Digital Marketing in Saudi Arabia 2026: Internet Data to Build Your Strategy

With 61.3% of internet users in Saudi Arabia spending seven hours or more online daily, your audience is connected and ready to engage. Reaching them requires a clear grasp of the country's digital infrastructure and consumption habits. Digital marketing here means using online channels to find and interact with potential customers across platforms that now serve as the primary arena for business.

How large is internet and data usage in Saudi Arabia in 2025?

The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) released the fifth edition of its Saudi Internet Report 2025, outlining the usage indicators that underpin any marketing plan. The figures reflect how deeply digital services have penetrated daily life across the Kingdom.

According to the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, average mobile data consumption per individual reached 53 gigabytes monthly — three times the global average. Median mobile download speed hit 216 megabits per second, placing Saudi Arabia among the top five countries in the Group of Twenty for this metric. Such speeds and heavy consumption create an environment where high-quality video streams without interruption.

How do internet speed and data consumption shape your marketing options?

High speeds and heavy data use open the door to specific content formats. With a median download speed of 216 megabits per second, long-form video, short clips, and live streaming become practical tools for reaching audiences.

The report also found that 45.2% of internet users in the Kingdom have adopted artificial intelligence tools. This uptake signals that consumers keep pace with new technology, giving businesses room to integrate AI into campaigns to refine customer experiences and tailor ad messaging based on browsing behavior.

Which apps and platforms are used most in Saudi Arabia?

The CST report does not break down advertising reach by platform name and user count the way commercial studies do. Instead, it maps how Saudis use applications and digital services, covering the most downloaded and frequently used apps across social media, government services, sports, and artificial intelligence.

It also examines how usage patterns differ between demographic groups and highlights the leading search engines. When choosing a platform for a campaign, rely on these breakdowns to pinpoint exactly where your target customers spend their time.

How is marketing's contribution to the Saudi digital economy measured?

The digital economy consists of economic activities conducted or enabled through digital technologies, according to the methodology defined by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) in its 2024 methodology and quality report on digital economy statistics. This definition covers all activities that depend on or are enhanced by digital inputs, including infrastructure, services, and data.

To measure marketing impact within this framework, GASTAT launched a statistical survey designed to supply data for calculating the digital economy's share of Saudi gross domestic product. The survey applies the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC4), the approved system for describing production activities of entities holding a legal identity and commercial registration.

What steps build a data-driven digital marketing strategy locally?

Based on official reports, follow these steps to establish your digital presence:

1. Review usage patterns: Study the demographic breakdowns in the Saudi Internet Report 2025 to identify which platforms your audience frequents.
2. Design data-rich content: With average individual consumption at 53 gigabytes monthly, allocate part of your budget to producing rich, high-quality visual content.
3. Integrate AI tools: Since 45.2% of users have adopted these tools, apply them to personalize ads and analyze data.
4. Register your domain locally: Annual growth in Saudi domain names rose by 18%, reflecting expanding local content and greater browsing trust.
5. Classify your economic activity: Ensure your business aligns with the ISIC4 classification used by GASTAT so your metrics fit accurately within the digital economy.

What do Saudi domain name figures reveal about the market?

The CST report highlighted an 18% annual growth rate for Saudi domain names. This figure points to stronger trust in local web browsing and signals expanding domestic digital content alongside a growing digital economy.

The report did not detail how these domains are distributed across commercial sectors or the investment tied to them. It recorded the growth solely as a broad indicator of internet ecosystem development and improved digital service efficiency supporting innovation.

Key figures

• AI tool adoption rate: 45.2% of internet users (Communications, Space and Technology Commission)
• Average mobile data consumption per individual: 53 gigabytes monthly, three times the global average (Communications, Space and Technology Commission)
• Median mobile download speed: 216 megabits per second (Communications, Space and Technology Commission)
• Users spending seven hours or more online daily: 61.3% (Communications, Space and Technology Commission)
• Annual growth in Saudi domain names: 18% (Communications, Space and Technology Commission)

What should marketers track next?

Build your marketing plan on the consumption and speed figures provided by the Saudi digital environment rather than general assumptions. Follow upcoming updates to the Saudi Internet Report and review GASTAT's digital economy survey data to measure your organization's position accurately within the economic activity classified under ISIC4.