Native Advertising vs Google AdWords: Which One Will Skyrocket Your… Native Advertising vs Google AdWords: Which One Will Skyrocket Your Traffic?

NATIVE ADVERTISING VS GOOGLE ADWORDS: WHICH ONE WILL SKYROCKET YOUR TRAFFIC?

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Introduction

When you enter the world of online advertising, you have many options to drive traffic to your website. Two popular choices are Native Advertising and Google AdWords, now known as Google Ads, each with its own advantages and methods to reach your audience.

Native Advertising

Native Advertising subtly blends in with the platform it's on, providing value through content that appears as a natural part of the user's browsing experience. From sponsored content on social media feeds to recommended articles on news websites, native ads are designed to educate and engage rather than disrupt. In fact, some successful native advertising campaigns have had a significant impact on different industries.

Google AdWords (now Google Ads)

On the other hand, Google Ads is a powerful tool for paid traffic sources, leveraging the massive search volume of Google. It allows you to place display ads and search ads across the extensive network of Google-affiliated sites, offering advanced targeting options and supporting retargeting strategies that keep your brand in people's minds.

Selecting between Native Advertising vs Google Ads depends on matching with your marketing strategy's main goals. The right choice can significantly increase your traffic and conversion rates, so it's important to understand each platform's details. By exploring these options further, you'll be well-prepared to make an informed decision that drives your online presence forward.

Understanding Native Advertising


Native advertising is a form of paid media where the ad experience follows the natural form and function of the user experience in which it is placed. Unlike traditional ads, native ads don't really look like ads at first glance. They're designed to blend in with the content that surrounds them, often providing valuable information or entertainment. This approach can lead to higher engagement rates as it doesn't disrupt the user's online experience.

Different Forms of Native Ads

Native advertising comes in various forms, catering to different platforms and objectives:

Content Recommendation Ads

These are typically seen at the bottom of articles, suggesting additional content you might like.

Branded Content

This involves a partnership between a publisher and an advertiser to create content that is both promotional and entertaining.

In-Feed Units

Social media platforms utilize these, where ads appear in the flow of newsfeeds on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Promoted Listings

Found on e-commerce sites, they look just like regular listings but are actually paid advertisements.

Benefits of Utilizing Native Advertising

When used on social media platforms and search engines, native advertising offers significant benefits:

  • Higher Engagement: Since ads resemble regular content, users are more likely to engage with them.
  • Targeted Reach: Native ads can be tailored to fit the context of the site or platform, reaching your audience when they're most receptive.
  • Cost Efficiency: You often see lower cost per click (CPC) given their non-disruptive nature which can lead to better campaign ROI.

For advertisers looking to enhance their campaigns, Anstrex Native offers insights into profitable native ad strategies. By analyzing what works for competitors using their platform, you can refine your own native advertising efforts for maximum impact.

By understanding the landscape of native advertising and its inherent advantages on popular platforms, you're well-equipped to decide whether this approach aligns with your brand's marketing objectives.

Exploring Google AdWords


When you start exploring online advertising, Google AdWords, now known as Google Ads, stands out as an excellent platform. Its comprehensive system allows advertisers to place ads across Google's vast network including search results, websites, videos, and mobile apps.

Google AdWords has two main types of ads:

  1. Display Ads: These visual-based ads appear on a network of sites across the internet, including Google-owned properties like YouTube. Display ads can take various forms such as banners, images, and interactive media. They are particularly effective for building brand awareness and capturing the attention of users who are browsing content related to your industry or interests.
  2. Search Ads: Unlike display ads that show up alongside content, search ads are shown to users actively searching for keywords related to your products or services. These text-based ads appear at the top or bottom of Google Search results, providing immediate visibility and a higher intent to engage from potential customers.

Both display and search ads within Google AdWords can be used for retargeting campaigns. Retargeting is a powerful strategy that targets individuals who have previously interacted with your website or mobile app. This is done through cookies that track user behavior, allowing you to show highly relevant ads to an audience that has already shown interest in your offerings.

Benefits of Retargeting with Google Ads

By using retargeting within Google Ads, you can:

  1. Re-engage past visitors with personalized messages
  2. Increase conversion rates by reminding users of products they viewed
  3. Drive sales through focused and personalized advertising efforts

Retargeting campaigns are important for staying top-of-mind with potential customers throughout different stages of the buying process. With precise targeting capabilities, Google AdWords provides advertisers a dynamic set of tools to recapture the attention of their audience and guide them back into the sales funnel.

The flexibility of Google AdWords makes it a versatile choice for achieving specific goals—from increasing brand recognition with display ads to driving conversions through targeted search advertising and retargeting efforts.

Comparing the Strengths of Native Advertising and Google AdWords


When we look at the strengths of native advertising and the flexibility of Google Ads, we can see that each has its own advantages based on their unique approaches and goals.

Native Advertising: Blending with User Experience

  • Seamless Integration: Native ads are designed to look and function like the media format they appear in. Users often interact with them just like regular content, creating a smooth user experience.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Native ads usually have a lower cost per click (CPC) compared to other online ads. This makes them a great choice for brands who want to get the most out of their ad budget.
  • Higher Engagement: Because native ads are relevant to the content around them, they tend to get more clicks. This increases the chances of driving more traffic to your website.

Google Ads: Precision and Variety

  • Precise Targeting: With Google Ads, advertisers can target specific audiences based on factors like demographics, interests, search history, and even previous interactions with their website.
  • Diverse Ad Formats: Google offers a wide range of ad formats such as display ads, video ads, and shopping ads. This allows advertisers to choose the format that best suits their marketing goals and creative preferences.
  • Retargeting Capabilities: One of the key features of Google Ads is its ability to retarget users who have visited your site but didn't take any action. This can help in re-engaging those users and potentially converting them into customers.

These main differences show us that while native advertising is great for user experience and cost efficiency, Google Ads is excellent when it comes to precise targeting and having various ad formats. Both strategies have their own strengths which can be used depending on specific campaign goals and audience preferences.

As you read further, think about how these strengths align with your marketing goals. The next sections will provide more details on how to make smart decisions about your paid traffic strategy and effectively implement the methods you choose.

Choosing the Right Approach for Your Paid Traffic: Considerations to Make


Selecting the optimal paid traffic source between native advertising and Google Ads demands a strategic examination of several key factors. Here are the considerations vital to making an informed decision:

Target Audience Preferences

  • Demographics: Age, gender, location, and income play a crucial role in determining which platform your audience frequents.
  • Behavioral Insights: Analyze how your target audience interacts with different types of content. Do they engage more with content that blends into their browsing experience or respond better to direct advertisements?
  • Platform Usage: Certain platforms may naturally align with your target demographics. For instance, if your audience spends a significant amount of time on social media, native advertising on these platforms could yield higher engagement.

Campaign Budget Allocation

  • Cost Structure: Native advertising often offers cost efficiency through higher engagement rates. Assess whether a lower cost per click aligns with your budget constraints.
  • Ad Spend Flexibility: Google Ads allows for detailed control over ad spend. Determine if the ability to adjust bids for specific keywords or times of day is crucial for your budget management.
  • Return on Investment (ROI): Consider past campaign data or industry benchmarks to estimate the potential ROI from each platform, ensuring that your budget is allocated effectively.

Conversion Goals Clarity

  • Lead Generation vs. Brand Awareness: If immediate conversions are a priority, Google Ads may provide quicker results through intent-based search ads. For long-term brand awareness, native ads can nurture customer relationships subtly over time.
  • Measurable Outcomes: Define clear conversion goals and ensure you have the tools to measure them. Whether it's tracking form submissions or monitoring website traffic increases, select the platform that best supports goal tracking.
  • Funnel Positioning: Evaluate where in the sales funnel your paid traffic strategy will focus. Top-of-the-funnel strategies may benefit from native advertising's informative approach, while bottom-of-the-funnel may leverage Google Ads' targeting capabilities.

By carefully considering these elements, you position your marketing campaign for maximum impact. The next step involves implementing your chosen strategy effectively—crafting campaigns that resonate with your audience and align with your marketing objectives.

Implementing Your Chosen Strategy


When you've decided to leverage the power of native advertising, setting up a successful campaign requires thoughtful planning and strategic execution. Here's a detailed guide on how to launch your native ad campaign effectively.

Step-by-Step Guide for Launching a Native Ad Campaign

  1. Identify Your Objectives: Clearly define what you aim to achieve with your native advertising campaign, be it brand awareness, lead generation, or direct sales.
  2. Select Your Platforms: Choose content discovery platforms that align with your target audience. Popular options include Taboola, Outbrain, and Sharethrough.
  3. Craft Your Message: Design ad creatives that resonate with your audience. The message should be consistent with the platform’s content and encourage readers to engage.
  4. Set Budget and Bidding: Determine your budget and bid strategy based on your campaign goals and the competitive landscape of the chosen platform.
  5. Launch and Monitor: Deploy your campaign with targeted in-feed units or content recommendation widgets and monitor performance metrics regularly.

Choosing Content Discovery Platforms

Research extensively to determine which platforms host your audience. Look for platforms where users are already engaged in content consumption related to your niche.

Designing Native Ad Creatives

Your ad creatives should blend seamlessly into the platform while still standing out enough to draw attention. Use high-quality images and ensure that headlines are intriguing without being clickbait. The goal is to provide value that prompts users to learn more about your offering.

Best Practices for Engagement

  • Use A/B testing to refine headlines, images, and call-to-actions.
  • Align content with user intent by understanding platform demographics.
  • Optimize landing pages to ensure a fluid user experience post-click.

Examples of Effective Sponsored Content Ads

Sponsored content ads should tell a story that invites readers into a conversation rather than pushing them towards a transaction. For instance, a financial services company might sponsor an article about “10 Key Investment Strategies for Millennials” on a popular finance blog, which subtly incorporates their services within the narrative.

Content Recommendation Widgets

Leverage widgets at the end of articles or alongside related content to suggest additional reading that includes your sponsored articles. These widgets can significantly increase engagement as they capture users when they are already in 'content consumption' mode.

By adhering to these steps and best practices, you can craft native ad campaigns resonant with your audience's interests and behaviors, thereby enhancing engagement and driving more traffic to your site or offers.

Monitoring and Optimizing Ad Performance


Monitoring ad campaign performance is a critical part of any digital advertising strategy. By closely tracking the right metrics, you can:

  • Understand your audience's behavior
  • Measure how effective your ads are
  • Make data-driven decisions to improve future campaigns

Why Monitoring Performance Matters

Without a strong monitoring system, you won't know if your ads are successful or not. Regularly checking key performance indicators (KPIs) gives you the flexibility to change strategies and improve your message for your target audience.

Key Metrics to Track

To see how well your ads are doing, pay attention to these important metrics:

1. Click-Through Rates (CTRs)

CTR shows the percentage of people who clicked on your ad after seeing it. This metric tells you how engaging your ad is and how well it grabs attention.

2. Conversions

Conversions are actions that you want people to take after clicking on your ad. It could be making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or filling out a contact form. Tracking conversions helps you measure how effective your ads are at driving desired actions.

3. Cost Per Click (CPC) & Cost Per Acquisition (CPA)

Understanding the costs per click and per conversion gives you insight into the financial efficiency of your campaigns.

4. Return on Ad Spend (ROAS)

ROAS calculates the revenue generated for every dollar spent on advertising. This metric helps you understand the profitability of your ads.

5. Engagement Metrics

For native advertising, engagement such as time spent on site and social shares can be just as important as clicks and conversions.

Conversion tracking tools and analytics platforms make it easy to monitor these metrics by collecting and reporting data in real-time. Google Analytics, integrated with Google Ads or other native ad platforms, can provide a complete picture of how users interact with your ads across different channels.

How to Optimize Your Ads

By regularly reviewing these metrics, you can:

  • Spot trends and patterns
  • Identify what resonates best with different parts of your audience
  • Improve your approach accordingly

Based on the performance data, you can make adjustments such as:

  • Refining your targeting parameters
  • Updating your ad creatives
  • Allocating more budget to high-performing ads

Remember, optimization is an ongoing process. By continuously tracking and making changes, you can ensure that your ad campaigns are always performing at their best.

Conclusion


Choosing between Native Advertising and Google AdWords is a crucial decision that aligns with your marketing goals. Understand that each paid traffic source has its own advantages that can enhance your brand's visibility and interaction.

  • Native Advertising is ideal for creating an immersive experience that seamlessly blends with the platform it appears on. Its strengths lie in non-disruptive promotion, higher engagement rates, and support for content marketing initiatives.
  • Google AdWords stands out with its precise targeting options and flexibility across different ad formats. It works exceptionally well for retargeting campaigns, capturing the attention of people who have previously engaged with your brand.

Your decision should be based on specific campaign objectives and how your target audience consumes content. Analyze the online behavior of your customers, their preferences, and their interaction with advertisements.

Combining Native Advertising with Google AdWords can be powerful, as they complement different stages of the customer journey.

Remember to continuously adapt and optimize your digital advertising strategy by leveraging insights from ad performance analysis. This will help you achieve significant growth in website traffic and conversions, ultimately maximizing your marketing ROI.

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