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Search Engines in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Ashkan Salim Ashkan Salim Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: June 2024 WZ J63.12DE

Revenue

€12.6bn

2024

€12.6bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€X.Xbn

Employees

36,616

Businesses

2,892

Wages

€X.Xbn

Search Engines in Germany industry analysis

In the last five years, the web portal industry has recorded significant revenue growth. Industry revenue increased by an average of 3.8% per year between 2019 and 2024 and is expected to reach 12.6 billion euros in the current year. The web portal industry comprises a variety of platforms such as social networks, search engines, video platforms and email services that are used by millions of users every day. These portals enable the exchange of information and communication as well as entertainment. Web portals generate their revenue mainly through advertising, premium services and commission payments. User numbers are rising steadily as more and more people go online and everyday processes are increasingly digitalised.
In 2024, industry revenue is expected to increase by 3.2 %. Although the industry is growing, it is also facing challenges, particularly in terms of data protection. Web portals are constantly collecting user data, which can lead to misuse of the collected data. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) introduced in the European Union in 2018 has prompted web portal operators to review their data protection practices and amend their terms and conditions in order to avoid fines. The aim of this regulation is to improve the protection of personal data and prevent data misuse.
The industry's turnover is expected to increase by an average of 3.6% per year to 15 billion euros over the next five years. Video platforms such as YouTube often generate losses despite high user numbers. The reasons for this are the high costs of operation and infrastructure as well as expenses for copyright issues and compliance. Advertising on video platforms is perceived negatively by users, but is successful when it comes to attracting attention. Politicians are debating the taxation of revenues generated by internationally operating web portals based in tax havens. Another challenge is the copying of concepts, which inhibits innovation in the industry and can lead to legal problems.

Trends and Insights

  • Most web portals generate a large part of their revenue through advertising. They sell advertising space on their websites to companies that want to advertise their products or services.
  • Despite the data misuse scandals, social networks have grown in popularity in recent years. The most popular social network both in Germany and worldwide is Facebook.
  • In an interregional comparison, most of the companies in the sector are located in the South region. Bavaria in particular is home to a significant proportion of the sector's companies.
  • The competition in the industry is extremely fierce. To keep user interest at a high level, the operators of web portals are constantly endeavouring to invest in improving their platforms.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €12.6bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The industry players operate a large number of platforms that are used by users on a daily basis

  • The web portal sector is concerned with the creation and maintenance of various online platforms. These web portals offer numerous services and functions. The best-known and most frequently used are social networks, search engines, video platforms and email services.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Search Engines in Germany
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Video platforms such as YouTube often have a huge user base, but frequently generate losses

  • Despite the rapid growth of internet companies, the profits of many large corporations are falling short of expectations. YouTube is a prime example of this.

Biggest companies in the Search Engines in Germany

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
Facebook Germany GmbH
1,567.2
Check24 GmbH
1,259.0
Google Germany GmbH
518.8

To view the market share and analysis for all 7 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Search Engines in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Social networks, Search engines and Video platforms. Social networks is the largest segment of the Search Engines in Germany.

Trends and Insights

Despite the data misuse scandals, social networks have gained popularity in recent years

  • Social networks are online platforms where users can communicate with each other, share information and build relationships.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The web portal sector comprises various websites that offer services. The offers can be freely accessible or subject to a charge. Typical examples of web portals are search engines, email service providers, social networks or other exchange platforms. The basic requirement is that the web portal is not the website of a company or a sales platform for goods.

What's included in this industry?

Offering search servicesOffering e-mail servicesMaintenance and development of a database

Companies

Facebook Germany GmbHCheck24 GmbHGoogle Germany GmbH

Purchase this report to view all 7 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

ALGORITHMAUGMENTED REALITY (AR)ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (KI)MACHINE LEARNINGVIRTUAL REALITY (VR)

Industry Code

WZ 2008

WZ 63.12 - Search Engines in Germany

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Most web portals generate a large part of their revenue through advertising. They sell advertising space on their websites to companies that want to advertise their products ...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Despite the data misuse scandals, social networks have grown in popularity in recent years. The most popular social network both in Germany and worldwide is Facebook.

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

In an interregional comparison, most of the companies in the sector are located in the South region. Bavaria in particular is home to a significant proportion of the sector's...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

The competition in the industry is extremely fierce. To keep user interest at a high level, the operators of web portals are constantly endeavouring to invest in improving th...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

The number of Facebook users has declined in some cases over the last five years. However, consumers have increasingly tried to keep in touch via social networks during the c...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Facebook Germany GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Check24 GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Google Germany GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 4 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Facebook Germany GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Check24 GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Google Germany GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 4 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

The business climate reflects the current business situation and the business expectations of companies in various sectors in Germany. If these expectations are positive, com...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

The industry's profit margin is particularly high compared to many other sectors. However, increasing competition in the segment in which a company operates can quickly resul...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Search Engines industry in Germany in 2024?

The market size of the Search Engines industry in Germany is €12.6bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Search Engines in Germany industry in 2024?

There are 2,892 businesses in the Search Engines industry in Germany, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Search Engines industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Search Engines industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 3.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Search Engines industry in Germany over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Search Engines industry in Germany is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Search Engines market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Search Engines market in Germany are Facebook Germany GmbH, Check24 GmbH and Google Germany GmbH

What does the Search Engines in Germany include?

Offering search services and Offering e-mail services are part of the Search Engines industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Search Engines in Germany?

The company holding the most market share in Germany is Facebook Germany GmbH.

How competitive is the Search Engines industry in Germany?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Search Engines industry in Germany.

Related Industries

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Competitors

  • There are no industries to display.

View all industries in Germany

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Germany include:

  • German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
  • European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
  • United Nations Comtrade

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.