Saudi Arabia native advertising market report Size, Share, Growth Drivers, Trends, Opportunities & Forecast 2025–2030

Saudi Arabia Native Advertising Market Overview

• The Saudi Arabia Native Advertising Market is valued at USD 1.2 billion, based on a five-year historical analysis. This growth is primarily driven by the rapid digitalization of marketing strategies, the proliferation of social media platforms, and a strong preference for content that integrates seamlessly with user experiences. Recent trends highlight increased investment in programmatic native advertising, AI-driven content personalization, and influencer collaborations to maximize engagement and brand visibility .
• Key cities dominating the market include Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Riyadh, as the capital, serves as a central hub for businesses and advertising agencies, while Jeddah and Dammam are significant due to their commercial activities and access to diverse consumer demographics. The concentration of digital infrastructure and high internet penetration rates in these cities further bolster their dominance in the native advertising landscape .
• In 2023, the Saudi government implemented regulations to enhance transparency in digital advertising. The “E-Commerce Law, 2019” (issued by the Ministry of Commerce) and subsequent guidelines from the General Commission for Audiovisual Media require mandatory disclosures for native ads, ensuring that consumers can easily distinguish between paid and organic content. These measures are designed to build trust among consumers and promote ethical advertising practices in the evolving digital landscape .

Saudi Arabia Native Advertising Market Segmentation

By Type:The native advertising market in Saudi Arabia is segmented into Sponsored Content, In-Feed Ads, Recommendation Widgets, Paid Search Ads, Social Media Ads, Video Ads, Influencer Native Ads, and Others. Among these, Sponsored Content is the leading sub-segment, driven by its ability to deliver informative branded content that resonates with audiences. Advertisers increasingly prefer this format for its high engagement rates and alignment with consumer interests .

By End-User:The end-user segmentation of the native advertising market includes Retail & E-commerce, Travel and Tourism, Technology, Automotive, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Education, Government & Public Sector, Entertainment & Media, and Others. The Retail & E-commerce sector is the dominant segment, leveraging native advertising to drive online sales and enhance customer engagement through personalized and contextually relevant content. Healthcare and Technology sectors are also experiencing accelerated adoption due to increased digital transformation and regulatory support for digital outreach .

Saudi Arabia Native Advertising Market Competitive Landscape

The Saudi Arabia Native Advertising Market is characterized by a dynamic mix of regional and international players. Leading participants such as Taboola, Outbrain, Sharethrough, Revcontent, Adyoulike, TripleLift, Nativo, Teads, StackAdapt, Bidtellect, Zemanta, Media.net, Criteo, Facebook Audience Network, Google AdSense, STC Media (Saudi Telecom Company), Al Arabiya Network, Mobily Digital Marketing, OMD Saudi Arabia (Omnicom Media Group), WPP Saudi Arabia, Publicis Groupe Middle East, Dentsu KSA, Havas Media Middle East, GroupM MENA, AdColony MENA, Snap Inc. MENA, Google Arabia, Meta Platforms (Facebook) MENA, TikTok MENA (ByteDance), LinkedIn MENA, Almarai Digital, Jarir Marketing Company, Accenture Song Middle East, Creative Waves Advertising, and Advertising Ways contribute to innovation, geographic expansion, and service delivery in this space.

Saudi Arabia Native Advertising Market Industry Analysis

Growth Drivers

• Increasing Digital Consumption:The digital landscape in Saudi Arabia is rapidly evolving, with internet penetration reaching99%in future, according to the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC). This surge in connectivity has led to a significant increase in online content consumption, with users spending an average of7.5 hours dailyon digital platforms. As more consumers engage with digital media, native advertising becomes a vital tool for brands to reach their target audiences effectively, driving market growth.
• Demand for Authentic Content:In future,70%of Saudi consumers prefer brands that provide authentic and relatable content, as reported by the Saudi Marketing Association. This shift towards valuing genuine engagement has prompted advertisers to adopt native advertising strategies that blend seamlessly with editorial content. By prioritizing authenticity, brands can foster trust and loyalty among consumers, which is essential for driving sales and enhancing brand reputation in a competitive market.
• Rise of Mobile Advertising:With mobile devices accounting forapproximately 92%of internet traffic in Saudi Arabia in future, the demand for mobile-optimized native advertising is surging. The Saudi Communications Authority indicates that mobile advertising expenditures are projected to reachSAR 1.5 billion, reflecting a growing trend among advertisers to target consumers on their smartphones. This shift towards mobile-first strategies allows brands to engage users more effectively, enhancing the overall impact of their advertising efforts.

Market Challenges

• Regulatory Compliance Issues:The native advertising market in Saudi Arabia faces significant challenges due to evolving regulatory frameworks. In future, the government is expected to implement stricter data protection laws, which may complicate targeting strategies for advertisers. Compliance with these regulations requires substantial investment in legal resources and technology, potentially hindering the agility of marketing campaigns and increasing operational costs for businesses in the sector.
• Ad-Blocking Technologies:The rise of ad-blocking technologies poses a considerable challenge to native advertising in Saudi Arabia. In future, approximately30%of internet users in the region utilize ad-blockers, according to a report by the Digital Advertising Alliance. This trend undermines the effectiveness of traditional advertising methods, pushing brands to innovate and create more engaging native content that can bypass these barriers and reach their intended audiences.

Saudi Arabia Native Advertising Market Future Outlook

The future of native advertising in Saudi Arabia appears promising, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer preferences. As brands increasingly leverage artificial intelligence to personalize content, the effectiveness of native ads is expected to improve significantly. Additionally, the expansion of e-commerce platforms will create new avenues for native advertising, allowing brands to integrate their messaging seamlessly into shopping experiences. This evolution will likely enhance consumer engagement and drive higher conversion rates in the coming years.

Market Opportunities

• Growth in E-commerce:The e-commerce sector in Saudi Arabia is projected to reachover SAR 50 billionin future, according to the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority. This growth presents a significant opportunity for native advertising, as brands can create tailored content that resonates with online shoppers, enhancing their purchasing experience and driving sales through targeted campaigns.
• Expansion of Social Media Platforms:Withover 29 million active social media usersin Saudi Arabia in future, brands have a unique opportunity to leverage native advertising on these platforms. The increasing popularity of social media allows advertisers to engage with consumers in a more interactive and personalized manner, fostering brand loyalty and driving conversions through compelling native content.