Google Ad Manager vs OpenX:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Google Ad Manager had more branded searches than OpenX among ad server platforms worldwide. Google Ad Manager had about 165,000 branded searches, while OpenX had 6,600. Google Ad Manager made up 60.4% of all ad server platform searches we track, and OpenX accounted for 2.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about ad server platforms, Google Ad Manager appeared in all five answers and OpenX in two. Google Ad Manager was mentioned before OpenX in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Google Ad Manager, about 25 searches for every 1 for OpenX
Who does AI mention more?
Google Ad Manager, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Google Ad Manager, named ahead of OpenX in every answer
Follow Google Ad Manager vs OpenX and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top ad server platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Google Ad Manager appeared in all five answers. OpenX was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Google Ad Manager was listed before OpenX in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Google Ad Manager1st
Kevel2nd
AdButler3rd
Revive Adserver4th
Broadstreet4th
OpenX6th
Amazon Ads–
Xandr–
Sizmek–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Google Ad Manager5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Kevel5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- AdButler4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Revive Adserver4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- OpenX2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Broadstreet2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Amazon Ads0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Xandr0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Sizmek0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about ad server platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which ad server platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best ad server platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best ad server platform for publishing ad inventory?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ad server platforms”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“publisher ad server”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Google Ad Manager or OpenX more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Google Ad Manager and OpenX by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine ad server platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Google Ad Manager, OpenX. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Google Ad Manager | Amazon Ads | OpenX | Kevel | Xandr | AdButler | Revive Adserver | Sizmek | Broadstreet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 49.2% | 41.3% | 3% | 2% | 2.4% | 0.72% | 0.72% | 0.58% | 0.16% |
| Nov 2025 | 49.7% | 41.7% | 3% | 1.6% | 2% | 0.72% | 0.72% | 0.45% | 0.13% |
| Dec 2025 | 50.2% | 42.2% | 2.5% | 1.6% | 2% | 0.46% | 0.46% | 0.46% | 0.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 53.2% | 36.7% | 3.9% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 0.63% | 0.63% | 0.48% | 0.14% |
| Feb 2026 | 53.9% | 37.2% | 3.2% | 1.8% | 2.2% | 0.64% | 0.49% | 0.49% | 0.14% |
| Mar 2026 | 54.2% | 37% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 0.64% | 0.52% | 0.4% | 0.11% |
| Apr 2026 | 58.7% | 32.9% | 3.5% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 0.57% | 0.43% | 0.31% | 0.12% |
| May 2026 | 59.1% | 33% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 0.57% | 0.44% | 0.39% | 0.12% |
| Jun 2026 | 58.2% | 32.6% | 4.3% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 0.56% | 0.43% | 0.31% | 0.12% |
| Jul 2026 | 59.2% | 33% | 3.6% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.44% | 0.44% | 0.32% | 0.14% |
| Aug 2026 | 59.6% | 33.2% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.57% | 0.39% | 0.26% | 0.15% |
| Sep 2026 | 60.4% | 33.7% | 2.4% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 0.37% | 0.32% | 0.26% | 0.12% |
How has the Google Ad Manager and OpenX comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Google Ad Manager was ahead of OpenX in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Ad Manager’s share of searches among ad server platforms worldwide moved from 49.2% to 60.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 110K to 165K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OpenX’s share of searches among ad server platforms worldwide moved from 3% to 2.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 6.6K.
How did search popularity change for ad server platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Google Ad Manager gained share of searches among ad server platforms worldwide, from 59.6% to 60.4%.
OpenX’s share of searches among ad server platforms worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 4.3% to 2.4% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Google Ad Manager’s and OpenX’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Google Ad Manager
1 branded search term
- google ad manager
OpenX
1 branded search term
- openx
Other head-to-heads among ad server platforms
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.