How to Market Your Business in Saudi Arabia: Platforms, Numbers and Rules

How many people use the internet and social media in Saudi Arabia?

Almost everyone is online. That is the good news for any business that wants to be found.

How many internet users are there in Saudi Arabia?

DataReportal counts 34.4 million internet users at the end of 2025. That is 99.0% of the population. The number grew by 598 thousand, or 1.8%, between October 2024 and October 2025.

How many social media users are there in Saudi Arabia?

There are 38.6 million social media user identities, as of October 2025. That equals 111% of the population. The count grew by 5.8 million, or 17.7%, from late 2024 to the end of 2025.

Why can social media numbers be higher than 100%?

Because they count accounts, not people. One person can hold accounts on four apps. So read these figures as a sign of size, not as a head count.

Which social media platforms reach the most people in Saudi Arabia?

These are advertising reach estimates for late 2025. They are not monthly active users, so use them to compare platforms, not to promise results.

How big are YouTube and Snapchat in Saudi Arabia?

YouTube reaches 27.5 million people, or 79.2% of the population. Snapchat reaches 25.3 million, or 72.9%.

How big are Instagram and Facebook in Saudi Arabia?

Instagram reaches 18.2 million people (52.4%). Facebook reaches 17.7 million (50.8%).

How big are X and LinkedIn in Saudi Arabia?

X reaches 15.0 million people (43.1%). LinkedIn has 12.0 million registered members (34.6%). LinkedIn counts members, not ad reach, so treat that one with care.

Do influencers need a licence to advertise in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, in most cases. The rule came from the General Commission for Audiovisual Media (GCAM) in 2022.

What is Mawthooq?

Mawthooq is the advertising licence for individuals who publish adverts on their personal social media accounts. You apply through the Ilam platform. The account that carries the ads must be registered with GCAM and linked to the licence.

Can non-Saudis advertise in Saudi Arabia?

Not before they hold the right licences and approvals. Gulf citizens can get a commercial registration and an advertising licence. Foreigners living in the Gulf need an individual licence through a licensed local advertising agency, or an investment licence.

Has the Mawthooq fee changed?

The 2022 reports gave a fee and a three-year validity. Terms and fees may have changed since then. Check the current ones with GCAM before you hire an influencer.

How does the PDPL affect your marketing lists in Saudi Arabia?

Your email list, your phone list and your WhatsApp contacts are all personal data. The Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) has been fully enforceable since 14 September 2024. SDAIA is the regulator.

Do you need consent to use someone's data?

Consent is one of the legal bases the law allows. It is the easiest one to explain to a customer. Ask clearly, and keep a record of when and how the person agreed.

What should you tell people when you collect their email?

Tell them what data you collect, why you collect it, the legal basis, and where it will be used. Put this in a privacy notice that is easy to find.

What happens if someone withdraws consent?

You may have to destroy their data. So make unsubscribing easy and act on it quickly.

Where should a small business start with marketing in Saudi Arabia?

This part is our view, not a rule. Start small and learn from what you see.

Which platform should you try first?

Go where your own customers already are. Ask ten of them which apps they open every day. That answer is worth more than any chart.

What should you check before you pay for an influencer?

Ask to see the Mawthooq licence and confirm it with GCAM. Then agree in writing what the post will say and who owns the content.