34 Alternatives to Google and Facebook Ads (2025 Version)

Despite the recent news of boycotts, most businesses use Google and Facebook for their online advertising needs. And for a good reason. Google rakes in 8.5 billion searches a day. Facebook metrics aren’t far behind with an estimated 3.07 billion active users. With such a sizable potential reach, these are attractive options for most businesses, including your competitors.

The ad duopoly isn’t going anywhere soon. But for businesses that looking to experiment to find lower CPAs or opportunities to reach new audiences on mediums like SMS, video and audio, there are plenty of Google and Facebook alternatives. 

Share of total U.S. digital ad revenues. Image credit: Statista

In this blog post, I’ll give you an overview of 34 excellent alternatives to Google and Facebook ads. I’m not going to cover Instagram or YouTube, since they are both owned by Facebook and Google (respectively). 

Before we dive into the list, please note: putting all of your advertising eggs in a new basket probably isn’t wise. I recommend testing new channels while continuing to optimize your main channels.

In the same breath, if you find the honey hole, double down. The cost of ads on Google and Facebook continues to increase while impressions have gone down. You’re not going to find a better cost than today. 

Skip Ahead:  

• Search
• Social Media
• Online Forums and Communities
• Retargeting
• Banner Ad
• Digital Out of Home (DOOH)
• Streaming and Connected TV
• Display
• Email Newsletter Sponsorships
• Podcasts
• Other Ad Platforms

Best Google Alternative Search Ad Networks 

Search 

Microsoft 

Formerly Bing Ads, Microsoft Advertising is one network you probably haven’t considered. Besides Bing, Microsoft Advertising includes the search inventory of AOL and Yahoo. Although AOL, Bing, and Yahoo don’t garner the same attention as Google, they still have a loyal fanbase that reaches millions. 

Bing market share from 2015-2025. Image credit: Statista

Yahoo (Gemini Ads or Verizon)

Yahoo (now Verizon, see more here) is the 13th most popular website globally and an attractive option for advertisers. With Yahoo, you can reach over 1 billion active users a month and target them based on age, location, and other demographic factors. Yahoo offers native and video ads across both web and mobile devices.

Premium ad types. Image credit: Verizon

Yandex 

Yandex, known as the biggest search engine in Russia, now has an English version (yandex.com). It reaches over 49.6 million users regardless of the type of device they are using — from laptops to desktops and every in-between. Yandex offers text and image ads, image ads, and video ads that fit most business needs. 

Advertising products. Image credit: Yandex

Baidu 

Baidu is ideal for targeting Chinese customers. This search engine makes up 47.07% of the search engine market share in China. Baidu offers advertisers more options than just paid search, with in-feed ads and display ads being two other popular advertising options on Baidu.

The four most common ways to advertise using Baidu include:

• Baidu PPC (Pay-Per-Click): A keyword-based ad system similar to Google Ads, appearing on search results.
• Baidu Display Network: Ads placed across Baidu’s partner sites and apps for broader visibility. Baidu
• Brand Zone: A premium ad format that dominates search results with multimedia elements.
• Baidu In-Feed Ads: Native ads seamlessly integrated into Baidu’s content feeds and video platforms.

Advertising area. Image credit: Baidu

DuckDuckGo 

DuckDuckGo is the go-to search engine for privacy-conscious users. Unlike Google, it does not track users or store personal data, making it an appealing option for advertisers who want to reach audiences without relying on behavioral tracking. Instead, DuckDuckGo’s advertising model focuses on contextual targeting based on what users are searching for at that moment.

Ad preview. Image credit: DuckDuckGo

There are two main ways to advertise on DuckDuckGo:

• Keyword-Based Search Ads: DuckDuckGo partners with Microsoft Advertising to display ads based on search queries. These ads work similarly to Google Search Ads but do not track users across the web.
• Affiliate Partnerships: DuckDuckGo earns revenue through partnerships with companies like Amazon and eBay. When users click on certain product links and make a purchase, DuckDuckGo receives a commission.

Best Facebook Ad Alternative Social Media 

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the premier platform if you want to generate B2B leads. More than 1 billion professionals use LinkedIn, and 3 out of 4 of them are key decision-makers. LinkedIn offers excellent business targeting options, including targeting specific job titles and targeting using ABM (Account-Based Marketing) focused on specific businesses.

There are eight ad types on LinkedIn to fit your unique ad campaign needs:

1. Sponsored Content: Native ads that appear directly in users’ newsfeeds, similar to Facebook ads.
2. Sponsored Messaging: Allows you to send personalized messages directly to users’ LinkedIn inboxes, functioning as LinkedIn’s version of email marketing.
3. Text Ads: Simple, text-based ads displayed on the right side of the LinkedIn desktop interface.
4. Dynamic Ads: Personalized ads tailored to individual users based on their LinkedIn profile data.
5. Video Ads: Engaging video content that appears in users’ newsfeeds.
6. Carousel Ads: Interactive ads featuring multiple images or videos that users can swipe through.
7. Event Ads: Promote your events directly to your target audience.
8. Lead Gen Forms: Ads with integrated forms to capture leads without leaving LinkedIn.

Sponsored messaging. Image credit: LinkedIn

X (Twitter)

With over 500 million users, X (Twitter) is a great place to reach people in real-time. Whether you want more website visitors, app downloads, or brand awareness, Twitter Ads help you connect with the right audience.

Here are the main types of X (Twitter) Ads:

• Promoted Tweets: Regular tweets that reach more people.
• Promoted Accounts: Helps you get more followers by showing your account to potential fans.
• Promoted Trends: Puts your hashtag in Twitter’s trending section.
• Video Ads: Short videos that autoplay in people’s feeds to grab attention.

With targeting based on interests, keywords, and real-time conversations, Twitter Ads help you connect with people when they’re most engaged.

Sample promoted tweets. Image credit: Twitter

Snapchat

Snapchat is ranked as the ninth most popular social media platform in the world. If your target audience includes Generation Z and Millennials, Snapchat is the perfect channel as a meta ads alternative.

The three main ways to advertise on Snapchat include: 

• Creating branded lenses 
• Having your own branded filter.
• Having full-screen video Snap Ads

Ad formats. Image credit: Snapchat

Advertising on Snapchat can help you drive traffic to your website, increase app installations and drive views for long-form video content

TikTok

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order granting TikTok a 75-day extension before the impending ban, pushing the deadline to April 5, 2025. For TikTok advertisers, this means a temporary reprieve, allowing campaigns to continue running while uncertainty remains. Brands now have a limited window to maximize engagement, shift budgets strategically, and prepare for potential changes, whether that means adapting to new ownership or pivoting to alternative platforms.

TikTok is probably the most talked about media platform where users share short-form videos. The social media site brings in 1.9 billion users worldwide, 43% of whom belong to Generation Z. TikTok’s advertising platform reaches people in more than 20 markets around the world. The platform lets you create ads in various formats, targeted to specific audiences.

Ads home page. Image credit: TikTok

A word of caution before you dive in. It has been reported that US citizen data has been accessed Chinese government. A US ban is imminent. You may want to experiment with a different Google and Meta ads alternative while this is sorted out.

Pinterest

Pinterest is a social media site where users can ‘pin’ their favorite images across the web. Nearly 85% of weekly Pinterest users have made purchases based on brand Pins they’ve seen.

Ad previews. Image credit: Later

80% of Pinterest users have discovered new things on the platform, compared to 61% on TikTok and 79% on X (formerly Twitter).

Mastodon

Mastodon is an open-source, decentralized social network with over 10 million users. Unlike traditional social media platforms, Mastodon operates on a network of independently hosted servers, giving users more control over their data and experience. This decentralized structure makes it an appealing alternative for advertisers looking to reach engaged communities without relying on corporate-controlled platforms.

New post preview. Image credit: Mastodon

Advertising on Mastodon differs from mainstream social networks, as the platform does not support traditional paid ads. However, brands can still build visibility through:

• Sponsoring Servers – Some Mastodon instances allow sponsorships, where brands can support server costs in exchange for recognition.
• Influencer Collaborations – Partnering with influential users to share content organically.
• Community Engagement – Creating branded accounts and participating in discussions to build trust and awareness.

While Mastodon’s ad-free stance limits traditional advertising, brands that prioritize authentic engagement and community-driven marketing can find success by becoming active participants in relevant spaces.

WeChat

WeChat, with over 1.3 billion monthly active users, is China’s dominant social and messaging platform. Beyond chat, WeChat functions as an all-in-one app for payments, e-commerce, and content consumption, making it a powerful tool for advertisers looking to reach Chinese consumers.

WeChat offers multiple advertising options, including:

• WeChat Moments Ads – Native-style ads appearing in users’ social feeds, similar to Facebook ads.
• WeChat Official Account Ads – Display ads placed within WeChat Official Account articles to capture engaged readers.
• WeChat Mini Program Ads – Ads integrated into WeChat’s Mini Programs, which function as in-app experiences for shopping, gaming, and services.
• WeChat Search Ads – Sponsored placements in WeChat’s search results, targeting users actively looking for related content.

Ad types. Image credit: WeChat Wiki

Discord

Discord, with over 200 million monthly active users, has evolved from a gaming chat platform into a hub for communities, brands, and creators. In 2024, Discord introduced Quests, an interactive ad format designed to engage users directly within their favorite servers.

How quests work. Image credit: Discord

Discord Quests work by integrating sponsored challenges into the user experience. These include:

• Branded Quests – Tasks users complete, such as watching a video or exploring a product, in exchange for in-game rewards or perks.
• Server-Based Engagements – Brands partner with specific communities to offer exclusive challenges tailored to their interests.
• Game & App Promotions – Developers can drive engagement by rewarding users for trying out new games or apps.

With Quests, advertisers can tap into hyper-engaged niche communities without disrupting the organic feel of Discord conversations.

Online Forums and Communities 

Reddit 

Reddit is a forum-based website with an engaging community of users of different interests. This forum has more than 1.21 billion monthly active users globally, mostly within the millennial and Gen-Z age groups, and primarily male. 

Advertising strategies include:

• Promoted Posts: Paid advertisements that appear in users’ feeds, blending seamlessly with organic content.
• High-Impact Ads: Options such as Reddit Takeover, Category Takeover, and First View provide prominent placement and increased visibility for brands.

Reddit users (called Redditors) are notoriously against marketing. That being said, here are some critical tips before advertising on this platform:

• Strive to build a genuine connection with users by sharing content that helps the community. 
• Always avoid being spammy. 
• Read all community guidelines before posting and sharing content.  

Mobile ads preview. Image credit: Reddit

Quora 

Quora is a unique, high-intent platform you can use to target customers while customers are in the research stage of making a purchase decision. 

With Quora Ads, you can target customers based on the content they read on Quora (contextual targeting), or you can target people based on their shopping behaviors (behavioral targeting). Make sure your ads and promotional activities on Quora provide real value to the readers.

Advertisement home page. Image credit: Quora

Retargeting 

SharpSpring Ads (Perfect Audience)

Formerly Perfect Audience, SharpSpring Ads is another retargeting solution for Facebook, Twitter, and web display ads. It works by targeting the most recent visitors to your site, who are highly likely to convert. 

You can try SharpSpring Ads for free for two weeks and receive a $100 credit to cover your costs.

Retargeting types. Image credit: SharpSpring Ads

AdRoll 

Adroll is a widely used retargeting platform that reaches audiences on Google, Facebook, Instagram, and 500+ leading networks and exchanges. According to Adroll, their clients get nearly 5xs the return on their ad spends.

Adroll’s additional services include prospecting (programmatic display), email retargeting, and AdRoll Video Ads. Video ads can be used for retargeting and prospecting campaigns and can be served in-stream and out-stream.

Ad types preview. Image credit: AdRoll

Banner Ads

BuySellAds.com

BuySellAds.com is one of the largest alternative to Google networks you can use to promote your banner ads effectively. It caters to over 4,500 advertisers using native, display, email, and sponsored content placements. The platform is ideal for targeting internet and tech niches.

Ad formats. Image credit: BuySellAds

Digital Out of Home (DOOH)

Digital Out of Home (DOOH)

Most people think of digital advertising as something that lives on screens like phones, laptops, and tablets. But what about the screens people see when they are out in the world? Digital Out-of-Home advertising puts your message on digital billboards, transit displays, and other high-visibility locations. This helps you reach people where they work, commute, and shop.

Unlike traditional billboards, DOOH ads can be updated in real time, scheduled to run at specific hours, or even triggered by live data such as weather or traffic patterns. They are eye-catching, cannot be skipped, and blend into daily routines. This makes them a smart option for brands looking to build awareness.

Digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising

Most people think of digital advertising as something that lives on screens like phones, laptops, and tablets. But what about the screens people see when they are out in the world? Digital Out-of-Home advertising puts your message on digital billboards, transit displays, and other high-visibility locations. This helps you reach people where they work, commute, and shop.

Unlike traditional billboards, DOOH ads can be updated in real time, scheduled to run at specific hours, or even triggered by live data such as weather or traffic patterns. They are eye-catching, cannot be skipped, and blend into daily routines. This makes them a smart option for brands looking to build awareness.

Why DOOH Ads Work

• High Visibility with No Distractions: Online ads compete with endless scrolling. DOOH ads sit in prime locations where people naturally look, such as highways, train stations, and outside office buildings.
• Precise Targeting for Local Audiences: If you want to reach businesses in a specific zip code, place DOOH ads along major commuting routes so your message is seen by local employees every day.
• Perfect for Event-Based Marketing: Attending an industry conference? Run DOOH ads at the nearest airport, train station, and around the convention center so attendees start seeing your brand before they even check in.
• More Flexible Than Static Billboards: Traditional billboards require printing and installation. DOOH ads can be swapped, updated, or scheduled instantly without any delays or extra costs.

Smart Ways to Use DOOH Advertising

1. Reaching Local Businesses: If you are targeting companies in a specific area, DOOH ads can run on digital billboards along highways, near office parks, or at busy transit stops. Employees will see your brand on their way to and from work, keeping you top of mind when they need your service.
2. Owning the Conference Scene: If you are attending a big trade show, take over the travel routes. Place DOOH ads in the airport, at rideshare pick-up zones, and around the conference venue. By the time attendees arrive, they will already be familiar with your brand.

DOOH advertising helps you step outside the digital noise and connect with your audience in the real world. Whether they are on their morning commute or heading to a major event, this strategy ensures your brand gets noticed.

Streaming and Connected TV Ads  (CTV Ads)

Twitch

With over 240 million unique visitors each month, Twitch is a powerhouse for brands looking to connect with live audiences in an authentic way. As the leading platform for gaming, esports, and interactive content, Twitch provides unique ad opportunities that go beyond traditional display and video ads.

Banner Ad. Image credit: Twitch Ads

Twitch ad formats include:

• Video Ads: Pre-roll and mid-roll ads that run during live streams.
• Sponsored Streams: Partner with top creators for authentic brand integrations.
• Bounty Board & Extensions: Interactive overlays and in-stream branded experiences.

Twitch’s highly engaged communities allow advertisers to reach niche audiences, from hardcore gamers to music and lifestyle fans. With real-time interaction through chat and seamless ad placements, Twitch Advertising offers a powerful way to drive brand awareness and engagement.

Vibe

If you haven’t thought much about video and TV advertising outside of YouTube, you’re missing a huge opportunity. Today you can target users across different streaming platforms and networks.

Using a Connected TV ad platform like Vibe, you are able to build an ad campaign in a similar setup as Facebook. Reach viewers based on socio-demographic characteristics, interests, and intent-to-buy.

And/Or target platforms and channels – from Hulu to live sports.

If you have a list over 10,000 contacts, you can match the audience across channels.

Take it a step further by installing their pixel, so you can track site activity and begin tying your spend to results. Expect a CPM of $15-$35 with a minimum $500 spend.

Roku

As streaming continues to dominate TV consumption, Roku’s 80 million active accounts make it a top platform for brands looking to connect with engaged audiences. Roku Advertising offers a powerful way to reach cord-cutters who prefer ad-supported streaming over traditional cable.

Sample ad preview. Image credit: Roku

Brands can leverage:

• Video Ads – High-visibility placements across Roku’s top streaming channels.
• The Roku Channel – Premium, free content with built-in ad opportunities.
• Interactive & Branded Experiences – Custom campaigns designed to drive deeper engagement.

With advanced targeting, real-time analytics, and exclusive access to Roku’s first-party data, advertisers can craft high-impact campaigns tailored to their ideal audience.

Hulu

With over 51 million subscribers, Hulu is a top choice for advertisers looking to reach a highly engaged streaming audience. Hulu’s ad-supported plans offer brands a chance to connect with viewers across a variety of premium content, from hit TV shows to blockbuster movies.

Sample ad preview. Image credit: Tech Radar

Hulu offers multiple ad formats to fit different marketing goals:

• Ad Selector: Viewers choose the ad experience they prefer, increasing engagement.
• Binge Ads: Special messaging for viewers watching multiple episodes in a row.
• Interactive Ads: Clickable ads that let users engage directly with your brand.
• Pause Ads: Non-intrusive ads that appear when viewers pause their content.

With advanced targeting based on demographics, interests, and viewing behaviors, Hulu Ads help brands deliver relevant messaging to audiences who are actively watching and engaged.

Display

Taboola

Taboola is one of the largest native advertising platforms, serving nearly 600 million daily active users across 9,000+ publisher sites. It helps brands reach audiences through content recommendations that appear on major news and media websites. By blending sponsored content easily into editorial feeds, Taboola drives higher engagement and brand awareness.

There are three main ways to advertise using Taboola:

• Sponsored Content: Ads appear as recommended articles or videos on major news and media sites, driving traffic to your website or landing page.
• Video Ads: Brands can run in-feed video ads that autoplay within editorial content, increasing visibility and engagement.
• Native Display Ads: These image-based ads integrate naturally into publisher websites, similar to traditional display advertising but with a more organic feel.

Sample paid content. Image credit: Outbrain

Outbrain

Outbrain is a leading native advertising platform that helps brands reach over 2 billion people across 10,000+ publisher sites like CNN, The Washington Post, and BBC. Instead of interrupting the user experience, Outbrain places ads where people are already reading and engaging with content. This makes it a great option for brands looking to drive traffic in a way that feels natural.

There are three main ways to advertise with Outbrain:

• Sponsored Content: Ads appear as recommended articles or videos on popular media sites, bringing readers to your website.
• Outstream Video Ads: Video ads play within editorial content, grabbing attention without disrupting the experience.
• Native Display Ads: Image-based ads fit seamlessly into publisher websites, making them more engaging than traditional banner ads.

Sample ads preview. Image credit: Taboola

RevContent

RevContent is one of the top native advertising networks, reaching over 250 billion content recommendations per month across premium publisher sites. It offers brands a way to drive highly engaged traffic by integrating ads into editorial content. Compared to other native ad platforms, RevContent focuses on high-quality placements and advanced audience targeting to deliver better conversion rates.

Advertisers can promote their content on RevContent using:

• Sponsored Content Ads – Appear as recommended articles on publisher websites, driving traffic to landing pages or blog posts.
• Native Video Ads – Short-form videos placed within editorial content for a non-intrusive viewing experience.
• Content Widgets – Customizable ad placements that blend naturally with a site’s look and feel.

With strict publisher requirements and AI-driven ad optimization, RevContent ensures better ad placements and higher engagement. This makes it a solid option for advertisers focused on content marketing and lead generation.

Sample paid ad. Image credit: RevContent

Email Newsletter Sponsorships

Programmatic or Dedicated Email Newsletter Sponsorships (Paved)

Paved is an email newsletter ad unit that connects publishers to advertisers without having to go through an affiliate network. This is one of my favorite discoveries. It allows you to target your audience by company size, job title, industry and more through their marketplace. 

Ad Types:

• Sponsored Email: Your content appears with regular newsletter content
• Dedicated Email: An email that exclusively contains ad content 
• Sponsored Content: A blog post that offers standalone value 

Sample sponsored email. Image credit: Paved

Podcasts

Podcorn

There are more than 700,000 podcasters, but just 15% are monetizing their content. Podcorn allows advertisers to create ad campaigns based on budget, ad creative and podcasts that align with their brand. Podcorn gives brands the ability to run native podcast ad campaigns at scale.

Home page. Image credit: Podcorn

Spotify

By the end of 2025, Spotify is projected to hit 42.4 million podcast listeners. Brands have a prime opportunity to reach engaged audiences through Spotify Podcast Ads. Unlike traditional radio spots, these ads are dynamically inserted into episodes based on listener demographics, interests, and behaviors.

Podcast ads. Image credit: Spotify Ads

Spotify offers two key types of podcast ads:

• Streaming Ad Insertion (SAI): Delivers targeted, data-driven ads to listeners in real-time, ensuring relevance and higher engagement.
• Host-Read Ads: Authentic, trusted endorsements read by podcast hosts, seamlessly integrated into the content.

Spotify’s exclusive podcast network includes top-ranking shows across various genres, allowing brands to reach highly specific audiences. With advanced targeting and measurement tools, advertisers can track impressions, conversions, and brand lift, making Spotify Podcast Ads a powerful tool for audio marketing.

Acast Marketplace  

Acast is one of the largest independent podcast advertising platforms, offering brands access to over 100,000 podcasts and a global audience of more than 400 million monthly listens. With dynamic ad insertion, Acast ensures that ads are placed in the right episodes at the right time, based on listener demographics and behaviors.

Sample ads preview. Image credit: Acast

Acast offers three primary podcast ad formats:

• Host-Read Ads: Personalized endorsements read by podcast hosts, blending seamlessly with content.
• Pre-Recorded Ads: Professionally produced spots dynamically inserted into podcast episodes.
• Sponsored Content: Custom-branded podcast episodes or segments designed to engage listeners authentically.

With precise targeting and measurement tools, Acast helps advertisers reach niche audiences and track performance across multiple metrics, making it a valuable platform for podcast advertising.

Other Ad Channel Alternatives 

Quantcast  

This platform is known for delivering AI-driven audience insights. Quantcast looks at users’ behavior across websites to build unique profiles. The program traces over 100 million online interactions, including website, video, widgets, blogs, and advertising campaigns.

With Quantcast’s AI-driven insights, you can build your strategy, understand your audience’s behaviors and personas, and gain insights into competitor audiences, all in real time.

Advertising overview. Image credit: Quantcast

Navigating Ad Alternatives

While I gave you a quick overview of 34 significant ad network alternatives, you must do a bit more research on each. 

Pay attention to the platforms that your ideal client will actually be on. Then, determine what ads are most interesting to them. Be sure to set the right goals for each network and ad unit. Using this information, you should be able to create the best media mix for your omnichannel strategy.

Conclusion and Closing Thoughts

The digital advertising world is larger than you think, and I’ve barely scratched the surface! You know digital ads channels aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Be sure to do your own research into the best advertising for your business objectives.

To wrap up, 34 alternatives to Google and Facebook ads include:

• Microsoft
• Yahoo
• Yandex
• Baidu
• DuckDuckGo
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Snapchat
• TikTok
• Pinterest
• Mastodon
• WeChat
• Discord
• Roku
• Hulu
• Reddit
• Quora
• Walmart
• Amazon
• SharpSpring (Perfect Audience)
• Adroll
• BuySellAds.com
• Waze
• Digital Out of Home (DOOH)
• Twitch
• Vibe
• Taboola
• Outbrain
• Revcontent
• Paved
• Podcorn
• Spotify
• Acast Marketplace
• Quantcast

By integrating more channels into your online advertising strategy, you will reach a larger audience, gain more sales over time, and have touch points across different networks on the web. Alternative ad networks build your reach on search engines, app stores, marketplaces, display, social media, and more.