Top 10 Advertising Platforms for Startups in Asia (2025)

While many brands still rely on industry giants like Meta and Google, there’s growing interest in less saturated alternatives such as tg ads, which offer startups a more agile, cost-efficient route to reach niche communities—particularly on platforms like Telegram. With privacy-conscious users and rising engagement in messaging environments, startups are increasingly experimenting with diversified ad mixes tailored to Asia’s shifting consumer behaviours.

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1. Meta Ads (Facebook & Instagram)

Overview: Meta Ads continue to dominate the digital ad space in Asia, offering startups extensive reach across Facebook and Instagram. In Hong Kong, both platforms remain daily staples for social engagement and consumer discovery.

Key Features:

• Ad formats: Image, video, carousel, stories, reels, and collection ads
• Tools: Ads Manager, Meta Pixel, A/B testing
• Integration with Instagram Shopping and Facebook Marketplace

Targeting Capabilities:

• Interest and behaviour-based targeting
• Custom and lookalike audiences
• Geo-targeting down to the district level in Hong Kong

Costs:

• Average CPC in Asia: $0.10–$0.60
• CPM: $5–$15 depending on targeting depth

Pros:

• Extensive user base
• Advanced optimisation tools
• Easy scalability

Cons:

• High competition
• Increasing CPMs year over year

Relevance to Asia: Startups in Hong Kong often use Instagram stories and reels to promote product drops or flash sales. Integration with WhatsApp makes cross-platform engagement seamless.

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2. Google Ads

Overview: Google Ads remains a powerhouse in Asia, particularly for startups looking to drive high-intent traffic via search, display, and video.

Key Features:

• Ad formats: Search, display, YouTube video, shopping, app promotion
• Smart campaigns with AI-powered recommendations

Targeting Capabilities:

• Keyword targeting
• Location-based targeting
• Demographic and in-market segments

Costs:

• Average CPC: $0.20–$1.00 depending on industry

Pros:

• High ROI for intent-driven campaigns
• Granular control over keywords and budget

Cons:

• Steep learning curve for beginners
• Competition drives up bid costs

Relevance to Asia: In Hong Kong, startups in fintech and e-commerce use Google Ads to acquire search-based leads, particularly in English- and Cantonese-language markets.

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3. TikTok for Business

Overview: TikTok has rapidly become the go-to platform for Gen Z and millennial engagement. Its native ad experience makes it ideal for startups with creative storytelling.

Key Features:

• Ad formats: In-feed ads, TopView, branded hashtags, branded effects
• Creator Marketplace for influencer partnerships

Targeting Capabilities:

• Age, interest, behaviour, and device targeting

Costs:

• Minimum daily budget: $50 for campaigns
• CPM: $6–$12 depending on targeting

Pros:

• High engagement rates
• Viral potential

Cons:

• Requires video production skills
• Younger user base may not suit all products

Relevance to Asia: Hong Kong fashion and beauty startups use branded hashtag challenges to gain viral traction. TikTok Shop is expanding across Southeast Asia, adding commerce capabilities.

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4. YouTube Ads

Overview: With over 500 million active users in Asia, YouTube offers immense reach for video advertising. Startups use it for brand awareness, tutorials, and testimonials.

Key Features:

• Ad formats: Skippable, non-skippable, bumper, overlay, in-feed video
• Connected TV options

Targeting Capabilities:

• Contextual, keyword, interest-based targeting
• Retargeting via Google

Costs:

• CPV: $0.02–$0.10
• CPM: $5–$15

Pros:

• High retention rates
• Detailed analytics through Google Ads

Cons:

• Video production needed
• Longer ramp-up for conversions

Relevance to Asia: Startups in Hong Kong use explainer videos to demonstrate SaaS tools or hardware solutions.

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5. WeChat Ads

Overview: WeChat is a digital ecosystem more than a messaging app. In China and among Chinese communities in Hong Kong, it’s a key channel for lifestyle and e-commerce advertising.

Key Features:

• Ad formats: Moments ads, banner ads in mini-programmes, KOL ads

Targeting Capabilities:

• Location, interests, gender, behaviour, device type

Costs:

• Minimum spend: ¥1,000–¥5,000
• CPM: ¥60–¥150 (HKD$65–$160)

Pros:

• Huge user base in Mainland China and among expats
• Integrated with payment and e-commerce

Cons:

• High entry threshold for overseas advertisers
• Complex compliance procedures

Relevance to Asia: Luxury startups and local retailers in Hong Kong use Moments ads to drive traffic to WeChat Stores.

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6. LINE Ads

Overview: Dominant in Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand, LINE offers diverse ad placements within chats, timelines, and mini-apps.

Key Features:

• Ad formats: Display, video, carousel, sponsored stickers

Targeting Capabilities:

• Location, age, interest, usage behaviour

Costs:

• CPM: $5–$12 depending on country and placement

Pros:

• Rich integrations with LINE Pay and mini-programs

Cons:

• Regional limitations outside Japan and Taiwan

Relevance to Asia: Startups launching in Taiwan or Thailand use LINE to run seasonal campaigns or limited-time offers.

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7. WhatsApp Business (via Meta)

Overview: While WhatsApp doesn’t support native ads, it plays a vital role in lead capture and conversion through click-to-chat ads on Meta platforms.

Key Features:

• Ad format: Click-to-WhatsApp from Facebook or Instagram
• Business API for automation

Targeting Capabilities:

• Targeting inherited from Meta Ads

Costs:

• Cost per lead: $0.10–$1.00 depending on vertical

Pros:

• High conversion from conversation-based sales

Cons:

• Limited native ad formats
• Compliance needed for WhatsApp Business API

Relevance to Asia: Many startups in Hong Kong use WhatsApp as a CRM and sales tool, especially in real estate and healthcare.

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8. Telegram Ads

Overview: Telegram is gaining traction in Asia, particularly among privacy-conscious users and crypto communities. Its lightweight ecosystem and bot capabilities make it ideal for tech-forward startups.

Key Features:

• Ad formats: Sponsored messages in public channels, Telegram Mini Apps Ads
• Telegram Ad Exchange support for third-party access

Targeting Capabilities:

• Channel/topic-based targeting
• Interest and language

Costs:

• CPM: $2–$8 depending on audience size and niche

Pros:

• Less competition = lower costs
• High engagement in niche channels

Cons:

• Smaller reach compared to Meta or TikTok
• Limited native analytics

Relevance to Asia: Startups in fintech and education in Hong Kong are using the telegram ads platform to reach tech-savvy communities. With growing demand, many opt to buy telegram ads via authorised tg ad partners or telegram platforms.

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9. Twitter/X Ads

Overview: Twitter (now X) maintains a strong user base in Japan and pockets of Southeast Asia. Startups targeting early adopters, investors, and journalists often choose this platform.

Key Features:

• Ad formats: Promoted tweets, trends, accounts

Targeting Capabilities:

• Interest, keyword, follower lookalikes, conversation targeting

Costs:

• CPC: $0.10–$0.60

Pros:

• Real-time engagement
• Great for thought leadership

Cons:

• Lower ROI for B2C
• Slower support

Relevance to Asia: Japanese startups use X for PR and product launches. Fintech startups use it to drive traffic during industry events.

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10. Shopee Ads (or Other Regional DSPs)

Overview: For e-commerce startups in Southeast Asia, Shopee Ads and similar DSPs (e.g., Baidu Ads, Naver) offer direct product promotion within marketplaces.

Key Features:

• Ad formats: Search ads, homepage banners, flash sale promotions
• Shopee Brands Suite for full-funnel management

Targeting Capabilities:

• Product views, customer interests, purchase intent

Costs:

• CPC: $0.05–$0.20

Pros:

• Built for conversions
• Seamless purchase integration

Cons:

• Platform-specific usage
• Limited creative flexibility

Relevance to Asia: Retail startups in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam use Shopee Ads to promote product launches and regional campaigns.

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Real Case Studies from Startups in Asia

A Hong Kong-based fintech startup ran tg ads through the telegram ads platform to promote their crypto wallet. By targeting specific investment-focused channels, they achieved a 25% increase in downloads within two weeks.

In Thailand, a fashion startup used TikTok for Business with influencer-driven Spark Ads. The campaign reached 500,000 viewers and tripled sales during the first week. In Taiwan, LINE sponsored stickers became a viral hit for a tea brand, increasing customer return rate by 40%.

In Malaysia, a SaaS startup split their budget between Google Search Ads and Meta lead forms. Google yielded high-intent leads with a 5% conversion rate, while Meta ads provided broad visibility and email subscriptions.

Telegram ad exchange also supported a regional e-commerce platform with ads telegram-style, delivering targeted reach within product review channels. The result was a 12% uplift in traffic from Telegram over one month.

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Summary & Recommendations for 2025

For Asia-based startups, digital advertising will continue to demand a multi-platform strategy. Meta and Google remain foundational pillars due to scale and targeting power, but emerging channels like Telegram and TikTok are essential for reaching niche or younger audiences.

Founders should assess which platforms best align with their customer journey—Google for intent, Meta for visibility, TikTok for storytelling, and Telegram for community-based ads. It’s also wise to test telegram ads platform for high-engagement audiences and consider using a telegram to optimise ad placement.

WeChat and LINE are indispensable for Chinese-speaking and Japan/Korea markets, while regional DSPs offer focused penetration. Allocate 10–20% of budget for experimentation—platforms like Telegram and TikTok may yield surprising ROI for the bold.

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Final Thoughts

Choosing the right advertising platform in Asia for 2025 means balancing reach, budget, and platform relevance. While Meta and Google remain foundational, platforms like TikTok, LINE, and especially Telegram offer fresh, cost-effective channels with high engagement potential. For startups aiming to stand out, experimenting with emerging tools like the telegram platform or tapping into niche audiences via telegram ad solutions may provide an edge.

Each startup’s journey is unique—but with data-driven experimentation and platform fluency, the opportunities in Asia’s digital advertising ecosystem are endless.