The "Big 3" of online advertising typically refers to the three largest technology companies that dominate digital advertising markets worldwide. These companies are:
Owned by Alphabet Inc., Google is the leading online advertising platform, primarily through its Google Ads service. It offers a range of advertising options including search ads, display ads, YouTube ads, and more. Google’s advertising revenue is driven by its vast reach across search engine results, YouTube, and partner websites.
Formerly Facebook Inc., Meta is a major player in social media advertising. Its platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. Meta provides highly targeted advertising options based on detailed user data, making it a powerful tool for advertisers aiming to reach specific audiences.
Amazon has emerged as a significant player in digital advertising, leveraging its e-commerce ecosystem. Amazon Advertising allows brands to promote products directly on Amazon’s platform, reaching consumers during their shopping journey. It also offers advertising solutions outside of Amazon through its demand-side platform (DSP) and other tools.
These companies hold dominant market shares and have extensive data and technological resources that make them the primary players in online advertising globally.