Apple spent an estimated $17.9 million on Google Adwords alone in 2011, an infographic from Wordstream reveals. Within the consumer electronics section, only HP, Dell and Best Buy spent more, with Microsoft spending less than Apple.
In other sections relevant to Apple, AT&T topped the telecoms list, spending $40.8 million, with Verizon in second place with $22.9 million in Adwords spendings. Amazon.com were the main Adwords users in the retailers section, with $55.2 million.
However even though this may seem like a lot, all of these companies are huge and so these millions spent on Adwords are only, if you think about it, a drop in the ocean, especially for Apple, who have billions worth of free cash.