Brandwave

Google Ads vs StackAdapt:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Google Ads had more branded searches than StackAdapt among display advertising platforms worldwide. Google Ads had about 5 million branded searches, while StackAdapt had 22,400. Google Ads made up 97.2% of all display advertising platform searches we track, and StackAdapt accounted for 0.43%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about display advertising platforms, Google Ads appeared in all five answers and StackAdapt in three. StackAdapt was mentioned before Google Ads in three out of five answers.

Among display advertising platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Google Ads, about 225 searches for every 1 for StackAdapt

Google Ads 5M searchesStackAdapt 22.4K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Google Ads, mentioned in every answer we collected

Google Ads in 5 of 5StackAdapt in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

StackAdapt, named ahead of Google Ads in 3 of 5 answers

StackAdapt first in 3Google Ads first in 2

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Top display advertising platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Google Ads appeared in all five answers. StackAdapt was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. StackAdapt was listed before Google Ads in three out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Display & Video 3601st
  2. Google Ads2nd
  3. StackAdapt3rd
  4. Amazon DSP4th
  5. The Trade Desk5th
  6. AdRoll6th
  7. Criteo–

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
  • Display & Video 3605 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • AdRoll4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Amazon DSP3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • StackAdapt3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • The Trade Desk2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Criteo0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about display advertising platforms

5 answers

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 19, 2026.

Is Google Ads or StackAdapt more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Google Ads and StackAdapt by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven display advertising platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Google Ads and StackAdapt among display advertising platforms worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Google Ads, StackAdapt. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthGoogle AdsThe Trade DeskCriteoAmazon DSPStackAdaptAdRollDisplay & Video 360
Oct 202595.3%1.4%1.4%1.1%0.52%0.23%0.04%
Nov 202596.2%1.2%1.2%0.77%0.43%0.19%0.04%
Dec 202596.8%0.97%0.95%0.78%0.35%0.16%0.03%
Jan 202695.9%1.4%1.2%0.77%0.52%0.19%0.03%
Feb 202696.1%1.4%1.2%0.63%0.43%0.19%0.04%
Mar 202695.6%1.8%1.1%0.77%0.52%0.19%0.05%
Apr 202696.2%1.2%1.2%0.77%0.53%0.15%0.04%
May 202696.4%1.2%0.95%0.77%0.53%0.13%0.04%
Jun 202696.2%1.2%1.2%0.77%0.52%0.13%0.03%
Jul 202696.6%1%1.2%0.63%0.43%0.13%0.03%
Aug 202696.3%1.4%0.95%0.63%0.52%0.13%0.03%
Sep 202697.2%0.97%0.78%0.52%0.43%0.1%0.03%

How has the Google Ads and StackAdapt comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for display advertising platforms worldwide in September 2026?

1 change

  1. In September 2026, Google Ads gained share of searches among display advertising platforms worldwide, from 96.3% to 97.2%.

How are branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Google Ads’ and StackAdapt’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 Ads

2 branded search terms

  • google ads
  • googleads

StackAdapt

2 branded search terms

  • stackadapt
  • stackadapt dsp

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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