How Google Made $37.9 Billion in 2026

Internet marketing giant Google has spent a lot of time and money in the last year or so pushing various social media efforts, as well as redeveloping its search algorithm and relaunching Google Analytics. Overall, they generated almost $38 billion in 2011. Where does Google's money actually come from? An article on Searchenginewatch sheds some light.

Almost all, 96 per cent, comes from advertising. Just 10 industries accounted for over 60 per cent of Google's US revenues including Finance and Insurance (accounting for almost 10 per cent on its own), retailers and general merchandise, and travel and tourism.
 
The biggest spender in the US was Lowe's, a national home improvement chain, who spent an estimated $59 billion in 2011, that's over $161,000 every day, with Amazon a close second with a spend of around $55 million. The top spending travel brand was hotel bookings facilitator, bookings, at $40 million.

Google themselves don't release data, so this is just educated guesswork, but it is interesting to see which industries remain big spenders; the millions spent by retailers, travel companies and consumer electronics companies would suggest that US consumers are still spending, despite the recessionary climate. Popular, and thus expensive, keywords such as "self-employed health insurance" and "accredited online college degrees" would suggest US citizens are setting up in business for themselves, and trying to get more qualifications.

Average cost per click actually declined some eight per cent over the year, and with more people using Google than ever, marketers need to make sure they are making the most of the call-to-action medium they have.