YouTube Surpasses Expectations with $9.8 Billion in Q2 Ad Revenue, Netflix Eyes Aggressive Ad Expansion

YouTube has once again proven its dominance in the digital ad economy. According to Alphabet’s Q2 2025 earnings report, the platform pulled in $9.8 billion in advertising revenue—a 13% rise compared to the same quarter last year. The numbers narrowly beat Wall Street’s projected $9.6 billion, signaling continued investor confidence.

As traditional broadcast TV continues to lose viewers, YouTube is capturing more eyeballs—particularly on connected TVs. Nielsen data for the quarter confirms YouTube as the leading platform in TV viewership for a third consecutive month, claiming 12.4% of total TV watch time.

This growing footprint in living rooms across the globe is not lost on advertisers. YouTube’s success in securing ad spend that once went to legacy networks demonstrates how the streaming ad landscape is undergoing rapid transformation.

In response, rival streaming giants are stepping up. Netflix, which historically leaned on subscription revenue, announced bold ambitions during its recent earnings call. The company aims to double its ad revenue by the end of 2025. While Netflix hasn’t shared exact figures, estimates by Madison & Wall place current earnings around $3 billion.

Meanwhile, Alphabet’s overall financial health also saw a boost, with total revenue climbing to $96.4 billion in Q2—matching the 13% growth trend seen in its YouTube segment.

The battle for advertising dollars in the streaming world is heating up, and YouTube is making it increasingly clear it’s playing to win.