Answers
What's the difference between Google Ads and SEO?
Google Ads and SEO represent complementary approaches to search visibility with distinct characteristics:
Google Ads:
- Delivers immediate visibility for targeted keywords
- Provides precise control over messaging and positioning
- Offers granular audience targeting capabilities
- Scales quickly based on budget adjustments
- Works well for competitive terms with high commercial intent
- Requires ongoing investment to maintain visibility
SEO:
- Builds sustainable organic visibility over time
- Develops cumulative authority that compounds in value
- Typically delivers lower cost-per-acquisition at scale
- Covers broader query range including informational searches
- Builds credibility through earned rather than paid positioning
- Continues generating value after initial investment
Most businesses benefit from an integrated approach that leverages both channels. We often recommend using Google Ads to capture high-intent commercial queries while developing SEO for informational content and long-tail opportunities. This combined strategy maximizes total search visibility while optimizing overall marketing efficiency.