discover feed, and AR Lenses are where you get to create interactive branded experiences that people actually play with. While you don’t need to go crazy with AR filters on day one, even simple video ads get excellent results thanks to the platform’s immersive design.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Cheaper clicks and impressions compared to Facebook and Instagram.
- Highly engaged Gen Z and millennial audience.
- Easy-to-use Ads Manager.
- Variety of ad formats from simple videos to interactive AR.
- Retargeting and advanced audience options.
- You can start with free credits (did I mention the $375?).
Cons:
- Less effective for audiences over 40.
- Creative needs to be mobile-first and vertical, so lazy repurposing won’t cut it.
- Snapchat reporting can feel a little less polished compared to Google Ads.
But honestly, those cons are minor when you look at the value you’re getting for the spend, especially when other platforms are getting more expensive every year.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been sleeping on Snapchat Ads for business, now’s the time to wake up and grab your spot while costs are still low and attention is still high. Whether you’re running an e-commerce store, a local service, or even trying to drive app installs, Snapchat Ads are a powerful, underutilized channel that can make your budget go further than you’d expect. Plus, with $375 of free ad credits courtesy of The Startup Series, it’s a great way to get a first
