Digital Advertising on Social Media Platforms: Statutory Conditions & Regulated Controls
Introduction
The aggregate value of the digital advertising market in the Kingdom has reached SAR 11 billion, according to formal disclosures by the Chief Executive Officer of the General Authority for Media Regulation. A market of this magnitude necessitates a highly specialized regulatory framework to govern both advertising agencies and the corporate entities commissioning campaigns.
History
Sep 2025
The sector
E-Commerce & Digital Communications

To begin with, electronic advertising is any publicity by electronic means for the purpose of advertising or promoting a product or service. In the e-commerce system, specific articles have been dedicated to regulating electronic advertisements. An advertisement must include information clarifying to the consumer that it is a commercial advertisement. It must also contain the name of the advertised product or service, the necessary details about it to an extent that allows the target audience to make an informed decision, the service provider's name, and their contact information. Furthermore, a mechanism must be provided through which customers can request to opt-out of receiving electronic advertisements sent to them. The system's regulations also include prohibitions, such as including any false claims or misleading statements in the advertisement that might deceive the campaign's target audience, as well as displaying marks or logos that the advertiser does not have the right to use, such as counterfeit trademarks and logos. As for the regulations concerning advertisers, and to further regulate the quality of advertisements presented via social media, the General Commission for Audiovisual Media announced that obtaining an advertising license is mandatory for social media advertisers. It established requirements for issuing the license, stating that the advertiser must commit to respecting instructions related to content classification and its suitability for the target audience, such as age and social groups, among others. The license covers advertisers across all popular social media platforms in the Kingdom. When contracting with advertising agencies, the compliance requirements vary depending on the advertising platform. When advertising through agency-owned accounts, it is necessary to verify that they hold a visual and audible media advertising office license from the General Commission for Audiovisual Media. However, when advertising through individual influencers contracted by the agency, it must always be verified that the individual advertiser holds a "Mawthoq" license for individuals.
In conclusion, rigorous regulatory compliance is a prerequisite to securing successful marketing campaigns while shielding your enterprise from severe administrative fines and commercial blacklisting. Ensuring your advertising partners possess an active 'Mawthooq' permit guarantees structural alignment with statutory oversight. To perform an administrative search of an individual's licensing status prior to contract execution, click here.