Uber is more than rides and deliveries—it’s a dynamic, real-world platform people choose to move through their day. That makes it powerful for advertisers: a chance to reach consumers mid-journey, mid-decision, mid-life.

But this isn’t just another ad channel—it’s a new category.

Uber is the first-to-market platform with ad formats designed for people on the go.

These aren’t recycled banners or repurposed media. They’re purpose-built placements crafted for the in-motion moments of modern life. Integrated natively into the rider and delivery experience, Uber ads reach people in the real world—without disrupting it. They don’t just inspire—they convert.

From full-screen storytelling to ride offers that drive immediate action, Uber gives brands the tools to meet people where they are—and move them to take action.

Nearly 70% of users say Uber ads capture their attention.

Why? Because Uber ads don’t interrupt. They integrate—seamlessly fitting into the moment rather than pulling people out of it.

To understand what fuels this engagement, we partnered with NRG to conduct an analysis of more than 284 ads spanning multiple formats, diverse environments, and five international markets. From mobile feeds to in-ride video, we dug deep across five distinct ad surfaces to uncover the creative ingredients that make an impact—and how those ingredients evolve across categories, placements, and cultural contexts.

When people see ads on Uber, they don’t scroll past. They lean in. Here’s what our research found:

These aren’t just numbers—they’re signals. Uber ads don’t disrupt, they travel alongside users, seamlessly woven into their journey from beginning to end.

Breakthrough the (ad) traffic

Standing out is tough. But on Uber, repetition across screens isn’t redundant—it’s reinforcement.

From swipe to slice: Uber Advertising drove big results for Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut partnered with Uber to launch its new handcrafted sourdough pizza exclusively on Uber Eats. The campaign combined Sponsored Listings, Keyword Targeting, and Journey Ads, including a custom playable game, to drive awareness, orders, and first-time customers.

The impact was clear. The Journey Ad delivered 179 seconds of average engagement time, over 3,500 orders, and strong weekend interaction. Sponsored Listings brought in £1.7 million in sales, with 53% of customers new to the brand. Keyword campaigns drove an additional £917K in revenue and 66% new eater share, showing how smart placement and high-intent targeting can turn impressions into real outcomes.

Memory loves consistency—it’s not just about being seen, it’s about being remembered and acted upon.

And now, with ride offers, brands can convert that attention into measurable results. From “10% off your next ride” to “Free trip to your favorite store,” Uber gives you a direct path from awareness to action—all in one platform.

Seeing your brand once builds awareness. Seeing it again—especially with an offer—builds intent and action.

Takeaway: A multi-surface campaign that layers in an offer isn’t just compelling—it’s performance-minded. When users see your message multiple times and get a clear incentive, the result is higher engagement, more conversions, and deeper brand recall.

Whether you’re building awareness or driving action, Uber’s research uncovered four creative principles that drive results: 

Make your mark—immediately. 70% of Uber users want clear logos, and 62% need ads that stand out and grab attention. 

65% of users say personally relevant ads are extremely important. The takeaway? Give them a reason to care—right now.

74% of users want visually appealing ads. Here’s how to deliver: video wins, especially when it’s purposeful.

60% of Uber users say it’s very important that ads introduce them to something new, and 64% want ads that save them money. Here’s how to deliver:

While Uber’s creative principles apply universally, tailoring your ads by region can dramatically boost impact. Here’s how to localize your campaigns for performance across key global markets:  

American users want branding that feels confident and polished—without sacrificing clarity.

To launch its new Las Vegas store, Glossier partnered with Uber to deliver high-impact Journey Ads that were contextually relevant to the rider experience. Using creative inspired by “Vegas luck,” the campaign targeted beauty fans as they traveled to key destinations.

The result? Riders spent over 140+ seconds with the ads, well above benchmark. The campaign delivered a 3.02 percent click-through rate and exceeded trip goals by 5 percent. This showed that well-placed brand storytelling captures attention and drives results. 

Australian audiences respond more to storytelling than hard sells.

During the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Coca-Cola launched Uber’s first playable ad in Australia and New Zealand. The Match 3 game offered Riders and Eaters $3 off $20+ orders with a Coke®.

Running across Journey and Post-Checkout surfaces, the campaign blended seamlessly into the Uber experience by driving high engagement, strong redemptions, and real sales impact.

“Uber’s creativity and expertise truly set them apart… we couldn’t be happier with the high-performance outcomes.”– Amanda Millán, Coca-Cola

In the UK, less is more—especially when it’s bold and high contrast.

Warner Music teamed up with Uber to promote Ed Sheeran’s new album, Subtract, through Journey Ads across the UK. The campaign targeted users who had visited music venues in the past 90 days, positioning the album as a must-listen for music fans on the move.

With contextual targeting and weekend-optimized delivery, the ads drove strong results. Users spent an average of 105 seconds with the creative and swiped at twice the usual rate. Riders headed to entertainment venues were the most likely to click through proving that destination-based targeting can help turn attention into action.

French users seek credibility and clarity in what they see.

TGV INOUI, a premium brand of high-speed rail services operated by SNCF Voyageurs, partnered with Havas Media Network and Uber Advertising to encourage a shift from air to rail travel. The campaign focused on clear, creative messaging delivered at a high-attention moment—when users opened the Uber app to head to the airport.

Running for one month, this initiative used destination-based targeting to reach two defined segments: travelers actively heading to the airport and those with a history of airport journeys. The easy-to-follow creative reinforced the core proposition: TGV INOUI is the smarter, more sustainable travel alternative to flying.

The hero line, “Airplane mode? That’s over,” paired clever messaging with a clear reason to reconsider flying. With over 40,000 journeys reached, the campaign earned Gold in the “TV & Video Advertising” category at La Nuit des Rois, demonstrating the effectiveness of message clarity, context, and timing in shaping travel behavior.

Mexican audiences prefer vibrant visuals and clear, directive messaging.

Takeaway: Creative that respects local culture and expectations performs better—no matter how global the brand. Build your campaigns with precision for every market.

During Q4 2024, PepsiCo and Subway partnered with Uber Eats to launch a performance-driven campaign in Mexico using Sponsored Listings and In-Menu Ads. The initiative spotlighted Sabritas® snacks and boosted visibility for Subway locations and demonstrated the strong performance potential of online food delivery for CPG brands.

By combining timely offers, combo deals, and smart in-app placements, the campaign drove a significant lift in daily Subway orders, attracted many new customers, and delivered strong sales growth across both brands which were measured through tangible, attributable results over a three-month period.

Across Uber’s ecosystem, creativity is the key to conversion. By applying these best practices—customized by surface and market—brands can connect more meaningfully, drive higher recall, and inspire more action.

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