Google Display Network VS OTT (Over-The-Top)

Google Display Network averages $0.75 CPC and $3.50 CPM. OTT (Over-The-Top) is bought on CPM only, averaging $28.00. Side-by-side cost and performance breakdown for 2026.

Decision helper

Which should I actually pick?

Answer three quick questions and we'll score Google Display Network vs OTT (Over-The-Top) against your budget, goal, and industry.

Scores blend budget fit (25%), industry benchmark rank (25%), and goal alignment (50%). See the underlying data ↓

Quick Comparison

Google Display Network

Display advertising across Google's network of partner sites

CPC
$0.75
CPM
$3.50
Lower Cost
Best For:
Brand awareness Remarketing Visual products
Pricing: low

OTT (Over-The-Top)

Connected TV and streaming platforms (Hulu, Roku, etc.)

CPC
CPM only
CPM
$28.00
Best For:
Brand awareness Premium audiences Video storytelling
Pricing: high

Google Display Network vs OTT (Over-The-Top), at a glance

The metrics where both platforms publish data. Lower is better for cost metrics.

Google Display Network is 88% cheaper per thousand impressions

Note: OTT (Over-The-Top) publishes no CPC benchmark.

When to Use Each Platform

Choose Google Display Network If:

  • You're targeting brand awareness
  • You're targeting remarketing
  • You're targeting visual products
  • You want lower cost per thousand impressions ($3.50 vs $28.00)

Choose OTT (Over-The-Top) If:

  • You're targeting brand awareness
  • You're targeting premium audiences
  • You're targeting video storytelling

Under the hood

The auction, the creative, the budget floor — the three things you actually need to know before picking a platform.

Google Display Network
How it bills

GDN buys impressions across 2M+ publisher sites via a real-time auction. You can bid CPC or CPM depending on the campaign goal. CPCs are 4–7x lower than search, but conversion rates are also lower — it's a top-of-funnel channel, not a decision-point channel.

Creative at a glance

Responsive Display Ads: 15 images (1200×628 landscape, 1200×1200 square, 1200×1500 portrait), 5 logos, 5 short headlines (30ch), 5 long headlines (90ch), 5 descriptions (90ch). Google auto-assembles.

Min. spend for signal

$30–75/day gets a display campaign to statistical signal, though retargeting audiences reach signal faster and are the recommended entry point for smaller budgets.

OTT (Over-The-Top)
How it bills

OTT (Hulu, Peacock, Roku, Samsung TV+, etc.) is bought exclusively on CPM with 15- and 30-second video creative. Rates run $25–40 CPM — the highest of any digital channel — because inventory is finite premium video and the ROAS story is measured against linear TV, not against Facebook.

Creative at a glance

15s or 30s video, 1920×1080 (16:9), broadcast-quality mastering. No skippable formats. Most platforms require closed captions and mezzanine-file delivery through demand-side platforms.

Min. spend for signal

OTT has a real budget floor: most DSPs require $5K–10K/month minimum, and to reach reliable frequency in a metro DMA you need $15K+/month per platform.

Calculate Your Costs

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Break-Even ROAS

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Data last updated: July 1, 2026