200+ Digital Marketing Statistics: The Key Data in 2026
Digital marketing did not start with ads everywhere. In the early 2000s, businesses began using email and simple websites to reach customers online.
By 2010, social media and search ads changed everything. Fast forward to today, global digital ad spending has passed $650 billion a year, reaching more people than TV and print combined.
But now, AI tools, privacy laws, and the end of third-party cookies are forcing marketers to rethink how they grow and compete. With that in mind, we’ll cover some powerful digital marketing statistics.
Digital Marketing Statistics: Key Numbers
- Global digital ad spend reached $667 billion
- Search advertising accounts for 39% of total digital ad spend
- Social media advertising represents 33% of global digital ad spend
- Businesses earn an average of $2 for every $1 spent on Google Ads
- 70% of marketers actively invest in content marketing
- 90% of online experiences begin with a search engine
- Email marketing delivers an average ROI of $36 for every $1 spent
- 68% of online experiences start on mobile devices
- 61% of marketers say SEO is their top inbound priority
- 54% of social media users research products on social platforms
- 88% of marketers use video as part of their strategy
- Websites on the first Google result page get 91% of search traffic
Sources: Statista, HubSpot, Google, DataReportal
02.
Digital Marketing ROI Statistics: Key Numbers
Digital marketing shapes how brands grow, reach people, and turn attention into real results. Some channels build trust over time, while others drive fast action and visibility. Smart choices can mean the difference between wasted effort and steady growth. We break this down so you can see which strategies truly deliver value.
- The average ROI for email marketing is 4,200%.
- PPC Returns $2 for every $1 spent, resulting in a 200% ROI.
- SEO Has an average ROI of 2,200%.
- Online PR Has an ROI of 335%.
- Affiliate Marketing Has an ROI of 227%.
- A good marketing ROI is a 5:1 ratio.
- 49% of businesses say organic search provides the best marketing ROI.
- By 2026, digital advertising spending is expected to reach $876 billion USD.
- 80% of marketers measure social-media success by engagement, and 56% by website traffic.
- 88% of marketers are satisfied with the ROI of video marketing.
Sources:
- Email Marketing for 4200% ROI | Marketing Monk
- Is PPC Worth It? Exploring the Value of Pay-Per-Click Ads – Br|ndWell
- How to Calculate Content Marketing ROI | ClearVoice
- What is Marketing ROI? What is the formula and why it is important | AlexanderJarvis
- What is Marketing ROI? | Oracle
- First Page Sage
- The ROI of SEO & Ranking in Google Search | LinkedIn
- Digital ad spend worldwide 2027 | Statista
- Social Media Marketing and Its Various Aspects | by Katalesanket | Medium
- The Value of a Video – Helpful Video Marketing Statistics | by Explainly. | LinkedIn
03.
Gen Z Marketing Statistics: Key Numbers
Gen Z shapes how brands speak, sell, and show values. They live online, shop on phones, and expect messages to feel real and personal. Social platforms guide what they notice and trust. We share these insights so you can understand how to reach them the right way.
- Gen Z’s spending power is $360 billion.
- 81% of Gen Zers prefer personalized ads, vs. 57% of Millennials and 42% of Boomers.
- Gen Z shoppers shop 2X more on mobile than Millennials.
- Over 60% of Gen Z shoppers bought products they saw on social media.
- 73% of Generation Z follow one or more brands on social media.
- 32% of Gen Zers discover brands and products through social media influencers.
- 59% of respondents say they trust the brands with which they grew up.
- Currently, 94% of Generation Z use social media.
- 48% of Gen Z have made a second-person word-of-mouth recommendation.
- 68% of Gen Z want all brands to help society.
Sources: (Bloomberg L.P., Unsupervised, Forbes, Kargo Commerce, Hootsuite, PR Newswire, Marketing Charts, Morning Consult, Convince & Convert, Meta.)
04.
Baby Boomer Statistics: Key Facts For Marketers
Baby boomers shape buying habits across stores, screens, and daily life. They value trust, clear messages, and familiar channels. They research before acting and stay loyal when brands deliver value. We share what matters most so you can connect with them in the right way.
- About 71 million Americans are baby boomers.
- Baby boomers control 51% of all wealth in the United States.
- Baby boomers control $2.6 trillion and account for more than 70% of US disposable income.
- Baby boomers are 15% more likely to switch brands than Generation X.
- 88% of baby boomers buy groceries in-store.
- 69% of baby boomers prefer brands to contact them via email.
- Baby boomers spend 1 hour and 48 minutes per day on Facebook and Instagram.
- 82.3% of baby boomers use at least one social media site.
- In 2021, 90% of baby boomers said they had shopped online in the previous 12 months.
- 96% of baby boomers use search engines, and 95% use email.
- 82.3% of baby boomers are members of at least one social media site.
- 78% of baby boomers are Facebook users.
- On average, baby boomers spend 13 hours on social media per week.
- 84% of baby boomers say that social media is likely to improve their lives.
- Baby boomers spend around 1 hour and 48 minutes on Facebook and Instagram every day.
- The average baby boomer spends 27 hours per week online.
- Baby Boomers are the least likely generation to make a purchase from social media using smartphone.
| Social Media Platfrom | Share of Baby Boomer |
|---|---|
| YouTube | 67% |
| 78% | |
| 32% | |
| 26% | |
| 40% | |
| 31% | |
| 8% | |
| Snapchat | 5% |
| 13% | |
| TikTok | 2% |
| Tumblr | 3% |
Sources: (CarePatrol, Investopedia, Medium, Academic Star, Oberlo, Statista, DMN3, Gladly)
05.
Gen X Statistics: Key Facts For marketer
Generation X is informed, selective, and loyal when brands earn their trust. They research before buying and value clarity, honesty, and purpose. They move easily between online and in store shopping. We share what truly matters so you can connect with them in the right way.
- 72% of Generation Xers use the internet to research businesses.
- Generation X accounts for 31% of total income in the United States.
- 54% of Gen Xers feel brands and marketers ignore them.
- 95% of Generation X uses Facebook, 46% use Instagram, and 25% use Twitter.
- In the last year, 64% of Gen X consumers made a purchase after receiving an email.
- 82% of Generation Xers are more likely to buy from a company they can trust with their data.
- 80% of Generation X prefer email marketing as a communication channel.
- 1/3 of Generation Xers believe businesses should take a stand on social issues.
- 90% of Generation X prefer to do their grocery shopping in-store.
- 42% of Gen Xers purchased a product because it was manufactured by a small business.
- Gen X has a total purchasing power of $357 billion.
- 43% of Gen X consumers shop online.
- 51% of Gen Xers have purchased an item through social media.
- Roughly, 66% of Gen Xers say they use their mobile phones most for online shopping.
- 40% of Gen X consumers discovered new products through online searches in the last three months.
- Gen Xers make nearly 19 online purchases per year on average.
- 22% of Generation X shoppers purchase groceries online.
- 53% of Gen Xers prefer big-box retailers such as Amazon.
- 29% of Gen Xers buy beauty and electronics online.
- On average, Gen Xers spend 37.4 hours per month online.
Sources: (Revlocal, Forbes, PR Daily, Market Splash, Sailthru, Hubspot, Fisglobal, MarketingCharts, EMarketer, )
06.
Here’s the Average Conversion Rate Benchmark For Major Advertising Platform
Knowing the average conversion rate benchmarks for top advertising platforms is key for businesses to make the most of their marketing. These benchmarks help you see how well your campaigns are doing and make smart decisions to optimize your website for better conversion rate. With that in mind, we’ll dive into the conversion rates for platforms like Google, Facebook, Instagram, and more.
Overview Of Average Conversion Rate Benchmark For Major Ads Platform (Table)
| Channel | Average Conversion Rate |
|---|---|
| 3.75% | |
| Microsoft/Bing | 2.94% |
| 9.21% | |
| 1.08% | |
| 0.77% | |
| TikTok | 3.4% |
| Youtube | 1.4% |
| Snapchat | 1.8% |
| 0.54% | |
| 2.35% | |
| 6.5% | |
| TBD | |
| Quora | TBD |
| Shopify | 1.4% |
Average Conversion Rate By Ads Type
| Types | Average Conversion Rate |
|---|---|
| Search Ads | 3.35% |
| Display Ads | 0.55% |
| Video Ads | 4.8% |
| Social Media | 0.71% |
| Organic | 16% |
| Paid | 2.5% |