Advertising has always been about grabbing attention. From billboards to banner ads, the challenge has been the same—how to stand out in a sea of noise. In 2025, augmented reality (AR) is giving brands a new way to transform passive viewers into active participants. Instead of scrolling past an ad, consumers can now step inside it.
“AR advertising is not about showing your brand—it’s about letting customers experience it. That’s how real engagement happens,” says Mr. Phalla Plang, Digital Marketing Specialist.
This article explores how AR is being used in advertising and brand experiences, why it matters, real-world campaigns, strategies, challenges, and what the future holds.
Why AR Advertising Is Exploding
Engagement Beyond Clicks
Traditional ads rely on impressions and clicks, but AR ads invite people to interact—whether trying a product virtually, playing a branded mini-game, or placing digital objects in their space. This creates deeper emotional connections and longer engagement times (Statista, 2024).
Personalization at Scale
AR makes advertising personal. A customer can “see” how sneakers look on their feet or how a new paint color fits their living room. Personalized ads drive higher conversions and brand loyalty (Think with Google, n.d.).
Organic Sharing Potential
AR experiences are inherently shareable. People love showing off interactive filters or branded AR games on social media. This creates organic reach and virality without added ad spend (HQSoftware, 2025).
Standing Out in a Saturated Market
Digital ad fatigue is real. Users ignore banner ads and skip videos. AR campaigns provide novelty and immersion, giving brands an edge. As Forbes (2024) points out, immersive technologies like AR are key trends shaping the future of marketing.
AR Advertising Formats
Marketers now have multiple ways to deploy AR advertising:
- Social Media AR Filters & Lenses: Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook allow branded AR filters that boost user-generated content.
- AR Display Ads: Google and Unity have tested AR-enabled ad formats where users can interact with 3D models directly in search or display.
- In-App AR Ads: Game developers and apps integrate branded AR content, turning ads into experiences.
- OOH + AR (Out-of-Home): Billboards, posters, or packaging linked with QR codes trigger immersive AR content.
Case Studies: AR Advertising That Worked
Pepsi Max “Unbelievable Bus Shelter”
Pepsi Max turned a London bus stop into an AR experience, showing aliens, tigers, and robots appearing in real-time through digital overlays. This campaign generated viral buzz and millions of social shares (HQSoftware, 2025).
Nike AR Sneaker Try-On
Nike launched AR campaigns allowing customers to virtually try sneakers via Snapchat lenses and mobile apps. By enabling product visualization, Nike increased purchase confidence and engagement (Makarov, 2025).
IKEA’s AR Catalog
While known for shopping, IKEA also used AR as an advertising tool. Its AR catalog allowed users to scan images and see 3D furniture in their homes, blending advertising with shopping (Think with Google, n.d.).
Burger King’s “Burn That Ad”
In Brazil, Burger King used AR to let customers scan competitors’ ads, which virtually burned away to reveal Burger King promotions. This bold campaign captured attention and increased app downloads (HQSoftware, 2025).
Benefits of AR in Advertising
- Memorability: AR experiences are unique and stick in customers’ minds.
- Higher Engagement Metrics: Longer dwell times and more interactions.
- Conversion Lift: Visualization and personalization drive stronger purchase intent.
- Storytelling Power: AR lets brands build interactive stories, not just static messages.
- Earned Media: Viral AR campaigns generate free publicity and word-of-mouth.
Tools & Platforms for AR Advertising
- Snapchat Lens Studio – build branded AR filters.
- TikTok Effect House – TikTok’s AR ad creation platform.
- Google Swirl Ads – interactive 3D ads in Google’s ecosystem.
- Unity Ads + AR Foundation – AR campaigns inside games and apps.
Strategies for Marketers
- Focus on Story, Not Just Tech: The experience must tell a story, not just show off AR.
- Align With Brand Values: Use AR to reinforce brand identity—fun, futuristic, reliable, eco-friendly.
- Promote Sharing: Encourage users to share their AR experience with hashtags.
- Test and Measure: Use analytics to track interactions, conversions, and dwell time.
- Integrate With Commerce: Link AR ads to product purchase pages for direct conversion.
Challenges in AR Advertising
- Technical Barriers: Not all devices support high-quality AR.
- Creative Complexity: AR campaigns require 3D assets and specialized design.
- User Awareness: Many users are still unfamiliar with AR ads.
- Privacy Concerns: AR often uses cameras and data tracking; transparency is essential (Wood, 2023).
- ROI Measurement: Linking AR engagement to sales is still developing.
Measuring Success
KPIs for AR advertising include:
- Engagement rate (interactions per impression)
- Average dwell time
- Conversion rate lift
- Social shares and earned media
- Brand recall metrics
Brands that measure AR’s impact against traditional ad formats consistently see higher engagement and stronger brand recall (Statista, 2024).
The Future of AR in Advertising
- Native AR in Search & Social: AR ads embedded directly into Google, TikTok, or Instagram shopping.
- AI + AR Ads: Personalized AR ads that adjust in real time.
- 5G Acceleration: High-speed mobile networks will allow richer, faster AR campaigns.
- Wearables Integration: AR glasses will expand brand advertising beyond phones.
- Standardized Metrics: Industry standards will make AR ad ROI easier to measure.
Note
AR advertising is shifting the game from static impressions to immersive brand experiences. It allows brands to capture attention, create shareable moments, and drive conversions in ways traditional ads cannot.
“AR advertising is not about showing your brand—it’s about letting customers experience it. That’s how real engagement happens,” emphasizes Mr. Phalla Plang, Digital Marketing Specialist.
In 2025 and beyond, AR will not just be an advertising format—it will be a storytelling medium that defines how brands connect with consumers.
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References
Forbes. (2024, November 13). Digital marketing trends for 2025 and beyond. Forbes Business Council. https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/11/13/digital-marketing-trends-for-2025-and-beyond/
HQSoftware. (2025, August 27). Top 7 examples of augmented reality marketing campaigns. HQSoftware. https://hqsoftwarelab.com/blog/top-7-examples-of-augmented-reality-marketing-campaigns/
Makarov, A. (2025). 12 augmented reality technology trends to watch in 2025. MobiDev. https://mobidev.biz/blog/augmented-reality-trends-future-ar-technologies
Statista. (2024). Augmented reality advertising market size worldwide. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1098639/global-ar-advertising-market-size/
Think with Google. (n.d.). Augmented reality shopping: Insights & data. Think with Google. https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/consumer-insights/consumer-trends/trending-visual-stories/augmented-reality-shopping-data/
Vogue Business. (2023, December 12). Google bets big on AR beauty. Vogue Business. https://www.voguebusiness.com/technology/google-bets-big-on-ar-beauty
Wood, N. J. (2023). Ethical considerations of AR applications in smartphones: A systematic literature review of consumer perspectives. arXiv. https://arxiv.org/abs/2306.07288
