How Super Bowl Ads Outshine the Game Itself in Online Buzz
The Super Bowl remains one of the biggest events for online discussion each year, drawing over 127 million viewers. Among the highlights, brand advertisements often spark the most conversation—with some becoming more talked-about than the super bowl score itself.
In 2021, Mountain Dew's Major Melon Bottle Count ad dominated social media, earning 315,814 mentions during the super bowl. This made it the most discussed brand of the night, with 95.49% of online conversations expressing positive sentiment. The campaign still holds the record as the most talked-about super bowl commercial in the last five years.
The following year, Coinbase's simple yet striking ad—a floating QR code—drew over 79,000 mentions in 2022. It became the most discussed spot of that year's super bowl.
Tubi's 2023 ad, Interface Interruption, also made waves with 39,000 mentions during super bowl LVII. The 15-second spot not only boosted engagement but also contributed to a 38% increase in viewing time for the streaming service. Additionally, the brand saw a 25% rise in ad revenue and won five Cannes Lions Awards.
By 2024, Temu ran six ads during the super bowl, generating over 33,000 mentions. Meanwhile, advertisers faced rising costs, with a 30-second slot reaching $7 million that year. In 2025, the price climbed further to a record $8 million per 30-second spot. Nike's return to super bowl advertising after 27 years also gained attention, with its female athlete-focused commercial earning over 13,000 mentions.
Super bowl ads continue to drive massive online engagement, with brands investing heavily for a share of the spotlight. From Mountain Dew's record-breaking mentions to Tubi's awards and revenue growth, these campaigns demonstrate the super bowl's unmatched influence on marketing and audience interaction. The rising cost of ad slots further reflects the super bowl's enduring value for advertisers.
