LinkedIn Ads vs Taboola:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, LinkedIn Ads and Taboola were level in searches among retargeting platforms worldwide, with an estimated 49.5K branded searches each, at 0.82% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about retargeting platforms, LinkedIn Ads appeared in three of the five answers and Taboola in none.
Who do people search for more?
LinkedIn Ads and Taboola are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
LinkedIn Ads, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Taboola in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
LinkedIn Ads, the only one of the two named
Follow LinkedIn Ads vs Taboola 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 retargeting platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, LinkedIn Ads was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Taboola did not appear in any of the five answers.
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 LinkedIn Ads or Taboola more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for LinkedIn Ads and Taboola 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 LinkedIn Ads, Taboola. 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 LinkedIn Ads and Taboola comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: LinkedIn Ads took it in March 2026, Taboola took it in August 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Taboola’s 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, LinkedIn Ads rose from 5th to 3rd among retargeting platforms worldwide.
In September 2026, Taboola fell from 3rd to 4th among retargeting platforms worldwide.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using LinkedIn Ads’ and Taboola’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.
LinkedIn Ads
1 branded search term
- linkedin ads
Taboola
1 branded search term
- taboola
Other head-to-heads among retargeting 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.