Google, Facebook mobile revenue up sharply in 2013

The market for mobile device advertising increased 100 per cent in 2013 to $17.9 billion and is expected to post impressive gains this year, led by Facebook and Google, according to a market tracker.

The research firm eMarketer said mobile ad spending was up 105 per cent last year and was expected to jump a further 75 per cent in 2014 to over $31.45 billion.

The bulk of the increase in 2013 was cornered by Facebook and Google.

Google led by a handsome margin, its rivals, the internet search company's share declined to 49.3 per cent  in 2013 from 52.6 per cent in 2012, according to eMarketer.

Facebook reported the biggest gains as its market share shot to 17.5 per cent from 5.4 per cent a year earlier.

Gains at Twitter were also strong but its share was a modest 2.4 per cent up from 1.5 per cent in 2012.

For 2014, eMarketer projects Google's market share at 46.8 per cent, Facebook at 21.7 per cent and Twitter at 2.6 per cent.

The massive surge in mobile ads showed why the companies were focused on their mobile platforms.

eMarketer, said only 11 per cent of Facebook ad revenues worldwide came from mobile in 2012, however, last year, that figure rose to 45 per cent and the figure would be around 63 per cent this year.

eMarketer, projects global mobile advertising would be expected to touch $31.5 billion this year, a 75 per cent increase from 2013 mostly due to Facebook and Google.

According to the company's projections, mobile would likely account for nearly a quarter of total digital ad spend, which was estimated to reach $137.5 billion.

The figure is up 15 per cent of the $119.8 billion digital ad spend total in 2013.

EMarketer projects Facebook's share of the mobile ad market to grow to 21.7 per cent this year from 17.5 per cent in 2013, taking away share from Google.

Google, came in at the top with half of the mobile advertising market in 2013, but its share is expected to drop to 46.8 per cent.