Facebook probably needs no introduction; nonetheless, here is a quick history of the company. The world’s biggest and most-famous social network was launched by Mark Zuckerberg while he was a...

Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook Inc., continues to dominate the digital landscape with impressive financial growth. In 2024, the company's annual revenue reached a staggering 164.5 billion U.S. dollars, marking a significant increase from 134.9 billion U.S. dollars in the previous year. This upward trajectory reflects Meta's ability to monetize its vast user base across multiple platforms, solidifying its position as a tech giant. Advertising remains the primary revenue driver The bulk of Meta's revenue stems from its advertising operations, particularly within its Family of Apps segment. In 2024, this segment, which includes Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp, generated 162 billion U.S. dollars. Despite a slight dip in 2022, Meta's advertising revenue has shown remarkable resilience and growth potential. User engagement and global reach The company's global influence is further illustrated by the fact that every minute, 138.9 million Reels are played on Facebook and Instagram, showcasing the ongoing evolution of user engagement within the Meta ecosystem.

In 2024, Meta Platforms generated a revenue of over 164 billion U.S. dollars, up from 134 billion USD in 2023. The majority of Meta’s profits come from its advertising revenue.Meta’s total Family of Apps revenue for 2022 amounted to 114 billion U.S. dollars. Additionally, Meta’s Reality Labs, the company’s VR division, generated around 2.1 billion dollars. Meta’s marketing expenditure for 2022 amounted to just over 15 billion U.S. dollars, up from 14 billion U.S. dollars in the previous year. Increasing audience base despite privacy misgivings Meta’s user numbers have continued to grow steadily throughout past years. In the fourth quarter of 2022, there was a total of 3.74 billion worldwide users across all of Meta’s platforms. For this same time frame, the company recorded 407 million monthly active users across Europe. Downloads of Meta’s app Oculus, for which virtual reality headsets are required, increased greatly from 2020 to 2021, reaching a total of 10.62 million downloads by the end of last year. Up until 2021, downloads had grown in a steady manner but from 2020 to 2021, they more than doubled.User numbers have increased despite data security issues and past controversy such as the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018. There remains skepticism surrounding the idea of the metaverse in which Meta aims to immerse itself. Of surveyed adults in the United States, the majority said that they were concerned about their privacy if Meta were to succeed in creating the metaverse.

In the third quarter of 2025, Meta's net income amounted to 2.7 billion U.S. dollars, down from 18.3 billion when compared to the previous quarter. Facebook company information Facebook is the biggest social network worldwide. The platform generates the vast majority of its revenues through advertising—as of March 2020, 98 percent of Facebook’s revenues were derived from ad sales, making the company highly dependent on market regulations regarding digital ad sales. In 2019, Facebook was second only to Google in terms of digital advertising revenues. The company’s ad revenue during this period amounted to 69.7 billion U.S. dollars. Facebook is still among the fastest-growing tech companies in the world. In 2024, the company increased its revenue to 164.5 billion U.S. dollars compared to the previous year. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg also ranks among the richest internet billionaires with a personal net worth of roughly 64 billion U.S. dollars.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the revenue of Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, Inc., in the Asia-Pacific region amounted to over *** billion U.S. dollars. This marked a significant increase from approximately *** billion U.S. dollars in the last quarter of 2023.

In 2024, Meta (formerly Facebook Inc) generated over 160 billion U.S. dollars in ad revenues. Advertising accounts for the vast majority of the social network's revenue. Facebook advertising revenue – additional information Facebook’s business model heavily relies on ads, as the majority of social network’s revenue comes from advertising. In 2020, about 97.9 percent of Facebook's global revenue was generated from advertising, whereas only around two percent was generated by payments and other fees revenue. Facebook ad revenue stood at close to 86 billion U.S. dollars in 2020, a new record for the company and a significant increase in comparison to the previous years. For instance, the social network generated almost seven billion U.S. dollars in ad revenue in 2013, about 10 billion less than the 2015 figure. Facebook's average revenue per user also significantly increased in the same time span, going from 6.81 U.S. dollars in 2013 to 32.03 U.S. dollars in 2020. The U.S. and Canada are important markets for Facebook, considering the average revenue per user (ARPU) in these two countries is far above the global average. Facebook’s ARPU in the U.S. and Canada was 41.41 U.S. dollars in the last quarter of 2019, while the global average was 8.52 U.S. dollars. In Europe, Facebook’s average revenue per user was 13.21 U.S. dollars during the same time period. In terms of segments, mobile is the most promising advertising form for the company. In 2018, Facebook’s mobile advertising revenue already accounted for 92 percent of the social network’s total advertising revenue. Facebook’s mobile advertising revenue grew from an estimate of 13 billion U.S. dollars in 2015 to 50.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2018.

Meta Platforms's annual revenue was $164.50 B in fiscal year 2024. The annual revenue increased $29.60 B from $134.90 B (in 2023) to $164.50 B (in 2024), representing a 21.94% year-over-year growth.

The in-app revenue of Facebook increased in Romania in 2024 and reached ******* U.S. dollars. This was roughly ******* U.S. dollars more than in the previous year.

In the third quarter of 2025, social company Meta's total revenue amounted to 51.24 billion U.S. dollars, the majority of which was generated through advertising. Facebook company information It is difficult to imagine the internet without social media and social media without Facebook. With over three billion monthly active users, Facebook is the biggest social network worldwide. In fact, over two billion users access Facebook on a daily basis. Due to its immense reach, Facebook is a highly influential publisher and one of the leading platforms for influencer marketing worldwide, surpassed only by Instagram and YouTube. Brands value social media marketing for increased exposure, traffic, and leads, and it is no surprise that Facebook can deliver on these metrics in vast quantities.

Meta reported $2.71B in Net Income for its fiscal quarter ending in September of 2025. Data for Meta | FB - Net Income including historical, tables and charts were last updated by Trading Economics this last December in 2025.

The Indian branch of Meta, Facebook India Online Services, generated an income of more than ** billion Indian rupees in the financial year 2024. This was a result of a **** percent increase in operating revenues and a ** percent decrease in non-operating revenue that year. Simultaneously, the company's profits spiked by ** percent that year.

In 2024, Google's parent company reported an annual revenue increase of 14 percent. In 2024, video content and streaming platform Netflix increased its annual revenue by 16 percent. Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook Inc.) generated a 22 percent year-on-year revenue increase during the same period. Additionally, Amazon had a year-over-year revenue increase of 11 percent for its fiscal year of 2024.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Online Advertising market size was USD 236.90 billion in 2024 and will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.7% from 2024 to 2031. Market Dynamics of Online Advertising Market

Key Drivers for Online Advertising Market

Increasing internet and smartphone penetration is driving growth in the online advertising market

One of the most significant drivers of growth in the online advertising market is increasing internet penetration and the rising usage of mobile phones, due to growing digital dependency. With over 7 billion people worldwide using mobile phones, smartphones have become an essential part of daily life. This surge in mobile connectivity has transformed consumer behavior with individuals increasingly relying on smartphones for daily activities like shopping, entertainment and financial transactions. The convenience and portability of mobile devices have them a preferred medium for tapping into digital services which has led businesses to adopt mobile-first strategies to engage with consumers. This shift has led to an increase in mobile ad spending. Advertisers are no focusing on campaigns designed for smaller screens and shorter attention spans to reach a wider audience.

Advertisers are responding to this trend with mobile-first strategies, using vertical format videos, personalized in-app ads and location-based targeting to maximize engagement. The combination of high-screen time, constant connectivity, and real time data access makes mobile advertising one of the most effective tools in the global online advertising market.

Social Media Influence is fueling growth for online advertising

Social media platforms have become prominent channels of advertising, allowing business to reach specific target audiences and promote their products and services. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter have become major hubs for online advertising.

The rise of in-app advertising across these platforms with the growing popularity of video and interactive ad formats has further fueled the market growth. Such advertising also leverages data to optimize targeting and engagement, leading to more effective campaigns. Paid ads now dominate social feeds.

Key Restraints in the Market

Data privacy concerns to hinder growth in online advertising market

Mobile phones and other internet using devices have become a personal hub for information. With the increasing amount of sensitive data stored on these devices, privacy concerns have emerged as one of the most pressing issues. These concerns significantly hinder online advertising by leading to consumer distrust, ad avoidance and increased regulations that impact the effectiveness and reach of ad campaigns.

Consumers are becoming more aware of how their data is being collected and used under the context of online advertising, making them actively avoid interacting with ads and uninstalling apps they believe violate their privacy. This has also led to widespread adoption of ad-blocking technologies. This trend is largely driven by the growing desire to protect personal data. However, the same has had implications on advertisers. Regulatory development, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act, amid these concerns further add to the challenges faced by the mobile industry market. Strict data privacy laws have been implemented worldwide against the collection and use of consumer data for targeted advertising.

Opportunity

Adoption of AI as an opportunity in the mobile advertising industry

The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) presents an opportunity for the online advertising segment by enhancing various tasks such as, campaign optimization audience targeting, creative component generation and so much more. AI-powered tools are automating tasks, enabling precise targeting and more personalized user experience, ultimately leading to effective and efficient advertising

For instance, AI powered creatives and copy ideation and generation are a game-changer in the mobile advertising landscape. The integration of AI into ad creation helps streamline the process along with enabling advertisers to conduct thorough testing. Introduction of the Online Advertising Market

Online advertising, otherwise known as digital marketing is a form of marketing that uses internet or online channels to promote products and services. It involves the creation ...

In 2024, Facebook was the leading social media platform in most of the Southeast Asian countries in terms of traffic generation to other websites, with the highest share in Timor-Leste at around 97 percent. YouTube, X (Twitter), Instagram, and Pinterest were other platforms that had significant social media traffic shares in Southeast Asian markets that year. Social media advertising and web traffic referrals Traffic referrals from social media are crucial in social media advertising. Links shared on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter help direct potential customers to a brand’s website or landing page. This increases exposure, website visits, and conversions, such as sales or leads, which are key benefits of social media marketing according to marketers. Traffic referrals also serve as an important tool for advertisers to measure the effectiveness of their campaigns. Furthermore, by analyzing which platforms and content generate the most traffic, businesses can refine their strategies to focus on the highest-performing channels. Social media advertising – a multibillion-dollar business Revenue from social media advertising has continued to rise rapidly. This growth was driven by the ability to track user behavior, refine ad targeting, and deliver highly personalized content. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok generate billions of dollars of ad revenue annually. The owner of Facebook and Instagram, Meta Platforms’s annual advertising revenue exceeded 160 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. Countries such as China, Japan, and Australia are among the largest social media advertising markets in the Asia-Pacific region, with China’s projected social media ad spend reaching nearly 97 billion U.S. dollars in 2025.

In 2024, Facebook Messenger generated a global revenue of approximately **** million U.S. dollars, marking a decline of ** percent compared to the **** million U.S. dollars recorded in the previous year. Despite the decrease in revenue, Facebook Messenger remained among the most popular social networks worldwide, with over *** million monthly active users (MAU) as of February 2025.

Spending on online advertising has surged, and it has become the preferred advertising medium over traditional channels like TV and print. This has been driven by a significant shift in consumer behaviour towards the internet, social media and online shopping, which consumers became more accustomed to during the pandemic. Advertising agencies are navigating increasing privacy concerns and stricter regulations, highlighted by the $60.0 million fine against Google for misleading data practices. Profitability has expanded as companies adopt artificial intelligence, with more than one-quarter of Google's code now being AI-generated and major companies like Facebook reducing labour costs through significant workforce cuts. Industrywide revenue has been climbing at an annualised 8.2% over the past five years and is expected to total $17.1 billion in 2024-25, when revenue will climb by 5.7%. The Online Advertising industry exhibits high market share concentration because of the substantial barriers to entry and the dominance of major players Google and Facebook. Google leads the search engine market, controlling around 95%, largely because it is the default search engine on popular browsers like Chrome and Safari. Access to large user volumes is crucial for online advertisers, as it encourages companies to increase spending on online ads. Extensive user data is also essential for training algorithms to deliver targeted advertising, enabling firms like Google, REA Group and Facebook Australia to charge higher premiums for their services. This data advantage, international firms' larger budgets and fewer regulatory constraints make it challenging for domestic companies to compete. The Online Advertising industry is on track to continue expanding, although at slower rates. Privacy concerns and stricter data usage regulations are set to limit advertisers' access to consumer data, especially with major web browsers' phasing out of third-party cookies. This will compel advertisers to innovate and emphasise first-party data by creating engaging, interactive experiences to encourage users to share information willingly. Adopting artificial intelligence technologies will enable advertisers to optimise ad placements, better understand user behaviour and reduce labour dependence. Industry revenue is forecast to expand at an annualised 6.8% through 2029-30 to total $23.8 billion.

In 2024, Meta's average revenue per user was 49.63 U.S. dollars, up from 44.60 USD in 2023. The social network's family of apps segment revenue (which mainly consists of advertising) in 2024 was over 162 billion U.S. dollars.

Meta reported $31.05B in EBITDA for its fiscal quarter ending in September of 2025. Data for Meta | FB - Ebitda including historical, tables and charts were last updated by Trading Economics this last December in 2025.

In 2024, Meta's annual net income was 62 billion U.S. dollars, up from 39 billion USD in 2023. Meta's net income increased from 18.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2018 to 29.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent lockdowns, and increased social media and internet usage. Overall, Meta's 2022 net income was closer to pre-pandemic figures.

As of October 2025, India had the largest Facebook audience worldwide, with over 403 million users. To put this figure into perspective, if India’s Facebook user base were a country, it would rank as the third most populous nation globally. Besides India, three other markets had more than 100 million Facebook users each: the United States, Indonesia and Brazil. Facebook – the most used social media Meta, the company that was previously called Facebook, owns four of the most popular social media platforms worldwide, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Facebook, and Instagram. As of the third quarter of 2021, there were around 3.5 billion cumulative monthly users of the company’s products worldwide. With around 2.9 billion monthly active users, Facebook is the most popular social media worldwide. With an audience of this scale, it is no surprise that the vast majority of Facebook’s revenue is generated through advertising. Facebook usage by device As of July 2021, it was found that 98.5 percent of active users accessed their Facebook account from mobile devices. In fact, almost 81.8 percent of Facebook audiences worldwide access the platform only via mobile phone. Facebook is not only available through mobile browser as the company has published several mobile apps for users to access their products and services. As of the third quarter 2021, the four core Meta products were leading the ranking of most downloaded mobile apps worldwide, with WhatsApp amassing approximately six billion downloads.