Can’t Run Fantasy Cricket Ads on Meta? Try These 5 Platforms Instead!
With IPL 2025 starting on March 22, Fantasy Cricket platforms are gearing up to acquire more users. But if you’re planning to run ads on Meta (Facebook & Instagram), you’re in for a challenge.
Meta’s Gaming & Gambling advertising policies require you to apply for approval, and we all know how slow Meta’s support team can be. Even after weeks of waiting, there’s no guarantee you’ll get the green light.
But here’s the good news—Meta isn’t the only way to reach cricket fans in India! There are several high-performing ad platforms where you can promote your Fantasy Cricket app without dealing with approval delays.
We’ve tested these platforms ourselves, and they work exceptionally well for user acquisition. In this article, we’ll reveal 5 alternative advertising platforms where you can run ads freely and get maximum ROI during IPL 2025. Let’s dive in! If you only want to run ads on Meta after taking approval, we have shared an article link in the last, please go through that case study.
Top 5 Alternative Platforms to Run Fantasy Cricket Ads for IPL 2025
ShareChat – 325 Million+ Monthly Active Users
ShareChat is India’s leading homegrown social media platform, with over 325 million monthly active users across its main app and Moj (its short-form video platform). If you’re looking to promote your Fantasy Cricket app, this is a powerful alternative to Meta ads.
Here’s why:
- Large, Engaged Indian Audience: 1 in 4 internet users in India is on ShareChat.
- Regional Language Advantage: Advertise in 15+ Indian languages to reach a wider audience.
- Short-Form Video Boom: ShareChat users consume 280 billion+ video views per month, making it a great place for engaging video ads.
- User-Friendly Ad Manager: Set up and manage campaigns easily with budget control and targeting options.
What Kind of Users Are on ShareChat?
- Young, mobile-first users: Mostly aged 18-35, active on social media.
- Regional language speakers: Users prefer content in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, and other Indian languages.
- Engaged video consumers: Short-form video content performs best on this platform.
Best Ad Formats for Fantasy Cricket Apps
- Short-form video ads: Use engaging, high-energy videos to showcase gameplay and winnings.
- Influencer collaborations: Partner with regional influencers for authentic promotion.
- Hashtag challenges: Encourage users to create content around IPL and Fantasy Cricket.
How ShareChat Can Drive Users to Your App
- Direct App Installs: Run click-to-install ads linking directly to your Play Store/App Store page.
- Website Traffic: Target cricket fans with relevant offers and landing pages.
- Brand Awareness: Boost your app’s presence before and during IPL 2025.
Should You Use ShareChat Ads?
If you’re struggling with Meta’s strict ad policies, ShareChat is a powerful alternative for reaching cricket fans across India. With massive engagement, language diversity, and video-first content, this platform is a must-try for Fantasy Cricket app marketing.
Snapchat – 200 Million+ Monthly Active Users in India
Snapchat is one of India’s fastest-growing social media platforms, with over 200 million monthly active users in the country. It is particularly popular among Gen Z and Millennials, making it a powerful platform to target young, mobile-first cricket fans.
- Massive Gen Z and Millennial Audience – Reaches 75% of 13-34-year-olds globally.
- Engaging Full-Screen Ads – Immersive ad formats with high engagement rates.
- Precise Targeting – Advertisers can reach cricket enthusiasts based on interests, location, and behavior.
- Budget-Friendly – Flexible ad budgets allow you to scale campaigns based on performance.
What Kind of Users Are on Snapchat?
- Young & Digital-Savvy: Primarily 18-30-year-olds who are comfortable with online gaming and transactions.
- Augmented Reality (AR) Enthusiasts: Snapchat users love interactive and visual content like AR filters and lenses.
- Entertainment-Focused: Users engage with short videos, highlights, memes, and influencer-driven content.
Best Ad Formats for Fantasy Cricket Apps
- Snap Ads: Full-screen vertical videos that appear between user stories. Great for app installs and promotions.
- AR Lenses & Filters: Create interactive filters related to IPL 2025, encouraging users to engage with your brand.
- Story Ads: Appear in the Snapchat Discover feed, perfect for cricket-related promotions.
- Collection Ads: Feature multiple products, allowing users to explore different fantasy contests and offers.
How Snapchat Can Drive Users to Your App
- App Install Campaigns: Direct users to your app store for easy sign-ups.
- Influencer Partnerships: Collaborate with Snapchat creators to promote your Fantasy Cricket app.
- Targeted Promotions: Run ads during IPL match hours to attract active cricket fans.
Should You Use Snapchat Ads?
If your Fantasy Cricket app is looking to target young, engaged users, Snapchat is a goldmine. With high interaction rates, visual appeal, and mobile-first content, it’s an excellent alternative to Meta ads for IPL 2025 promotions.
Taboola – 600 Million+ Daily Active Users
Taboola is a leading native advertising platform, displaying ads on top media sites like Yahoo, CNBC, BBC, and Business Insider. Instead of relying on traditional social media ads, Taboola places your content on high-traffic websites, reaching users who are already engaged with related topics.
- Massive Audience Reach: Access 600 million daily active users across top digital media sites.
- Native Ad Placements: Your ads appear within articles, homepages, and news feeds, making them look like recommended content.
- AI-Driven Targeting: Uses 17+ years of data to match ads with the right users.
- Full Transparency & Control: Advertisers have full visibility over where their ads appear.
What Kind of Users Are on Taboola?
- News & Content Consumers: Users who read articles on sports, finance, business, and entertainment websites.
- High-Intent Audiences: People actively searching for fantasy cricket tips, IPL news, and match predictions.
- Multi-Device Users: Readers on mobile, desktop, and tablets, making it ideal for app and website traffic.
Best Ad Formats for Fantasy Cricket Apps
- Native Article Ads: Appear within top news articles as “Recommended for You” content.
- Mid-Article Display Ads: High-visibility placements that blend seamlessly with content.
- Full-Screen Ads: Attention-grabbing ads appearing between pages.
How Taboola Can Drive Users to Your App
- Boost Website Traffic: Drive users from sports news articles directly to your platform.
- App Install Campaigns: Target cricket fans reading IPL content and redirect them to your app store page.
- Retargeting Ads: Show ads to users who have previously engaged with fantasy cricket content.
Should You Use Taboola Ads?
If your Fantasy Cricket app needs high-quality users outside of social media, Taboola is a perfect choice. It ensures better ad placements, higher engagement, and a brand-safe environment—making it a strong alternative to Meta Ads.
Truecaller – 272.6 Million+ Monthly Active Users in India
Truecaller isn’t just a caller ID app—it’s a powerful advertising platform with 272.6 million monthly active users in India. Since most fantasy cricket players use mobile numbers to sign up, Truecaller Ads offer direct, high-intent reach to your target audience.
- Massive Mobile-First Audience: 71% of Truecaller’s global users are from India.
- Unskippable Display Ads: Ads appear when users search for a number or receive calls, ensuring high visibility.
- Verified Business Caller ID: Boosts trust and ensures higher pick-up rates for promotional calls.
- Precise Targeting: Truecaller allows targeting based on demographics, location, and behavior.
What Kind of Users Are on Truecaller?
- Smartphone-First Users: Mobile users who actively engage with calls and messages.
- Trust-Driven Consumers: Users who rely on Truecaller for business verification and fraud prevention.
- Transactional Users: People who frequently engage with fintech, e-commerce, and gaming platforms.
Best Ad Formats for Fantasy Cricket Apps
- Caller ID Display Ads: Your ad appears when users receive or make calls, ensuring undivided attention.
- Full-Screen Interstitial Ads: Appear when users search for a phone number, ensuring maximum visibility.
- Verified Business Caller ID: Use for outreach campaigns to increase call pickup rates and app registrations.
How Truecaller Can Drive Users to Your App
- Boost App Installs: Target cricket fans with click-to-install ads.
- Increase Call Engagement: Use Verified Caller ID to build trust and credibility.
- Enhance Customer Retention: Keep users engaged with reminders, contests, and promotions.
Should You Use Truecaller Ads?
If your Fantasy Cricket app relies on mobile users, Truecaller Ads are a game-changer. With high engagement rates, trusted business verification, and direct user targeting, it’s an effective alternative to Meta Ads for IPL 2025 promotions.
WhatsApp – 530 Million+ Monthly Active Users in India
With 530 million monthly active users in India, WhatsApp is the largest messaging platform in the country. It offers high engagement rates, as users are more likely to open and interact with messages on WhatsApp than on any other platform.
- Massive User Base: India is WhatsApp’s biggest market globally.
- High Engagement: WhatsApp messages have an open rate of over 90%, far higher than emails or SMS.
- Direct User Acquisition: Ads can send users straight to your Fantasy Cricket app signup or contest page.
- Personalized Messaging: Businesses can use WhatsApp Business API to automate and scale customer interactions.
What Kind of Users Are on WhatsApp?
- Every Smartphone User: Almost everyone in India actively uses WhatsApp daily.
- Highly Engaged Consumers: People interact with messages, updates, and customer support via WhatsApp.
- Mobile-First Gamers & Cricket Fans: Users prefer WhatsApp for quick, convenient updates on IPL and Fantasy Cricket.
Best Ad Formats for Fantasy Cricket Apps
- Click-to-WhatsApp Ads: Run ads on Facebook & Instagram that send users directly to a WhatsApp chat with your business.
- WhatsApp Broadcasts: Send bulk messages about IPL contests, bonuses, and offers.
- Automated Chatbots: Engage users with instant responses and onboarding guidance.
How WhatsApp Can Drive Users to Your App
- Instant User Engagement: Users respond quickly to WhatsApp messages, increasing conversions.
- Seamless App Installs: Share direct app links for easy downloads.
- Re-Engagement & Retention: Send personalized IPL updates, match predictions, and bonus offers.
Should You Use WhatsApp Ads?
If you’re looking for high-converting, low-cost user acquisition, WhatsApp Ads are a must-try. With direct messaging, high open rates, and an engaged audience, it’s an excellent alternative to Meta Ads for IPL 2025 promotions.
The Best Meta Ad Alternatives for Fantasy Cricket Marketing
Now that we’ve explored five powerful advertising platforms, let’s do a quick comparison to help you decide which one is best for your Fantasy Cricket app.
| Platform | Monthly Active Users (India) | Ad Formats |
| ShareChat | 325M+ | Video ads, Influencer marketing, Hashtag challenges |
| Snapchat | 200M+ | Story ads, AR lenses, Collection ads |
| Taboola | 600M+ (Global) | Native ads, In-article placements, Full-screen ads |
| Truecaller | 272.6M+ | Caller ID ads, Full-screen search ads, Verified business caller ID |
| 530M+ | Click-to-WhatsApp ads, Broadcast messages, Chatbots |
Which Platform Should You Use?
- Want to reach regional Indian users? → Go for ShareChat Ads
- Targeting young, mobile-savvy users? → Try Snapchat Ads
- Need high-quality, intent-driven traffic? → Choose Taboola Ads
- Want direct mobile engagement? → Use Truecaller Ads
- Looking for instant conversions? → WhatsApp Ads is your best bet
Final Thoughts: The Best Strategy for IPL 2025 Marketing
Instead of relying on just one platform, a multi-platform approach can give you the best results. For example:
🚀 Use ShareChat & Snapchat for brand awareness
🚀 Run Taboola Ads to target engaged cricket fans
🚀 Use Truecaller to maximize mobile reach
🚀 Leverage WhatsApp for direct user acquisition & retention
Your Next Step? Start Experimenting!
Since Meta Ads can be slow & unpredictable, these five platforms offer proven ways to grow your Fantasy Cricket app during IPL 2025. Start running ads now, test different strategies, and scale what works best for your business. 🚀🏏
Which platform are you excited to try first? Let me know! 😊
Bonus Tip: Can You Still Use Meta?
Apart from these platforms, there’s also an option to boost posts on Meta (Facebook & Instagram). However, if you choose to do so, don’t use your real Facebook or Instagram ID for boosting posts, as Meta’s ad policies for gaming and gambling can be unpredictable.
Let’s Connect for a Custom IPL 2025 Ad Strategy!
If you’re serious about growing your Fantasy Cricket app during IPL 2025, let’s build a detailed advertising strategy tailored to your business. Drop a message, and let’s get started! 🚀🏏