Brandwave

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

In October 2026, Google Ads had more branded searches than StackAdapt among digital ad buying platforms in New Zealand. Google Ads had about 18,100 branded searches, while StackAdapt had 90. Google Ads made up 88.9% of all digital ad buying platform searches we track, and StackAdapt accounted for 0.44%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about digital ad buying platforms, Google Ads appeared in three of the five answers and StackAdapt in one. Google Ads was mentioned before StackAdapt in every answer.

Among digital ad buying platforms in New Zealand in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

Google Ads, about 201 searches for every 1 for StackAdapt

Google Ads 18.1K searchesStackAdapt 90 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Google Ads, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, StackAdapt in 1

Google Ads in 3 of 5StackAdapt in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Google Ads, named ahead of StackAdapt in every answer

Google Ads first in 3StackAdapt 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, Google Ads was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. StackAdapt was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Google Ads was listed before StackAdapt 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 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 eight digital ad buying platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Google Ads and StackAdapt among digital ad buying platforms in New Zealand, 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 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 StackAdapt 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, StackAdapt rose from 5th to 4th among digital ad buying platforms in New Zealand.

How are Google Ads’ and StackAdapt’s branded searches counted?

2 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

1 branded search term

  • google ads

StackAdapt

1 branded search term

  • stackadapt

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among digital ad buying platforms

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