In the Arab world, music streaming is not just entertainment — it has become a vital channel for brands to reach culturally engaged audiences. Anghami stands as one of the leading platforms for Arabic and international music in the MENA region. By placing ads on Anghami, brands can engage listeners when they are most receptive. In this blog, we’ll walk you through strategies to reach Arabic listeners via Anghami ads, backed by relevant statistics.
Why Anghami is a smart choice for Arabic-audience ads
Before diving into tactics, let’s understand what makes Anghami effective:
- Strong local footprint: Anghami delivers both Arabic and international tracks and claims a library of over 72 million songs.
- First-party data advantage: It holds one of the largest first-party data pools in MENA, meaning it knows its listeners’ preferences well (with their consent).
- Growth in premium users: As of March 2024, Anghami had 1.87 million premium subscribers, an 18 % growth year-over-year.
- Large and engaged user base: Earlier reports showed active users reaching around 19.5 million, a 46 % increase.
- Arabic content dominance: Around 60 % of all streams on Anghami are Arabic content, supporting strong local relevance.
- High streaming penetration: In key MENA markets, music streaming penetration is estimated at 59 % in Saudi Arabia, 70 % in the UAE, and 83 % in Egypt.
These strengths give advertisers not only reach but relevancy — the ability to connect with listeners based on language, genre, location, and behaviour.
Steps to plan an Anghami ad campaign targeting Arabic listeners
1. Define your target audience
Consider demographics (age, gender, city or country), language preference, preferred music genres (Khaliji, Rai, pop, chill playlists,) and listening behaviour (time of day, mobile vs desktop, premium vs free users).
2. Select ad formats that resonate
Anghami provides a range of ad products, such as:
- Audio ads (pre-rolls, mid-rolls)
- Sponsored playlists or mood-based curation
- In-app display banners or interstitials
- Branded takeovers or story-style visuals
- Artist spotlights or branded playlist content
3. Localise your ad creatives
Use Arabic copy and dialects where appropriate, include cultural references, align visuals with Arabic script, and test variations for different countries.
4. Use data & segmentation
Leverage Anghami’s data to filter by geolocation, genre, behaviour, or premium status, while applying frequency caps to avoid ad fatigue.
5. Schedule campaigns carefully
Target peak listening hours such as evenings and commutes, and consider seasonal boosts around Ramadan, Eid, or national events.
6. Track performance & optimise
Measure ad recall, brand lift, click-through rates, and conversions. Use A/B testing to refine creatives and targeting.
Best practices for success
- Blend native and branded content so ads feel part of the music experience.
- Keep audio ads short — ideally 15–30 seconds.
- Partner with influencers or local artists for authenticity.
- Cross-promote across social platforms to amplify impact.
- Add offers or exclusives (discounts, early access) to boost engagement.
Illustrative campaign example
Imagine a brand launching in Egypt:
- Audience: Egyptians aged 18–35, Arabic as primary language
- Format: Audio ads plus playlist sponsorship
- Creative: Arabic copy with cultural references
- Timing: Afternoon and evening slots, weekend focus
- KPIs: Brand search lift, ad recall, conversions
This simple structure ensures relevance while maximising return on investment.
Challenges to consider
- Content saturation: Stand out through creative quality and targeting.
- Ad fatigue: Rotate creative and limit exposure.
- Cultural nuances: Respect social norms in each market.
- Attribution: Streaming ads often drive brand awareness more than direct clicks, so track both soft and hard metrics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Anghami?
Anghami is a leading music streaming platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), offering both Arabic and international music.
2. Why should brands advertise on Anghami?
It combines a large Arabic user base with strong data-driven targeting, making it ideal for reaching specific audiences in the region.
3. What ad formats are available?
Options include audio ads, sponsored playlists, in-app banners, branded takeovers, and story-style visuals.
4. Can I target only Arabic speakers?
Yes — advertisers can filter audiences by language preference, country, demographics, behavior, and genre.
5. How effective are audio ads on Anghami?
Audio ads have high recall rates, especially among younger listeners who are engaged with playlists throughout the day.