Marketing | GMP

DV360 vs Amazon DSP

DV360 vs Amazon DSP: Which Ad Platform is Right for You?

By Abhinav Tiwari
Jun 24, 2025 | 5 Minutes | |

In today’s competitive digital marketing world , picking the right platform to run your ads can make or break your campaigns. Two of the biggest names you’ll often hear about are Google’s Display & Video 360 (DV360) and Amazon DSP. Both are powerful demand side platforms (DSPs) , but they work differently and serve different goals.

In this blog , we’ll break down DV360 vs Amazon DSP in simple terms , explain how they work , compare features , and share some use cases to help you choose the right one for your brand.

Key Differences Between DV360 and Amazon DSP

Let’s break this down into simple points:

Feature / Area

DV360

Amazon DSP

Owner

Google

Amazon

Best for

Full funnel campaigns

Mid to lower funnel , eCommerce

Audience Targeting

Google audience data + CRM

Amazon shopper data (1st party)

Ad Inventory

YouTube , web , mobile , apps , CTV

Amazon.com , Fire TV , IMDb , apps

Use Without Selling on Platform

Yes

Yes (but more powerful if you sell on Amazon)

Self Serve Access

Yes , via DV360 partner

Yes , but usually via Amazon reps

Creative Formats

Rich media , native , video

Display , video , OTT , Fire TV ads

 

💼 Use Case #1: Launching a New Product (Awareness)

Let’s say you’re a consumer tech brand launching a new smartwatch.

DV360 would be ideal if:

  • You want to run video ads on YouTube , banner ads on major tech websites , and ads in mobile apps.
  • You want to target fitness enthusiasts , tech lovers , or Android users across the open internet.
  • You want full creative freedom — think rich media , interactive banners , and skippable video.

You can even upload your CRM data (like email list of past customers) and create lookalike audiences.

Amazon DSP would be ideal if:

  • You want to target people who searched for fitness bands , Apple Watches , or smart devices on Amazon in the last 30 days.
  • Your product is sold on Amazon , and you want to drive more product page views and purchases.
  • You want to retarget users who viewed your product but didn’t buy.

👉 Bottom line: For awareness across the web and YouTube , DV360 wins. For targeting high intent shoppers inside the Amazon ecosystem , Amazon DSP is unbeatable.

 

🛒 Use Case #2: Driving Conversions During a Sale

Let’s say you’re running a Diwali sale for your online fashion store.

DV360 can help you:

  • Run display and YouTube ads across lifestyle websites and apps.
  • Use in market audiences (e.g. , “people looking for men’s formal wear”) to reach likely buyers.
  • Connect with your Google Analytics or website data to build remarketing lists.

You can also use Floodlight tags to track conversions and optimize based on real time data.

Amazon DSP can help you:

  • Show ads to shoppers who searched for “kurtas under ₹999” or “Diwali offers” on Amazon.
  • Retarget users who added your product to their Amazon cart but didn’t complete the purchase.
  • Display your product banner on Amazon homepage , Fire TV , or even competitor product pages.

👉 Bottom line: If your users are active on your website or YouTube , DV360 offers flexibility and wider reach. If you're targeting users already shopping on Amazon , Amazon DSP has more purchase ready data.

 

🛍️ Use Case #3: Boosting App Installs

If you’ve launched a mobile app (let’s say for grocery delivery or fitness tracking) , both platforms can help — but differently.

DV360:

  • Can run Universal App Campaigns via Firebase data.
  • You can optimize for installs , in app purchases , or app opens.
  • You can place ads on YouTube , gaming apps , lifestyle apps , etc.

Amazon DSP:

  • Works well if you want to show ads on Fire Tablets , IMDb , and Amazon Prime Video apps.
  • Great for Android users on Amazon devices , but less control over deep app install tracking if the app isn’t Amazon linked.

👉 Bottom line: DV360 gives more flexibility and scale for app marketing.

 

🤖 Data & Reporting Comparison

DV360:

  • Full access to real time reporting , audience insights , impression level data.
  • Integrates with Google Analytics 4 , Campaign Manager 360 , and BigQuery.
  • Great for brands who love dashboards and deep dive analytics.

Amazon DSP:

  • Gives retail insights , such as how many people viewed a product , added to cart , or purchased.
  • Best for brands who sell on Amazon and want to link ad spend directly to product sales.

 

🧩 Can You Use Both Together?

Absolutely! In fact , many large advertisers use both DV360 and Amazon DSP based on their goals.

For example:

  • Use DV360 for upper funnel branding and YouTube video views.
  • Use Amazon DSP to retarget high intent users and close the deal on Amazon.

It’s like building a funnel — start wide with awareness and narrow down to conversions with shopper data.

 

✅ Final Verdict: DV360 vs Amazon DSP — Which One Should You Choose?

Here’s a quick summary:

If You Want To...

Go With...

Run YouTube and display ads across the web

DV360

Target high intent Amazon shoppers

Amazon DSP

Retarget website/app visitors

DV360

Increase Amazon product page visits

Amazon DSP

Build complex media funnels

DV360

Boost conversions within Amazon ecosystem

Amazon DSP

 

📝 Final Thoughts

Both DV360 and Amazon DSP are amazing tools — it’s not about which one is “better ,” but which one is better for your specific goals.

  • If you're a D2C brand focused on reach , video , and data integration — DV360 is a powerhouse.
  • If you're an Amazon seller or rely heavily on Amazon for sales — Amazon DSP is your secret weapon.

The smartest marketers are using both strategically to reach their audience across platforms and guide them from awareness to action.

 

Need help deciding which platform suits your business?
We help brands and agencies set up and manage both DV360 and Amazon DSP campaigns — from strategy to execution. Let’s talk!

 

Authors

Abhinav Tiwari

Sr. Director - Media
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