By Mike Rocha
- $608 billion: Apple’s brand value, up 6% from 2025
- 239%: Revolut enters the Global 500 for the first time
- AAA+: YouTube becomes the world’s strongest brand
Valuation Analysis
U.S. technology brands continue to dominate the top 10 of the Global 500 ranking in 2026, reinforcing the scale advantage and global reach of the world’s largest digital ecosystems. The top four spots remain unchanged, with four of the Magnificent Seven – Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon – holding their positions at the top of the ranking.
Apple retains its position as the world’s most valuable brand with a 6% brand value growth to USD607.6 billion. While hardware growth remains measured, Apple continues to strengthen its ecosystem through services. Growth in advertising, cloud services and the App Store has supported overall performance, while steady demand across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific has reinforced Apple’s global scale and resilience.
Microsoft ranks second, recording a 23% increase in brand value to USD565.2 billion. The brand’s performance reflects sustained momentum across its enterprise-focused portfolio, with cloud services, subscriptions and professional software providing stable, recurring revenues. Microsoft’s growing role in enterprise AI and cloud infrastructure has further strengthened perceptions of reliability and long-term relevance, supporting sustained brand value growth.
Google remains the third most valuable brand globally, with its brand value increasing by 5% to USD433.1 billion. Strength across search, advertising and cloud services underpin its position, while ongoing investments in AI-driven products and platforms continue to reinforce the brand’s central role in the digital economy. Amazon ranks fourth, with a brand value rise of 4% to USD369.9 billion, supported by its scale in e-commerce and the strength of its cloud business, despite margin pressures in retail operations.
NVIDIA climbed four ranks to become the world’s fifth-most valuable brand. , rising 110% to USD184.3 billion, reflecting its central role in powering global AI infrastructure. As demand for advanced computing accelerates, NVIDIA has overtaken established brands including TikTok/Douyin, Walmart, Samsung Groupand Facebook.
China’s TikTok/Douyin climbs one spot to seventh following a 45% brand value growth to USD153.5 billion, supported by global expansion and strong engagement across markets. Walmart, despite recording a 3% brand value uptick to USD141.0 billion, falls two places to seventh. Samsung Group (up 8% to USD119.2 billion), Facebook (up 17% to USD107.1 billion) and State Grid Corporation of China (up 16% to USD99.1 billion) round out the top 10.
Brand Strength Analysis
In 2026, 37 brands among the Global 500 ranking earned a AAA+ brand strength rating, the highest rating awarded by Brand Finance.
YouTube has become the world’s strongest brand, with a BSI score of 95.3 out of 100 and climbing from eighth place in 2025. Brand Finance researched YouTube across 10 markets and found that familiarity exceeded 90% in eight of them. Brand Finance data also shows that up to, on average, 70% of respondents would consider using YouTube. This not only underscores YouTube’s strength in converting widespread awareness into active consideration but also reflects its role as a go‑to destination for entertainment, learning, and community‑building. Its highly engaging video format has become central to how people discover and interact with content online. Many of the world’s most valuable brands, including Apple, Nike, Coca-Cola, and McDonald’s, use YouTube to tell richer brand stories and strengthen their connection with audiences worldwide.
WeChat is now the world’s second strongest brand, having held the top position in 2024 and 2025. With a BSI score of 95.1 out of 100, the brand’s all-in-one digital infrastructure – spanning instant messaging, voice and video calls, WeChat Pay, Mini Programs and Official Accounts – maintains the Chinese brand’s strength. According to Brand Finance research, conducted solely in its home market of China, WeChat is extremely well regarded across all research metrics. Data reveals that 92% of respondents are familiar with the brand, with 75% of those familiar reporting they’d consider using it. WeChat’s brand value also increased 46% in 2026 to USD48.1 billion, placing it 32ndamong the world’s most valuable brands.
Microsoft is the world’s third strongest brand in 2026, with a BSI score of 94.7 out of 100. This places it above Google in terms of brand strength, now ranked fourth. Brand Finance research reveals improved scores in key brand strength metrics – including brand reputation, recommendation, and engagement – across several markets, including the U.S., Japan, and South Korea.
Global toy brand LEGO is now the world’s fifth strongest brand, with a BSI score of 94.2 out of 100. Brand Finance research shows that the brand notes strong reputation scores and exceptionally high levels of admiration, reflecting a reputation that has strengthened over time through positive impact and deep consumer connection.
According to Brand Finance research, on average, familiarity of toy brands falls by 41% between 18–24-year-olds and 65–75-year-olds.
Contrastingly, LEGO defies this trend, maintaining a high level of familiarity among all ages. 90% of 18–24-year-olds are familiar with the brand – 30% above the sector average – and even among 55–64-year-olds, familiarity remains 86%, more than 40% higher than the sector average. Strategic partnerships with iconic brands like Ferrari and major film franchises such as Harry Potter have further strengthened LEGO’s global recognition and cultural relevance across generations, cementing its enduring brand strength.
This brand strength also translates into LEGO’s brand value, which increased 59% in 2026, reaching an all-time high of USD17.6 billion.