Meta Drops Expert Tips to Help App Advertisers Dominate the Holiday Rush

Meta has released a new set of insights designed to help app developers make the most of the “Q5” advertising window — the period from late December through mid-January, when engagement typically spikes as people take time off from work and school.

According to Meta’s internal data, Q5 tends to bring reduced competition in the ad space, “as larger brands have wrapped up their campaigns and shipping deadlines have passed.”
The “Cyber 5” period that Meta references here refers to “the five-day stretch from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, including Black Friday — a key moment for holiday shopping and online sales.”
As shown in the accompanying chart, ad costs generally drop after Christmas, presenting an opening for developers to reach broader audiences at a lower price point.
To help app — and particularly game — developers take advantage of this quieter but lucrative window, Meta has teamed up with AppsFlyer to share several data-driven recommendations.
First, the data highlights that beyond the usual Western holidays, regional celebrations can also offer valuable growth opportunities:
“In Western markets, Christmas and New Year’s tend to be the most impactful. However, in APAC, developers should pay close attention to local holidays. For instance, Shōgatsu (New Year) in Japan and Lunar New Year in Greater China — as well as other regions where it’s widely observed — can generate strong spikes in user activity.”
Meta’s report also notes that developers need to understand how IAA (in-app advertising) and IAP (in-app purchase) revenues fluctuate across the season:
“IAA revenue starts to rise in early November, peaking around Black Friday, before surging again during Q5 (December 25 - January 1). Meanwhile, IAP revenue typically climbs later, accelerating around mid-December. The difference in timing between IAA and IAP patterns during Q5 provides a significant strategic window for mobile game developers. Recognizing these trends allows for smarter resource allocation and better campaign planning.”
To fully leverage these insights, Meta advises developers to start planning their campaigns early and maintain flexibility with their budgets. It also strongly recommends incorporating its AI-powered Advantage+ tools:
“Use Advantage+ app campaigns, a powerful solution to identify and convert potential customers. These campaigns use machine learning to optimize targeting and bidding in real time, ensuring you connect with the right users at the optimal moment.”
Meta further suggests that brands diversify their ad creatives and explore partnership ads, which can drive even stronger results.
Altogether, these are practical and timely reminders — insights that not only benefit app and game developers but can also be applied more broadly to other Meta ad strategies throughout the Q5 period.
📢 If you're interested in Facebook Ads Account, don't hesitate to connect with us!
🔹 https://linktr.ee/Adshinepro
💬 We're always ready to assist you!