Owing to its influence over how it has changed the way people use mobile phones and its potential as a mobile ad platform, the iPhone made Adweek’s Digital Hot List for the first time.

The iPhone placed third behind No. 1 Google and No. 2 Facebook.

Here’s what Adweek had to say:

“Yes, it's a piece of hardware. But the iPhone makes the Hot List for single-handedly elevating an entire medium and potentially -- finally -- delivering a robust platform for mobile ads. To date, mobile advertising has been all potential and little payoff, with the average consumer still using his or her cell for calls and texting. Then, this past July, the 3G smartphone model sold 1 million units in its first weekend. With 82 percent of iPhone users accessing the Web, per Nielsen, and 37 percent watching video --10 times the average for mobile users -- more brands are paying attention to the medium, all because of this single, remarkable little machine.”

Adweek’s primary criteria for selection are Web traffic statistics, but it also considers factors such as “influence on the world of digital media, as well as the culture at large; ad innovation and results; and the informed judgment of our best contacts in the ad business.”

This latest accolade indicates Apple is making headway in establishing the iPhone as a dominant mobile computing platform. When the advertising industry takes notice, we’ve moved into new territory.

Others now see moneymaking potential in iPhones that has nothing to do with the selling of the devices and everything to do with how they are used.

Here’s the entire Adweek Digital Hot List:

1. Google
2. Facebook
3. iPhone
4. Hulu
5. Glam
6. YouTube
7. Xbox Live
8. The Huffington Post
9. imeem
10. Stardoll