Google Ads vs LinkedIn Ads:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Google Ads had more branded searches than LinkedIn Ads among retargeting platforms worldwide. Google Ads had about 5 million branded searches, while LinkedIn Ads had 49,500. Google Ads made up 83.6% of all retargeting platform searches we track, and LinkedIn Ads accounted for 0.82%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about retargeting platforms, Google Ads appeared in all five answers and LinkedIn Ads in three. Google Ads was mentioned before LinkedIn Ads in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Google Ads, about 102 searches for every 1 for LinkedIn Ads
Who does AI mention more?
Google Ads, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Google Ads, named ahead of LinkedIn Ads in every answer
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Top retargeting platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Google Ads appeared in all five answers. LinkedIn Ads was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Google Ads was listed before LinkedIn Ads in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Google Ads5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Meta Ads5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Criteo5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
AdRoll5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
LinkedIn Ads3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Taboola0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
RTB House0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Outbrain0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Perfect Audience0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about retargeting platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which retargeting platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best retargeting platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best retargeting platform for an ad team?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“retargeting software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best retargeting platform”
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 21, 2026.
Is Google Ads or LinkedIn Ads more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Google Ads and LinkedIn Ads by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine retargeting platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Google Ads, LinkedIn Ads. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Google Ads | Meta Ads | LinkedIn Ads | Taboola | Criteo | RTB House | Outbrain | AdRoll | Perfect Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 84.3% | 11.3% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.25% | 0.3% | 0.2% | <0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 86.5% | 9.5% | 1% | 1.3% | 1% | 0.21% | 0.31% | 0.17% | <0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 87.1% | 9.5% | 0.86% | 1% | 0.86% | 0.17% | 0.26% | 0.14% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 85% | 11.3% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0.2% | 0.25% | 0.17% | <0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 85% | 11.3% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0.2% | 0.25% | 0.17% | <0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 82.7% | 13.5% | 1.2% | 0.99% | 0.99% | 0.2% | 0.24% | 0.17% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 82.9% | 13.5% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0.2% | 0.24% | 0.14% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 83.1% | 13.6% | 1% | 1% | 0.82% | 0.16% | 0.2% | 0.11% | <0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 83% | 13.5% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0.16% | 0.2% | 0.11% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 83% | 13.5% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0.16% | 0.2% | 0.11% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 80.8% | 16.1% | 0.79% | 0.97% | 0.79% | 0.19% | 0.16% | 0.11% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 83.6% | 13.7% | 0.82% | 0.82% | 0.67% | 0.16% | 0.13% | 0.09% | <0.01% |
How has the Google Ads and LinkedIn Ads comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Google Ads was ahead of LinkedIn Ads in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Ads’ share of searches among retargeting platforms worldwide moved from 84.3% to 83.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.1M to 5M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, LinkedIn Ads’ share of searches among retargeting platforms worldwide moved from 1.2% to 0.82%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 60.5K to 49.5K.
How did search popularity change for retargeting platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Google Ads gained share of searches among retargeting platforms worldwide, from 80.8% to 83.6%.
In September 2026, LinkedIn Ads rose from 5th to 3rd among retargeting platforms worldwide.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Google Ads’ and LinkedIn Ads’ 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 Ads
2 branded search terms
- google ads
- googleads
LinkedIn Ads
1 branded search term
- linkedin ads
Other head-to-heads among retargeting platforms
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