Snap Inc. has introduced Promoted Places, a new advertising feature designed to bring sponsored business locations directly onto the Snapchat Map, helping brands drive measurable footfall and in-store engagement.
With over 400 million users engaging with Snap Map every month globally, and Snapchat users in the GCC opening the app more than 45 times daily on average, the new feature enables advertisers to connect with consumers during high-intent discovery moments as they search for places to visit and experiences to explore.
Unlike traditional map platforms focused primarily on navigation, Snap Map is built around social discovery, allowing users to view friends’ locations and discover nearby destinations that align with their interests and activities.
Promoted Places enables retailers, restaurants, and other businesses to highlight their physical locations using sponsored pins that can include custom 3D animations for enhanced visibility. When users tap on these locations, they are directed to a dedicated “Sponsored” Place Profile featuring Snap Ads, business profile integration, Spotlight and Stories content, custom Map Effects, and save-for-later options.
The platform also provides advertisers with performance insights, including metrics such as impressions, place opens, and user actions linked to the promoted locations. Additionally, the newly introduced Place Partnerships model allows brands without physical outlets to collaborate with partners operating more than 200 locations.
“Across the GCC, discovery is deeply social and often translates quickly into real-world action. Promoted Places allows brands to show up at the moment intent forms, turning digital engagement on the Snap Map into measurable, in-store impact. It’s a powerful example of how we’re building solutions that reflect how our community explores, connects, and experiences the world around them,” said Hussein Freijeh, Vice President of MENA & APAC at Snap Inc.
The launch signals Snap’s continued focus on connecting online engagement with offline consumer behavior through immersive, location-based advertising solutions.
Among the first global campaigns to leverage Promoted Places was Almarai, which integrated the feature with a dedicated AR Lens experience. Through custom 3D visuals, augmented reality storytelling, and episodic content, the campaign combined digital discovery with interactive brand engagement.
Starbucks, operated by Alshaya Group in Saudi Arabia, also utilized Promoted Places as part of its Ramadan campaign to promote its limited-edition Ramadan Cup and Cardamom Latte. More than 350 Starbucks outlets across Saudi Arabia were featured on Snap Map using custom 3D creative elements designed to increase awareness and encourage store visits.
As brands across the MENA region increasingly seek measurable ways to link digital campaigns with real-world outcomes, Promoted Places aims to provide a full-funnel solution that combines visibility, immersive content, and in-store conversion opportunities within Snapchat’s ecosystem.
Read more: Snap Inc. Shares Ramadan 2026 Insights Highlighting New Consumer Behaviour Trends
