Social Media Advertising - GCC | Statista Market Forecast

In the GCC region, ad spending in the Social Media Advertising market market is projected to reach US$1.50bn in 2024.
This ad spending is expected to demonstrate an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2030) of 9.96%, which will result in a projected market volume of US$2.64bn by 2030.
When compared globally, the majority of ad spending will be generated China, with an estimated US$84.65bn in 2024.
Within the Social Media Advertising market market, it is anticipated that 74% of total ad spending will be generated through mobile by 2030.
Furthermore, the number of users in the Social Media Advertising market market in the GCC is expected to reach 52.9m users by 2030.
In the GCC, social media advertising is increasingly becoming a pivotal strategy for brands to engage the youthful, tech-savvy population and enhance brand visibility.

Definition:
Social Media Advertising is a form of online digital marketing in which paid banner and video ad campaigns are run on social media platforms to reach the target audiences. Marketers can promote brands, products, and services and increase purchase intention.

Additional information:
Social Media Advertising comprises advertising spending, users, average revenue per user, and key players. The market only displays B2B spending. Figures are based on advertising spending and exclude agency commissions, rebates, production costs, and taxes. Key players in Social Media Advertising include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Weibo, Naver, and Kakao. For more information on the data displayed, use the info button right next to the boxes.

All ad spending generated by social networks
Sponsored posts

Ads within online games playable on social networks
Revenue generated from membership subscriptions or premium fees

The Social Media Advertising market in GCC has been experiencing significant growth in recent years. This can be attributed to the increasing popularity of social media platforms and the growing digitalization of the region.

Customer preferences: Customers in the GCC region have shown a strong preference for social media advertising. This is due to the high internet penetration rate and the widespread use of smartphones. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are popular among the younger population, who are the primary target audience for many advertisers. Additionally, customers in the GCC region are increasingly relying on social media for information and entertainment, making it an effective platform for advertising campaigns.

Trends in the market: One of the key trends in the Social Media Advertising market in GCC is the shift towards video content. Video advertising has become increasingly popular as it allows advertisers to engage with their audience in a more interactive and immersive way. This trend is driven by the increasing availability of high-speed internet and the growing popularity of video-sharing platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. Advertisers are leveraging these platforms to create engaging video content that captures the attention of their target audience. Another trend in the market is the rise of influencer marketing. Influencers, who are individuals with a large following on social media platforms, have become powerful marketing tools for brands. Customers in the GCC region are highly influenced by the opinions and recommendations of influencers, making it an effective strategy for advertisers to collaborate with them. This trend is driven by the trust and authenticity that influencers bring to brand partnerships.

Local special circumstances: The Social Media Advertising market in GCC is shaped by the unique cultural and social norms of the region. Advertisers need to be mindful of these factors when designing their campaigns. For example, the GCC region has a conservative culture, and advertisers need to ensure that their content is culturally sensitive and respects local traditions. Additionally, the region has a diverse population, with a mix of nationalities and languages. Advertisers need to consider these factors when targeting their audience and tailor their campaigns accordingly.

Underlying macroeconomic factors: The growth of the Social Media Advertising market in GCC is also influenced by macroeconomic factors. The GCC region has a strong economy and high disposable income, which allows customers to spend more on products and services. This provides advertisers with a lucrative market to target. Additionally, the region has a young and tech-savvy population, which is more likely to engage with social media platforms and respond to social media advertising. The government of the GCC countries is also actively promoting digitalization and innovation, which further supports the growth of the Social Media Advertising market.

Data coverage:

Data encompasses enterprises (B2B). Figures are based on social media advertising spending and exclude agency commissions, rebates, production costs, and taxes. The market covers social media advertising generated by social networks or business networks such as Facebook, Tiktok, Instragram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.

Modeling approach:

A combined top-down and bottom-up approach determines the market size. Starting with the top-down approach, we calculate global social media advertising by aggregating revenues from key players (Meta Platforms (Facebook and Instagram), ByteDance (Tiktok and Douyin), Twitter, Snapchat, and Microsoft (LinkedIn)). Followed by the bottom-up approach, we justify global, country, and region results using web traffic and the number of app downloads. Lastly, we distribute the results to each country individually with relevant indicators such as GDP, internet users, social media users, and digital consumer spending by country.

Forecasts:

We use a variety of forecasting techniques, depending on the behavior of the market. For instance, the S-curve function is well suited to forecast digital products due to the non-linear growth of technology adoption, whereas exponential trend smoothing (ETS) is more suited for projecting steady growth in traditional advertising markets.

Additional notes:

Data is modeled using current exchange rates. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war are considered at a country-specific level. The market is updated twice per year in case market dynamics change.

This report presents a comprehensive analysis and additional information on the Advertising & Media market, in a PDF format.

Social media is no longer just for connecting with friends; now brands meet customers, and trends are born in these platforms. As social media advertising spending is projected to continue to grow during the second half of the decade, buying behavior is consistently impacted by likes, comments, and shares. Social influence has led marketing strategies to align with platforms that promote video content. In 2024, TikTok and social media ranked among the top three leading consumer trends according to marketers surveyed around the globe, making such channels unavoidable for most advertising strategies. The social media advertising market is not limited to one region; countries across all continents are investing in social media advertising, with the United States and China recording the highest expenditures worldwide.