Ever wondered which advertising platforms truly capture the attention of mobile users? In this article, insights from a CEO and a Head of Content Marketing shed light on the most effective strategies. Discover why TikTok Ads are engaging mobile shoppers and why LinkedIn Message Ads are targeting professionals, among other valuable insights. Stay tuned as the article unpacks fourteen expert opinions on the best platforms to reach your mobile audience.
- TikTok Ads Engage Mobile Shoppers
- In-App Ads Leverage High Engagement
- Facebook Video Ads Capture Attention
- Instagram Stories Ads Boost Conversions
- YouTube Skippable Ads Hook Viewers
- Google Mobile Search Ads Optimize Targeting
- In-App Ads Enhance User Experience
- Google Call-Only Ads Increase Leads
- LinkedIn Engages Mobile B2B Audience
- YouTube Shorts Ads Connect Quickly
- AdMob Maximizes Mobile Ad Engagement
- Instagram and Snapchat Reach Mobile Users
- Meta Ads Match Businesses to Interests
- LinkedIn Message Ads Target Professionals
Expert Opinions
TikTok Ads Engage Mobile Shoppers
Being in the deal-finding space for years, TikTok ads have surprisingly become our secret weapon for reaching mobile shoppers, especially when we show quick, authentic deal-hunting tips that feel native to the platform. Just last month, we tested a 15-second video showing a real-time price comparison that got 3x more engagement than our traditional Facebook ads, plus it helped us tap into a younger audience that loves finding bargains.
Cyrus Partow
CEO, ShipTheDeal
In-App Ads Leverage High Engagement
In-app advertising is particularly effective for reaching a mobile audience because it leverages users’ high engagement within apps. Platforms like Facebook Audience Network or Google Ads allow you to target users while they’re actively browsing, gaming, or socializing. For example, a mobile game ad campaign we ran had a 60% higher click-through rate compared to mobile web ads due to the seamless integration into the user experience. In-app ads work well because they’re tailored, interactive, and often feel less intrusive. They capture attention where users are most engaged, maximizing impact for mobile-first campaigns.
Runbo Li
Co-Founder & CEO, Magic Hour
Facebook Video Ads Capture Attention
One advertising platform I’ve found particularly effective for reaching a mobile audience is Facebook Ads, especially using video formats. The reason video works so well on mobile is its ability to quickly capture attention in a visually dynamic way. We saw a significant increase in engagement when we shifted from static images to short, impactful videos tailored to our audience’s interests. Videos allow for concise storytelling, which fits well with the way people consume content on mobile—fast and on-the-go. Moreover, Facebook’s robust targeting options let us focus on key demographics, ensuring our ads reached the right people at the right time. By continuously refining the creative based on performance insights, we were able to improve our conversion rates while keeping costs manageable.
Ryan Moore
Founder & CEO, Pheasant Energy
Instagram Stories Ads Boost Conversions
One advertising platform that works particularly well for reaching a mobile audience is Instagram. Due to its visual-first format and highly engaging features like Stories, Reels, and shoppable posts, Instagram provides an ideal environment for capturing the attention of mobile users. The ability to target audiences based on interests, behaviors, and demographics helps advertisers tailor their message to specific groups effectively.
For instance, during a campaign for a new product launch, I used Instagram Stories ads, which allowed users to swipe up to learn more or purchase directly. The seamless experience between browsing and purchasing on mobile led to higher engagement rates and a noticeable increase in conversions, especially among younger audiences who spend a lot of time on mobile.
This platform’s mobile-friendly features, including vertical video ads and interactive elements like polls or swipe-up actions, make it highly effective in delivering concise, engaging content for mobile users.
Sebastian Petrosi
Head of Content Marketing, Howtostream.ca
YouTube Skippable Ads Hook Viewers
From running countless campaigns, I’ve learned that YouTube’s skippable in-stream ads are amazingly effective for reaching mobile users. Just last quarter, we saw a 42% completion rate on our 15-second service tutorials when we focused on hooking viewers in the first 5 seconds and optimizing for vertical viewing.
Joe Davies
CEO, FATJOE
Google Mobile Search Ads Optimize Targeting
For reaching a mobile audience effectively, Google Ads (specifically for Mobile Search Ads) is one platform that stands out. Here’s why it works so well:
- Optimized for Mobile Devices: Google Ads, particularly mobile search ads, are designed to deliver high-relevance ads in the most convenient formats for mobile users. With the rise in mobile searches, ads are optimized to display seamlessly across different screen sizes and devices.
- Local Targeting: Mobile users often search for products and services based on proximity. Google Ads’ geolocation targeting enables businesses to serve ads to users within specific geographic areas, allowing for hyper-targeted campaigns that align with user intent.
- Intent-Based Ads: Google Ads allows advertisers to target mobile users based on search intent. Whether users are searching for a product, service, or solution, the ads appear exactly when users are actively looking for relevant content, improving the chances of conversion.
- Mobile-Friendly Formats: With the prevalence of mobile devices, Google Ads offers a variety of ad formats that are mobile-friendly, such as responsive search ads and call-only ads, allowing users to take immediate action with just a tap on their phone.
In my experience, Google Ads for mobile search ads have proven to be a game-changer for mobile-first campaigns, as it helps advertisers get in front of users who are ready to take action right on their smartphones
Mahesh Singh
Chief Marketing Officer, NimbleWork
In-App Ads Enhance User Experience
The seamless placement of in-app ads within the game keeps users engaged and more receptive, making this advertising format especially effective for reaching our audience.
With in-app ads, we can leverage interactive formats—like rewarded ads—where players receive a bonus or extra lives for watching. This creates a positive interaction, as players feel they’re gaining something while also getting exposed to relevant content. In our experience, the combination of a smooth user experience and the value exchange really resonates with mobile users, leading to higher engagement and click-through rates.
The targeting options are also a huge plus. With insights into user preferences, playing habits, and demographics, we’ve honed our advertising approach to yield better results. In mobile gaming, where users engage on the fly, in-app ads are an ideal way to deliver impactful, timely messages.
Marin Cristian-Ovidiu
CEO, Online Games
Google Call-Only Ads Increase Leads
Google’s call-only ads have been a game-changer for reaching mobile users looking for internet services in Chicago, especially since they’re designed specifically for smartphones. When we switched our local campaigns to focus on call-only ads last quarter, we saw a 40% increase in qualified leads because people could connect with us instantly without having to navigate through a website.
Andrew Dunn
Vice President of Marketing, Zentro Internet
LinkedIn Engages Mobile B2B Audience
I view LinkedIn as a highly effective platform for engaging with a mobile audience, especially within the B2B landscape. LinkedIn’s professional focus allows us to connect with decision-makers and industry influencers directly. The platform’s extensive targeting capabilities enable us to reach specific demographics based on job roles, industries, and skills, ensuring our advertising efforts are directed at the right audience. With a growing number of users accessing LinkedIn via mobile devices, we can engage professionals where they are most active.
Moreover, LinkedIn’s ad formats, such as Sponsored Content and InMail, allow for tailored messaging that resonates with our target market. These formats are designed to blend seamlessly into users’ feeds, making them less intrusive while still capturing attention. Studies indicate that LinkedIn ads often yield higher conversion rates than those on other platforms due to the professional context in which they appear. This unique positioning makes LinkedIn an integral part of our marketing strategy, helping us drive brand awareness and generate valuable leads effectively.
Steve Neher
CEO, Mail King USA
YouTube Shorts Ads Connect Quickly
YouTube Shorts ads have gained traction, especially with the younger mobile audience that prefers bite-sized, video-based content. These short, engaging videos offer an ideal way to connect in a fast, swipeable format where we can make an impact quickly. The vertical video format works well because it fits naturally into the mobile screen, allowing for an immersive experience.
YouTube Shorts ads succeed on mobile due to their native vertical format, which takes full advantage of mobile screens, offering a full, uninterrupted viewing experience. The quick, digestible content is perfect for grabbing attention without requiring a big time commitment from users. This format is ideal for brands to get their message across in a fun, accessible way that aligns with mobile viewing habits.
Marc Bishop
Director, Wytlabs
AdMob Maximizes Mobile Ad Engagement
AdMob, the mobile version of Google AdSense, works well to reach a mobile audience effectively. It is simple, straightforward, and doesn’t require excessive technical expertise to run your ad campaigns.
Its automation features detect the best placement of each ad on the device, considering high opt-in rates and user experience to maximize engagement. Marketers can also connect it with Google Analytics to track their campaign performance.
The platform offers multiple ad formats, including video, banner, reward, and interstitial ads, making it a comprehensive solution to reach your mobile audience. Marketers can also measure the bottlenecks and find areas for improvement by understanding how users interact with their ads through AdMob’s reporting and measurement tools.
Soubhik Chakrabarti
CEO, Canada Hustle
Instagram and Snapchat Reach Mobile Users
For reaching a mobile audience, Instagram and Snapchat are incredibly effective. These platforms are primarily used on mobile devices, which means your ads are reaching people right where they’re already engaged. The targeting capabilities on both allow advertisers to reach specific age groups and interests, so you can tailor your campaigns precisely to your audience. The ad formats—like Stories and Reels—are super visual and interactive, aligning well with how people tend to consume content on mobile: quickly and visually. Altogether, Instagram and Snapchat’s mobile-first experience and targeting options make them ideal for reaching a mobile audience effectively.
Rahul Anand
Digital Marketing Manager, GMR Web Team
Meta Ads Match Businesses to Interests
Meta is great to reach mobile audiences because the ads look great on mobile. Add that Meta has the most powerful ad algorithm in the world and it’s great at matching businesses to people who are interested in those businesses. If you want to see that in action, just take 5 minutes to visit Las Vegas casino websites. Search for restaurants, shows, and hotels. You’ll see all manner of Meta ads for Vegas in your newsfeed. That’s the power of Meta’s algorithm knowing when you have immediate purchase intent.
Robert Brill
CEO, Brill Media
LinkedIn Message Ads Target Professionals
For reaching professionals like CFOs on mobile, LinkedIn Sponsored Messages (Message Ads) are highly effective. This format works because it feels personal and is delivered directly to the inbox of decision-makers, where they’re already networking and engaging with industry content-even on mobile.
Why is it so effective? For one, it’s not disruptive. Instead, it mirrors the way CFOs prefer to communicate—through concise, actionable messages tailored to their interests. For example, we’ve used this format to share invites to webinars or send targeted ROI calculators, like our AR Business Case Builder, straight to their inbox. The ability to include a direct call-to-action, such as “View Your Savings Potential Now,” makes it easy for professionals to engage immediately, even on the go.
By meeting CFOs where they are, with content that speaks directly to their pain points, LinkedIn Message Ads create a seamless, professional mobile experience that drives results.
Aimie Ye
Director of Inbound Marketing, Centime
