J. Clement
Research lead covering internet and gaming
Google, Amazon, Meta, Apple, and Microsoft (GAMAM) - Statistics & Facts
Smartphones, search engines, and social media: the internet has become one of the most vital tools for communication, information, and entertainment in today's globalized world. While technological advances continue to accelerate the digitization of modern life, only a handful of players dominate the digital universe: Google, Amazon, Meta (formerly known as Facebook Inc), Apple, and Microsoft. Formerly known under the acronym GAFAM, now GAMAM or GAMMA, the five tech giants boast user bases in the billions and a combined market value of almost seven trillion U.S. dollars, making them the largest internet companies worldwide. With every new product, service, and innovation, the Big Five cement their digital imprint and expand their influence on the global economy. Today, Google, Amazon, Meta, Apple, and Microsoft are among the ten most valuable companies worldwide based on brand value.
Considered a global benchmark for high-end hardware, entertainment, and media devices, Apple is also rapidly expanding its digital dominance beyond the limits of Silicon Valley: In the company's fiscal year 2021, Apple's revenue surpassed 365.82 billion U.S. dollars, whereas Microsoft, Apple's primary competitor in the OS market, also reported its most successful year in company history in 2021. Google and Facebook remain global flagship names for internet search and social networks, thanks to ever-growing user counts and revenue via advertising. As two of the most-visited web properties worldwide, these platforms continue to extend their financial success and their impact on the internet's infrastructure.
As of September 2022, the EU Commission has fined Google over eight billion euros for anticompetitive behavior. Considering that GAMAM companies are among the top lobbying spenders in the United States, the latest antitrust investigations against Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Apple are more relevant than ever.
GAMAM's control over the digital ecosystem
Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft are some of the most influential global tech corporations. While they all have different market strengths, they also compete for market share across hardware, PC and mobile operating systems, entertainment, and more. As of 2022, online search and platform giant Alphabet is the leading U.S.-based internet company by market capitalization and one of the most valuable brand worldwide.Considered a global benchmark for high-end hardware, entertainment, and media devices, Apple is also rapidly expanding its digital dominance beyond the limits of Silicon Valley: In the company's fiscal year 2021, Apple's revenue surpassed 365.82 billion U.S. dollars, whereas Microsoft, Apple's primary competitor in the OS market, also reported its most successful year in company history in 2021. Google and Facebook remain global flagship names for internet search and social networks, thanks to ever-growing user counts and revenue via advertising. As two of the most-visited web properties worldwide, these platforms continue to extend their financial success and their impact on the internet's infrastructure.
Are digital game-changers spoiling the game? Antitrust in the Golden Age of GAMAM
The growth of the tech industry's powerhouses and their unmatched market dominance has far-reaching consequences for online users, competitors, and the internet's entire architecture. By acquiring successful companies and newcomers (Facebook bought Instagram and WhatsApp) and promoting their own products and services (on Google's search results), the tech giants' oligopoly eliminates competition and reduces digital diversity. This concentrated power has frequently prompted calls for antitrust action. Since Microsoft's early antitrust battle in the 1990s, a series of lawsuits were filed to regulate Big Tech's grip on the internet and democratize the digital infrastructure.As of September 2022, the EU Commission has fined Google over eight billion euros for anticompetitive behavior. Considering that GAMAM companies are among the top lobbying spenders in the United States, the latest antitrust investigations against Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Apple are more relevant than ever.
