# Zeta Global Q3 2026 Earnings Beat

> Zeta Global reports 46% revenue growth and 55% EBITDA expansion as AI adoption accelerates.
- Title: Zeta Global Q3 2026 Earnings Beat · The Motley Fool | Shortify
- Summary: Zeta Global reports 46% revenue growth and 55% EBITDA expansion as AI adoption accelerates.
- Keywords: zeta global, athena ai, q3 2026, revenue growth, adjusted ebitda, super-scaled customers, athenaos, palantir, openai, code automation, The Motley Fool
- Source: The Motley Fool — https://fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2026/11/10/zeta-global-zeta-q3-2026-earnings-call-transcript
- Author: Motley Fool Transcribing
- Published: 2026-11-10T06:13:16+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: zeta global, athena ai, q3 2026, revenue growth, adjusted ebitda, super-scaled customers, athenaos, palantir, openai, code automation, finance, money
## Q3 2026 Results
Zeta Global reported 21st consecutive quarter exceeding financial expectations with $493 million revenue.
## Revenue Growth
Revenue grew 46% year-over-year driven by increased Athena adoption and usage.
## Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA reached $121 million, a 55% year-over-year increase while achieving the Rule of 71.
## GAAP Net Income
GAAP net income was $38 million, representing $0.14 per diluted share compared to a loss of $0.02 in the prior year.
## Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow increased 73% year-over-year to $82 million, reflecting efficient translation of growth into cash.
## Super-Scaled Customers
212 accounts generated at least $1 million in annual revenue, representing 18% year-over-year growth.
## Super-Scaled ARPU
Super-scaled quarterly ARPU grew to $2 million, up 22% year-over-year as customers migrate from AI experimentation to deployment.
## Athena Usage
50% of super-scaled customers use Athena, up from just over 40% in the second quarter.
## Athena Revenue
Athena contributes 70% of total revenue, with top adopters growing revenue over 70%.
## Net Revenue Retention
Net revenue retention for Athena adopters is 110% to 115% range, 500 basis points higher than company average.
## Sales Productivity
Sales pipeline creation per seller increased 32% year-over-year while total quota carrier headcount grew 11% to 203.
## RFP Activity
RFP activity grew over 100% year-over-year, indicating accelerated replacement cycle for legacy marketing technology.
## Code Automation
90% of total code output is automated, reducing time from idea to shipment by 27% and increasing time to first review 300%.
## 2026 Revenue Guidance
2026 revenue guidance raised to $1.853 billion to $1.857 billion, reflecting 42% year-over-year growth.
## 2026 Adjusted EBITDA Guidance
2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance increased to $414.1 million to $415.2 million, a $9.4 million increase from prior expectations.
## 2026 Free Cash Flow Guidance
2026 free cash flow guidance of $270.6 million to $271.6 million represents 64% to 65% conversion from adjusted EBITDA.
## Political Candidate Revenue
$13 million expected in fourth quarter, an increase of $5 million compared to previous guidance.
## Key takeaway

Zeta Global achieved $493 million revenue with 46% year-over-year growth and $121 million adjusted EBITDA, driven by Athena AI adoption.