Google in the UK - statistics & facts

Search and video advertising

In terms of reach, no other search engine tops Google. Even Microsoft’s Bing and Yahoo! Search, the company’s largest competitors, barely come close to the search giant’s market share which has stood at 80 percent in the UK since 2015. Google also profits largely from its advertising products GoogleAds and AdSense, both of which have boosted the company’s revenue in the search and advertising sector. With growth in the UK expected until at least 2024 for both mobile and desktop advertising, Google’s success is likely to continue. To top this off, monetization through YouTube ads, one of Google’s most successful acquisitions, has further contributed to the brand’s income - and this despite most internet users in the UK claiming to have a negative perception of video ads.

Alternatives in response to privacy concerns

While Google has become synonymous with internet search, the company has also been highly criticized for collecting user data (ranging from personal location to search history) in order to optimize ads and search results. In reaction to this, alternative search engines such as DuckDuckGo and Ecosia have seen a recent surge in uptake. The latter, for instance, hit its second highest market share in the UK in January 2021, albeit being significantly more popular in Germany and France. A 2019 survey, however, highlights the reason why users might still be hesitant to switch search engines despite privacy concerns. Internet users surveyed said that the quality of results was the most important factor for them when it came to selecting a search engine, while data protection came in second. With many having to turn to the internet for necessities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown, Google’s search volume was higher in the first four months of 2020 compared to the year before. This was most significant in the categories ‘home and garden’ and ‘things to do at home’.

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