16 Brilliant Benefits of Branded AR Filters [in 2025]
- Paul Raffaelli
- Aug 6
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Hello! I’m Paul, and I run Gloam, a leading AR agency creating brilliant, climate-positive AR Filters for Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and WebAR.
We’ve delivered campaigns for brands including NBA, Beats by Dre, ESPN, Hitachi, Nissan, FIFA, Marks & Spencer, Gorillaz, McLaren, and many others, from charities to global music artists.
You can try some of them at www.gloam.io
Why AR Still Matters in 2025
The AR world is always turning but one thing hasn’t moved: AR Filters are still one of the most fun, powerful ways for brands to connect with people.
Whether it’s through Snapchat, Web AR or TikTok, AR helps your audience get involved. It’s interactive, memorable, and genuinely fun to play with.
But if you're wondering why you keep seeing big brands like Netflix, Gucci, Lego, Adidas and H&M continue to create their own social AR experiences? Read on...
What is an AR Filter/Augmented Reality Filter?
Augmented Reality (AR) is an interactive experience that allows us to put digital objects into a real-world environment. These effects can improve our perception of real-life entertainingly and educationally. AR Filters are social media's version of Augmented Reality. They're hyper-immersive, available on TikTok, Snapchat and Web AR (no app needed) and can be custom-made, cost-effectively and quickly to however you wish. They're hugely engaging with some AR Filters getting billions of impressions.
1. Big brands are still all-in on AR
AR isn’t a niche play anymore — it’s a core part of how major brands connect with audiences.
According to Statista, global AR advertising revenue is projected to hit $50 billion by the end of 2025. From retail to sports to entertainment, brands are investing more because AR keeps delivering results.
It’s not experimental. It’s expected.
2. Augmented Reality is more engaging than video and video is HUGE!
People don’t scroll past AR Filters — they play with them.
Research shows that people who use AR Filters use them on average for 75 seconds - 4X longer than mobile video - and that means more attention and better brand recall.
3. Web AR = no app needed
Web AR works right in the interent browser on your phone — no app needed. And like a normal social AR Filter, the user can record a video of them using it and save it to their camera roll to share.
For Web AR, we use Snapchat’s Lens Studio because it’s the most advanced AR creation platform today—with body tracking, physics, ML and now AI generation tools.
And thanks to Snap’s Camera Kit (their version of Web AR), your AR Filter works on your own website or app, without the Snapchat app.
4. AR Mirrors Are Turning Heads (and Driving Sales)
AR Mirrors bring interactive experiences into physical spaces—from retail stores to events. Shoppers can try on clothes, makeup, or accessories virtually.
According to Retail Dive, AR Mirrors have been shown to increase dwell time by up to 300% and conversion rates by up to 20% in-store. They blend the convenience of e-commerce with the immediacy of real-life shopping—no changing room needed.
They’re perfect for:
Flagship stores
Product launches
High-footfall OOH locations
5. Customers can 'Try Before They Buy' ANYWHERE
Let users virtually try on glasses, shoes, makeup, clothes, watches—without needing to visit a shop.
6. Perfect for launches & events
Got a product launch or big event? AR Filters let your audience experience it directly.
We built four AR Filters to bring models to life for Hitachi at their event in Berlin.
7. AR GLASSES ARE HERE: Snapchat’s AR Spectacles
Snapchat’s Spectacles are available now for hands-free AR, immersive brand experiences.
As an official Snapchat AR Partner, we can supply your campaign wth their brand new AR glasses and unique AR Filters.
8. FANS create content for you
AR Filters encourage users to create content for you. That means organic reach, peer-to-peer sharing, and content that aligns with your brand.
9. Brilliant AR Filters are cheaper to create than you think
You don't need to blow your marketing budget on one AR Filter (unless you'd like to). Augmented Reality Filters are an inexpensive alternative to other media platforms as no specific media needs to be purchased. They can be made for as little as £3,000 GBP/$4,00 USD.
10. People remember AR
According to Zappar, Augmented Reality experiences are uniquely memorable. What this means is that AR can be a compelling way to deliver information that is subsequently retained. This means advertisers and brands can achieve 70% higher levels of memory recall compared with non-AR such as video for any potential customers who use their Augmented Reality AR Filters.
11. You can measure success
AR Filters have the potential of millions of impressions and shares.
Track usage, shares, dwell time, location and more.
12. Gamified experiences = longer engagement
From quizzes to mini-games, AR lets your audience play, compete, and unlock rewards—driving engagement and brand joy.
13. AR Filters can do more for your brand than you think
AR filters are evolving rapidly—new features drop every few weeks across platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and Web AR (via Lens Studio and other tools). That’s why certain filter trends go viral at the same time—they’re often powered by fresh capabilities released platform-wide.
The brands that jump on these early unlock an edge in creativity, shareability, and cultural traction.
Here’s a glimpse at what’s already possible:
Front and back camera effects
Face tracking & makeup filters
Add music and sound effects
3D and 2D objects that react to audio
Generative AI image creation
Upload your own photos or videos into the experience
AR mini-games (e.g. Truth or Dare, Trivia, Quizzes)
User interactions: blink, smile, nod, open mouth, shake head
Hand and image tracking
Product try-ons (glasses, hats, makeup, etc.)
Real-world placement (e.g. furniture in your room)
Randomisers (e.g. “Which character are you?”)
And that’s just the start. In 2025, AR features are becoming smarter, more interactive, and increasingly powered by AI.
14. AR Filters can livE ON for years
Unlike traditional social content, AR effects don't have a shelf life. They stay discoverable, usable with some getting billions of plays long after the first campaign.
15. AR is only getting bigger
With the rise of AI, wearables, spatial computing and Web AR, the future is already arriving. And AR is going to be at the centre of it all.
16. AR FILTERS CAN BE CLIMATE-POSITIVE
For every branded AR Filter we make for our clients, we plant five trees in Scotland. Read more about our climate-positive augmented reality partnership with the Future Forest Company at www.gloam.io.
Wrapping up
People want immersive, fun, and useful brand experiences. AR gives them that — and it’s easier, more powerful, and more scalable than ever.
This is just the beginning.
If you’re still here, thanks for reading. And if you have any questions feel free to email me at paul@gloam.io.
