Search vs. Display: Which Google Ads Network Should You Use?

Here at WordStream, our group of specialists analyzes hundreds of PPC accounts. While our customers’ pain points vary, many of their issues may be retraced to at least one primary misstep—their campaigns are set to run simultaneously on both the Search and Display Networks. The important hassle is that these networks target customers in two special eventualities. 99% of the time, this exercise will wreak havoc on a PPC account. Because metrics throughout each network are mixed, it is hard to assess how each appears, and it removes the option to section one’s budget via the community.

Search vs. Display: Which Google Ads Network Should You Use? 15

Using the same strategy for both networks is like trying to match a round peg in a square hollow…it simply doesn’t work. If you have any campaigns opted into both networks, save yourself from future pain and anguish and start separating them. In today’s post, we’ll do a deep dive outlining the components of each network and examine what kinds of advertisers must be utilizing them.

Before we delve into the intricacies of every community, I want to address one caveat to this rule: Google’s recent innovation, Search Network with Display Select (SNDS). Suppose you’re an avid reader of this weblog. In that case, you can recollect a submission from some weeks ago, entirely with a Google video broadcast (providing our in-residence movie star, Rich Griffin!), touting the benefits of this new hybrid marketing campaign model. SNDS lets advertisers seek campaigns in the GDN in a constrained style. Essentially, Google Ads (previously referred to as Google AdWords) claims that it’ll use “stepped forward alerts and techniques of predicting in which your commercials are probable to carry out satisfactory” to make certain that show ads are only shown in locations that are exceedingly applicable to the advertisers’ “perfect” user.

Rich mentions in his Google Hangout video that this is harking back to Enhanced Campaigns. AdWords pushes advertisers to amplify their reach and attraction to a broader range of clients. This low-effort choice might also be a godsend for much less-than-savvy PPCers or advertisers who have restrained time to dedicate to account control. That stated it comes at a rate. In shifting to this version, you’re sacrificing huge management over GDN’s overall performance and setting a remarkable deal of religion in Google. For advertisers with the time to accomplish that, we particularly advocate sticking with the traditional first-class practice of handling the Search and Display Networks via separate campaigns.

Running advertisements on the search network is the most common, well-known form of PPC advertising. With this network choice, your ads may be eligible to appear on Google SERPs. You could concentrate on “seek companions,” a collection made out of smaller engines like Google to increase your reach. The advertising layout is compelling because of its goals for an active searcher on a task to find something. As you can see in the example above, the searcher is seeking out a plumber in Virginia. Upon submitting the question, both paid advertisements (highlighted inside the pink boxes) and organic listings seem. The plumbers should rely upon their organic (study: loose) listings. However, the chance is that they may be extra successful if they run ads on the Search Network. Not only are paid ads stronger, but they permit the plumbers to consist of extensions with additional links, smartphone numbers, and addresses. Since the Search Network connects advertisers to people actively looking for their products, seek campaigns generally pressure more conversions than show campaigns.

You ought to be jogging a Search Network campaign if:

You’re running with a confined price range: When clients are constrained to a small budget, we recommend starting with the Search Network. This format is much more likely to force direct conversions, making it simpler to measure and justify your PPC efforts. Once you’ve mastered Search, it can be beneficial to amplify the display Network, enhancing visibility and leading to an uptick in seek volume on your commercial enterprise.

You sell an “emergency” product: If your products or services are something that users search for on an as-needed basis (plumbers, locksmiths, electricians, and many others), you ought to be marketing at the Search Network. For these industries, your ad must appear while the searcher needs your services.

When to Use the Google Display Network (GDN)

In addition to conventional search advertising, Google allows advertisers to region their advertisements on a ramification of websites throughout the net. This collection of websites, from blogs to news sites and even YouTube, is called the Google Display Network (GDN). According to Google, the GDN comprises over 2 million sites, comprising over 90% of global internet users. Given the expansiveness of this network, it’s miles exceptionally appealing to advertisers looking to extend their online presence.

When customers are at the GDN, they’ll not always be in “buying mode.” Instead, they’re going about their day-by-day net activities—catching up on information, studying blog posts, looking at movies, etc. To gain traction on the GDN, your commercials must appeal to the customers’ interest and lure them to click through to your site, leaving the content they were initially engaged with. Accomplishing this is no clean feat—regardless of top-notch advert creativity, it’s tough to draw customers to click on ads simultaneously as they peruse the Display Network.

But don’t write the GDN off yet—while clicks can be scarce, the advert area in the community is abundant. It is the perfect space to promote logo attention and is a great appeal to advertisers looking to broaden their fan bases. By growing your logo’s visibility, you can reap extra clicks on organic listings or see an uptick in brand-specific searches. These clicks are also much less steeply priced than clicks on the search network.

You have to be walking a Display Network campaign if:

You must familiarize humans with your logo: Many advertisers leverage the Display Network to promote brand attention. Since the GDN is so expansive, it offers many opportunities for advertisers to hook up with their audiences. Don’t worry—this doesn’t imply you’ll be “taking pictures inside the darkish” with your display commercials. Google Ads offers various targeting options, ranging from controlled placements (particular websites selected with the aid of the advertiser) to internet site groupings based on audience characteristics. By appearing on respectable websites that might be popular amongst your audience, you may quickly familiarize those people with your logo.

You have a prolonged sales technique: If you promote services or products that consumers aren’t likely to purchase right away, you want to ensure that your logo stays top-of-mind for possibilities so they do not forget to make a buy. To do this, we endorse making use of remarketing through the GDN. This method permits you to reveal ads to everyone who has visited your website in the past, encouraging them to go back and convert. For instance, a pal of mine spent some time on Tiffany’s internet site some months ago, as he considered providing to his female friend and desired to find out ring options. After traveling the site, he introduced Tiffany’s remarketing listing and became inundated with their engagement ring advertisements as he perused the internet. The jeweler did such a proper job of re-enticing with him that he took the plunge and bought a ring a ton earlier than at the beginning!

You have a sexy product: The GDN allows advertisers to show picture commercials, which is good for advertisers who sell luxurious merchandise whose ads engage the eye. Since display advertising relies largely on distraction, it’s helpful to have an attractive product to promote. Take the advert down below, for instance. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t give that a second glance!

Wendy Mckinney
I am a seo blogger at seoreka.com.also, a content marketer and a search engine expert. I have been writing for blogs, newspapers, and magazines since 2015 and have worked as a freelance writer. I have a BA degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.