
In April 2025, Meta's global audience insights revealed a striking truth: Gen Z now represents a third of the world's population, with spending power surpassing previous generations. As digital natives, they don't just consume content—they shape culture, commerce, and communication through social media. For brands, this means traditional marketing strategies no longer suffice. Instead, omnichannel Facebook Ads and Instagram ads are proving to be the bridge between online engagement and offline sales, as seen in recent success stories from Pearle Opticiens, H&M, Central Department Store, and Adidas.
These brands have mastered the art of blending immersive short-form video, creator collaborations, and AI-driven ad placements to drive real-world purchases. But how exactly are they doing it? This article dives deep into Gen Z's behavior, case study insights, and actionable strategies to help marketers unlock the full potential of omnichannel Facebook Ads.
Gen Z is a generation for whom authenticity, immediacy, and smooth digital experiences are essential for their thriving. Unlike Millennials, who grew up with desktop internet, Gen Z is mobile-first, with 67% sharing video content from Meta platforms as a form of digital "pebbling"—small, meaningful interactions that strengthen social bonds. Their shopping journey is nonlinear; they discover products through Reels, engage with brands via Messenger, and redeem vouchers in-store, all within a single browsing session.
Several key traits shape their behavior. They have a preference for immersive formats, as vertical videos, Reels with audio, and interactive content outperform static Facebook Ads. The boundaries between online and offline are blurred, with 78% of them discovering new products through video, while many still finalize their purchases in physical stores. Additionally, they trust micro-creators; 71% engage with niche creators they don't follow, prioritizing expertise over celebrity endorsements. Brands that do not adapt to these behaviors risk becoming irrelevant. The resolution is found in omnichannel creativity which reaches Gen Z in their inherent digital space where they scroll, share content, and make purchases across Meta's ecosystem.

The optical retailer encountered a challenge of boosting sign-ups for its subscription plan. Since traditional photo ads did not perform well, they conducted a test of Reels-optimized video ads with audio against silent static images. The outcome was a 15% increase in leads and a 14% reduction in the cost per lead, which demonstrated that native, audio-driven Reels content can drive higher engagement. The main conclusion is that vertical, human-centric videos with clear calls to action (CTAs) placed in the "safe zone" can maximize visibility and conversions.
In its summer campaign, H&M targeted young female shoppers in America and used a combination of creator - led partnerships and Advantage+ shopping advertisements. Through collaborating with various influencers for the "Find Your Beach" theme, H&M managed to reduce the cost per lift in brand consideration by 94% and achieve a 2X incremental return on ad spend (ROAS). The key insight is that authentic user-generated content (UGC) has a greater impact than highly produced studio shoots, particularly when promoted through partnership ads that extend the brand's reach to the influencers' followers.
A leading Thai retailer aimed to increase in - store purchases during a major sale event. By utilizing Meta's Omnichannel ads and Conversions API, the retailer tracked offline conversions generated by FB Ads and Instagram campaigns. The result was remarkable: offline sales increased by a staggering 5.9 times, surpassing the performance of traditional online - optimized ads. The key strategy behind this success was unified online - to - offline optimization, which ensured that ads targeted users with a high likelihood of visiting physical stores.
Adidas used multi-objective campaigns to measure impact beyond last-click attribution, discovering a 20% lift in organic search traffic from Meta ads. Meanwhile, World Balance drove 3.4X ROAS by distributing in-store vouchers via Messenger, proving that chat-based incentives bridge digital engagement and real-world purchases.

To maximize engagement with Gen Z, adopt a Reels-first creative strategy. Vertical, full-screen videos with audio enabled consistently outperform static ads, as they align with native platform behavior. Prioritize low-fidelity authenticity—relatable, human-centric storytelling resonates more than overly polished productions. For Topkee clients, this is enhanced through TAG-driven audience segmentation, ensuring creatives are tailored to specific user behaviors (e.g., past interactions or transaction history).
Include interactive calls to action such as Messenger vouchers, augmented reality try - ons, and shoppable tags to minimize friction. Topkee's TTO creative collaboration tools streamline this process by enabling rapid creative iterations based on real-time performance data from the TM tracking module. Regularly refresh ad creatives to combat fatigue, leveraging Topkee's rules-based replacement system to maintain freshness.
Leverage Advantage+ placements to allow Meta's AI to optimize ad delivery across Feed, Stories, and Reels. For Topkee, this aligns with multi-platform interoperability, enabling campaigns to run seamlessly across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp.
Partner with niche influencers to generate authentic UGC, which Gen Z trusts 3x more than branded content. Topkee's TAG technology identifies high-value micro-influencers by analyzing audience overlap and engagement patterns. In addition, utilize conversational commerce via WhatsApp and Messenger to give prompt responses and personalized deals. Topkee's call tracking and remarketing tools further bridge online engagement with offline actions, such as in-store purchases.
Implement Conversions API to track offline sales and attribute them to FB Ads accurately. Topkee's TAG return system enhances this by globally embedding codes to capture cross-channel conversions, including call events and transaction amounts.
Carry out multi - cell A/B testing on creatives, target audiences, and ad placements. Topkee's TTO topic management refines ad themes by extracting insights from customer interactions, while the TM module tracks performance metrics like CTR and ROAS. For audience expansion, use similar audiences based on TAG-collected data to target high-intent users.

Gen Z expects Facebook Ads to feel organic, not intrusive. Solution: Adapt brand messaging to Reels' spontaneous, unpolished style while maintaining core identity.
Omnichannel campaigns blur conversion paths. Solution: Use Meta's Conversions API and lift studies to measure cross-channel impact.
Gen Z shifts between apps based on mood. Solution: Diversify placements (Reels, Stories, Feed) and leverage automated Advantage+ campaigns for optimal reach.
The future of marketing will be characterized by several key trends. AI-driven personalization will enable the creation of hyper-targeted Facebook Ads that are tailored to consumers' real-time behavior, delivering highly relevant content. AR/VR experiences will revolutionize the shopping landscape with virtual try-ons and immersive shopping environments that enhance customer engagement. Additionally, conversational commerce is set to grow significantly, with chatbots and Messenger vouchers becoming the dominant means of post-purchase engagement, fostering stronger customer relationships.
The future of marketing depends on omnichannel creativity, using online engagement to boost offline sales. Brands such as Pearle Opticiens, H&M, and Central Department Store have demonstrated that Reels, content created by influencers, and AI-powered Facebook Ads are crucial for appealing to Gen Z. Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Contact our experts today for top-tier FB Ads strategies and connect digital and physical commerce seamlessly.

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