Devoured - April 29, 2026
Snapchat brings AI-powered conversational advertising to its app (1 minute read)

Snapchat brings AI-powered conversational advertising to its app (1 minute read)

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Snapchat is launching AI-powered conversational ads that let users chat with brand AI agents to get product recommendations directly in the messaging tab.

What: AI Sponsored Snaps is a new ad format that places interactive brand AI agents into Snapchat's Chat tab, allowing users to ask questions and receive personalized product recommendations through conversation rather than passive ad viewing.
Why it matters: This shift toward conversational commerce reflects how messaging and AI chat are becoming primary interfaces for product discovery and purchasing, potentially redefining how mobile advertising works.
Original article

Snapchat announced on Tuesday that it's rolling out "AI Sponsored Snaps," which will allow users to interact directly with brands' AI agents. Sponsored Snaps are the ads placed directly into the app's main Chat tab. Until now, users couldn't interact with these ads, but with the launch of AI Sponsored Ads, they'll be able to do things like ask questions and get recommendations.

Of course, not everyone will be on board with AI-sponsored ads, as they introduce AI into yet another part of the Snapchat experience. Plus, not everyone is eager for more advanced advertising.

However, Snapchat said in the blog post that its "community isn't just open to AI in conversation, they're already embracing it," given that over half a billion users have messaged its AI chatbot since it launched in 2023.

"Conversation is becoming the most valuable real estate in advertising," said Ajit Mohan, chief business officer at Snap, in the blog post. "AI is accelerating that shift, turning chat into the place where people discover products, ask questions, and make decisions in real time. The real opportunity isn't just putting ads into those environments, it's designing formats that feel native to how people already talk."

For brands, the new AI Sponsored Snaps give them access to Snapchat's nearly one billion monthly active users. They can bring their own AI agents onto the platform to drive engagement and purchases.

Snapchat says the new format builds on the momentum of Sponsored Snaps, which already drive 22% more conversions with nearly 20% lower cost per action. With the new format, they can engage users through personalized, AI-powered interactions right where they're already having conversations.

The company says 85% of users engage regularly in the Chat feed, and that users sent over 950 billion chats in Q1 2026 alone. Additionally, 57% of teen Snapchat users message others daily, including four in 10 who do so several times a day.