SmartNews Enhances Ad Delivery with New Features for Greater Accessibility and Precision

Introducing “Self-Serve Ads for SMBs” and “Map-based Pin with radius targeting”

TOKYO, JAPAN  (May 26, 2025) – SmartNews, whose mission is to deliver the world’s quality information to the people who need it, announced today that it will begin rolling out two new features for its advertising platform, SmartNews Ads: “Self-Serve Ads for SMBs” and “Map-based Pin with radius targeting.” In parallel, the company disclosed strong growth in advertising performance within the small- and medium-sized business (SMB) segment and reinforced its commitment to making SmartNews Ads a more accessible and effective platform for advertisers of all sizes.

Growth of the Advertising Business and a More Diverse Advertiser Base

Since launching its advertising business in December 2014, SmartNews has expanded its offerings through the SmartNews app, growing alongside a wide variety of advertisers. Today, SmartNews Ads is used by advertisers across all industries and business scales – from large enterprises to local SMBs. In recent years, use by SMBs has increased significantly as these businesses seek new ways to drive orders and sales while supporting local economies and employment. In response to this trend, SmartNews is now publishing performance data specific to SMBs (as of May 26, 2025, excluding large advertisers as defined by internal standards).

Why SMB Ad Performance Is Growing

SmartNews established a dedicated SMB team in January 2024 to directly address the needs and challenges of smaller businesses, strengthening onboarding and sales support. In April, the company revamped its ad delivery infrastructure to improve conversion optimization and began delivering ads on SmartNews for docomo, its Android app developed in collaboration with NTT docomo – significantly expanding ad reach (Press release).

In May, SmartNews introduced a Partner Rank Program (Certified Agency Program) to deepen partnerships with all agencies, including those with proven expertise in SMB marketing (Press release). In July, the company will launch a new Ad Development Planning Team to enhance product quality and usability, reflecting feedback from advertisers and agencies. These efforts have steadily fueled growth in SMB ad spending on the platform.

Case Study: Longstanding Japanese Confectioner Boosts Engagement

Fukushima-based traditional confectionery brand Kashiwaya leveraged SmartNews Ads to raise awareness among younger audiences and promote seasonal products. By using regional targeting and ad placements with strong brand alignment, the company achieved a 5.1% click-through rate (CTR) and reduced cost-per-click (CPC) by 25% in its initial campaign. Creative strategies featuring local references and a flexible ad management system contributed to the campaign’s success – making the platform especially accessible and effective for SMBs.

What’s Next: New Features and Support Tools for Advertisers of All Sizes in Japan

SmartNews will continue to expand the capabilities and usability of its ad platform with the release of the following features and support content:

■ Self-Serve Ads for SMBs (Scheduled release in July 2025 in Japan)

This new feature allows advertisers to manage their own campaigns – from account setup and targeting to budget control and payment – completely online. Campaigns can be launched, paused, or updated instantly, including real-time changes to creatives. Designed to support all advertiser types, the self-serve platform accommodates low-budget campaigns, making it a powerful and flexible option for both new users and established advertisers.

Special Offer: Advertisers in Japan who download the advance information packet by June 30, 2025, will receive ¥80,000 in advertising credits. Sign Up for Early Access (Offer subject to change without notice.)

■ Map-based Pin with radius targeting (Available June 2025 in Japan)

With this geotargeting feature, advertisers can use a map interface to define ad delivery areas based on municipalities or a radius around a custom point. SmartNews uses high-precision location data to target users who have either visited or are estimated to live in the selected area. The feature also supports web-based conversion tracking and is especially effective for SMBs looking to increase regional brand awareness and drive in-store traffic.

■ Expanded Educational Content for Advertisers in Japan

To support new and first-time advertisers, SmartNews will be enhancing the SmartNews Ads website with resources, including a Beginner’s Guide, Case Study Library, and Campaign Management Manual. These tools will help advertisers of all levels successfully launch and maintain effective ad campaigns.

SmartNews remains committed to helping advertisers of all sizes tackle their marketing challenges and achieve measurable outcomes. Through continued platform innovation and support expansion, SmartNews aims to deliver even greater value to its advertising partners.

About SmartNews Ads

SmartNews Ads is the official advertising solution for the SmartNews app, one of the most popular news platforms in the U.S. Our ad offerings include native in-feed placements, video, and high-impact display formats – all seamlessly integrated within a personalized, trusted news experience. With premium inventory and contextual relevance, SmartNews Ads helps brands reach engaged audiences without disrupting the user journey. Visit SmartNews Ads (Japanese Site)

Advertiser Inquiries: 📧 ads-promotion@smartnews.com

About SmartNews, Inc.

Founded in 2012, SmartNews is a leading global information and news discovery company, dedicated to delivering quality information to the people who need it. SmartNews provides news that matters to millions of readers using powerful AI discovery, a team of award-winning journalists offering thoughtful curation, and deep partnerships with more than 3,000 trusted global publisher partners.