Google Ads vs Facebook Ads: Which Platform Should You Choose?

facebook ads vs google ads

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.

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