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Facebook vs. Instagram Ads: Which Ones Take the Lead in Paid Advertising?

Nedina Gjorgjieva

Nedina Gjorgjieva

Feb 22, 2024 · 10 minutes

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In paid advertising, where every click and view can turn into a potential sale, choosing the right platform for your ads can feel like a tough choice. 

Within the blink of an eye, Facebook and Instagram have evolved from simple social media apps used to communicate with acquaintances and share personal moments to powerful marketing tools used to promote businesses and earn big profits.

For years now, both have been keeping a steady position in the top 5 most popular social networks, serving millions of users daily and providing marketers with access to diverse demographics.

But here’s the million-dollar question: between Facebook, with its vast user base and detailed targeting options, and Instagram, known for its high engagement rates and visually appealing content, which one leads the charge in paid advertising?

In this Facebook vs. Instagram ads comparison we unpack everything – from targeting audiences to ad formats.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a clearer picture of which platform can best meet your dropshipping store’s marketing goals. 

So, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s unravel the mystery together.

Check out: Facebook vs. Google Ads 

What are Facebook ads?

Facebook ads are a powerful tool for businesses looking to reach a vast audience through the social media giant Facebook. 

These ads appear in several locations on the platform, including:

• News feed: The main area where users see posts from friends and pages they follow.
• Right column: A more traditional ad space on the desktop version.
• Facebook marketplace: Where people buy and sell items, your ads can appear amidst these listings.
• Video feed: Integrated within Facebook’s video content.
• Other apps: These are not just confined to the Facebook site but can also appear in Messenger and Audience Network.

Advertisers on Facebook can target users based on demographics, interests, and behaviors and can create Custom Audiences, whereas dropshipping stores can retarget website visitors or use contact lists, and Lookalike Audiences, to reach new people who are similar to existing customers. 

This versatility makes Facebook an attractive option for advertisers looking to create highly personalized ad experiences.

Examples of Facebook Ads

Coltorti

Coltori’s ad takes full advantage of the power of collection ads, displaying multiple products in their ad. 

Each product featured in the ad has its own image, description, and CTA button, providing more information directly within the ad.

By clicking on a product, users are taken directly to Coltorti’s product pages, where they can proceed to make a purchase.

Moda Operandi

The secret of the success of Moda Operandi’s image ads lies in their simplicity.

With a stunning image, simple description, and convenient CTA that leads viewers to their shopping pages, the Moda Operandi ad seizes the store’s customers’ attention and stimulates great interest in their brand and products.

YOOX

YOOX’s video ads allow the brand to not only advertise its products but also to share the brand’s narrative through visual storytelling.

Their ad quickly communicates the key message and incites immediate action. 

What are Instagram ads?

Instagram ads are the ads found on the social media platform Instagram. 

These can pop up across Instagram in users’ News feeds, Stories, and Explore tab, as well as throughout Facebook, Messenger, and Audience Network.

Dropshipping businesses can create Instagram ads through Facebook’s advertising tools (Meta Business Suite) due to the platforms being interconnected. This allows for detailed targeting and analytics similar to Facebook’s ad system.

Instagram is the go-to platform for brands that want to create visually captivating campaigns that drive user engagement and sales.

Ad objectives cover a wide range of goals such as brand awareness, lead generation, traffic redirection to websites or apps, and conversions, allowing you to target different goals with different ad campaigns.

Examples of Instagram Ads

Because of Alice

Because of Alice adopts a simple yet captivating ad campaign by running video ads.

They stick to a minimalist aesthetic in their video and a straightforward brand message.

Alohas

Alohas uses Instagram stories as one of their ad formats.

The ad intriguingly hides part of its message, enticing viewers to click the ‘More’ button for full details.

Starting with ‘Last chance’ in bold letters, the ad signals the importance of the announcement, urging viewers to pay attention.

By offering a discount that expires in 48 hours, it prompts customers to act swiftly to take advantage of the offer or risk missing out.

SSENSE

SSENSE excels with their shopping ad by leveraging the popular ‘whomst’ meme.

The brand skillfully highlights its diverse sunglasses range, from minimalist to boundary-pushing designs, and uses a short and impactful tagline to ensure the message is communicated efficiently, understanding that customers often skip over lengthy descriptions.

Check out: How to create Google shopping ads?

How to run Facebook ads?

Running Facebook ads isn’t complicated, and there’s no need to get lost in the process. Let’s take a step-by-step look at how you can create your own ad campaigns on Facebook.

• STEP 1: Create a Facebook page: Begin by creating a Facebook page linked to your account. 
• STEP 2: Set up your Meta Business Suite account: The Meta Business Suite is where all the magic happens. It’s a tool specifically designed for creating and managing your Facebook advertising campaigns.
• STEP 3: Set up your Ads Account: Within the Meta Business Suite, set up a separate ad account.
• STEP 4: Choose a payment method: Set up your preferred payment method by adding billing information in the ‘Payment Methods’ section.
• STEP 5: Install Meta Pixel: Install Meta Pixel to track ad conversions and website visitor actions. This tool is crucial for optimizing your ads.
• STEP 6: Create your ads: Ads on Facebook involve three key components – the campaign, the ad set, and the ad itself:
  • Campaign: Choose your objective, which could range from enhancing brand awareness to driving conversions.
  • Ad set: Define your target audience, set placements, schedule, and budget.
  • Ad: Decide on the format and include all necessary visual and textual elements.

How to run Instagram ads?

Creating Instagram ads takes almost the exact same process as running Facebook ads as both types of ads are managed through the Meta Business Suite:

• STEP 1: Creating an Instagram Business Account: Once you’ve created your Facebook business page, Meta Business Suite account, and ad account, go on to creating your Instagram business account.
• STEP 2: Connect Instagram to your Facebook page: Navigate to your Facebook page settings and connect your Instagram account under ‘Linked Accounts’. 
• STEP 3: Create your Instagram ad campaign: Just like with Facebook ads, Instagram ads consist of the same three elements, each with different elements that need setting up:
  • Ad campaign: Define your ad objectives, such as awareness, traffic, engagement, leads, app promotion, or sales.
  • Ad set: Determine your audience, budget, ad placements, and scheduling. You can opt for a daily or lifetime budget and select specific demographics for targeting.
  • Ad: Decide on the ad format and fill in the creative elements like media, headline, call-to-action, and a URL for redirection after ad clicks.

The main differences between Facebook and Instagram ads

Cost

Managing an advertising budget is crucial for any dropshipping business, big or small. 

Understanding the costs associated with Facebook and Instagram can help you make informed decisions about where to invest your money.

As Facebook and Instagram are both owned now by Meta, their advertising platforms are interconnected. However, their ad costs are still quite different.

According to AdRoll, the Facebook CPC rates can start at around $0.44 while the Facebook CPM metric charges an average of $14.40.

On the other hand, the Instagram CPC rates range between $0.02 and $2.00 while the CPM rates cost an average of $6.70.

Check out: Most important Facebook ad metrics

Ad formats

Both Facebook and Instagram ads are available in the same ad formats, which are quite a few, allowing you to experiment with various content types. 

This is a big advantage of both platforms because it lets you connect with your target audience in more ways than one.

Single image ads: Traditional and simple, yet effective. It’s all about packing a punch with one powerful image.

Video ads: These are quite trendy and engaging, and can convey your message effectively.

Check out: Best Instagram video editing apps

Carousel ads: You get to present up to 10 images or videos within a single ad, each having its own link.

Collection ads: These are mobile-only ads that allow you to display multiple products from your catalog.

Slideshow ads: A light video-like ad made from text, images, or existing video clips.

Stories ads: Full-screen vertical ads that appear between stories. 

Shopping ads: Shopping ads allow users to purchase directly from the ad without leaving the app, offering a unique way to promote and sell your fashion products.

Explore ads: Available for Instagram only, these are located in the Explore section of Instagram and emerge not immediately upon visiting but after you engage with a photo or video. 

Check out: Best Instagram ads examples

Audience

When it comes to reach, both Facebook and Instagram have masses of users worldwide that you can tap into. However, they offer different potentials depending on your target audience.

Facebook‘s expansive user base encompasses a diverse age range, from teenagers to seniors, providing a fertile ground for advertisers aiming to reach a broad audience spectrum. 

Whether you’re marketing products suited for the youth or services targeted at older demographics, Facebook’s varied audience demographics offer the flexibility to tailor your advertising campaigns to specific age groups, interests, and behaviors. 

This wide-reaching demographic inclusivity makes Facebook a versatile platform for dropshipping businesses aiming to cast a wide net or target niche markets within different age groups.

Check out: Best inbound marketing examples

Instagram resonates much stronger with a younger audience, predominantly those under 35, more specifically, Gen Zers as well as millennials. 

This makes it a prime choice for brands looking to build a dynamic and engaging presence among these age group populations.

For dropshippers focused on tapping into the vibrant, trend-conscious, and younger market segments, Instagram provides an optimal environment. 

Pros and cons of Facebook ads

Pros:

• ✅ Massive user base with diverse demographics.
• ✅ Wide range of ad formats.
• ✅ Advanced targeting options based on interests, behaviors, and demographics.

Cons:

• ❌ Competition can be fierce due to the popularity of the platform.

Pros and cons of Instagram ads

Pros:

• ✅ Highly visual platform, perfect for showcasing products.
• ✅ Large user base, especially popular among younger demographics.
• ✅ Integration with Facebook’s ad platform for easy campaign management.

Cons:

• ❌ It might not be as effective for products aimed at older consumers.
• ❌ Popularity and engagement rates can lead to higher advertising costs compared to other platforms.

Final verdict: Facebook or Instagram ads?

When it comes down to the final verdict on Facebook vs. Instagram ads, the truth is, there’s no clear winner. 

Your decision on which one to choose shouldn’t come down to which one is better, but which one aligns more closely with your dropshipping store’s marketing objectives.

By using them together, you can create a multi-faceted advertising strategy that captures the attention of your audience, wherever they choose to scroll. 

At the end of the day, successful advertising demands trial and error. Don’t be afraid of tweaking your strategy and go back and forward between these two platforms. 

Sometimes, what works best is what you least expected! 

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About the Author

Nedina Gjorgjieva

Proud bookworm, passionate content writer and devoted Arctic Monkeys fan. Always in the mood for travel and sightseeing.

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