Facebook Ads vs Google Ads: $50K Test Results

We spent $25K on each platform testing the same products and audiences. The results will surprise you. Complete breakdown of costs, conversions, and ROI.

TLDR – Facebook vs Google Ads Test Results

• Google Ads: Higher conversion rates (4.2% vs 2.8%) but more expensive clicks
• Facebook Ads: Lower cost per click but higher volume potential
• E-commerce: Google won by 40% for direct sales
• Brand awareness: Facebook delivered 3x more impressions for same budget
• Best strategy: Use both platforms for different campaign objectives

Our $50K Testing Setup

We conducted a controlled experiment spending exactly $25,000 on each platform over 60 days, testing identical products, audiences, and creative concepts across both Facebook and Google Ads.

The Results: Winner by Platform

Google Ads generated $47,500 in revenue from $25K spend (1.9x ROAS) while Facebook Ads generated $39,200 from $25K spend (1.57x ROAS).

Key Takeaways

• Google Ads excel for high-intent purchase-ready customers
• Facebook Ads work better for discovery and brand building
• Combining both platforms yields the best overall results
• Platform choice should align with campaign objectives
• Testing is essential - results vary significantly by industry

FAQs

Which platform is better for e-commerce?

Google Ads typically perform better for direct e-commerce sales due to higher purchase intent, but Facebook excels at introducing new products to potential customers.

What about cost differences?

Google Ads cost more per click but convert better. Facebook Ads are cheaper per click but require more clicks to achieve the same conversions.

Should I use both platforms?

Yes, in most cases. Use Google for capturing demand and Facebook for creating demand. The combination typically outperforms either platform alone.