Est. reading time: 3 minutes

Running Google Ads can be one of the most effective ways to drive targeted traffic to your website—but only if you choose the right platform. Google offers three major advertising channels: Search, Display, and YouTube Ads. Each one caters to a different stage of the buyer journey and marketing objective.

In this post, we’ll break down the core differences, best use cases, and examples for each platform—so you can confidently decide which one (or combination) suits your business goals.

What Are Google Search Ads?

Search Ads appear at the top or bottom of Google’s search results pages when users type specific keywords. This form of advertising is intent-driven, meaning your ads are shown to people who are actively looking for your product or service.

Best For:

• Businesses targeting high-intent keywords
• Local services and eCommerce brands
• Professionals (consultants, attorneys, etc.)

Example: A user searching for “emergency plumber near me” is highly likely to click on a local plumber’s ad. That’s the power of Search Ads—serving the right message at the perfect moment.

Learn more about how to master advanced search strategies with Google Ads.

How Do Google Display Ads Work?

Display Ads are visually engaging banners that appear across Google’s Display Network (GDN)—a vast ecosystem of over 2 million websites, apps, and videos.

Unlike Search Ads, these are not triggered by specific keywords, but by user demographics, interests, browsing behavior, and retargeting parameters.

Best For:

• Building brand awareness
• Retargeting previous website visitors
• Promoting visually compelling offers (e.g., seasonal sales, limited promos)

Example: An online fashion retailer can use Display Ads to retarget visitors who previously viewed their fall collection by showing a carousel ad on lifestyle blogs or news websites.

Explore more in our blog on Google Ads trends for 2025.

What Makes YouTube Ads So Effective?

YouTube, the second largest search engine, allows you to run video-based ads before, during, or after videos. These ads come in various formats like skippable in-stream, bumper ads, or video discovery ads.

This is a highly engaging format perfect for visual storytelling and brand connection.

Best For:

• Showcasing product demos or explainer videos
• Telling your brand story
• Targeting users based on watch behavior, keywords, and interests

Example: A software startup might run a 60-second YouTube ad walking users through how their app saves time and simplifies workflows.

Choosing the Right Mix: Integrated Google Ads Strategy

Choosing between platforms doesn’t have to be either-or. In fact, many of the most successful campaigns use a mix of all three:

Need help aligning this with your business goals? Read our blog on scaling your business with ActiveCampaign to understand how ads and automation work hand-in-hand.

Ready to Maximize Your Google Ads ROI?

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your campaigns, we can build a tailored, results-driven Google Ads strategy just for you. From keyword research to video scripting and design—we handle it all.

👉 Schedule a FREE consultation today and let’s unlock your brand’s full advertising potential!