Social media becoming an integral part of our lives has surely benefited marketers. With billions of users, the engaged audience makes advertising campaigns worthy. Advertising is a goal of every established or developing business.
But among different choices, how do you, as a business owner, know which platform is the best for an advertising campaign?
This blog aims at helping you to choose between two popular social platforms, i.e., TikTok ads vs Instagram ads.
What are TikTok Ads?
Any content posted by an influencer on the platform or promotion towards a target audience in exchange for payment on TikTok is TikTok ads. There are different types of TikTok ads depending on what is required by the brand.
For example, in-feed ads can be created using TikTok Ads Manager Interface.
What are Instagram Ads?
Like TikTok ads, Instagram ads are targeted to a specific audience. An ad will be no different from a normal post, but a tag of “Sponsored Post ” differentiates the normal posts from sponsored ones.
Instagram ads can be of different types like Images ads, story ads, video ads, carousel ads, reel ads, etc.
Experimental Ads on Instagram Vs. TikTok
Creatopy, an advertisement platform, performed the TikTok ads vs Instagram ads experiment by keeping the variables the same. For example, the same ad was uploaded to both platforms. The variables like the goal, budget, targeting, ad copy, etc., were similar for both platforms. A custom frequency was added as well. The targeting was done on the basis of people who already had expressed an interest in that domain. The experiment had the following results.
The reach for Instagram ads was significantly greater than that of TikTok. The count of clicks from the Instagram reel was 36, whereas, for TikTok, it was 28. (One thing to note here is that TikTok analytics does not differentiate between link clicks and ad clicks.)
When considering costs, CPC and CPM were both high for both platforms. However, Ads on Instagram reels were relatively cheaper than those on TikTok. There were no conversions because the goal was to increase brand awareness.
The Native Ad Experiment
When the first experiment was performed, the reach of Creatopy’s account on TikTok was limited. In contrast, their Instagram page already had 5.5k followers. It is important to consider this factor, but it did not affect the results in the first experiment.
A year later, another experiment was performed where the same ads were run on both platforms with the same variables. Things to note about the experiment are that their account on TikTok had grown, and a native video ad for the TikTok For You page was tailored.
In the second experiment, the performance of TikTok was better than that of Instagram in terms of reach and impressions. The ad posted on Instagram had more clicks than the TikTok ad. The TikTok ad received better exposure than Instagram; this could be because of a native ad for TikTok.
TikTok Ads Vs. Instagram Ads: Outcome
How do we conclude with these experiments? The results obtained from both experiments helped us to understand better about ad marketing. Both platforms, TikTok and Instagram, are good for advertising. One important thing we learned from the second experiment is that the native approach will gain better outputs.
This is because they seem to blend well with the platform’s content. There are times we are casually scrolling reels, and we do not even realize that it is an ad until we notice the label “Sponsored Post.” Studying the platform you are choosing for displaying your ad is extremely important.
Let’s do a further analysis of the advantages of TikTok ads vs Instagram ads.
TikTok Ads: Advantages
A lot of marketers believe that ads on TikTok have better performance for key metrics like installs, sales, etc. This can be used to enhance the performance on other platforms. The audience of TikTok is engaged in the content, so it is more likely that your ad will be completely seen. TikTok being only a video-sharing platform, offers an upper hand over video ads.
Creative options with TikTok are too many. Instagram also provides users with editing options, but the editing options with TikTok are numerous. Along with TikTok’s wide range of creative options to edit, it also comes with an expansive music library. Additionally, TikTok also has the upper hand when the range of targeting is considered.
The robust targeting options provided by TikTok can be used to target location, gender, age, and interests. Even behavior and interaction can be used to target an audience. If cost is one of your restrictions, TikTok ads are the best for you because the influences are comparatively more cost-effective.
Instagram Ads: Advantages
Being a Meta product, Instagram makes integration with other meta platforms much more convenient.
With over 1 billion monthly active users, Instagram ads ensure that your potential for reach is better. Instagram has saved its involvement in any of the controversies. This ensures that the chances of Instagram getting banned are minimal.
With over ten years being completed on the platform, Instagram has successfully built a comprehensive suite of features that makes advertising campaigns run smoothly.
Comparison: TikTok Ads vs. Instagram Ads
Let’s do a TikTok ads vs Instagram ads comparison based on features and performance:
1. Audience Comparison
Both social media platforms have a high number of engaged users. TikTok, being a relatively new platform, has grown enormously. With approximately 1.6 billion monthly active users, the audience of TikTok is mostly young people, younger millennials, or Gen Z users.
Whereas Instagram has 1 billion active users per month, with a balanced age group audience. The audience of Instagram, again, is mostly under the age group 18-34 (nearly 61.9%). But active users on Instagram do not necessarily mean they will actively watch ads. So, you can experiment with different ad types other than reels.
2. Cost Comparison
For paid social campaigns, the cost is an integral factor to consider. Therefore, it’s important to conduct a cost comparison of TikTok ads vs Instagram ads.
As we already learned about the experiments performed by Creatopy, let us discuss the cost inclusive in the experiment. CPC was $28.08 (Instagram) and $35.73 (TikTok), whereas CPM was $1.67 (Instagram) and $4.3(TikTok).
It is clear that Instagram helps in attaining reach and clicks more cost-effectively. But when considering the cost factor, the price for advertisement will be determined by a lot of factors like audience, competition, niche, etc.
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3. Campaign Features
Both platforms offer exceptional campaign features for paid advertising. Campaign management is easier on both platforms because of their accessible tools and features.
Dashboards used for campaign management are Facebook Ads Manager for Instagram and TikTok Ads Manager for TikTok. Both platforms provide access to easily monitor performance, implement optimizations, and analyze results.
4. ROI
Determining ROI can be tricky because marketing campaigns differ. CTR (Click Through Rate) can be one of the ways to weigh up ROI for advertising campaigns. ROI will depend on your efficiency in advertising.
A lot of factors like audience targeting, optimization, creativity, and bidding methods will rule the ROI of your ads.
5. Engagement
So what about the engagement of TikTok ads vs Instagram ads? If engagement is the current goal for your brand, TikTok should be your preference. This is because it has relatively higher engagement rates when compared with Instagram reel ads. This is because the design of the platform focuses on gathering likes, comments, and shares.
When we compare other post types on Instagram, reels tend to have higher engagement rates than other post types. So, for Instagram, reels can boost engagement.
6. Ad Formats
Ads with Instagram come in different ways. For example, you can choose advertising using photo ads, video ads, carousel ads, story ads, collection ads, shopping ads, or reel ads. Among different types of Instagram ads, reels offer the best engagement.
Ads with TikTok can be in any of the following ad formats; In-feed ads, Brand takeover ads, Branded effects, Branded Hashtag challenges, etc., or Top View ads.
7. Influencer Marketing
One of the most significant trends in social media advertising is the rise of influencer collaborations. Influencers, with their loyal and engaged followers, can amplify your brand’s message and reach. Both TikTok and Instagram have thriving communities of influencers who can create authentic content that resonates with their audiences.
TikTok Influencer Collaborations:
TikTok’s algorithm favors authentic, engaging content, making it an ideal platform for influencer collaborations. Influencers on TikTok often create viral challenges, participate in trends, and produce relatable content that seamlessly integrates brand messages.
When choosing influencers on TikTok, consider those who align with your brand values and have a follower base that matches your target audience. Additionally, leveraging TikTok’s Duet and Stitch features can enhance engagement, allowing users to interact directly with the influencer’s content.
Instagram Influencer Collaborations:
Instagram has a well-established influencer marketing ecosystem with various tools to facilitate collaborations. Influencers on Instagram often use Stories and Reels to showcase products and services.
Partnering with influencers who can create visually appealing and informative content is crucial. Instagram’s “Paid Partnership” tag also ensures transparency, helping to build trust with the audience.
8. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Ads
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are transforming the way brands engage with their audiences. These technologies offer immersive experiences that can make ads more interactive and memorable.
AR and VR on TikTok:
TikTok offers a powerful AR tool called TikTok Effect House, allowing users to create engaging and interactive content. Brands can create custom AR effects that users can apply in their TikTok videos, enhancing brand interaction.
For instance, beauty brands can create AR filters that let users try on makeup virtually. This not only boosts engagement but also provides a fun and interactive way for users to experience the product.
AR and VR on Instagram:
In terms of AR and VR capabilities for TikTok ads vs Instagram ads, Instagram has more robust AR capabilities through its Meta Spark Studio, allowing brands to create custom AR filters and effects. These filters can be used in Stories and Reels, providing an interactive element to ads.
For example, fashion brands can use AR to allow users to virtually try on clothes or accessories. VR experiences can be shared through Reels, offering a deeper and more immersive way for users to connect with the brand.
9. Shoppable Content
Shoppable content is revolutionizing the way consumers interact with ads, making it easier for them to purchase products directly from social media platforms.
Shoppable Content on TikTok:
In September 2023, TikTok rolled out TikTok Shop, allowing brands to add shopping links directly to their videos. This feature enables users to make purchases without leaving the app, providing a seamless shopping experience.
TikTok’s partnership with Shopify has further enhanced its e-commerce capabilities, allowing businesses to create, run, and optimize their TikTok marketing campaigns directly from the Shopify dashboard.
By using shoppable content, brands can turn engaging videos into direct sales opportunities, shortening the customer journey from discovery to purchase.
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Shoppable Content on Instagram:
Instagram has a well-developed suite of shoppable features, including Instagram Shopping, which allows businesses to create a storefront on their profiles. Products can be tagged in posts, Stories, and Reels, making it easy for users to learn more about and purchase items.
The checkout feature within Instagram enables users to complete transactions without leaving the app, enhancing the convenience and speed of the shopping process. Instagram’s integration with Facebook’s catalog also allows for streamlined product management and advertising across both platforms.
Utilizing shoppable ad content on Instagram can significantly boost sales by providing users with direct pathways to purchase.
Which Platform Should I Use?
We have done a thorough TikTok ads vs. Instagram ads comparison, but the question remains: Which platform is the Best for You?
Considering both platforms for advertising, we will say that including both of them in your marketing campaign is the wisest choice. With TikTok, you get access to a younger audience. But TikTok reels offer a competitive edge, so you also might want to use Instagram. Instagram ads, especially reel ads, have efficient results that outperform the results of TikTok campaigns.
Wrapping It Up
When it comes to TikTok ads vs. Instagram ads, which platform is more suitable for you will depend on multiple factors like target audience, marketing goals, and marketing strategies.
Whichever platform you use for advertising, you must conduct thorough research, experiment with the marketing strategies, and carefully analyze your business goals!
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