50+ Retargeting Statistics Marketers Need to Know in 2025

Ever feel like an ad is following you around the internet? 

That’s retargeting in action—and it works. In fact, retargeted users are 43% more likely to convert than first-time visitors.

With shopping cart abandonment rates averaging 70%, businesses are using retargeting to bring customers back, reducing abandonment by 26%. And it’s not just about conversions—retargeting boosts brand recall by 57%, as many consumers are more likely to engage later.

From social media to display ads, brands are doubling down on retargeting. But how much does it really cost? What platforms perform best? And what trends are shaping the future of retargeting? 

Let’s break it all down.

Key takeaways

• Retargeting ads can increase conversion rates by up to 150%.
• 92% of marketers believe retargeting performs better than other ad strategies.
• 70% of consumers are more likely to convert after being exposed to retargeting ads.
• Retargeting campaigns see an average CTR of 0.7%, nearly 10x higher than standard display ads.
• Facebook and Google account for over 80% of all retargeting ad spend.
• Retargeted customers are 3x more likely to click on an ad than those who haven’t engaged with the brand before.

How does retargeting improve conversion rates?

Know that retargeted users are 43% more likely to convert compared to first-time visitors. 

Shopping cart abandonment rates drop by 26% when retargeting is used.

It is also reported that retargeting improves brand recall by 57% which makes consumers more likely to engage later.

Did you know that retargeted ads drive more engaged traffic? This is because retargeted ads have a 10x higher CTR than standard display ads. 

Let’s know more about retargeting ads:

• Retargeted users are 3x more likely to engage with an ad compared to cold audiences.
• Dynamic retargeting (showing specific products users viewed) increases conversion rates by 3x.
• 56% of shoppers return to complete a purchase within a week of seeing a retargeted ad.
• Retargeting campaigns deliver a 50% lower cost per acquisition (CPA) than traditional search ads.
• Retargeting emails see an open rate of 45%, much higher than generic marketing emails.

Retargeting ad performance by platform

Different platforms have varying success rates when it comes to retargeting. Here's how they compare:

According to statistics, Facebook ads drive an average CTR of 0.9% with an increment of 125% in the conversion.

Google display network has a little less CTR at 0.7%.

The Instagram ads are surging with an overall Instagram ad CTR of 1.1% as per the latest data. 

Mobile vs. desktop retargeting

Ever wonder why brands keep hitting you with ads on your phone? Turns out, mobile retargeting is a game-changer compared to desktop.

Mobile retargeting ads have a 60% higher engagement rate compared to desktop. Let’s face it—people are glued to their phones!

73% of mobile users who see a retargeting ad visit the brand's website within a week. And it increases in-app conversions by 35%.

Mobile retargeting ads often have a 30% lower CPC than desktop, making them a more cost-effective choice.

Mobile users tend to act quickly—40% of retargeted shoppers convert within 24 hours of seeing an ad.

Location-based retargeting drives 50% more in-store visits than desktop ads, especially for retailers.

Moral of the story? If you’re running retargeting campaigns, mobile is where the magic happens.

How much does retargeting cost?

Retargeting costs vary by industry, but on average:

The Cost per click (CPC) is between $0.60 to $1.25.

The Cost per thousand impressions (CPM) is about $2–$5.

Cost per acquisition (CPA) is up to 50% higher than standard display ads if not optimized.

It is also found that search retargeting tends to have a higher CPA but better ROAS, as users already have high purchase intent.

Video retargeting has the highest engagement but comes at a higher CPC and CPM.

Social media retargeting can be cost-effective, but prices fluctuate based on competition and platform.

Display retargeting remains the most budget-friendly option but generally has lower CTRs.

Retargeting and customer journey

How is a consumer’s journey affected during retargeting:

• Awareness stage: Retargeting boosts brand recall and engagement by 45%.
• Consideration stage: Consumers shown retargeting ads are 70% more likely to take action.
• Decision stage: Retargeting reduces cart abandonment by 26%, leading to higher purchases.

Challenges and best practices in retargeting

Retargeting is powerful, but it’s not always smooth sailing. 

Brands that get it right see massive ROI, while those that don’t? 

Well, they risk annoying their audience. 

Here are the major challenges faced in retargeting:

• Seeing the same ad too often can lead to a 37% drop in engagement.
• 67% of users are wary of how their data is used in retargeting.
• 26% of internet users have ad blockers that limit retargeting reach.

Best practices to boost retargeting performance? Go through these research-based points,

1. It is advised to limit exposure to 5-7 impressions per user to avoid annoying them
2. According to a study by Think with Google, retargeting people based on your audience’s browsing behavior boosts conversions by 50%.
3. Personalized ads (like showing the exact product someone viewed) get 3x more engagement.
4. Video retargeting ads increase purchase intent by 20% more than static image ads.

FAQs

How does retargeting differ from remarketing?

Retargeting typically involves paid ads shown to users who have visited a site, while remarketing focuses on re-engaging customers through email marketing.

What is the average ROI of retargeting campaigns?

On average, retargeting delivers a 10x return on ad spend (ROAS), making it one of the most effective ad strategies.

How effective is retargeting?

Very effective! Retargeted users are 43% more likely to convert than first-time visitors, and retargeting can increase click-through rates (CTR) by 10x compared to regular display ads.

Which industries benefit the most from retargeting?

E-commerce, travel, finance, and SaaS companies see the highest conversion lift from retargeting, with an average increase of 150%.

Does retargeting work for small businesses?

Yes! Even with a small budget, businesses can see a 35% increase in conversions with well-optimized retargeting campaigns.

How can I improve my retargeting campaign?

Use dynamic ads, personalize messages, limit ad frequency, and track cross-device engagement for better results.

Conclusion

Retargeting isn’t just another marketing tactic—it’s a powerful strategy that keeps potential customers engaged and significantly boosts conversions. With the right approach, brands can reduce ad waste, improve ROAS, and turn lost visitors into loyal customers. As digital advertising continues to evolve, retargeting remains an essential tool for marketers looking to maximize their impact.

Sources

1. Statista. Retargeting Ad Spend Trends 2025
2. HubSpot. Retargeting Benchmarks and CTR Insights
3. eMarketer. The Impact of Mobile Retargeting
4. Google Ads. Retargeting Performance Analysis
5. Facebook Business. Retargeting Strategies for Marketers
6. Think With Google. Consumer Retargeting Behavior Studies
7. Nielsen. Brand Recall and Retargeting Effectiveness
8. Outbrain. How Personalized Retargeting Improves Conversions
9. AdRoll. State of Retargeting Report 2025
10. LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. B2B Retargeting Insights