10 Most Important Advertising Trends to Watch in 2025

Billions scroll. Attention spans shrink. Ad budgets explode.

In 2025, 5.42 billion people are on social media—and brands are fighting harder than ever for a second of their time.

But here’s the truth: posting more isn’t the answer.

Winning brands are using data, speed, and creativity to ride the wave of advertising trends that actually work.

Ready to outsmart the algorithm? These are the 10 trends that will shape who wins—and who fades—in 2025.

Now let’s look at the 10 most important advertising trends to watch this 2025.

1. Ai-powered advertising campaigns

AI isn’t the future of advertising. It’s already here, and it’s getting results.

Meta rolled out its AI Sandbox, letting advertisers generate copy, images, and aspect ratios automatically — all within Facebook’s ad system. That means less time creating, more time testing what actually works.

Coca-Cola partnered with OpenAI and ran a public AI campaign called Create Real Magic, blending brand heritage with ChatGPT and DALL·E-generated visuals. 

It didn’t just get attention — it got people involved.

Calm used Amazon Personalize to increase app usage by 3.4% just by improving the way users got content recommendations. No new features, just smarter delivery.

ClickUp used AI tools to grow their blog traffic by 85% in 12 months, publishing over 150 articles with SurferSEO. Content + AI = scale.

Farfetch boosted email open rates by 7% and click rates by 38% using AI-powered subject line testing and personalized messaging. This wasn’t guesswork — it was data-backed performance.

JPMorgan Chase saw up to a 450% increase in CTR using Persado’s AI-generated ad copy. That’s not a typo — four hundred fifty percent.

Even Nutella sold 7 million jars with AI-generated, one-of-a-kind label designs. No two jars were alike. People love feeling like they’re getting something unique.

Bottom line?

AI is already making marketing faster, cheaper, smarter — and in many cases, way more effective.

You don’t need to go all in overnight. Start by testing AI in just one area: ad copy, image generation, product recommendations — whatever fits your funnel.

The results speak for themselves.

2. The cookieless future and first-party data strategies

Cookies are on life support — and marketers can’t rely on them anymore.

Google Chrome, which handles 65% of global browser traffic, was supposed to kill third-party cookies in 2024, but delayed it again.

Still, most advertisers aren’t waiting. They're already shifting budgets to mobile apps and streaming TV, where cookies don’t work anyway.

Here’s the kicker: with Google’s opt-in policy, cookie-based ads might soon make up less than 10% of web ads. That’s not a trend — that’s a collapse.

So what now? First-party data is the new foundation.

That means collecting data directly from your audience — think email signups, website behavior, purchase history.

It’s more accurate, more ethical, and it actually works across platforms.

If you haven’t started building your first-party data strategy yet, now’s the time.

This shift isn’t coming — it’s already here.

3. Zero-party data collection for personalization

Third-party data is fading fast. Customers want more control — and 37% actually prefer personalized experiences based on data they’ve shared willingly.

That’s zero-party data. It’s info people give you on purpose — like their preferences or needs.

With 79% of consumers concerned about how brands use data, trust is everything.

And with laws like GDPR and CCPA, zero-party data isn’t just smart — it’s safe.

Use quizzes, polls, or preference centers. Ask, don’t track. This is how modern brands personalize without crossing the line.

4. Amazon and retail media networks dominate ecommerce advertising

Let’s be real: if you're ignoring Amazon ads in 2025, you’re ignoring one of the most powerful advertising trends in ecommerce right now.

Amazon controls over 75% of total ecommerce ad spend. Their ad revenue just hit $46 billion a year, growing nearly 4x over the past 4 years. Walmart? A distant second at $1.5 billion.

Here’s why brands are all in: it performs.

Thirty-five percent of Amazon shoppers click the first product in search results. 

The top 3 get 64% of clicks. And the average conversion rate is 9.55% — compared to the 2% average on regular ecommerce websites.

CPCs are still low at just $0.71, meaning you can scale faster and more affordably than on Google or social.

This isn’t just a trend — it’s a shift in digital advertising strategy.

Successful brands aren’t guessing. They’re using Amazon’s ad formats to win the shelf space that matters.

Quilted Northern uses Sponsored Brands to own broad, high-volume keywords like “toilet paper” with clear images and product bundles.

Charmin uses coupons and bold packaging labels to pop in Sponsored Product ads.

Traeger goes after niche search intent like “wifi grill,” bundling products for AOV growth.

And Glymnis uses Amazon Video Ads to visually demo products — an overlooked edge in today’s scroll-heavy shopping experience.

Among all advertising trends in 2025, retail media — led by Amazon — is arguably the most ROI-driven channel for ecommerce brands.

5. Connected tv advertising and the rise of streaming ads

Let’s be honest — if connected TV advertising isn’t on your radar yet, you’re already behind one of the fastest-growing advertising trends in digital.

Streaming is where people actually pay attention now — and smart brands are capitalizing on that.

Sixty-six percent of viewers have discovered a new product or service from streaming (OTT) ads. That’s not a soft signal. That’s proof this channel drives results.

CTV isn’t just a “TV ad” anymore. It’s a smarter, cheaper, more targeted part of your digital advertising strategy.

You can reuse your video ads across platforms, scale faster, and reach viewers when they’re most engaged — all without the brutal CPMs of traditional TV.

Now let’s talk execution:

Buick nailed it with a Hulu CTV ad showing off new car features in a clean, punchy spot. No fluff. Just value.

Chase used a split-screen ad on Max (HBO Max) to show how different people benefit from the same card. Fast storytelling, clear takeaway.

GEICO’s Parmesan joke on Prime Video was quick, funny, and unskippable — a perfect example of smart brand humor that doesn’t annoy.

6. Short-form, sound-off video ads on TikTok, Reels, and Shorts

Short-form video isn’t just trending — it’s dominating the digital ad space in 2025.

U.S. mobile video ad spend is projected to hit $53.9 billion by 2025, with most of that going to short-form formats.

Twenty-five percent of adults close a video after 10 seconds, and 50% exit by 20 seconds. You’ve got seconds to earn attention.

Recommended video length: Instagram = 30 sec, Twitter = 45 sec, Facebook = 1 min.

Nearly 100% of video marketers plan to keep using video in 2024, and 95%+ will increase or maintain spend.

And sound? Most people aren’t even listening.

Eighty-five percent of Facebook users and 79% of LinkedIn users watch videos on mute. Sixty-six percent say they hate auto-play sound.

Captions increase watch time by 12%, and searches for “video captions” are up 215% in 5 years.

Animated, sound-off ads — like Slack’s — are winning because they’re clear, quick, and easy to follow.

Short-form, sound-off video is one of the top advertising trends in 2025. If it’s not in your plan, it should be.

7. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in advertising

AR and VR ads are no longer futuristic — they’re one of the fastest-growing advertising trends for creating immersive, interactive experiences that actually drive action.

Coca-Cola’s AR campaign ran across 13 major UK locations, blending digital out-of-home (DOOH) and mobile AR. 

Users scanned a code, got a free Coke Zero, and controlled real-time visuals on giant screens. That’s next-level experiential marketing.

Guess (Marcolin) used virtual try-ons for sunglasses in five countries and saw 44% higher engagement than industry benchmarks — 60% higher in Italy alone.

Dior’s AR lipstick try-on reached 4 million people in 21 days, with over 400,000 try-ons and 2,000+ screenshots of users testing different shades on their own face.

Maybelline New York turned a shopping mall in Kyiv into the world’s largest AR mirror (43,000 sq ft), resulting in 3 million+ organic views in one day.

Toyota’s AR test drive let users walk around and sit in the new Crown model — virtually — using their phone. That’s smart automotive advertising without a showroom.

Snapchat’s “Wait’ll You See This” campaign aired during the NFL AFC Championship and reached over 55 million viewers. 

Every frame of the video ad was scannable, unlocking AR lenses and branded merch.

As one of the most engaging digital advertising trends, this tech isn't a “nice to have” anymore — it’s becoming a competitive advantage in 2025.

8. Voice and audio advertising growth through podcasts and smart speakers

Audio advertising is one of the most overlooked advertising trends — but it’s gaining serious traction.

Pizza Hut hit a 0.57% CTR targeting parents and gamers on Spotify — nearly 10x the platform’s benchmark of 0.06%.

Primark used audio ads after UK lockdowns and saw a 1.65% CTR, also outperforming the norm.

Smart speakers and voice search are reshaping how brands deliver ads. In 2025, expect more interactive and shoppable audio ads — letting listeners take action without leaving their platform.

Podcasts are booming, with loyal listeners and niche targeting. And programmatic audio buying is making it easier to serve ads at scale with precision.

If your brand isn’t exploring podcasts or smart speaker ads yet, this is your signal to start.

9. Dynamic creative optimization and real-time personalization

Dynamic creative optimization (DCO) is how modern brands scale personalized advertising without burning out their creative teams.

It works by pulling real-time data — like location, weather, browsing history, or time of day — to serve hyper-relevant ads on the fly.

For example, a user buying hot dogs on a summer afternoon might see a grilling-themed mustard ad.

DCO platforms test multiple ad elements (image, copy, CTA) using multivariate testing, and they optimize what’s working — instantly.

This is one of the most tactical digital advertising trends in 2025. You’re not just targeting — you’re tailoring the entire experience in real time.

10. In-game and gamified ad formats in mobile advertising

Mobile gaming is bigger than social media and TV for many users — and advertisers are finally catching up.

Seventy percent of gamers say they’d give up TV or social before mobile gaming.

They’re also twice as likely to pay attention to in-game ads compared to regular web ads.

Reward ads (watch-to-earn) are the most popular — with $30 CPMs, 90% completion rates, and 70% of gamers saying they prefer them as payment for content.

And no, it’s not just teenage boys. 46% of gamers are women — that’s 1 billion female players — and 40% are aged 25 to 44.

Big brands like Unilever, Ford, Coca-Cola, and Molson Coors are now shifting budgets into gamified ads on mobile.

In-game advertising isn’t a fringe channel anymore. It’s one of the fastest-rising advertising trends of 2025.

FAQs

Got other questions about advertising trends? Here are quick, clear answers to the ones we hear most:

Final thoughts

Advertising trends aren’t just trends—they’re how brands stay relevant, visible, and profitable in 2025. If you’ve made it this far, you’re already ahead of most.

Want an easier way to keep up and actually apply these advertising trends? 

Cropink lets you start for free—so you can create, manage, and scale high-performing ads without the guesswork. Get started today and turn strategy into ROI.

Sources

1. SproutSocial. 80+ Must-know social media marketing statistics for 2025
2. Data Feed Watch. 11 Best AI Advertising Examples of 2025
3. Forbes. 8 Mega-Trends That Matter For Marketing In 2025
4. Contentful. The rise of first- and zero-party data
5. Exploding Topics. 6 Top Advertising Trends to Watch (2024 & 2025)
6. Web FX. 9 Amazon Advertising Examples & 36 Things You Can Learn From Them
7. Web FX. 8 CTV Ad Examples That Show You Why CTV Matters
8. Econsultancy. 14 examples of augmented reality brand experiences
9. Promod. Audio Advertising: Basics of Digital Audio Ads
10. Shopify. How Dynamic Creative Optimization Creates Personalized Ads