Artificial intelligence is making AI advertising for small businesses more accessible, according to new research commissioned by Amazon Ads. The survey suggests AI-powered advertising is reducing the cost and complexity of creating campaigns. As a result, Canadian small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can now explore advertising channels that once required enterprise-level budgets.
Among Canadian SMBs using AI-powered advertising tools, 75% said the technology has helped them reach audiences, channels, or advertising formats that felt out of reach three years ago. Opinium conducted the survey on behalf of Amazon Ads between April 7 and April 23, 2026. The study surveyed 300 Canadian B2C marketing decision-makers as part of a broader survey of 4,100 respondents across 14 countries..
AI-powered advertising expands access to premium channels
Streaming TV advertising demonstrates how AI advertising for small businesses is changing the competitive landscape. Only 40% of respondents considered streaming TV a viable advertising channel three years ago. Many cited production costs and minimum advertising spend requirements as the biggest obstacles. Today, however, 73% believe AI-powered advertising tools have made streaming TV and other video advertising formats realistic for their business.
Interest in the channel has also increased. Among respondents considering streaming TV advertising, 58% said it could help them reach new audiences. Meanwhile, 52% expect stronger brand awareness, while 39% believe it can improve business credibility.
AI helping small businesses compete with larger brands
The survey suggests AI advertising for small businesses delivers benefits beyond creative production. More than one-quarter of respondents who previously viewed cross-border advertising as inaccessible now believe AI has made those campaigns achievable. By lowering the cost of experimentation and accelerating campaign optimization, AI is encouraging businesses to pursue broader growth strategies.
Seven in ten respondents said AI-enabled advertising has supported business growth. Additionally, 38% linked AI to expansion into new countries, while 30% reported improvements in brand perception.
Businesses also reported practical advantages. Nearly two-thirds said AI helps them compete more effectively with larger brands. Furthermore, 51% reported faster campaign optimisation, and 46% said AI helps them identify customers more quickly while reducing wasted advertising spend.
AI advertising for small businesses is a creative partner
The research suggests AI-powered advertising is changing how smaller businesses create marketing campaigns, not simply how they manage them. Nearly nine in ten respondents said they are likely to use AI to create advertising assets. Meanwhile, 65% expect to use AI to produce streaming TV advertisements. More than half also said AI enables them to be more creative with their advertising.
Amazon Ads reported similar adoption trends across its global platform. The company said advertisers using its AI-powered tools increased by 50% year over year. SMBs also generated twice as many advertising creatives during the first quarter of 2026 compared with the previous year.
However, human judgement remains essential
Despite wider adoption, businesses continue to keep people at the centre of advertising decisions. Almost half of respondents said the business owner remains the final decision-maker. Another 26% combine AI-generated recommendations with human oversight, while 18% rely on a marketing lead. Notably, no Canadian respondent reported making advertising decisions entirely through AI without human review.
Looking ahead, nearly three-quarters believe AI will become increasingly important to future competitiveness. Respondents also expect AI to play a larger role in strategic planning, audience segmentation, and content generation.
TTF View
We have previously written about how AI is impacting a variety of domains, such as the beauty industry, enterprise modernization, and even elections.
AI has already been supercharging brand marketing, and now SMBs are getting their due too. The biggest impact of AI advertising for small businesses may not be better campaigns alone. Instead, AI is lowering the barriers that once limited sophisticated advertising to larger companies. As creative production, campaign optimization, and audience targeting become more accessible, smaller businesses gain capabilities once reserved for enterprise brands.
Consequently, we think long-term competitive advantage will depend less on advertising budgets and more on product quality, customer experience, and brand strategy.
