Third quarter 2016 saw U.S advertisers invest $17.6 billion in digital advertising. In its Internet Advertising Revenue Report, the Interactive Advertising Bureau notes that this is the highest third quarter for digital advertising spending on record, and represents a 20-percent increase over the same time period in 2015. It also accounts for a 4.3-percent increase over second quarter 2016.

“The momentum of advertising in mobile, digital video and other innovative formats is undeniable,” says David Doty, executive vice president and CMO of the IAB. “These record-setting third quarter revenue figures reflect marketers’ trust in the internet’s power to connect with today’s audiences.”

David Silverman, a partner at PwC US, which conducted the study, adds, “Digital has become a critical part of advertisers’ marketing strategies. Increasing media consumption on interactive screens will surely lead to even more investment in the digital landscape.”

The third quarter 2016 revenue is estimated based upon a representative sample of the overall survey respondents. The data is compiled directly from information supplied by companies selling advertising on the internet. The survey includes data concerning online advertising revenues from websites, commercial online services, free email providers, and all other companies selling online advertising.