For 15 years in a row, we have examined the annual earnings of each of the world’s top websites.
This year, we put much more time and effort into finding the most up-to-date information, which most people wouldn’t even know!
The world’s biggest tech giants, including Amazon, Google, and Facebook, are on the list, each earning billions of dollars in revenue annually. The owners of these companies, including Jeff Bezos, Larry Page, and Mark Zuckerberg, are now among the wealthiest people in the world, with net worths that surpass those of many countries.
Even more impressive is that these tech giants started from humble beginnings, with Amazon starting in a garage and Facebook in a dorm room.
One of the keys to their success is their ability to create a great company culture and cool offices that attract top talent. They have also been able to innovate and disrupt traditional industries, such as retail and advertising. Many companies have tried to replicate their success but have failed.
The difference between the successful and the unsuccessful companies lies in their ability to adapt and innovate. The top-earning websites are constantly evolving and willing to take risks and invest in new technologies to stay ahead of the competition. The ones that fail are often too slow to adapt, risk-averse, or focused on short-term gains.
We hope you enjoy the list. Please let us know what you think in the comments.
Discover what websites make the most money
1. Amazon
How much Amazon makes a year: $575 billion in revenue annually, which is $18,250 per second.
Amazon, founded by Jeff Bezos (worth nearly $200 billion), is the largest online retailer in the world. Amazon earns approximately $575 billion in revenue annually, making around $18,250 per second.
Amazon’s largest income sources are online retail sales, cloud computing, and advertising. Amazon’s online retail sales include a vast range of products, including books, electronics, and clothing. Their cloud computing service, Amazon Web Services (AWS), allows users to access cloud computing resources on demand, while their advertising service allows businesses to advertise their products on Amazon’s platform.
So, how did Amazon’s revenue increase by over $50 billion between 2023 and 2024? It’s because they invested so much time and money into technology and infrastructure, which has allowed the company to improve its efficiency and offer faster delivery times, which has helped to attract more customers.
2. Google
How much Google makes a year: $182 billion in revenue annually, which is $5,785.95 per second.
Google, founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, is a multinational technology company that provides internet-related services. It earns around $182 billion in revenue a year and makes approximately $5,785.95 per second (and the websites valuation is at over $2 trillion).
Google’s primary income sources are advertising and cloud computing. Google’s advertising service, Google Ads, allows businesses to advertise their products and services on Google’s platform. Google Cloud Platform (GCP) provides users with cloud computing resources on demand.
It’s not bad, considering they started the business in a garage.
3. Facebook
How much Facebook makes a year: $135 billion in revenue annually, which is $4,273.50 per second.
Facebook, founded by Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes, is a social media platform that connects people worldwide. It earns approximately $135 billion in revenue a year and makes around $4,273.50 per second.
Facebook’s largest income sources are advertising and user data. Facebook’s advertising service allows businesses to advertise their products and services to its massive user base. Facebook also collects user data and provides businesses with insights into their target audience.
And to think, Facebook was started in a dorm room by a bunch of friends.
4. JD.com
How much JD.com makes a year: $114 billion in revenue annually, which is $3,615.92 per second.
JD.com, founded by Liu Qiangdong (Richard Liu), is an e-commerce platform and the largest online retailer in China. JD.com earns around $114 billion in revenue annually, making approximately $3,615.92 per second.
Its primary income sources are online retail sales and logistics. JD.com’s online retail sales include a wide range of products, including electronics, home appliances, and clothing. Its logistics service, JD Logistics, provides delivery services to businesses across China.
5. Alibaba
How much Alibaba makes a year: $72 billion in revenue annually, which is $2,280.70 per second.
Alibaba, founded by Peng Lei and Jack Ma, is a multinational technology company that provides e-commerce, retail, and technology services. Alibaba earns around $72 billion in revenue annually and makes approximately $2,280.70 per second.
Their primary income sources are online retail sales, cloud computing, and digital media. Alibaba’s online retail sales include a vast range of products, including electronics, clothing, and home appliances. Their cloud computing service, Alibaba Cloud, provides users with cloud computing resources on demand.
6. Tencent
How much Tencent makes a year: $66 billion in revenue annually, which is $2,092.84 per second.
Tencent, founded by Ma Huateng, is a multinational technology company that provides internet services, social networking, and gaming. Tencent earns approximately $66 billion in revenue annually, making around $2,092.84 per second.
Its primary income sources are gaming, social media, and advertising. Tencent’s gaming service includes popular games like Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile. Its social media service, WeChat, allows users to connect with each other and businesses through messaging, payments, and other features.
7. eBay
How much eBay makes a year: $59 billion in revenue annually, which is $1,870.00 per second.
eBay, founded by Pierre Omidyar, is an e-commerce platform that connects buyers and sellers worldwide. It earns around $59 billion in revenue a year and makes approximately $1,870.00 per second.
eBay’s primary income sources are online retail sales and advertising. These sales include a wide range of products, including electronics, clothing, and home appliances. eBay’s advertising service allows businesses to advertise their products and services on its platform.
8. PayPal
How much PayPal makes a year: $30 billion in revenue annually, which is $951.32 per second.
PayPal, founded by Peter Thiel, Yu Pan, Luke Nosek, Elon Musk, Ken Howery, and Max Levchin, is a multinational technology company that provides online payment services. PayPal earns around $30 billion in revenue annually and approximately $951.32 per second.
Its primary income sources are transaction fees and interest on deposits. PayPal’s online payment services allow users to make and receive payments online, while its interest on deposits service allows users to earn interest.
9. Booking.com
How much Booking. com makes a year: $21.3 billion in revenue annually, which is $674.25 per second.
Booking, founded by Geert-Jan Bruinsma, is an online travel agency that allows users to book flights, hotels, and car rentals. Booking earns around $21.3 billion in revenue a year and makes approximately $674.25 per second.
Its primary income sources are hotel and travel bookings. Booking’s online travel booking service allows users to search and book flights, hotels, and car rentals worldwide.
10. Salesforce
How much Salesforce makes a year: $21 billion in revenue annually, which is $665.78 per second.
Salesforce, founded by Marc Benioff (worth nearly $10 billion) and Parker Harris, is a customer relationship management software company that provides sales, marketing, and customer service solutions. It earns around $21 billion in revenue a year and makes approximately $665.78 per second.
Salesforce’s primary income sources are subscription fees and professional services. Salesforce’s subscription-based services provide businesses with sales, marketing, and customer service solutions, while its professional services help businesses implement and customize their solutions.
11. TikTok
How much TikTok makes a year: $18.5 billion in revenue annually, which is $585.00 per second.
TikTok, founded by Zhang Yiming (worth $43.4 billion), is a social media platform that allows users to create and share short videos. It earns around $18.5 billion in revenue a year and makes approximately $585.00 per second.
Its primary income sources are in-app advertising and virtual gifts. TikTok’s in-app advertising allows businesses to advertise their products and services to its massive user base. In contrast, its virtual gifts feature allows users to purchase virtual gifts for their favourite content creators.
12. Stripe
How much Stripe makes a year: $16 billion in revenue annually, which is $506.74 per second.
Stripe, founded by John Collison and Patrick Collison, is a financial technology company that provides an online payment processing platform. It earns around $16 billion in revenue a year and makes approximately $506.74 per second.
Its primary income sources are transaction fees and interest on deposits. Stripe’s online payment processing platform allows businesses to accept payments online, while its interest on deposits service allows users to earn interest on their deposits.
13. LinkedIn
How much LinkedIn makes a year: $15.1 billion in revenue annually, which is $478.60 per second.
LinkedIn, founded by Reid Hoffman, Konstantin Guericke, Jean-Luc Valliant, Allen Blue, and Eric Ly, is a professional networking platform that connects professionals worldwide. LinkedIn earns around $15.1 billion in revenue annually and makes around $478.60 per second.
Their primary income sources are premium subscriptions (which brings in $1.7 billion a year), talent solutions, and advertising. LinkedIn’s premium subscriptions provide additional features to users, while their talent solutions help businesses find and hire the right talent. Their advertising service allows businesses to advertise their products and services on LinkedIn’s platform.
14. Rakuten
How much Rakuten makes a year: $15 billion in revenue annually, which is $474.68 per second.
Rakuten, founded by Hiroshi Mikitani, is a Japanese e-commerce platform that provides online retail sales and services. Rakuten earns around $15 billion in revenue annually and makes approximately $474.68 per second.
Their primary income sources are from online retail sales and digital content. Rakuten’s online retail sales include various products, including electronics, clothing, and home appliances. Their digital content service includes e-books, music, and video streaming.
15. Reuters
How much Reuters makes a year: $12.6 billion in revenue annually, which is $399.54 per second.
Reuters, founded by Paul Reuter, is a multinational news agency that provides news and financial information worldwide. Reuters earns around $12.6 billion in revenue annually and makes approximately $399.54 per second.
Their primary income sources are from media subscriptions and financial data services. Reuters’ media subscriptions provide businesses with access to news and information, while their financial data services provide businesses with financial information and data.
16. Priceline
How much Priceline makes a year: $9.22 billion in revenue annually, which is $292.36 per second.
Priceline, founded by Jesse Fink, Jay S. Walker, and Scott Case, is an online travel agency that allows users to book flights, hotels, and car rentals. Priceline earns around $9.22 billion in revenue annually and makes approximately $292.36 per second.
Their primary income sources are from hotel and travel bookings. Priceline’s online travel booking service allows users to search and book flights, hotels, and car rentals worldwide.
17. Shopify
How much Shopify makes a year: $7.1 billion in revenue annually, which is $225.00 per second.
Shopify, founded by Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand, and Scott Lake, is a multinational e-commerce company that provides online retail sales and services. Shopify earns around $7.1 billion in revenue annually and makes approximately $225.00 per second.
Its primary income sources are subscription fees and online retail sales. Shopify’s subscription-based services provide businesses with an online platform to sell their products, while its online retail sales service allows businesses to sell their products to customers worldwide.
18. Spotify
How much Spotify makes a year: $7 billion in revenue annually, which is $221.68 per second.
Spotify, founded by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon, is a music streaming service that allows users to listen to music online. Spotify earns around $7 billion in revenue annually and makes approximately $221.68 per second.
Its primary income sources are subscription fees and advertising. Spotify’s subscription-based services allow users to listen to their favorite music without ads, while its advertising service allows businesses to advertise their products and services on Spotify’s platform.
19. Expedia
How much Expedia makes a year: $6.67 billion in revenue annually, which is $211.50.
Expedia, founded by Richard Barton, is an online travel agency that allows users to book flights, hotels, and car rentals. Expedia earns around $6.67 billion in revenue annually, making approximately $211.50 per second.
Their primary income sources are from hotel and travel bookings. Expedia’s online travel booking service allows users to search and book flights, hotels, and car rentals worldwide.
20. AirBnB
How much Airbnb makes a year: $6 billion in revenue annually, which is $190.00 per second.
Airbnb, founded by Joe Gebbia, Brian Chesky, and Nathan Blecharczyk, is an online marketplace that allows users to rent out their homes or apartments to travellers. Airbnb earns around $6 billion in revenue annually and makes approximately $190.00 per second.
Its primary income sources are booking fees and advertising. Airbnb’s booking service allows travellers to book unique accommodations worldwide, while its advertising service allows businesses to advertise their products and services on Airbnb’s platform.
What is the most popular way large websites make money online?
The data shows that there are only two main sources of income: online retail sales and advertising. So, if you want to make more money online, either sell something or advertise something.
Breakdown of income sources:
1. Online retail sales – Amazon, JD.com, Alibaba, Rakuten, Shopify
2. Advertising – Amazon, Google, Facebook, Tencent, eBay, LinkedIn, TikTok, Spotify
3. Cloud computing – Amazon, Google, Alibaba
4. User data – Facebook
5. Other – Logistics (JD.com), Digital media (Alibaba), Professional services (Salesforce), Online payment processing (PayPal and Stripe), Travel bookings (Booking.com, Priceline, Expedia, Airbnb), News and financial information (Reuters)
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