Now You Can Harness AI and Video Commerce for APAC’s Digital Dominance
As we step into 2025, the digital marketing landscape in APAC is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by AI-powered automation, video commerce dominance, and data-driven measurement. According to recent insights from Google Ads and industry analysts, businesses that embrace AI in marketing enjoy a 59% revenue boost, while video commerce now accounts for 20% of Southeast Asia’s e-commerce GMV—a fourfold increase since 2022. With India’s SaaS sector projected to double its revenue to $50 billion by 2030, and SEA’s digital economy surpassing $263 billion in GMV, the opportunities for growth are immense—but so are the challenges.
This article explores how marketers can leverage AI, video commerce, and advanced measurement strategies to drive profitable growth in 2025. From AI-powered Google Ads to shoppertainment trends in SEA, we’ll break down the key strategies shaping the future of digital marketing in APAC.
Ⅰ. Harnessing AI in Google Ads for Global Growth
AI adoption in APAC marketing has transitioned from experimental to essential, with businesses leveraging mature AI strategies achieving 59% higher revenue (Google/Accenture, 2024). This shift is exemplified by SaaS leaders like Uniqode, which utilized Google Advertising Performance Max and Smart Bidding to automate high-intent audience targeting, driving a 22% increase in conversion value in the U.S. market before expanding the strategy globally. The region’s digital economy further underscores AI’s role, with Southeast Asia’s GMV projected to grow 15% to $263 billion in 2024, fueled by video commerce now accounting for 20% of e-commerce GMV—a 4X surge since 2022.
AI-driven audience segmentation is unlocking multicultural markets at scale. Hong Kong brands and Indian exporters are tapping into the 30-million-strong Indian diaspora and Europe’s $660 billion export potential through dynamic creative optimization and automated bidding. Notably, India’s SaaS sector—generating 70% of revenue internationally—is poised to double revenues to $50 billion by 2030, with AI-powered multichannel campaigns (e.g., Google Ads Performance Max + Demand Gen) driving incremental conversions. For instance, JustCall’s first-party data integration with Smart Bidding yielded a 240% ROAS lift and 60% higher conversion rates, demonstrating AI’s capacity to align lead quality with profitability.
Ⅱ. Video Commerce Dominance in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia’s digital economy is thriving, with video commerce contributing 20% of e-commerce GMV—up from just 5% in 2022. This surge is driven by consumers increasingly relying on video for product discovery, with platforms like YouTube playing a pivotal role. To capitalize on this trend, businesses can leverage Google Advertising solutions, including YouTube ads and Performance Max (Pmax) campaigns, to enhance visibility and drive conversions.
For brands aiming to maximize ROI, integrating smart bidding strategies and attribution remarketing ensures ads reach high-intent audiences. Services like Topkee‘s TTO initialization enable precise tracking of user behavior, while TM settings provide flexible campaign monitoring.
By combining Demand Gen campaigns with data-driven optimizations—like keyword research and ad performance analysis—brands can achieve higher conversion rates and scalable growth in this dynamic market.
Ⅲ. Data-Driven Measurement for ROI Optimization
With privacy regulations tightening, marketers must rely on Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM) and first-party data to measure ROI accurately. Deloitte’s research shows that businesses using MMM achieve better ad spend efficiency, while companies linking offline and online data see 2X revenue uplift. For iOS campaigns, privacy-centric solutions like enhanced conversions help track high-quality leads without compromising user trust. SaaS leader JustCall used first-party data to predict high-LTV leads, achieving a 240% increase in ROAS and 60% higher conversion rates. By prioritizing measurement, marketers can allocate budgets more effectively and maximize profitability.
Ⅳ. India’s SaaS Expansion via Google Ads
India’s SaaS sector is booming, with 70% of revenue coming from international markets. To capture global demand, brands must optimize for B2B buyer intent. Tools like Google Ads Keyword Planner help identify trending search terms in overseas markets, while multichannel campaigns (Search + YouTube) ensure visibility throughout the buyer journey.
Performance Max has been instrumental for companies like Uniqode, which scaled lead generation in the U.S. and beyond. Meanwhile, Smart Bidding strategies, powered by first-party data, enable SaaS brands to prioritize high-value leads, reducing payback periods and boosting profitability.
Ⅴ. Future-Proofing APAC Campaigns for 2025
To stay competitive in APAC’s dynamic digital landscape, marketers must align with emerging trends through data-driven strategies. Broad query targeting is critical as SEA shoppers increasingly rely on non-branded searches. Leveraging AI-powered keyword research and broad match strategies, our services analyze business-specific and competitor keywords to expand reach while integrating Google Ads smart bidding for precision. Localized content remains pivotal, with searches in local languages growing 1.4X since 2020. Our creative production team combines market trends and AI tools to generate culturally resonant ad copies and visuals, ensuring messaging relevance. For performance optimization, Topkee‘s TTO initialization enables cross-account management and automated conversion tracking, while attribution remarketing segments users by behavior to deliver personalized ads.
Conclusion
The future of digital marketing in APAC hinges on AI-driven automation, video commerce expansion, and precision measurement. For SaaS brands, India’s rise as a global hub—with 70% of revenue from international markets—highlights the urgency of AI-scaled campaigns and first-party data optimization, as seen in Uniqode’s 22% conversion value lift. To navigate this landscape, partner with Topkee‘s Google Ads specialists or data-driven strategists to align these insights with your growth objectives.
