Google, Facebook Ad Sales Seen Rising Even Amid Privacy Woes

Concerns over privacy and regulation aren’t hurting Facebook Inc. and Google where it matters -- their multibillion dollar advertising businesses. As the internet giants prepare to report fourth-quarter earnings, most industry analysts say growing consumer spending and the continued march from in-store to online commerce will keep digital advertising growing. That’s something investors are keen to see after a year of damaging headlines, congressional hearings and a painful share sell-off. The big political and social questions surrounding Big Tech aren’t going away. But advertisers from consumer goods giants to mom-and pop-businesses still see Google and Facebook as essential tools for reaching customers. Facebook is definitely the one that’s caught the most blow-back, said Andy Taylor, associate director of research at online advertising agency Merkle. But we really haven’t seen a shift in advertiser attitude toward the platform.