A new global study by Eskimi, a creative and media technology platform, reveals that internet users in the United Arab Emirates are exposed to almost 850 digital advertisements each day. This places the UAE 12th worldwide for daily ad exposure, highlighting the region’s growing significance in digital advertising.
Eskimi analyzed ad data from websites and apps across 188 countries, finding a wide range in daily ad exposure—from tens to nearly 1,600 ads per person. Nauru tops the list with nearly 1,600 ads daily, followed by Iceland with over 1,500.
Vytautas Paukstys, CEO of Eskimi, noted that despite the sheer volume of ads, users remember very few, as the brain naturally filters out much of the advertising overload. “This creates a challenge for businesses on how to break through and get noticed,” he said.
The study found app-based ads are far more common than website ads globally, with UAE users encountering three times as many ads on apps than on websites. Factors influencing ad exposure include device types, internet speeds, connectivity, and advertiser competition. Smaller countries with limited users, like Nauru, see higher ad impressions per person, while competitive markets also have consistently filled ad spaces.
Online behavior also plays a role: for example, South Africans spend nearly 10 hours online daily compared to 4 hours in Japan, affecting ad volumes.
Paukstys advises marketers to focus on creativity and engaging ad formats rather than flooding audiences with static ads, to combat ad fatigue and improve campaign effectiveness. Many advertisers are now using AI and analytics tools to prioritize genuine user engagement over simple impressions.
For saturated markets, he recommends leveraging advanced demand-side platforms, localizing content, and renewing creative efforts to stand out in crowded digital environments.
The findings, based on anonymized ad data collected in May 2025, provide valuable insights for businesses aiming to optimize advertising strategies in diverse global markets.
