Snapchat Ads drive higher ROAS for ecommerce brands: Study

Despite a smaller overall share of ad spend, Snapchat ads appear to deliver stronger returns on ad dollars – especially for fashion retailers. That’s according to new research from Snap and analytics firm Triple Whale.

Zoom out. As brands weigh platforms ahead of Q4, Snapchat is showing signs of being a high-impact, low-cost option, particularly for advertisers looking to reach younger, trend-driven audiences.

By the numbers:

• The study analyzed $3 billion in ad spend across 20,000 Snapchat advertisers.
• Return on ad spend (ROAS) increased by 7.5% on Snapchat, while most other platforms saw declines.
• Snapchat also had the lowest cost per acquisition (CPA) of all platforms measured.

• “Despite being a smaller platform by spend share, Snapchat achieved a 7.5% ROAS improvement while most platforms declined,” Snap said.

Why we care. For brands targeting younger, visually driven audiences (like Gen Z), especially in fashion and ecommerce, Snapchat is proving to be a high-impact, underutilized channel. With rising ad costs elsewhere, this data signals a strategic opportunity to diversify media spend and boost campaign efficiency ahead of the critical holiday season.

Zoom in. Fashion brands led the pack:

• Apparel advertisers saw the highest ROAS, thanks to Snap’s visual-first storytelling.
• 77% of Snapchatters say visual search makes finding clothes easier, compared to 50% of non-users.
• 80%+ of users say social media is their go-to for fashion trends.

What’s next. Snapchat’s creator ecosystem may be key to unlocking even better results. Partnering with native creators could help brands navigate the platform’s visual language and boost campaign engagement.

Bottom line. If you’re a DTC or fashion brand, Snapchat may be your most efficient ad channel this holiday season. With rising costs across other social platforms, Snap could offer more return for every dollar spent.

The report. The Snapchat Generation Volume 1 (PDF)