Saudi Arabia’s Creator Economy Booms 32.37% in Q1 2025

Fueled by Influencer Marketing and UGC

2 minutes read

The creator economy in Saudi Arabia grew by 32.37% in Q1 2025, driven by influencer marketing and user-generated content (UGC).

TikTok leads with 88% platform penetration, while beauty and lifestyle content top growth niches.
Cost-per-action (CPA) model is revolutionizing influencer partnerships by linking payouts to real performance.

The creator economy in Saudi Arabia surged by 32.37% in Q1 2025, according to a joint report by Admitad and Stllr Network. This growth is fueled by influencer marketing, content-driven commerce, and a rising wave of user-generated content (UGC).

Influencer Marketing Drives Performance-Based Growth

Admitad’s data shows a 15% year-on-year increase in GMV from influencer campaigns and a 14% rise in influencer earnings in 2024. The average order value has reached $54.

A key trend reshaping the landscape is the CPA (cost-per-action) model, where creators earn from actual conversions. This hybrid model combines fixed fees and performance commissions, creating more transparency and long-term brand partnerships.

“The CPA model brings much-needed transparency to influencer marketing,” said Anna Gidirim, CEO of Admitad. “Brands only pay for actual results, and influencers benefit by securing long-term partnerships while offering exclusive discounts to their followers. This approach fosters trust and engagement, benefiting all parties involved.”

TikTok Dominates, Beauty & Lifestyle Are Top Niches

TikTok leads platform growth with an 88% penetration rate in Saudi Arabia. Other platforms seeing growth include:

Twitter (X): +17%
Instagram: +12%
Telegram: +10%

UGC Is Reshaping Brand Strategy

User-generated content (UGC) is now a major trust signal for Saudi audiences. Video is the most effective format, with:

53% of videos being faceless content shot indoors
28% featuring creators’ faces indoors
19% filmed outdoors

Audiences trust real creators more than traditional ads,” said Mohannad Alzahrani, Cofounder and VP KSA of Stllr Network. “UGC is now a key driver of authenticity and conversions. Brands that leverage UGC are seeing significantly higher engagement and conversion rates.”

Who Are Saudi Arabia’s Content Creators?

The creator landscape in Saudi Arabia is:

63% male, 37% female
56% based in Saudi Arabia, followed by UAE (19%) and Egypt (16%)
58.53% produce faceless content
43% are nano-creators, 23% micro, and 34% non-influencer creators

Gaps and Opportunities in the Market

While the market is booming, gaps remain:

Limited B2B and corporate content
Lack of niche creators on LinkedIn
Underrepresentation on YouTube Shorts

“With the right investment, Saudi Arabia has the potential to become a global leader in influencer and content marketing,” said Alzahrani. “Brands that partner with nano-creators today will lead tomorrow’s digital economy.”