Can I advertise with a Snapchat filter or lens?
Yes. Snapchat sells augmented-reality Filters and Lenses as paid ad products, and you build them in Ads Manager like any other campaign. Snapchat describes Sponsored AR Filters as appearing after someone captures a snap, in the post-capture Filter carousel, while Lenses appear before capture in the Lens carousel.
ShoaibUpdated 3 min read
What's the difference between a Lens and a Filter?
| Lens | Sponsored AR Filter | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it appears | Lens carousel, before you take the snap | Filter carousel, after you take the snap |
| What it does | Alters the face or the scene in 3D | Overlays artwork, countdowns, quizzes and similar |
| Effort to make | Higher — closer to a production | Lower — built from templates |
Snapchat's own materials describe Face Lenses as able to alter a person's face, and note brands using them for product try-on such as makeup, jewellery and sunglasses.
Do I need a big budget or a production team?
Snapchat says advertisers can build Sponsored AR Filters from templates using Lens Web Builder, which it describes as a free DIY tool, and presents this as the route for budget-conscious brands that want to take part without traditional production.
So the honest answer: a simple branded filter is within reach of a small Kuwaiti business. A full 3D try-on Lens is not a starting point.
Should this be my first Snapchat ad?
Probably not. AR is an awareness and brand-play format — it gets people interacting with your brand, not typing their card details. If you want sales or bookings, start with standard Snap Ads and check what Snapchat ads cost and whether they're worth it, then use AR once something is already selling.
New to the platform? The setup walkthrough is in how to make a sponsored ad on Snapchat, and you'll want a public profile for your business first.
Want Snapchat campaigns that actually sell, AR included? See our Snapchat Ads service.