Facebook Ads and Google Ads are both online advertising platforms that allow businesses to create and display online ads to potential customers. Facebook Ads allows businesses to create and display ads to a highly targeted audience based on demographics, interests, behaviors and more. Ads can be displayed in a variety of formats, including images, videos, carousels and more. Facebook Ads can appear on Facebook itself, as well as on Instagram and other websites and apps that are part of the Facebook Audience Network.
Google Ads, on the other hand, allows businesses to display ads on Google’s search results pages and on a network of websites and apps that partner with Google. Ads can be displayed in different formats, such as text, images and videos. Google Ads also offers various targeting options, including keywords, demographics, interests and more. With both Facebook Ads and Google Ads, businesses can set a budget, track performance and optimize their campaigns to achieve their advertising goals.
Google Ads vs Facebook Ads Pricing
As you can see, Google Ads have a higher CPC (cost-per-click) and lower conversion rate compared to Facebook Ads. However, they have a much higher CTR (click-through rate), which means you get more clicks and possibly more purchases, which basically makes up for the CPC and conversion rate. Moreover, because Google Ads targets users who have already prepared their wallets for a purchase, you will see an immediate return on your investment.
Converting the leads you’ve captured through Facebook Ads usually takes a bit more time because most of the audience probably just heard about your brand for the first time. There is another thing that will affect your spending – competition. Since both Facebook Ads and Google Ads use auctions to determine the advertiser, fierce competition means you’ll probably have to spend a little more to secure your ad space on the platform.
Google Ads vs Facebook Ads: Comparison Table
| Category | Google Ads | Facebook Ads |
|---|---|---|
| Ad placement | Search engine results pages (SERPs), Google Display Network (GDN), YouTube, Gmail | Facebook, Instagram, Audience Network |
| Ad format | Text ads, image ads, video ads, responsive ads, shopping ads | Image ads, video ads, carousel ads, slideshow ads, collection ads, instant experience ads |
| Targeting | Keywords, demographics, location, device, interests, behavior | Demographics, location, interests, behavior, connections, custom audiences, lookalike audiences |
| Cost | Cost-per-click (CPC), cost-per-thousand impressions (CPM), cost-per-acquisition (CPA) | Cost-per-click (CPC), cost-per-thousand impressions (CPM), cost-per-action (CPA) |
| Reach | Large audience size, but lower ad engagement rates | Smaller audience size, but higher ad engagement rates |
| Ad performance tracking | Conversion tracking, Google Analytics integration | Conversion tracking, Facebook Pixel, Facebook Analytics |
| Audience engagement | Users actively searching for products or services | Users passively scrolling through social media feeds |
| Best for | Businesses targeting users with high intent to purchase | Businesses looking to increase brand awareness and engage with potential customers |
| Official Link | Visit Website | Visit Website |
Google Ads vs Facebook Ads User interface
Facebook Ads and Google Ads have different user interfaces, each with its own strengths and weaknesses Facebook Ads has a user-friendly interface with a modern design that makes it easy to navigate and create ads. The platform allows users to create campaigns, ad sets and ads in a step-by-step process. It also offers a range of tools to help users create and optimize their ads, such as a text overlay tool, an image cropping tool and an ad preview tool. Facebook Ads also offers extensive targeting options based on demographics, interests, behavior and more.
Google Ads, on the other hand, has a more complex interface that takes some getting used to. However, once users understand how it works, it offers a powerful set of tools and features for creating and optimizing ads. The platform allows users to create campaigns, ad groups and ads and provide extensive targeting options based on keywords, demographics, location and more. Google Ads also offers advanced tools for tracking conversions and measuring ad performance.
Google Ads vs Facebook Ads Customer Service
Unlike the previous categories, this category has a clear winner – Google Ads. For starters, it offers phone support, which many users find very valuable when they need to communicate a problem they have. The support team also has a good reputation in the industry and can even contact you from time to time with an idea on how to optimize your ad campaign. Both platforms offer live chat support and help centers, but Facebook has email support, unlike Google.
Google Ads vs Facebook Ads Ease of use
Facebook Ads and Google Ads differ in their ease of use for advertisers. Facebook Ads has a user-friendly interface with a modern design that makes it easy to navigate and create ads. The platform offers a step-by-step process for creating campaigns, ad sets and ads, with a range of tools to help users create and optimize their ads. Facebook Ads also offers extensive targeting options based on demographics, interests, behavior and more.
Google Ads, on the other hand, has a more complex interface that takes some getting used to. However, once users understand how it works, it offers a powerful set of tools and features for creating and optimizing ads. With Google Ads, users can create campaigns, ad groups and ads and provide extensive targeting options based on keywords, demographics, location and more. Google Ads also offers advanced tools for tracking conversions and measuring ad performance.
Google Ads vs Facebook Ads Features
Facebook Ads and Google Ads offer various features and tools for advertisers to set up, manage and optimize their ad campaigns. Here are some of the key features of each platform:
Facebook Ads:
- Ad formats: Image, video, carousel, slideshow, collection, playable and more.
- Targeting options: Demographics, interests, behaviors, custom audiences, lookalike audiences and more.
- Ad placement: Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Audience Network and more.
- Optimization options: Automatic placements, manual placements and delivery optimization.
- Reporting and analytics: Detailed performance metrics, conversion tracking and custom reporting.
Google Ads:
- Ad formats: Text, image, video, responsive ads and more.
- Targeting options: Keywords, demographics, location, device and more.
- Ad placement: Google Search, Google Display Network, YouTube, Google Maps and more.
- Optimization options: Smart campaigns, manual bidding and ad scheduling.
- Reporting and analytics: Detailed performance metrics, conversion tracking, Google Analytics integration and more.
Google Ads vs Facebook Ads Performance
The performance of Facebook Ads and Google Ads can vary based on a number of factors, including the advertiser’s goals, targeting, ad creation and budget. Facebook Ads can be particularly effective for advertisers looking to reach large and engaged audiences on social media. The platform’s targeting options allow advertisers to reach specific demographics and interests, which can result in higher engagement rates and conversions. Facebook Ads can also be cost-effective, with lower costs per click and impression than Google Ads in some cases.
On the other hand, Google Ads can be more effective for advertisers who want to capture users’ intent when they are actively searching for products or services. The platform’s targeting options based on keywords and location can lead to highly relevant ads that drive conversions. Google Ads can also offer more advanced tracking and measurement tools, including integration with Google Analytics, which can provide valuable insights into ad campaign performance.
Google Ads: Pros and Cons
Pros
- High intent targeting based on search queries
- Highly measurable and trackable results
- Ability to set and control budget and bid amounts
Cons
- Can be expensive, particularly for competitive keywords
- Can require a steep learning curve to fully optimize campaigns
- Ad fatigue and banner blindness can lead to lower engagement rates over time
Facebook Ads: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Large audience size and ability to target specific demographics, interests, and behaviors
- Ability to use retargeting and lookalike audiences for increased conversions
- Lower cost per click compared to Google Ads
Cons
- Ad fatigue and declining organic reach can lead to decreased engagement
- Ad targeting can be less effective for B2B or niche markets
- Requires frequent testing and optimization to achieve optimal results.
Which one should you consider?
Facebook Ads and Google Ads are two of the most popular and effective online advertising platforms currently available to businesses. While both platforms offer powerful targeting and optimization options, they differ in their approaches and strengths.Facebook Ads and Google Ads depends on the advertiser’s specific goals, audience and budget. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each platform, businesses can make informed decisions and create effective advertising campaigns that deliver results.
FAQs
The choice between Facebook Ads and Google Ads depends on your company’s audience, industry and business goals. Usually, Google Ads are better for making sales, while Facebook Ads are better for building brand awareness and connecting with customers.
Google Ads is the more expensive option. But this still makes sense for businesses with expensive products looking for conversions. Facebook Ads, on the other hand, is more about attracting attention with creative ads and getting the word out about your products or services.
