Freestar vs Google Ad Manager:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Google Ad Manager had more branded searches than Freestar among publisher ad monetisation platforms worldwide. Google Ad Manager had about 165,000 branded searches, while Freestar had 3,600. Google Ad Manager made up 78.5% of all publisher ad monetisation platform searches we track, and Freestar accounted for 1.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about publisher ad monetisation platforms, Google Ad Manager appeared in three of the four answers and Freestar in two. Google Ad Manager was mentioned before Freestar in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Google Ad Manager, about 46 searches for every 1 for Freestar
Who does AI mention more?
Google Ad Manager, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Freestar in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Google Ad Manager, named ahead of Freestar in every answer
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Top publisher ad monetisation platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Google Ad Manager was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Freestar was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Google Ad Manager was listed before Freestar 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 Ad Manager3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Mediavine3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Raptive3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Ezoic2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- Freestar2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Snigel1 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Publift1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about publisher ad monetisation platforms
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which publisher ad monetisation platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best publisher ad monetisation platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best publisher ad monetisation platform for a media site?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“publisher ad monetisation platforms”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best ad monetisation platform”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Freestar or Google Ad Manager more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Freestar and Google Ad Manager by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven publisher ad monetisation platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Google Ad Manager, Freestar. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Google Ad Manager | Mediavine | Snigel | Ezoic | Raptive | Freestar | Publift |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 67.2% | 6% | 7.4% | 11.1% | 3.3% | 4% | 0.98% |
| Nov 2025 | 69.3% | 5.1% | 6.2% | 11.4% | 2.8% | 4.2% | 1% |
| Dec 2025 | 71.2% | 5.2% | 5.2% | 11.7% | 2.8% | 2.8% | 0.84% |
| Jan 2026 | 69.1% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 11.4% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 1% |
| Feb 2026 | 70.5% | 5.2% | 7.8% | 9.5% | 3.5% | 2.8% | 0.83% |
| Mar 2026 | 73.8% | 5.4% | 6.6% | 8.1% | 3% | 2.4% | 0.71% |
| Apr 2026 | 73.5% | 5.4% | 6.6% | 8.1% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 0.54% |
| May 2026 | 73.9% | 5.4% | 6.6% | 8.1% | 3% | 2.4% | 0.55% |
| Jun 2026 | 76% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 6.8% | 3% | 2.5% | 0.56% |
| Jul 2026 | 76.7% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 6.9% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 0.57% |
| Aug 2026 | 75.4% | 6.8% | 5.5% | 6.8% | 3% | 2% | 0.56% |
| Sep 2026 | 78.5% | 5.8% | 5.8% | 4.7% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.48% |
How has the Freestar and Google Ad Manager comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Google Ad Manager was ahead of Freestar in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Freestar’s share of searches among publisher ad monetisation platforms worldwide moved from 4% to 1.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 6.6K to 3.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Ad Manager’s share of searches among publisher ad monetisation platforms worldwide moved from 67.2% to 78.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 110K to 165K.
How did search popularity change for publisher ad monetisation platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Google Ad Manager gained share of searches among publisher ad monetisation platforms worldwide, from 75.4% to 78.5%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Freestar worldwide fell 45.5% over 12 measured months, from 6.6K to 3.6K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Freestar’s and Google Ad Manager’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.
Freestar
1 branded search term
- freestar
Google Ad Manager
1 branded search term
- google ad manager
Other head-to-heads among publisher ad monetisation platforms
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