Google Ads vs. SMM: What are the major differences between both?

Google Ads and SMM (social media marketing) are two different advertising strategies that businesses can use to promote their products or services. While they share some similarities, there are also some key differences between the two.

Here are some major differences between Google Ads and SMM:

Platform:

Google Ads are displayed on the Google search engine results page, while SMM ads are displayed on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Audience Targeting:

Google Ads primarily target users based on their search intent and behavior, while SMM ads target users based on their demographics, interests, and behaviors on social media.

Ad Formats:

Google Ads offers various ad formats, including text ads, display ads, shopping ads, and video ads. SMM ads offer formats such as image ads, video ads, carousel ads, and story ads.

Cost:

Google Ads typically follow a pay-per-click (PPC) model, where advertisers only pay when someone clicks on their ad. SMM advertising, on the other hand, can follow a cost-per-click (CPC) or cost-per-impression (CPM) model.

Intent:

Google Ads typically target users who are searching for something specific, while SMM ads target users who may not be actively looking for a product or service.

Stage of the Buyer's Journey:

Google Ads tend to target users who are in the consideration or purchase stage of the buyer's journey, while SMM ads may target users in any stage of the buyer's journey.

In summary, Google Ads and SMM are both effective advertising strategies but have different strengths and weaknesses. Google Ads are great for targeting users who are actively searching for a product or service, while SMM can help businesses reach a wider audience and target users based on their interests and behaviors on social media. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on the specific goals of the business.