Top Trends in Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) Advertising for 2025
To excel with digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising, following trends is everything. On top of using digital ads, it’s essential to use digital the right way based on how your competitors are using it and what really speaks to your audience.
Not sure which digital advertising trends to watch for? That’s why we’ve put together this little guide just for you.
The Future of Advertising: Why DOOH is Leading the Way
Today, it seems like everything is digital. Just think of how many people are on their phones, in front of a computer screen, or facing screens of some kind out in the open. While out-of-home (OOH) ads have always been effective, DOOH continues to make waves with innovations and exciting ads.
More and more people rely on digital media or, at the absolute least, encounter it every day. This kind of interaction with digital interfaces makes DOOH advertising more important than ever.
Still not convinced how bright DOOH will shine in the future of advertising? Let’s throw some stats your way: DOOH will remain one of the top advertising trends, with the market expected to grow to an astounding $74.23 billion by 2032. The billboards segment also led the DOOH market in 2023, accounting for over 42% of the DOOH market share that year.
Key Advertising Trends Shaping DOOH in 2025
There are several critical digital advertising trends you’re going to see in the near future into 2025 and beyond, so keep your eyes peeled.
One of these main trends is programmatic advertising, which offers real-time audience targeting capabilities, dynamic ad campaigns, and easy media buying. Today’s programmatic buying platforms also use another innovation: They use a combination of AI and machine learning to measure, analyze, and optimize campaigns. You likely know about AI, as it’s just about everywhere online today, and the DOOH world is no exception.
Another of the biggest trends in advertising media is enhanced audience targeting through the use of mobile data, website visitor data, and other sources. While the limitation of cookies is making that somewhat more challenging, you can still use plenty of data points to help you reach your audience.
Consider that the Dead Internet Theory is no longer relegated to a conspiracy—it’s looking very real as more and more bots consume the digital landscape, which you now commonly see on social media with fake comments and posts. As such, DOOH will continue to grow in popularity among advertisers as it attracts only real views and no bots, at least as long as those bots don’t have feet on the ground.
Digital Advertising Industry Trends for 2025
As the digital industry just keeps on growing, the following are a few additional digital advertising trends in 2025 that can elevate your campaigns in the year ahead:
- Cross-channel integration of DOOH with all types of online ad platforms, from those banner ads you see at the top of websites to video streaming content
- A continuing emphasis on personalization and dynamic creative optimization, which can really help you speak to your audiences with directness
- The decline of fake out-of-home (FOOH) advertising is likely as people seek more authentic and unique experiences in the real world. A prime example is the exciting Warframe prank stunt, which had onlookers believing they were slicing NYPD cars in half with an impressive-looking sci-fi gun.
Trends in Advertising Media: From Static to Interactive Experiences
Still can’t get enough ideas for ads based on today’s new advertising trends? Well, here are even more digital advertising industry trends that can shake things up:
- Interactivity: Digital ads are finding ways to engage people with more interactive media, like touchscreens and unique experiences based on user input.
- AI Integrations: While using AI to create content directly still has its controversies, AI can help with DOOH and other advertising by simplifying and automating all types of processes, from planning campaigns to buying the best ad placements and executing strategies.
- Gamification: Using a combination of the above developments, ads can also harness the power of gamification. Just think of those ads in mobile games that allow you to play for a bit until you forget about the actual game you’re playing or banner ads that can do the same thing.
Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Innovations in DOOH
Another of the major digital advertising trends is more sustainability, as various technologies continue to develop to keep advertising efficient.
All kinds of DOOH displays use energy-efficient screens and other green technologies to contribute to a healthier world. Meanwhile, socially responsible and purpose-driven campaigns are getting people even more pumped to save the planet.
As more people focus on sustainability and turn to companies offering it, it’ll only be an increasingly crucial part of DOOH. I mean, don’t you feel good when the companies you buy from want you to live in a decent, clean world?
The Role of Data in New Advertising Trends
As we’ve said above, enhanced targeting capabilities are one of the cool recent trends shaping the future of advertising.
If you want to pinpoint your audiences and really send a message that makes them go, “Wow, these guys know me,” you can use first-party data to achieve that kind of reaction. This is data that you can request from audiences, like their contact information and interests.
First-party data is especially important now that third-party cookies are becoming limited, also like we’ve said above. Companies like Google are focusing on protecting users, but if you’re a creative type, you can easily get around this with first- and zero-party data (like user behavior on your site).
A few DOOH and billboard best practices here can include:
- Ask users if you can use cookies on your website and app.
- Include a privacy policy that details data usage.
- Ask for first-party data before gathering it, allowing people to enter their names and other information.
Preparing for the Future: What Advertisers Need to Know
As you gear up for the shiny future and the many advertising trends to come, you can definitely do with the following key tips:
- Use a combination of advertising strategies in an integrated campaign, including billboards, digital ads, and more.
- Optimize targeting with first-party data and other information sources.
- Use energy-efficient media to show your contributions toward sustainability efforts.
Also, partner with a programmatic platform like Blindspot to stay in the game. Blindspot can connect you with nearly any audience imaginable, with over one million billboards in small to major cities. Create an account on our platform today and start building the perfect trendy campaign today! You can also get answers to questions like “How much does a billboard cost?” along with budget recommendations, getting you off on the right foot.
From our Midwest Chicago billboards to our east-coast New York billboards, we can land you just about anywhere your audience is. In doing so, you’ll be more than capable of keeping your brand relevant as you soar into 2025 with winning campaigns.
FAQ: Advertising Trends for 2025
What are the top advertising trends in 2025?
Some of the biggest digital advertising trends in 2025 will include:
- Programmatic advertising with enhanced targeting
- First-party and other rich data collection
- Energy-efficient screens and other green tech
- Immersive and interactive ad experiences
- AI and machine learning for predictive analytics and optimization
How is DOOH evolving compared to traditional advertising?
DOOH is evolving way faster than its older OOH competitors. The increased use of everything digital means that your best bet to get ahead is to do the DOOH.
What role does programmatic technology play in advertising trends?
Programmatic media buying allows you to use a digital platform to buy ad space based on audience data and specific goals. It works for buying ad placements for everything from pay-per-click ads to billboard ads.
Is DOOH the future of advertising?
Based on all of the indicated trends, DOOH is absolutely the future. More and more tech innovations in the digital media world mean that DOOH is the way to go.
