
Google PPC Ads vs Facebook Ads for Real Estate: Which Is Better for Agents in 2025?
In the competitive world of real estate marketing, agents and brokers are constantly searching for the most effective way to attract new clients, generate qualified leads, and drive traffic to property listings. Two of the most powerful platforms in digital advertising—Google PPC Ads and Facebook Ads—often dominate the conversation.
But when your goal is lead generation in the real estate industry, which platform truly delivers the best return on investment?
In this in-depth comparison, we’ll break down the strengths, weaknesses, costs, and lead quality of Google Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Ads versus Facebook Ads, so real estate professionals like you can make an informed decision.
📌 What Are Google PPC Ads?
Google PPC (Pay-Per-Click) Ads are part of Google Ads, where you bid on specific keywords. When users search those keywords, your ad appears at the top of the results page.
For example, if a user types:
- “Real estate agent near me”
- “Buy a house in Austin”
- “Luxury condos for sale NYC”
Your ad can appear above the organic listings and drive immediate traffic to your landing page or listing site.
📌 What Are Facebook Ads?
Facebook Ads are social media-based ads that appear in users’ feeds on Facebook and Instagram. These ads are more interruption-based, meaning they target users based on behavior, interests, location, and demographics—not direct search intent.
You can target:
- First-time homebuyers
- People recently engaged (planning for a home)
- Renters in a specific ZIP code
- Real estate investment enthusiasts
🔍 Comparison: Google PPC Ads vs Facebook Ads for Real Estate
Let’s analyze both platforms using key decision-making criteria:
🎯 1. Lead Intent & Quality
Google PPC Ads:
- High-intent users
- They are actively searching for real estate services or properties
- Better for bottom-of-the-funnel leads ready to take action
Facebook Ads:
- Interruptive, users aren’t actively looking
- Great for top-of-funnel awareness
- Works better for branding, list building, or promoting events like open houses
Winner: Google Ads for quality and conversion-ready leads
💰 2. Cost Per Click (CPC)
Google PPC Ads:
- Real estate is competitive
- Average CPC ranges between $1.50 to $6.00, depending on the market
Facebook Ads:
- Generally lower CPC, ranging from $0.30 to $2.00
- Costs are based more on impressions (CPM) and engagement
Winner: Facebook Ads for cost efficiency
🔗 3. Conversion Rate
Google PPC Ads:
- Conversion rates are typically 8%–15%
- Users clicking are often ready to call, book a viewing, or fill out a lead form
Facebook Ads:
- Conversion rates are usually 2%–5%
- Users may need multiple interactions before they convert
Winner: Google Ads for faster and higher conversions
📍 4. Targeting Capabilities
Google PPC Ads:
- Keyword and location-based
- You can’t target interests or life events, but can use geo-targeting and schedule ads for business hours
Facebook Ads:
- Hyper-detailed targeting
- You can target people based on behavior, marital status, job titles, income level, and more
Winner: Facebook Ads for audience profiling and nurturing campaigns
🧠 5. Ad Format & Creative Freedom
Google PPC Ads:
- Primarily text-based
- Can include call extensions, sitelinks, and maps
- Focused on functionality, not visuals
Facebook Ads:
- Visually rich: images, videos, carousels, reels
- Ideal for showcasing property photos, virtual tours, and video walkthroughs
Winner: Facebook Ads for visual storytelling
🏘️ 6. Best Use Cases for Real Estate
Campaign Goal | Best Platform |
---|---|
Generate leads ready to buy/sell | Google PPC Ads |
Build a brand presence | Facebook Ads |
Promote open houses | Facebook Ads |
Rank high on local searches | Google PPC Ads |
Retarget website visitors | Facebook Ads + Google RLSA |
Drive traffic to listings | Google Ads |
Grow email list or buyer interest | Facebook Ads |
📊 Real Estate Campaign Example
Let’s compare how each platform might perform for the same property campaign.
Campaign: 3-Bedroom Home for Sale in Denver
Budget: $500
Timeframe: 2 Weeks
Metric | Google PPC Ads | Facebook Ads |
---|---|---|
Clicks | 180 | 450 |
Avg. Cost Per Click | $2.50 | $1.10 |
Leads (form fill/call) | 22 | 9 |
Conversion Rate | 12% | 2% |
Lead Cost | ~$22.73 | ~$55.55 |
Conclusion: Although Google Ads delivered fewer clicks, the lead quality and conversion rate were significantly better—ideal for agents needing direct inquiries.
🧠 Pro Tip: Combine Both for Maximum Results
The smartest real estate marketers use both platforms together.
Google PPC Ads for:
- Targeting high-intent searches
- Immediate lead capture
- Calls and bookings
Facebook Ads for:
- Retargeting Google Ads traffic
- Building brand awareness
- Attracting long-term leads
Set up a Facebook Pixel and a Google conversion tracker to sync campaigns across platforms and maximize ROI.
❌ Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the same strategy on both platforms
- Not setting clear goals (e.g., leads vs. engagement)
- Poor landing pages
- Ignoring mobile responsiveness
- Not using lead forms on Facebook
- Forgetting call extensions on Google Ads
📢 Final Verdict: Which Is Better?
👉 Use Google PPC Ads if:
You want fast results, high-quality leads, and serious buyers or sellers actively searching.
👉 Use Facebook Ads if:
You want to build awareness, grow your audience, and retarget website visitors with property showcases.
For real estate professionals focused on ROI, combining both platforms—with proper budget allocation and tailored messaging—is the ultimate winning strategy.
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