PPC stands for pay-per-click. PPC is a form of online marketing where advertisers pay each time a user clicks on one of their ads.
The most common form of PPC advertising is through search engines, such as Google Ads, where advertisers bid on keywords and their ads appear at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs) when those keywords are searched for.
PPC advertising can also be done through social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, and through display advertising on websites.
Though these three terms get used interchangeably, there is a difference between PPC, SEM (search engine marketing), and SEO (search engine optimization).
SEM is an umbrella term that encompasses PPC but is not limited to only this form of advertising. It references activity that intends to improve how easy it is to find a website through a search engine. SEM is both paid and unpaid, PPC, or organic traffic (SEO).
PPC is online advertising that works with search engines and other channels such as video ads (YouTube) and image ads (Instagram/Facebook).
Search engine optimization (SEO), is a method of optimizing a website’s content and structure to make it more visible to search engines. This is done by researching and using relevant keywords, optimizing meta data, creating quality content, and earning links from other websites. The goal of SEO is to improve a website’s organic (non-paid) search engine rankings and drive traffic to the website through organic search results.
PPC advertising works by allowing advertisers to bid on specific keywords or phrases that they want their ads to appear for in search engine results. When a user searches for one of those keywords or phrases, the advertiser’s ad will appear among the top results. The advertiser is then charged a fee each time a user clicks on their ad.
Advertisers create campaigns that target specific demographics, interests, locations, etc. They will set a maximum bid for the keywords they want to target.
The search engine will then use a complex algorithm to determine which ads to show and in what order. The algorithm takes into account factors such as the:
This form of advertising can also be done through social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram.
PPC should be considered an asset, not a marketing expense.
In 2022, PPC brought in an average of $2 for every $1 spent, with an average cost per click (CPC) of $1.16. And while social media is still a popular place to advertise, 40% of ad spend in 2020 was spent on search (73% of that going to Google).
PPC offers several benefits not found with SEO or social media, including:
Overall, PPC advertising offers a cost-effective and measurable way to reach a targeted audience, generate leads and sales, and ultimately increase brand awareness.
Several popular platforms offer PPC advertising solutions. Google, Microsoft Bing and Facebook are among the most popular.
Different types of ad platforms can show various results in the form of search, display, remarketing, and video (on YouTube or Facebook/Instagram Reels).
For the sake of brevity, we’ll focus on the two programs that stand out the most and cover all ad types: Google and Facebook.
Google reigns supreme among search engines. Its global popularity is unmatched. That’s why the fees are higher for Google Ads’ paid advertisements.
Advertisers bid to have their ad displayed, their services offered, a product listed, or a video featured on Google. There is an option to display ads on mobile apps, videos, and non-search websites (search partners).
Google Ads is the largest pay-per-click platform. With Google processing 99,000+ search inquiries per second, there’s a great chance that your ad will get seen by your intended audience, resulting in a customer/profit. Google Ads is perfect for Fortune 500 companies and small businesses alike.
Other helpful resources from Google Ads:
YouTube ads are a form of online advertising that allows businesses and individuals to promote their products or services on the YouTube platform. These ads can take several different forms, including:
Advertisers can target specific audiences based on factors such as demographics, interests, and behaviors. YouTube ads can be purchased on a cost-per-view (CPV) or cost-per-click (CPC) basis, and the advertiser is charged each time the ad is viewed or clicked on.
Facebook ads allow businesses and organizations to promote their products or services on the Facebook platform. The ads appear in the news feed of Facebook users, the right-hand column of the desktop site and the Stories section on mobile.
Types of Facebook ads include:
Advertisers can create campaigns that target specific demographics, interests, and locations. Facebook’s algorithm uses this information to show the ads to the users who are most likely to be interested in the products or services being advertised.
Search pay-per-click ads are the most popular type of PPC ads. A search ad appears at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs) when a user enters a specific query (keyword or phrase) into a search engine (Google and Microsoft Bing being the most popular). These ads are typically text-based and are designed to be highly relevant to the user’s search.
Advertisers typically pay each time a user clicks on one of their ads (the cost of each click is known as CPC or cost per click. Search ads are the most popular way for businesses to promote their products or services and drive traffic to their websites.
A display ad is a type of ad that appears on websites, apps, and other digital platforms, typically in the form of a banner or other graphical format. Display ads are designed to be visually appealing and can include a variety of media such as images, videos, and interactive elements.
Display ads are often used to raise brand awareness, promote products or services, or drive traffic to a website. Display ads are typically purchased on a cost-per-impression (CPI) or cost-per-thousand-impressions (CPM) basis, meaning that the advertiser pays each time the ad is displayed a certain number of times.
A video ad uses video content to promote your product, service, or brand. These ads can appear on various platforms, including social media (reels or posts), streaming services such as YouTube, and websites. Video ads on YouTube can be pre-roll, mid-roll, or post-roll ads, meaning they can appear before, during or after a video. Video ads can be skippable or non-skippable.
Video ads are usually interactive and have clickable elements such as calls-to-action, links or forms. They are usually purchased on a cost-per-view (CPV) or cost-per-click (CPC) basis, where the advertiser pays each time the ad is viewed or clicked on.
Additional ad types are covered under one of the above categories, but have different characteristics such as the type of business allowed to use it and set up requirements. These include:
Starting the journey to better digital marketing means setting clear goals, embracing innovation, and staying agile in a rapidly changing landscape. It's a path to authentic connections and transformative growth.