If you’re a Kiwi ad buyer or creator eyeballing the UAE market for TikTok advertising in 2025, pull up a chair. This isn’t just another rate card dump – it’s your no-nonsense guide to cracking the United Arab Emirates’ TikTok ad scene, tailored for New Zealand marketers who want to get media buying right down to the dollar and dirham.
TikTok advertising has exploded worldwide, and the UAE is no exception. With a hyper-connected, social-savvy population, it’s a prime spot for digital marketing. But the cost landscape? That’s a different beast. As of June 2025, understanding the advertising rates, payment methods, and local nuances can seriously up your campaign game or influencer collabs if you’re based in New Zealand.
Let’s unpack the 2025 ad rates across all TikTok categories in the UAE, and how you as a Kiwi advertiser or content creator can play it smart.
📢 UAE TikTok Advertising Landscape in 2025
The United Arab Emirates is a hotspot for TikTok, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where youth and expats dominate the social media scene. For New Zealand brands or influencers, this presents a golden chance to tap into a diverse audience with big spending power.
In 2025, TikTok advertising in the UAE covers everything from brand takeovers and in-feed ads to branded hashtag challenges and TopView placements. Each has its own price tag, pegged in AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham), and the rates are influenced by demand, targeting precision, and ad format.
Why UAE for Kiwi Advertisers?
- Population with one of the highest smartphone penetrations globally
- Multilingual audience – English widely spoken along with Arabic
- Strong appetite for short-form video content, perfect for TikTok
- A booming ecommerce and luxury goods market
For New Zealand businesses, whether it’s a tourism campaign, tech product launch, or lifestyle brand, UAE’s TikTok scene offers a gateway to a vibrant, English-speaking, affluent consumer base.
📊 2025 TikTok Ad Rates Breakdown in the UAE
Here’s your rough fare for TikTok advertising by category, updated June 2025. All prices are in AED, with NZD approximate conversions (1 AED ≈ 0.44 NZD).
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Brand Takeover: AED 150,000 – 300,000 per day (~NZD 66,000 – 132,000)
Instant eyeballs, full-screen ads with exclusive category rights for 24 hours. -
TopView Ads: AED 120,000 – 250,000 per day (~NZD 52,800 – 110,000)
Prime video placements that appear when users open TikTok. -
In-Feed Ads: AED 20,000 – 70,000 per day (~NZD 8,800 – 30,800)
Native ads blending into the For You feed, great for engagement. -
Branded Hashtag Challenges: Starting around AED 300,000 (~NZD 132,000)
Drives user-generated content and viral buzz, highly effective but premium-priced. -
Branded Effects: AED 100,000 – 180,000 (~NZD 44,000 – 79,200)
Custom filters and AR effects users can play with.
What’s Driving These Rates?
- High demand from luxury, automotive, and retail sectors
- Competitive media buying environment
- Premium targeting options on TikTok’s platform, including location, interests, and behaviours
- Peak seasons (like Ramadan, Dubai Shopping Festival) see surges in prices
💡 How to Approach TikTok Advertising from New Zealand
Payment & Currency Considerations
UAE advertisers typically pay in AED, but as a New Zealander, you’ll want to work with media agencies or platforms that accept NZD or international credit cards. Some local ad agencies in the UAE, such as DigitalFarm or Traffic Digital, offer flexible payment options and can help manage currency risks.
Cultural & Legal Nuances
Respect for local customs is crucial. Content must align with UAE’s cultural values and advertising laws. Avoid sensitive topics and ensure your content is vetted for compliance to prevent takedowns.
Collaborating with UAE Influencers
If you’re looking at influencer marketing alongside TikTok ads, tap into local creators like Feras Bugnah or Noor Stars, who have massive UAE followings. Kiwi brands can partner with UAE agencies specialising in influencer marketing, such as The Social Gal.
📊 New Zealand Context: How We Stack Up
In June 2025, New Zealand’s TikTok advertising rates are generally lower than the UAE’s but the fundamentals are the same. NZ advertisers pay around NZD 5,000 – 15,000 for in-feed ads daily, a fraction compared to UAE’s premium market. But the UAE’s affluent audience and high engagement justify the spend for brands chasing international growth.
Media buying in New Zealand often involves platforms like The Social Club or Engage Digital, which also help brands navigate cross-border campaigns. Using NZD for budgeting and payment is straightforward here, but when branching out to UAE, partnering with local media buyers or global platforms like BaoLiba is recommended.
People Also Ask
What are the average TikTok ad rates in the United Arab Emirates for 2025?
TikTok ad rates in the UAE vary by format, with Brand Takeovers costing between AED 150,000 – 300,000 per day and in-feed ads ranging from AED 20,000 – 70,000 per day, as of June 2025.
Can New Zealand advertisers pay in NZD for UAE TikTok ads?
Most UAE TikTok ad purchases are billed in AED, but Kiwi advertisers can work with UAE media agencies or platforms that accept NZD or international credit cards to simplify payments.
How do TikTok ad rates in New Zealand compare to UAE?
New Zealand TikTok ad rates are significantly lower, with in-feed ads costing roughly NZD 5,000 – 15,000 per day, compared to the UAE’s higher rates driven by a premium market and demand.
❗ Risk Reminders for Kiwi Advertisers
- Misjudging cultural sensitivities can lead to content bans or negative PR.
- Currency fluctuations between NZD and AED can affect your budget if unmanaged.
- UAE’s digital advertising regulations are strict; always vet your creatives legally.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about diving into United Arab Emirates TikTok advertising from New Zealand in 2025, now’s the time to get your media buying strategy tight and culturally savvy. The price tags might be steep compared to home, but the payoff with the right approach is huge.
BaoLiba will continue updating New Zealand marketers and influencers on global TikTok advertising trends. Stay tuned for more localised insights and practical tips to smash your cross-border campaigns.