60 Google AdSense Statistics and Data (Detailed Breakdown)

Google continues to empower publishers and advertisers as the advertising industry dominates the online space. With Google AdSense, industry leaders have the opportunity to grow, generate leads, drive sales, increase conversions, and enhance brand awareness with online advertisements. 

The digital marketing landscape is evolving with AdSense at the forefront followed by many successful alternatives as well. We highlight the numbers that show just what kind of investment Google Ads and AdSense are, the latest trends, and success stories from other businesses!

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Here are the stats we’re diving into:

• Google Ads Statistics
• Google AdSense in Numbers
• Google AdSense Trends
• Optimizing Google Ads and Adsense

Google Ads Statistics

Worldwide digital advertising spending will reach $876 billion U.S. dollars in 2026. With Google owning 92.21%  of the worldwide search engine market share, it’s no surprise that in 2021, Google’s revenue amounted to 256.73 billion U.S. dollars with 209.49 billion U.S. dollars generated through its Google Ads platform. These numbers continue to grow and as of this year, 2022, the cost per click (CPC) of search ads ranges from $2 to $4.

• Digital advertising spending worldwide is predicted to reach 876 billion U.S. dollars by 2026
• Google owns 92.21% of the worldwide search engine market share 

• The U.S market penetration in advertising networks is 37.31% 
• Google earns 46% of its total revenue or $117.8 billion from the U.S.
• In 2020, Google’s ad revenue was 146.92 billion U.S. dollars. Of that 146.92 billion – over 80% came from display ads. 
• In 2021, Google accounted for an estimated 28.6% of the total digital advertising revenue generated in the United States and was the largest digital ad publisher in the country
• In 2021, the Google Ads platform’s revenue amounted to 209.49 billion U.S. dollars
• Advertising accounts for the majority of Google’s revenue which amounted to 256.73 billion U.S. dollars in 2021
• While Search and other properties make up the bulk of Google’s ad revenues, its YouTube advertising business grew by 49% year over year

• The average click-through rate (CTR) on Google Ads paid search ads is 4% to 6% 
• The typical cost per click (CPC) for search ads in 2022 ranges from $2 to $4

Sources: Statista, Statcounter Global Stats, Web Tech Survey, GlobalData, Statista, Alphabet Inc., Statista, Statista, Statista, Alphabet Inc., WordStream, WordStream

Google AdSense in Numbers

AdSense and other Google assets are part of the Google Display Network which reaches over 90% of Internet users worldwide. With publishers receiving 68% of revenue with AdSense for content and 51% of revenue with AdSense for search, there are 83,641,810 websites that are customers.

• The Google Display Network (GDN) – which includes AdSense and other Google assets, reaches over 90% of Internet users worldwide

• There are 83,641,810 websites that are Google AdSense customers
• There are 50,079,856 live websites using Google AdSense
• Google AdSense has 1,659,194 unique domains
• AdSense has 19 standard sensitive categories which are supported for ads in 17 countries
• Reports on impressions and clicks are updated every 15 minutes to 30 minutes 
• For displaying ads with AdSense for content, publishers receive 68% of the revenue 
• For AdSense for search, publishers receive 51% of the revenue 
• The average click-through rate (CTR) in Adwords across all industries is 1.91% on the search network and 0.35% on the display network

Sources: Google, BuiltWith, BuiltWith, SimilarTech, Google, Google, Google, WordStream

Google AdSense Trends

While Google AdSense has more than 2 million publishers as customers, the U.S. is the top country that uses AdSense with 430,200 websites. 

• Adsense has more than 2 million publishers as its customers
• The United States is the leading country using Adsense with 430,200 websites

• Every year, Google pays more than $10 billion to its publishers and the top industry using AdSense is Computers, Electronics & Technology.

• Every year, Google pays over $10 billion to its publishers 

• Top industry verticals where Google Adsense is being used include:
  • Computers, Electronics & Technology: 7.67%
  • Arts & Entertainment: 5.77%
  • Games: 4.42%
  • News &Media: 3.23%
  • Others: 78.91%

Sources: Google, SimilarTech, Semrush

Optimizing Google Ads and AdSense

With 98% of global customers shopping online, search ads can increase brand awareness by 80%. Not only can paid search and social media ads directly answer queries, but these ads can also make information easier to find and influence purchasing decisions.

• 98% of global consumers surveyed reported that they shopped online 
• 47% of total global purchases are completed online
• Search ads increase brand awareness by 80% 
• ⅓ of people click on a paid search ad because it directly answers their search query 
• 75% of people say paid search ads make it easier to find the information they are searching for on a website or search engine 
• 26% of people click on a paid search ad because it mentions a brand they are familiar with 
• In 2021, 75% of Gen Zers and 48% of millennials made purchasing decisions influenced by social media ads

Sources: Google, Google, Google, Clutch, Statista

People are 4 times more likely to click on ads on Google, than on any other advertisement network. That being said, Google estimates that for every dollar a business or brand spends on Google ads, they will receive an $8 profit via Search and Ads which is an 8:1 return on investment (ROI.)

• People are 4 times more likely to click ads on Google than on any other advertisement network 
• Google estimates that for every $1 a business spends on Google ads, they receive $8 in profit through Google Search and Ads. This is an 8:1 return on investment (ROI)
• Small to mid-sized businesses spend $1,000 to $10,000 per month on their Google paid search campaigns depending on the industry
• Google recommends $10-$50 as the daily budget for a Google Ads campaign

Sources: Clutch, Google, WordStream, Google

The industry with the highest average cost per click (CPC) is the Attorney & Legal Services industry. Looking at the type of ads publishers put out there, 49% of people will click on text ads, 31% on shopping or product listing ads, and 16% more likely to click on video ads. 

• Industries with the highest average cost per click (CPC):
  • Attorneys & Legal Services: $8.67
  • Dentists & Dental Services: $6.49
  • Home and Home Improvement: $5.75
  • Finance and Insurance: $5.16
  • Business Services: $4.90
• Based on an analysis of over 63,000 advertisers and publishers, the most popular ad sizes are 728×90 and 300×250
• 49% of people are more likely to click on text paid search ads
• 31% of people will click on shopping or product listing ads 
• 16% of people will click on video ads 

Sources: WordStream, Semrush, Clutch

Investing in Google Ads is a tested and proven way to significantly improve business key performance metrics. For instance, the mattress company purple saw a 339% increase in brand searches, Williams Sonoma experienced a 70% increase in mobile sales, and Schmidt’s Naturals was able to engage 2.2 million new users.

• With Google Ads, Purple (the mattress company) saw a:
  • 339% increase in brand searches
  • 22% increase in purchase intent
  • 37% reduction in cost per visit
• With Google Ads, Williams Sonoma saw a:
  • 70% increase in mobile sales
  • 51% increase in e-commerce sales
  • 20% increase in return on ad spend on mobile 
  • 70% increase in click-through rate (CTR) across Williams-Sonoma Inc.
• Using Google bumper ads, Schmidt’s Naturals:
  • Engaged 2.2 million new users
  • Saw a 48% average uplift in brand awareness which is 12.75% better than average
  • $5.64 efficient cost per thousand impressions (CPM)

Sources: Google, Google, Google