Google Ads vs Facebook Ads: Which Platform Should You Choose?
Think of it like fishing in two different ponds.
Google Ads = Fishing where hungry fish are actively looking for food
Facebook Ads = Fishing where fish are relaxing and socializing but may salivate when they see good food !
The Core Difference
Google Ads (Search Intent): People are actively searching for solutions. They type “best accounting software” or “pizza delivery near me” — they want to buy NOW.
Facebook Ads (Social Intent): People are scrolling, chatting, watching videos. They’re not actively shopping, but they might discover something interesting and desire to buy it
When to Use Google Ads
✓ Emergency Services: “Plumber near me” — someone has a burst pipe RIGHT NOW
✓ High-Intent Products: “Buy iPhone 15” — they know exactly what they want
✓ Local Businesses: “Italian restaurant downtown” — ready to make a reservation
✓ B2B Services: “CRM software for small business” — actively researching solutions
Real Example: A locksmith gets 80% of their business from Google Ads because people search “emergency locksmith” when they’re locked out.
When to Use Facebook Ads
✓ New Products: Introducing something people don’t know they need yet
✓ Lifestyle Brands: Fashion, fitness, home decor — impulse purchases
✓ Broad Audiences: Targeting parents, fitness enthusiasts, entrepreneurs , etc
✓ Visual Products: Food, travel destinations, anything that looks amazing in photos
Real Example: A meal prep company uses Facebook Ads to target busy professionals with mouth-watering food videos. They create demand rather than capture existing demand.
Think Demand Fulfilment ( google ) vs Demand Generation ( facebook )
Platform Strengths
Google Ads Wins At: • Higher conversion rates (people ready to buy) • Capturing demand that already exists • Local and urgent searches • B2B & B2C lead generation
Facebook Ads Wins At: • Lower cost per click • Detailed audience targeting (interests, behaviors, demographics) • Building brand awareness • Retargeting website visitors
Smart Examples of using both
E-commerce Store: Use Google Ads for product searches (“wireless headphones”) + Facebook Ads to retarget visitors who visited your website but didn’t buy.
Fitness Coach: Use Facebook Ads to share transformation stories and build audience + Google Ads to capture “personal trainer near me” searches.
Software Company: Use Google Ads for high-intent keywords (“project management tool”) + Facebook Ads to educate market about the problem you solve.
Key Learnings
✓ Google Ads = Harvest demand that exists
✓ Facebook Ads = Create demand that doesn’t exist yet
✓ Best results often come from using both platforms strategically
✓ Test small, measure results, then scale what works
The Bottom Line
Don’t choose one or the other — choose based on WHERE your customers are in their buying journey ( Ref : https://lnks.abillionpeople.com/AIDAFunnel )
Early stage awareness? Start with Facebook. Ready to buy? Capture them on Google. Want maximum impact? Use both together.