Meta Reports 14% Increase in Average Ad Prices as Quarterly Revenue Climbs 26% 

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Meta reported a 14% increase in the average price per advertisement and a 10% rise in advertising impressions during the third quarter of 2026, as its digital advertising business continued to expand. The parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp generated $64.6 billion in quarterly revenue, up 26% from the same period a year earlier. Meta also reported an average of 3.64 billion daily active people across its family of apps in September, representing year-on-year growth of 3%. 

The advertising figures indicate that Meta delivered more impressions while generating a higher average price for the advertisements shown across its platforms. However, the 14% increase represents a company-wide average and does not mean every advertiser experienced the same price change, as costs vary across markets, industries, advertising objectives and audience segments.

Meta continues investing heavily in artificial intelligence and infrastructure, including systems designed to improve content recommendations and advertising performance. Those investments form part of a broader technology programme that extends beyond advertising, although the company’s commercial results demonstrate the importance of its established advertising operation.

The quarter also included a substantial litigation-related charge linked to an agreement concerning teen mental health and social media. Meta reported $51.61 billion in total costs and expenses, including that charge. The results highlight the distinction between Meta’s strong revenue growth and the wider costs associated with its operations and technology ambitions.

For advertisers, rising average platform prices place greater emphasis on the relationship between media spending and measurable commercial returns. Meta’s latest figures show that its platforms continue attracting substantial advertising demand. That said, maintaining that momentum will depend on whether advertisers continue finding sufficient value as the company develops new technology and monetisation opportunities.