Google Ads vs. Social Media Ads: Which Delivers Better ROI?
In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, businesses are constantly evaluating the most effective platforms for ad spend. Two giants dominate the landscape — Google Ads and Social Media Ads (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.). Each platform offers unique strengths, but when it comes to ROI in 2025, which one truly delivers better results?
At Krita Technosolutions, we’ve partnered with clients across industries to optimize ad performance and maximize returns. In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences, pros and cons, ROI benchmarks, and strategic insights to help you make the right call for your brand.
Understanding Google Ads: The Power of Intent
Google Ads operate on a search intent model — users actively look for solutions, and Google delivers relevant ads based on their queries.
✅ Pros:
- High-intent traffic = higher conversion potential
- Scalable with Search, Display, Shopping & YouTube formats
- Robust tools like Google Analytics & Tag Manager
- Effective for both B2C & B2B marketing
❌ Cons:
- Competitive landscape = higher CPC in some niches
- Requires keyword strategy & continuous optimization
- Complex setup without expert guidance
📈 ROI Potential in 2025:
With AI-powered bidding, Performance Max Campaigns, and hyper-targeted search ads, businesses are unlocking high ROI—especially for bottom-of-funnel (BOFU) campaigns. Ideal for direct sales, high-intent leads, and service-based businesses.
Exploring Social Media Ads: The Power of Discovery
Social Media Ads are based on a discovery model — audiences aren’t searching for your product, but they encounter it while engaging with content.
✅ Pros:
- Visually driven, storytelling-focused formats
- Excellent for brand awareness & community building
- Advanced targeting (interests, behaviors, lookalikes)
- Lower CPC compared to Google in many industries
❌ Cons:
- Lower intent = more nurturing required
- Relies heavily on high-quality creatives
- Ad fatigue & platform algorithm shifts can impact reach
CPC & ROI Comparison – 2025 Averages
- CPC: $1.50 – $6.00
- Conversion Rate: 3.75% – 8%
- ROI: 200% – 400%
Social Media Ads
- CPC: $0.50 – $2.50
- Conversion Rate: 1.5% – 5%
- ROI: 150% – 350%
📝 Note: ROI varies based on creatives, landing pages, retargeting, and campaign strategy.
Best Use Cases for 2025
Google Ads
- High-intent searches: “Buy running shoes online”
- Local targeting: “Dentist near me”
- Display ads for retargeting
- YouTube lead-gen video ads
- New product launches
- Instagram Reels and TikTok videos
- Influencer-powered campaigns
- Lookalike audience scaling
- In-app storefronts (Instagram Shop, TikTok Shop)
Retargeting: The Smartest Move in 2025
The best marketers in 2025 aren’t choosing between platforms — they’re combining both for full-funnel dominance.
Funnel Strategy:
- TOFU: Social media (brand awareness, influencers, video content)
- MOFU: Google Display (educational or benefit-driven content)
- BOFU: Google Search (high-converting, bottom-funnel keywords)
💡 Pro Tip: Retarget social visitors using Google Display for smarter conversions and reduced ad waste.
Case Study: Fashion Brand Success with a Full-Funnel Strategy
A fashion startup approached Krita Technosolutions in early 2025 with a modest ad budget and big growth goals.
What We Did:
- Launched awareness campaigns on Instagram & Facebook
- Retargeted visitors with Google Display Ads
- Captured high-intent traffic via Google Search Ads
Results in Just 3 Months:
- 280% increase in ROI
- 170% boost in website traffic
- 42% reduction in cost-per-sale
Conclusion: Which Platform Wins the ROI Battle in 2025?
There’s no single winner — both Google Ads and Social Media Ads offer impressive ROI when used strategically.
Final Verdict:
✅ Use Google Ads for intent-based, high-conversion traffic ✅ Use Social Media Ads for creative storytelling & reach ✅ Combine both for a complete funnel and maximum ROI
Ready to Craft an Ad Strategy That Works Smarter?
At Krita Technosolutions, we don’t just run ads — we build ROI-driven strategies tailored to your brand, audience, and goals.
Visit: www.kritatechnosolutions.com
Email: contact@kritatechnosolutions.com
Follow us on Instagram: @KritaTechnoSolutions