Mobile advertising spending worldwide 2007-2023

In 2020, mobile advertising spending reached a record 223 billion U.S. dollars worldwide. This figure marked an increase of over 17 percent compared to the previous year, and according to the latest data, spending will surpass 339 billion by 2023.

Mobile advertising: small screen, big benefits

With smartphone adoption and mobile usage at an all-time high, companies are devoting larger budgets to mobile advertising than ever. This leveraging of the mobile revolution is particularly visible in the United States, the leading mobile ad market in the world. In 2020, U.S. marketers spent a record 120 billion U.S. dollars on mobile promotion, up from around 99 billion the year before. But what makes mobile such an attractive digital ad channel? Apart from their massive audience reach, mobile devices and apps also offer great targeting and personalization opportunities.

What are popular mobile ad formats?

In the United States, search and social media are the formats with the largest mobile advertising spending. This distribution reflects today’s mobile usage trends and patterns, as smartphones have become a vital tool for information, communication, and entertainment alike. In 2021, Instagram advertising revenues hit 18 billion U.S. dollars in the U.S. alone, signaling social media’s pivotal role as an advertising destination. In addition to that, ad spend on mobile gaming is also making giant leaps worldwide.