This article is for you if you:
- Only run one platform and are considering adding the other
- Run both and want to optimize budget allocation
- Want to understand the fundamental difference between the platforms
- Have a limited budget and need to prioritize
Google Ads: Strengths
1. High intent
People searching "buy hiking boots women size 38" are ready to buy. Intent = higher conversion rate.
2. Captures existing demand
If people are already searching for your product or category, Google is where you capture them.
3. Shopping Ads
Google Shopping shows your product with image and price directly in search results. Perfect for e-commerce.
4. Performance Max
Google's AI-driven campaign type combines Search, Shopping, Display, YouTube and Discovery in one campaign.
Google Ads: Weaknesses
1. Limited demand
You can only capture what people are searching for. If no one searches for your product, Google won't help.
2. Keyword competition
Popular keywords are expensive.
3. Requires search volume
Niche products with low search volume get limited reach.
4. Less visual
Shopping Ads aside — Google is primarily text-based. Hard to show a product's appeal.
Meta Ads: Strengths
1. Creates demand
Meta can introduce your product to people who didn't know they wanted it. Demand generation.
2. Visual platform
Images and video show the product's value. Perfect for aesthetic and visual products.
3. Broad reach
~4 million Danes on Facebook/Instagram. You can reach virtually everyone.
4. Advanced targeting via creatives
More advanced and precise targeting via creatives and ads. The algorithm finds the right people based on your content.
5. Retargeting
Meta is still the king of retargeting. Dynamic product ads perform consistently.
Meta Ads: Weaknesses
1. Lower intent
People are browsing — they're not actively searching. Requires more persuasion.
2. Attribution challenges
View-through attribution can be unclear. iOS restrictions have affected tracking.
3. Creative-intensive
Constant need for new content. Ad fatigue is real.
4. Rising CPM
Competition pushes prices up, especially during peak periods.
Prioritize Google if:
- People actively search for your product or category
- You sell in an established category (shoes, electronics, furniture)
- Your product solves a known problem
- Your price is competitive (Shopping compares)
- You have high margins to pay for expensive keywords
Google-strong categories:
- Electronics and gadgets
- Home decor and furniture
- Professional equipment
- Spare parts and accessories
- B2B products
- Services and local businesses
When should you prioritize Meta?
Prioritize Meta if:
- Your product is new or unknown
- Visual appeal is crucial (fashion, beauty, jewelry)
- You sell impulse purchases
- Your target audience is under 45
- You want to build brand awareness
- Search volume in your category is low
Meta-strong categories:
- Fashion and accessories
- Beauty and skincare
- Jewelry
- Fitness and wellness
- Food and beverages
- Lifestyle products
For most e-commerce brands the answer is both platforms — but with different roles.
Typical budget allocation
- Discovery product (fashion, beauty)
→ Meta: 70–80%
→ Google: 20–30%
- Balanced (lifestyle, home)
→ Meta: 50–60%
→ Google: 40–50%
- High-intent (electronics, B2B)
→ Meta: 30–40%
→ Google: 60–70%
How they work together
Meta's role:
- Top-of-funnel awareness
- Introduce the product to new audiences
- Build brand and consideration
- Retarget website visitors
Google's role:
- Capture branded searches (people who know you)
- Capture category searches (people searching for the solution)
- Shopping Ads for product display
- Capture high-intent traffic
Synergy effect:
- Meta introduces the brand → user searches on Google
- Google captures the search → conversion
- Attribution shows Google as "last click" — but Meta started the journey
Important: If you only look at last-click attribution, you're underestimating Meta's contribution. Use multi-touch attribution or incrementality tests.
Tracking and attribution
The platforms report differently — and both over-report.
Google:
- Default: Last-click attribution
- Conservative view-through
- Typically more accurate for direct conversions
Meta:
- Default: 7-day click, 1-day view
- Includes view-through (can inflate numbers)
- Challenged by iOS privacy
Best practice:
- Implement server-side tracking on both platforms
- Use third-party attribution (Triple Whale, Northbeam) for a complete picture
- Look at blended metrics: nCAC, MER, contribution margin
- Run incrementality tests to understand real impact
Budget allocation in practice
Phase 1: Test (0–100K DKK/mo.)
→ Choose primary platform based on product/category
→ Allocate 70–80% to primary
→ Test secondary with 20–30%
Phase 2: Scaling (100–300K DKK/mo.)
→ Balance based on performance data
→ Scale winners on both platforms
→ Test new campaign types (PMax, ASC)
Phase 3: Optimization (300K+ DKK/mo.)
→ Fine-tuned allocation based on incrementality
→ Platform-specific creative strategy
→ Advanced attribution setup
As both a Meta Badged Partner and Google Partner we have experience orchestrating both platforms for maximum synergy.
We help e-commerce brands to:
- Assess the right platform allocation
- Set up campaigns that complement each other
- Implement cross-platform tracking
- Optimize budget allocation based on data
With 202+ million DKK in managed ad spend across Google and Meta we know how the platforms work together — not just in isolation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I only run one platform?
Yes, but you're probably leaving money on the table. The platforms solve different problems. For most brands the combination performs better.
2. How much budget do I need to run both?
Minimum 30,000–40,000 DKK/mo. combined. Below that it may make sense to focus on one platform first.
3. Which platform should I start with?
Depends on your product. Visual/discovery → Meta first. High-intent/search-heavy → Google first.
4. Do Google and Meta cannibalize each other?
Partially — branded searches on Google are often driven by Meta. But that's okay. You capture the conversion. Use incrementality tests to understand the overlap.
5. What about TikTok?
TikTok is a third dimension. Read our article: Meta Ads vs. TikTok Ads






































