Snapchat is bringing AI-powered chat ads to its app

Snapchat was announced on Tuesday launching “AI Sponsored Snaps,” which will allow users to interact directly with brands’ AI agents. Sponsored Snaps are the ads that are placed directly on the main Chat tab of the app. 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 all AI-sponsored ads will participate, as they introduce AI into yet another part of the Snapchat experience. Additionally, not everyone is keen on more advanced ads.

However, Snapchat told one 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. “Artificial intelligence is accelerating this shift, turning conversation into a place where people discover products, ask questions and make decisions in real time. The real opportunity is not just placing ads in these environments, but 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 to the platform to increase engagement and purchases.

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

The company says that 85% of users regularly participate in the chat stream, and that users sent over 950 billion conversations in the first quarter of 2026 alone. Additionally, 57% of teenage Snapchat users message others daily, including 4 in 10 who do so multiple times a day.