Brandwave

Google Ads vs Meta Ads:Which is more popular in New Zealand?

In October 2026, Google Ads had more branded searches than Meta Ads among digital ad buying platforms in New Zealand. Google Ads had about 18,100 branded searches, while Meta Ads had 1,900. Google Ads made up 88.9% of all digital ad buying platform searches we track, and Meta Ads accounted for 9.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about digital ad buying platforms, Meta Ads appeared in four of the five answers and Google Ads in three. Google Ads was mentioned before Meta Ads in every answer.

Among digital ad buying platforms in New Zealand in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

Google Ads, about 10 searches for every 1 for Meta Ads

Google Ads 18.1K searchesMeta Ads 1.9K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Meta Ads, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Google Ads in 3

Meta Ads in 4 of 5Google Ads in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Google Ads, named ahead of Meta Ads in every answer

Google Ads first in 3Meta Ads never first

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Top digital ad buying platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Meta Ads was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Google Ads was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Google Ads was listed before Meta Ads in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Google Ads1st
  2. Meta Ads2nd
  3. The Trade Desk3rd
  4. LinkedIn Ads4th
  5. StackAdapt5th
  6. AdRoll–
  7. Basis Technologies–
  8. Quantcast–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Meta Ads4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • The Trade Desk4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Google Ads3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • LinkedIn Ads2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • StackAdapt1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • AdRoll0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Basis Technologies0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Quantcast0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about digital ad buying platforms

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Google Ads or Meta Ads more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Google Ads and Meta Ads by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight digital ad buying platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Google Ads and Meta Ads among digital ad buying platforms in New Zealand, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthGoogle AdsMeta AdsLinkedIn AdsStackAdaptThe Trade DeskAdRollBasis TechnologiesQuantcast
Nov 202589.6%7.9%1%0.55%0.67%0.12%0.06%0.06%
Dec 202588.1%8.9%1.5%0.36%0.8%0.18%0.09%0.09%
Jan 202685.4%11.3%1.5%0.49%0.99%0.14%0.07%0.14%
Feb 202687.2%9.4%1.5%0.5%1%0.22%0.07%0.07%
Mar 202687.1%9.4%1.5%0.41%1.2%0.18%0.06%0.12%
Apr 202687.9%9.5%1.2%0.42%0.65%0.12%0.06%0.06%
May 202686.3%11.1%1.2%0.41%0.64%0.18%0.06%0.06%
Jun 202687.6%9.5%1.5%0.41%0.65%0.12%0.12%0.12%
Jul 202687.6%9.5%1.5%0.41%0.53%0.24%0.12%0.12%
Aug 202687.7%9.5%1.2%0.53%0.83%0.06%0.06%0.06%
Sep 202686.2%11.1%1.2%0.52%0.64%0.17%0.12%0.06%
Oct 202688.9%9.3%0.83%0.44%0.34%0.1%0.05%0.05%

How has branded search for Google Ads and Meta Ads changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for New Zealand digital ad buying platforms in October 2026?

2 changes

  1. In October 2026, Google Ads gained share of searches among digital ad buying platforms in New Zealand, from 86.2% to 88.9%.

  2. In October 2026, Meta Ads lost share of searches among digital ad buying platforms in New Zealand, from 11.1% to 9.3%.

How are Google Ads’ and Meta Ads’ branded searches counted?

2 search terms

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

1 branded search term

  • google ads

Meta Ads

1 branded search term

  • meta ads

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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