Snapchat is a popular social media platform that allows users to share photos, videos and messages that disappear after being viewed. One of the key features of Snapchat is its advertising platform, which enables businesses to promote their products and services to Snapchat’s audience.
Before ads can run on Snapchat, they must go through a review process to ensure they meet Snapchat’s guidelines. So how long does it take for Snapchat to review and approve ads?
The Snapchat ad review process
All ads on Snapchat must go through the following review process before being approved to run:
- Ad creation – This is when the advertiser designs their ad in Snapchat’s ad manager platform. All ad components like images, videos and text must meet Snapchat’s creative specs.
- Submission – Once the ad is designed, the advertiser submits it for review. This starts the review process timeline.
- Automated review – Snapchat runs some initial automated checks on the ad content. This looks for technical issues, copyright violations, inappropriate content and more.
- Manual review – If the ad passes the automated checks, it will then go to a human reviewer. This manual review ensures the ad complies with Snapchat’s guidelines and regulations for advertising.
- Approval or rejection – Based on the manual review, the ad will either be approved to run on Snapchat, or rejected if found non-compliant.
How long does manual review take?
The automated reviews are completed instantly by Snapchat’s systems. However, the manual review done by human reviewers takes longer.
According to Snapchat, most ads are reviewed within **24 hours** after submission. However, Snapchat notes it may take **1-3 business days** for an ad to be manually reviewed.
Here are some key factors that determine how quickly ads are reviewed:
- Ad content – Ads with obvious policy violations will get rejected faster than ads requiring more in-depth review.
- Weekends/holidays – Ads submitted on weekends or holidays may take longer, as less staff are working.
- Ad load – When ad submission volume is high, reviews may take more time due to increased workload.
- New accounts – For new advertiser accounts, the first ad submission usually takes longer to review.
Tips to expedite Snapchat ad review
Here are some tips advertisers can use to potentially get their Snapchat ads reviewed faster:
Avoid policy violations
Carefully check that your ad complies with Snapchat’s ad policies before submitting. Ads containing violations will be rejected immediately.
Provide context
When relevant, give some background context in the ad submission form to explain the ad’s intent and content.
Be transparent
Disclose any elements that may potentially cause concern, like influencer relationships or demonstrative content.
Avoid busy times
Try to submit ads earlier in the week and earlier in the day when volume is lower.
Pre-check images
Use Snapchat’s ad creative pre-check tool to verify images ahead of submitting your ad.
What happens if your ad is rejected?
If your Snapchat ad is rejected, here’s what happens next:
- You’ll receive an email from Snapchat informing you of the rejection reason.
- You can edit your ad and resubmit it to attempt getting it approved.
- You can submit an appeal if you feel the rejection was incorrect. This will lead to another manual review.
- Repeated rejections may lead to your account being suspended temporarily or permanently.
By understanding the review process and avoiding rejections, you can launch your Snapchat ads faster. With some preparation and patience during peak times, most ads will get approved within 1-3 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I submit an ad on Snapchat?
To submit an ad on Snapchat, first create your ad in Snapchat Ads Manager. Then click the “Submit for Review” button. This will send your ad into the review process before it can run.
What guidelines does Snapchat have for ads?
Snapchat has published detailed ad policies that all ads must comply with. Some key guidelines include: no misleading claims, no offensive or shocking content, no illegal products/services, and ad targets must be 13+.
Can I expedite review of my Snapchat ad?
There is no formal expedited review process. Your best option is to avoid policy violations, peak submission times, and provide context to potentially get your ad reviewed faster.
What happens if I submit an ad on Friday?
Ads submitted late in the week on Friday may take longer to review, as weekend staffing is lower. Expect reviews submitted on Fridays to take the full 1-3 business days timeline.
How do I appeal a rejected ad on Snapchat?
If your Snapchat ad was rejected, you can submit an appeal within Ads Manager explaining why you believe it should be approved. This will lead to another manual review of your ad.
Conclusion
The Snapchat ad review process typically takes 1-3 business days. By carefully preparing compliant ads and avoiding busy submission times, you can help get your ads through review faster and start driving results sooner. Following Snapchat’s ad policies and providing context prevents rejections that can cause delays.