This FAQ addresses what commerce media is, how it differs from retail media, and where growth opportunities exist for advertisers in 2026.

The automotive dashboard is evolving into a media hub. By 2029, 203 million connected car drivers will give advertisers access to captive audiences through AI commerce, in-vehicle ads, charging sessions, and rideshare integrations.

Robotaxi deployments are moving from pilots to broader rollouts as companies try to cash in on advancements in autonomous driving. Lyft recently began robotaxi tests in Atlanta, and Amazon's Zoox launched in Las Vegas. For companies investing in robotaxis, the opportunity extends beyond passenger rides. These fleets could eventually serve as a backbone for cost-saving delivery services, expanding the commercial applications of the technology. With Uber and DoorDash testing delivery robots, robotaxis could be the next move in on-demand logistics, moving beyond transporting passengers to carrying packages, meals, and groceries.

Retail media is not just for retailers anymore. US commerce media ad spending is projected to hit $118.4 billion by 2029, growing at a 15.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), per a May EMARKETER forecast.

Design wins power Mobileye’s bullish stance on autonomy’s future: A robust 83% revenue spike and new deals with Volkswagen and Lyft show Mobileye isn’t just surviving the autonomy winter—it’s positioning itself as its comeback story.

Retail media’s rapid growth has spurred nonretail verticals to harness their first-party data to fuel their own commerce media networks. Retail media spending still dominates the commerce media landscape, but distinct challenger cohorts are finding their footing.

To keep pace in a complex landscape and meet increasing demands from advertisers, commerce media players need to invest in fresh channels, tools, and innovation.

Commerce media networks are expanding beyond retail into new verticals like travel and financial services, creating opportunities for targeted advertising using first-party purchase data. The key to growth will be achieving a delicate balance, and engaging—rather than alienating—consumers.

DoorDash partners with Lyft: The combination should make the delivery service a stronger competitor to Uber, which offers members of its Uber One service free food delivery and discounted rides.

To stand out in a crowded commerce market, Lyft Media is thinking about partnerships and measurement differently. While its current partnerships help Lyft Media navigate “traditional ecosystem of measurement,” the network is also thinking about what the next phase of measurement will be, said Shane Dwyer, head of sales at Lyft Media and Lyft Business.

Block has been working to grow Cash App Pay, but the buy button still trails competitors

DoorDash forgoes gig workers for employees with wages: The delivery platform announced a surprising pilot that would significantly upgrade the worker experience in select markets.

Uber, Lyft, and Instacart fine-tune their ad strategies: The platforms are leaning into personalization and experimenting with formats as they try to boost revenues without alienating users.

This report presents five of the most intriguing and/or under-the-radar positive forecasts for 2024 that clients should be aware of, as compiled by our forecasting team.

77.6 million people in the US will use Uber or Lyft next year, according to our August 2023 forecast.

Uber and Lyft are rapidly expanding their advertising platforms to take advantage of this growing user base—one that may prove to be a major audience for advertisers.

The ride-hailing industry will hit a new record for users and sales in 2023. As the market expands, both Lyft and Uber are laying the groundwork for significant advertising in the future.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss whether the way people watch sports has changed, if Uber and Lyft will ever be able to turn a profit, whether Peacock can keep its head above water, what happened to the TikTok ban, what The Walt Disney Co. should do with ESPN, who's not on the internet, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our forecasting writer Ethan Cramer-Flood and analysts Bill Fisher and Max Willens.