Marketing automation has evolved from a tactical efficiency tool into a strategic imperative driven by artificial intelligence. In 2026, the integration of AI into marketing automation platforms represents a fundamental shift in how brands engage customers, optimize campaigns, and measure success.
The scale of adoption tells the story. Nearly two-thirds of marketers now use marketing automation and AI as core components of their strategy, with the global market valued at $6.65 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $15.58 billion by 2030. This growth reflects not just new platform adoption, but a deepening commitment to AI-powered personalization, autonomous orchestration, and real-time customer engagement.
The financial case is equally compelling. For every dollar invested in marketing automation, businesses generate $5.44 in return over three years. Companies implementing automation see average revenue increases of 34%, driven by higher engagement rates, improved customer loyalty, and more effective retention strategies. These results have convinced marketing leaders to accelerate investment, with nearly two-thirds planning to increase AI spending in 2026.
This article compiles over 60 marketing automation and AI statistics from the latest research published within the last two years, organized across eight thematic sections. Each statistic is sourced directly from primary research, institutional studies, and industry reports to provide a comprehensive view of the automation landscape in 2026.
Scope and Methodology
- Includes only publicly available marketing automation and AI statistics relevant for 2026.
- Based on the latest figures published within the last two years.
- Sources include primary research, first-party platform data, institutional studies, and industry reports.
- Each statistic is listed separately with its original source and study context.
- No estimates, forecasts, interpretations, or recommendations are included.
Key Marketing Automation and AI Statistics for 2026
- 92% of marketers are already using AI in their marketing operations, based on a 2025 study by SAP Emarsys.
- The global marketing automation market was valued at $6.65 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $15.58 billion by 2030, based on 2024 data from InBeat.
- Every $1 invested in marketing automation returns $5.44 in revenue over three years, based on research by The CMO.
- Marketing automation can increase revenues by 34% on average, based on research by The CMO.
- 60% of marketers report higher engagement after adopting AI, based on a 2025 study by SAP Emarsys.
- 58% of marketers report higher customer loyalty after adopting AI, based on a 2025 study by SAP Emarsys.
- 70% of marketing leaders plan to increase automation investment in 2025, based on research by InBeat.
- 64% of marketers plan to increase AI spend in 2025, based on a 2025 study by SAP Emarsys.
- The top 10% of email workflows generate $16.96 in revenue per recipient, compared to $1.94 for average email flows, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- Automated workflows such as abandoned cart and post-purchase messages generate up to 30x more revenue per recipient than standard campaigns, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- 79% of marketers automate their customer journey, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- The marketing automation market is expected to reach $13.97 billion by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate of 12.8% from 2022 to 2030, based on data from Email Vendor Selection.
Adoption and Usage Statistics
- 64% of marketers already use automation and AI, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- 62% of marketers find marketing automation and AI important to their marketing strategy, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- 76% of marketers use marketing automation more than sales departments and 139% more than finance departments, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- 43% of marketers use marketing automation software to optimize their overall strategy, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- 37% of marketers use automation to improve their data quality, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- 34% of marketers use automation to identify their ideal customers, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- 31% of marketers use automation to optimize their messaging and campaigns, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- Over 70% of users prefer cloud-based software for marketing automation, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- 10% of marketers have fully automated their customer journey, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- 25% of marketers have mostly automated their customer journey, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- 44% of marketers have partially automated their customer journey, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- 21% of marketers do not automate their customer journey at all, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
Channel Performance Statistics
- 63% of marketers use marketing automation for email marketing, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- 50% of marketers use automation for social media management, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- 40% of marketers use automation for paid advertising, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- 35% of marketers use automation for content management, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- 29% of marketers use automation for landing pages, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- 28% of marketers use automation for SMS marketing, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
Revenue and Business Impact Statistics
- Companies using marketing automation see average revenue increases of 34%, based on research by The CMO.
- Marketing automation delivers a return of $5.44 for every $1 invested over three years, based on research by The CMO.
- The top 10% of email workflows generate $16.96 in revenue per recipient, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- Average email flows generate $1.94 in revenue per recipient, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
- Automated workflows generate up to 30x more revenue per recipient than standard campaigns, based on research from Email Vendor Selection.
Customer Engagement and Loyalty Statistics
- 60% of marketers report higher engagement after adopting AI, based on a 2025 study by SAP Emarsys.
- 58% of marketers report higher customer loyalty after adopting AI, based on a 2025 study by SAP Emarsys.
- 44% of consumer products marketers are making high investment in AI-powered engagement, based on a 2025 study by SAP Emarsys.
Investment and Future Planning Statistics
- 70% of marketing leaders plan to increase automation investment in 2025, based on research by InBeat.
- 64% of marketers plan to increase AI spend in 2025, based on a 2025 study by SAP Emarsys.
AI Integration and Capability Statistics
- 92% of marketers are already using AI in their marketing operations, based on a 2025 study by SAP Emarsys.
- 45% of marketers use AI tools to brainstorm content concepts and ideas, based on a 2025 study from the Digital Marketing Institute.
- 43% of marketing professionals automate repetitive tasks and processes using AI software, based on a 2025 study from the Digital Marketing Institute.
Market Growth and Projections
- The global marketing automation market was valued at $6.65 billion in 2024, based on data from InBeat.
- The marketing automation market is projected to reach $15.58 billion by 2030, based on projections from InBeat.
- The marketing automation market is expected to reach $13.97 billion by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate of 12.8% from 2022 to 2030, based on data from Email Vendor Selection.
References
- https://emarsys.com/learn/blog/marketing-automation-statistics/
- https://www.emailvendorselection.com/marketing-automation-statistics/
- https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/10-eye-opening-ai-marketing-stats-in-2025