Former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Democratic groups using Bloomberg money to launch M in Spanish language ads in Florida Harris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle MORE is surging ahead of his 2020 Democratic rivals in digital ad spending, according to The Hill’s analysis of the latest data from Facebook and Google.

Biden’s campaign spent $238,560 on Facebook advertising between May 5 and May 11, according to figures released on Sunday.

This far outstripped the second-place advertiser, Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenDimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' CNN's Don Lemon: 'Blow up the entire system' remark taken out of context Democrats shoot down talk of expanding Supreme Court MORE (D-Mass.), with $88,048. Sen. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Nearly 40 Democratic senators call for climate change questions in debates Joe Biden has long forgotten North Carolina: Today's visit is too late MORE (D-Calif.) ranked third in spending with a $77,880 outlay.

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In the most recent figures from Google, Biden’s ad spending at the search giant— $123,400 for the week of April 28 — is almost twice as large as that of his nearest rival among the major candidates.

South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Hillicon Valley: FBI, DHS warn that foreign hackers will likely spread disinformation around election results | Social media platforms put muscle into National Voter Registration Day | Trump to meet with Republican state officials on tech liability shield MORE (D) spent $63,400 with Google the same week. Harris was again third, with a Google ad spend of $53,600.

The vast spending by Biden on digital advertising is at odds with his image as an old-school politician more comfortable with stump speeches, union halls and retail politics than the brave new digital world.

But it also shows the strength of his early fundraising and demonstrates how Biden’s campaign is seeking to copper-fasten his status as the sole front-runner in the race.

There are caveats, to be sure.

A top-tier candidate who already has a strong social media presence may feel less reliant on paid advertising, trusting that their existing network can disseminate their chosen message in a more organic way.

For example, Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersOutrage erupts over Breonna Taylor grand jury ruling Dimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' Grand jury charges no officers in Breonna Taylor death MORE (I-Vt.) has far more followers across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram than any other Democratic candidate, including Biden. Sanders’s campaign spent a negligible amount on Google advertising — just $1,700 — in the latest weekly figures.

The Sanders campaign’s spending on Facebook ads for the week of May 5-May 11 is not yet available, but it spent $55,687 the previous week. This was the fourth-largest spend among the major contenders, behind Biden, Harris and Warren.

A Sanders spokesperson declined to comment on his digital strategy.

For the moment, most campaign advertising across the Democratic field seems aimed at spurring fundraising. The most recent Biden ad shown in Facebook’s “ad library” is a 15-second low-fi video of the former vice president seeking donations.

Warren is running an ad where she is calling one supporter, William, on her cell phone — a not-so-subtle reminder that she has been more assertive than other candidates in refusing even to countenance high-dollar fundraising events.

Harris’s ads couch her fundraising appeals in terms of pushing back on Trump’s agenda.

The data from both companies also points out an early gulf in spending between top-tier Democrats and other hopefuls, including sitting senators.

In the past two weeks, for example, Biden’s campaign has spent about $553,000 on Facebook advertising, more than ten times as much as Sen. Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE (D-N.J.), who has spent $51,350, and about 50 times as much as Sen. Amy Klobuchar Amy KlobucharSocial media platforms put muscle into National Voter Registration Day Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight Sunday shows - Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death dominates MORE’s (D-Minn.) $11,877.

President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE is already advertising heavily on social media. Trump spent $107,824 in Facebook advertising last week. The total was larger than any of the Democratic contenders other than Biden.

The Make America Great Again Committee — the joint operation that brings together Trump’s reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee — spent $69,300 on Google ads in the most recent week for which data is available, which, again, was second only to Biden.

Cumulatively, the pro-Trump committee has spent more than $4.3 million on Google advertising, far more than any Democratic candidate — though the figure for the president is skewed because this includes spending in advance of last year’s midterm elections.

Facebook Ad Spending by Major Democratic Candidates, May 5-11*

Former Vice President Joe Biden $238,560

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) $88,048

Sen. Kamala Harris (Calif.) $77,880

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Suburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits MORE (N.Y.) $36,876

Mayor Pete Buttigieg $13,525

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.)$6,392

Sen. Cory Booker (N.J.) $4,287

*Figures for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) were not available as of 1:30 p.m. Monday

Google Ad Spending by Major Democratic Candidates, week beginning April 28

Former Vice President Joe Biden: $123,400

Mayor Pete Buttigieg $63,400

Sen. Kamala Harris (Calif.) $53,600

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) $33,500

Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (Texas) $6,800

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) $4,500

Sen. Cory Booker (N.J.) $3,500

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) $2,800

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) $1,700