5 Reasons Why Advertising on Holidays is Effective
The holiday season and summer holidays are approaching. Marketers often debate whether launching ad campaigns over the holidays is worth the budget.
Some consider it a waste of resources, while others see it as a great opportunity to gain attention when competitor activity is lower.
In this article, we explain why you should keep your campaigns running during the holidays and share practical tips on how to improve your conversion rates.
Reason #1: User Activity Remains High
Data shows that user activity online either remains stable during the holidays or drops only slightly.
A survey by HighSpeedInternet.com found that 81% of Americans require Wi-Fi while traveling. Moreover, more than 6 in 10 respondents (64%) said they consider internet speed when booking a hotel.
81% of Americans require Wi-Fi while traveling
How respondents use the internet during vacations and holidays:
- 67% browse social media
- 66% stay in touch with family and friends
- 65% stream movies, shows, and music
- 53% plan their trips and use navigation apps
- 40% play online games
This demonstrates that users stay connected and continue to see ads even during their time off.
Reason #2: You Can Tap Into Seasonal Consumer Psychology
Holiday campaigns are more effective when tailored to seasonal interests. During the spring and summer seasons, the most in-demand products include:
- BBQ supplies
- Garden furniture
- Camping gear
- Lightweight clothing
- Sports equipment
- Outdoor games
- Beach accessories
For brands offering relevant products and services, this is the perfect time to stand out and respond to consumer demand.
Morning Consult also reports that the majority of U.S. consumers find holiday-themed marketing enjoyable rather than annoying.
To strengthen your campaign, use emotional triggers:
- Emphasize the mood of warmth and relaxation with visuals that reference country holidays or family time.
- Offer themed bundles (e.g., “BBQ Essentials Kit”) to boost perceived value and drive impulse purchases.
- Add urgency with clear CTAs, reminding users there’s little time left to prepare.
By aligning ads with seasonal behavior and needs, you increase relevance, boost conversions, and create a more positive user experience.
Reason #3: Your Audience Has Free Time
During holidays, people finally get a break from work and household routines. This makes them more open to watching ads without feeling rushed.
Holiday periods are ideal for running campaigns that encourage deeper engagement. Users are more likely to click links, watch videos, and read offers thoroughly.
Retargeting can also be especially effective: remind users who have seen your ads before or visited your website to come back and complete a purchase.
Reason #4: Demand Exceeds Supply
During the holidays, many companies pause campaigns to avoid budget waste or low reach. As a result, there are fewer ads in the space.
This creates an opportunity:
- Lower CPC: Less competition can reduce your cost per click.
- More visibility: With fewer brands advertising, it’s easier to capture user attention.
- Early mover advantage: Launching campaigns early helps secure interest before others join in.
In short, holidays are not a time to pause — they’re a chance to invest smartly, gain visibility, and build stronger audience connections.
Reason #5: Build Long-Term Brand Loyalty
Holiday ads don’t just drive immediate sales — they help consumers remember your brand. When people spend more time online, the chances of memorability increase.
Well-structured holiday campaigns enhance brand positioning and contribute to long-term growth.
How to Build a Holiday Marketing Strategy
Tips from BYYD:
- Analyze audience behavior during holidays
Identify peak activity times, preferred platforms, and interests. - Set campaign goals and KPIs
E.g., to increase accessory sales by 10% over the weekend. - Create a timely offer
Include limited-time discounts, bundles, or gifts with purchase. - Develop festive creatives
Keep within your brand style but add holiday visuals and mood. - Start early
Launch your campaign 5–7 days ahead. Most purchases are planned in advance. - Choose platforms your users visit during holidays
For example, in-app mobile ads provide wide reach during downtime. - Segment your audience
Use interest-, behavior-, and location-based targeting to boost relevance. - Use engagement tools
Try quizzes, games, video formats, or reward incentives. - Optimize in real time
Monitor CTR, engagement, and CPC. Adjust creatives or offers quickly. - Review performance afterward
Learn what worked, refine your strategy, and save insights for the future.
Mobile Advertising as a Holiday Promotion Tool
Mobile ads appear inside smartphone and tablet apps.
Why in-app ads are perfect for holidays:
- Users stay online even while traveling or relaxing outdoors.
- Precise targeting avoids irrelevant impressions and improves user experience.
- Retargeting reminds interested users to complete their purchase.
- BYYD offers two types: external (brand-provided data) and internal (based on BYYD’s campaign data).
- Fast interaction: one click can take users to your website, cart, or chat.
- Flexible formats: video, banners, rich media, in-game, etc.
- Measurable results: Real-time metrics for impressions, clicks, installs.
- Daily optimization: Improves performance and focuses on the highest-traffic apps.
We have been helping brands solve their image challenges with mobile app advertising for over 10 years. During this time, we have implemented thousands of successful advertising campaigns.
If you would like to learn more about the BYYD platform cases, we invite you to read the examples of mobile promotion on our website.
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