(Source: https://pltfrm.com.cn)
Introduction
By early 2026, China’s digital ad formats will be fully interactive, AI-personalized, and omni-channel. Overseas brands preparing now for upcoming formats like AR shoppable ads, voice-activated placements, and metaverse integrations will dominate the next growth wave. Here are the formats and trends we are already testing with clients for 2026 dominance.
- AR & Immersive Ad Formats 1.1 Douyin AR Try-On Ads with Instant Purchase Native AR filters inside in-feed ads that detect faces/hands and overlay products with one-tap buy buttons.
Beta tests in late 2025 show 4–6x higher conversion than standard video ads for beauty and accessories.
1.2 WeChat Mini-Program Native AR Ads Full-screen AR experiences launched directly from Moments or Search ads—no app download required.
- AI-Personalized & Dynamic Creative Formats 2.1 Douyin Dynamic Creative Optimization (DCO) 2.0 Real-time assembly of thousands of creative variations based on user profile, weather, time, and past behavior.
Overseas CPG brands using DCO 2.0 report 60%+ efficiency gains.
2.2 Tencent Ads Audience Network Predictive Ads Ads that predict purchase intent 7–14 days ahead and serve hyper-personalized creatives across the entire Tencent ecosystem.
- Voice & New Interface Formats 3.1 Xiaohongshu Voice Search Ads Audio responses triggered by voice queries inside the app with shoppable spoken product lists.
3.2 Smart Screen & IoT Placements Ads on XiaoAi, Tmall Genie, and car screens with voice-activated “add to cart” commands.
- Metaverse & Virtual World Formats 4.1 Douyin Dream Avatar Shoppable Worlds Users enter branded virtual spaces via ads to try and buy digital + physical twin products.
Case Study: Gucci’s Douyin AR Try-On Ad Launch (Nov 2025 Beta)
Gucci ran the first large-scale AR Try-On Ads featuring real-time handbag and sunglasses virtual trials. Users could rotate, resize, and purchase matched physical items instantly. The two-day beta generated 450 million impressions, 28% direct sales conversion from tries, and set the benchmark for luxury AR advertising in China.
Conclusion
The future of advertising in China belongs to immersive, intelligent, and voice-first formats. Overseas brands that invest in AR, AI creative, and new interfaces starting now will own 2026.
PLTFRM is an international brand consulting agency that works with companies such as Red, TikTok, Tmall, Baidu, and other well-known Chinese internet e-commerce platforms. We have been working with Chile Cherries for many years, reaching Chinese consumers in depth through different platforms and realizing that Chile Cherries’ exports in China account for 97% of the total exports in Asia. Contact us, and we will help you find the best China e-commerce platform for you. Search PLTFRM for a free consultation! info@pltfrm.cn
