Let’s face it—marketing has gotten a serious glow-up. Billboards and basic ads are still around, sure, but if you want to actually connect with people in 2025, you need to do more than just shout your message. Enter: augmented reality in marketing.

Yep, AR is no longer just a cool tech trick. It’s changing how brands talk to their audience and how customers experience products. Whether it’s trying on sneakers virtually or pointing your phone at a wall to see how a painting would look, this is the kind of interaction that sticks.

So let’s break it down—the real impact of AR on customer engagement, what’s hot in AR marketing strategies 2025, and why it’s more than just a buzzword.

What Even Is Augmented Reality in Marketing?

Quick and simple: AR in marketing means layering digital stuff (like 3D images, effects, or animations) on top of the real world through your phone or device. Think: Instagram filters, virtual try-ons, interactive packaging, and even AR games that brands create.

It’s not just about making things “look cool.” It’s about pulling people in. Giving them something to do. Something to remember. Something to share.

Why AR Consumer Engagement Is the New MVP

Let’s be honest—people’s attention spans are short. Like, scroll-past-your-ad-in-2-seconds short. So what actually makes someone pause, tap, and interact? AR.

When you invite people to be a part of the experience, not just watch it, that changes the game. Instead of saying “buy this,” you’re saying “play with this, try this, feel this.” And that’s exactly what today’s consumers want.

Fun fact: More than 70% of consumers say AR makes them more likely to buy. That’s a big deal.

How AR Marketing Hits Different (The Good Stuff)

1. It’s Not Just Shopping—It’s Playing
Whether someone’s trying on a pair of sunglasses virtually or painting their walls with an AR app, it turns shopping into an experience. People don’t just browse—they engage.

2. More Time = More Trust
The longer someone interacts with your product or campaign, the more they connect with it. AR keeps people engaged longer, which builds trust and makes buying feel natural.

3. It Creates a Buzz
Cool AR features are just plain shareable. Want your brand in group chats or stories? AR can get you there. It’s the kind of marketing people want to show off.

4. It’s Useful, Too
Virtual try-ons? Room previews? Skin analysis? These aren’t just fun—they help people make better buying decisions. And fewer returns = happier customers. (Source)

5. The Feels Are Real
When a customer can see, try, or interact with your product in their own space, it feels personal. And that emotional connection is what creates loyalty.

Brands Doing AR Right (And What We Can Learn)

• IKEA Place – Let people drop virtual furniture in their rooms and see how it looks. No measuring tape needed.
• Sephora Virtual Artist – Try on lipstick, eyeshadow, and more—straight from your phone.
• Nike AR Try-Ons – Point your phone at your feet and preview sneakers instantly.
• Pepsi’s AR Bus Stop Ad – Giant robots and UFOs at a London bus stop. Totally unexpected, and totally viral.

The takeaway? AR doesn’t have to be complicated. It just needs to be memorable.

What’s Hot in AR Marketing Strategies 2025

The tech is evolving, and so are the ways brands are using it. Here’s where the smart money’s going this year:

1. Personalized AR
It’s not just “one filter for everyone” anymore. Brands are tailoring AR experiences based on people’s preferences and shopping behavior. Think: virtual closets, personalized product picks, and mood-based styling.

2. Built into Socials
AR is now baked into apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Shoppers can try products and buy directly without leaving the app. Smooth and simple.

3. Smarter with AI
AR is teaming up with AI to make interactions feel real-time and intelligent. Need outfit advice or skincare tips? AR bots are on it.

4. After the Purchase, Too
It’s not just about selling—it’s about what happens next. AR is being used for tutorials, unboxing, loyalty perks, and customer support. That “thank you for buying” just got a glow-up.

5. No App? No Problem.
WebAR is huge. Just click a link or scan a QR code, and boom—you’re in an AR experience. No downloading, no fuss.

Thinking of Using AR? Here’s How to Start

1. Know What Your People Want
Don’t just do AR to be trendy. Ask what would actually help your audience. Try-ons, guides, games, product previews—what fits your vibe?

2. Choose the Right Tools
Use tools like Spark AR, WebXR, or Lens Studio depending on what you want to build and where your audience hangs out.

3. Start Small, Make It Count
You don’t need to drop a huge budget. Try a single campaign—see what clicks, then scale.

4. Watch the Numbers
Track how many people use your AR feature, how long they spend with it, and whether it leads to action. Let the data tell the story.

Real Talk: AR Isn’t the Future—It’s Right Now

If you’re still thinking AR is just a cool gimmick, it’s time to rethink that. Augmented reality in marketing is already changing how people shop, explore, and connect with brands. And the longer you wait to tap in, the more you risk being left behind.

Whether you’re running a big brand or a small biz, the right AR marketing strategies can help you stand out, be remembered, and build real engagement.

2025 is the year of experience-driven marketing—and AR is leading the charge. So don’t just be seen. Be experienced.

Let your audience try, feel, explore, and play. That’s where real connection happens. That’s AR consumer engagement in action.