Growth & Marketing
Google Ads vs. Meta Ads: Which Should You Run First?
This comes up in almost every first conversation with a new client. The short answer: it depends on whether people already know they need what you sell.
Google Ads catches people already looking
Search ads show up when someone types "CRM software for small business" or "real estate agent in [city]" — they already know their need, they're comparing options. This is the better starting point when your product solves an obvious, already-recognized problem.
Meta Ads create demand that didn't exist yet
Instagram and Facebook ads reach people scrolling, not searching — they work by interrupting with something visually compelling enough to stop the scroll. This suits newer products, visually-driven brands, and impulse-friendly price points better than Google's intent-based model.
Budget size should influence the decision too
Google Ads for competitive keywords can get expensive fast in crowded categories; Meta often gives more reach per rupee when starting out, at the cost of lower purchase intent per click. A small first budget usually stretches further on Meta unless your keywords are genuinely low-competition.
The real answer, eventually, is both — sequenced correctly
Most mature accounts run Meta to build awareness and retarget with Google Search to capture the resulting intent. Start with whichever matches today's buying behavior, then add the other once you have budget and a tracking setup solid enough to measure the combination.
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