Facebook Ads vs. Boosted Posts: Which is More Effective in 2021?

When it comes to reaching larger audiences and achieving specific marketing goals on Facebook, both Facebook ads and boosted posts have their place. However, each tool serves a different purpose and is more suitable for different objectives. In this guide, we will explore the differences between Facebook Ads Manager and boosted posts, and help you decide which is better for your marketing strategy.

Understanding Boosted Posts

Boosted posts are a simpler tool that can help you reach a larger audience for a relatively low budget. When you boost a post, you essentially extend its reach by spending money to promote it to more people. This method does come with limitations:

You have limited targeting options. You can choose behaviors, interests, demographics, and geography. Boosting is not the same as paid advertising on Facebook. It is more a way to extend the reach of an existing post.

Many businesses find that boosting posts is a useful tool, especially if they are looking to increase the traffic to a specific piece of content. It can be an effective way to get quick results with minimal investment.

Using Facebook Ads Manager for Strategic Campaigns

For those looking to achieve more strategic and precise marketing objectives, Facebook Ads Manager is the better choice. Here’s why:

Targeting: With Facebook Ads Manager, you have more control over your targeting. You can build custom audiences based on website traffic, Facebook page engagement, Instagram traffic, and email lists. Placement: Facebook Ads Manager allows you to choose where your ads will be shown. You can target the desktop and/or mobile News Feed, Instagram Stories, Instant Articles, In-Stream, and other choices. Optimization: Facebook’s AI can help you find the most effective audiences for your ads, allowing you to automate ad scheduling and dayparting depending on your specific business needs.

Which is Better for Your Marketing Strategy?

When choosing between Facebook Ads Manager and boosted posts, consider your main objectives:

If your objective is to reach a larger audience with a low budget, boosting the post and driving more traffic to your content is a great option. If your main objective is to drive traffic to your content and you are willing to invest in a more strategic and sophisticated campaign, Facebook Ads Manager is the way to go.

Personally, I recommend using Facebook Ads Manager for those looking to achieve more substantial results. It allows you to test different images and audiences at the same time, giving you the flexibility to optimize your campaigns for better performance.

Boosted posts are a good choice when you want to extend the reach of a well-performing organic post. However, if you’re looking to build a more comprehensive and strategic advertising campaign, Facebook Ads Manager is the tool you should be using.

Conclusion

Deciding between Facebook Ads Manager and boosted posts depends on your marketing goals and budget. If you need a quick, cost-effective solution to increase your post’s reach, boosting can be a great choice. However, if you want to achieve more strategic and precise marketing objectives, Facebook Ads Manager is the way to go. Understanding the differences between the two tools can help you make an informed decision and achieve better results for your business.