Paid Ads · 9 min read
Google Ads vs Meta Ads in India: Which Should You Spend On First?
Google Ads catches people who are already searching. Meta Ads creates demand by interrupting people on Instagram and Facebook. For most Indian SMBs, start with Google Ads when intent exists, Meta Ads when it does not.
The simple difference
Google Ads catches existing demand. Someone types 'best dentist in Bandra' and sees your ad. Meta Ads creates demand. Someone scrolls Instagram, sees your reel, and gets curious about your brand.
When Google Ads is the right first move
- Your service is something people search for ('AC repair', 'CA in Pune', 'IELTS coaching').
- You can describe what you sell in 5 to 10 keywords.
- You have a clear local area to target.
When Meta Ads is the right first move
- You sell something visual (food, fashion, beauty, home decor, restaurants).
- People do not search for your category yet (new D2C brand, new app).
- You have good photos or video.
Real Indian cost per lead ranges
| Category | Google CPL | Meta CPL |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | ₹40 to ₹150 | ₹15 to ₹60 |
| Clinics | ₹120 to ₹400 | ₹80 to ₹250 |
| Real estate | ₹400 to ₹1,500 | ₹150 to ₹600 |
| Edtech | ₹250 to ₹1,200 | ₹120 to ₹500 |
| D2C apparel | ₹80 to ₹250 | ₹40 to ₹150 |
| B2B SaaS | ₹500 to ₹3,000 | ₹300 to ₹1,200 |
These are typical ranges, not promises. Your numbers depend on creative, landing page, and bid strategy.
How to start with each
Google: One Search campaign, three ad groups, single keyword theme per ad group, conversion tracking on day one. Start with ₹500/day. Use our UTM builder to track properly.
Meta: One ad set with broad targeting, three to five creative variants, conversion or lead-form objective. Start with ₹500/day.
How to know it is working
Watch CPL, conversion rate, and quality of leads. Use our ROAS calculator to keep score honestly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I run both?
What budget do I need to start?
Can I run Google Ads myself?
Want this done for your business?
If reading this made you think "yes, but I do not have the time", that is exactly what we do. Tell us about your business and we will reply with a real plan in 1 working day.