ChatGPT Ads vs Google Ads

Lia Bartley

Google Ads has been the heavyweight of online advertising for years. ChatGPT Ads, meanwhile, is the new kid on the block, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth paying attention to, because it absolutely is.

The question is, should you stick with Google, jump into ChatGPT Ads, or use both? Let’s break it down.

Google Ads: Tried, tested and very good at finding buyers

Google Ads works mainly by targeting keywords. In simple terms, someone types something into Google, advertisers compete to have their advert shown, and the winner gets a chance to earn that all-important click.

This makes Google particularly powerful when people already know what they want.
If someone searches for “emergency plumber near me”, for example, they’re probably not conducting a relaxed academic study into plumbing. There’s a decent chance something is currently leaking.

Google also offers detailed targeting, conversion tracking and years of advertising data, which makes it easier for businesses to measure what they’re spending and what they’re getting back.

ChatGPT Ads: Advertising in the conversation

ChatGPT Ads works differently. Instead of focusing on individual search keywords, ads can be matched to the context of a user’s conversation. This means an advertiser could potentially reach someone who has spent several messages researching, comparing and discussing a particular type of product or service.

Think of it as the difference between hearing someone say ‘I need a new sofa’ and hearing them explain their budget, the size of their living room and exactly what style they’re looking for.

Ads appear separately from ChatGPT’s answer, so the sponsored placement doesn’t influence what ChatGPT says. This makes ChatGPT Ads especially interesting for businesses looking to reach potential customers while they’re still researching and comparing their options.

Which should you choose?

For businesses focused on immediate leads, sales and measurable return on investment, Google Ads remains the more established option. ChatGPT Ads offers something different: the chance to appear during a deeper research and consideration process.

Rather than treating it as Google Ads’ replacement, it makes more sense to see ChatGPT Ads as another tool in your digital marketing toolbox. After all, nobody throws away the screwdriver just because somebody invented a shiny new drill.

Used together, the two platforms can help you reach customers at different stages of their buying journey.

Want to explore ChatGPT Ads?

ChatGPT advertising is still a relatively new opportunity, and getting your strategy right from the start can make a big difference.

At Engage Web, we help businesses understand and make the most of digital marketing opportunities, including ChatGPT Ads*. If you want to know if ChatGPT Ads are suitable for your business, get in touch with the Engage Web team today and let’s talk.

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Lia Bartley

Content Editor at Engage Web

With years of experience in the financial sector, Lia has swapped the world of mis-sold PPI in exchange for life as an eagle-eyed editor at Engage Web, ensuring our wonderful clients have equally wonderful content on their websites.