Facebook vs Instagram Ads: Which Platform Should You Use?

Facebook and Instagram share the same ad platform, but they serve different audiences and purposes. The right choice depends on who you are trying to reach and what you want them to do.

We run both in our Social Media Ads service, choosing the platform based on the audience and the goal.

Facebook: broad reach, detailed targeting

Facebook has the broadest reach and the most detailed targeting options. It is better for older audiences, B2B and campaigns that rely on interest-based targeting.

Instagram: visual, younger, engaged

Instagram is more visual, younger and more engaged. It is better for lifestyle, fashion, food, fitness and any brand that relies on imagery and aesthetics.

When to use both

Use both when you want to reach different audiences with the same campaign. The same creative can be adapted for each platform. The same budget can be split based on performance.

FactorFacebookInstagram
Age group25 to 65+18 to 44
Best forB2B, services, broad reachLifestyle, visual, younger
Ad formatAll formatsStories, Reels, feed
TargetingDetailedInterest and lookalike

Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions

What is the average ROI for social media ads in Australia?

ROI varies by industry, audience and offer. Well-targeted campaigns typically return between $3 and $6 for every dollar spent. The key is audience precision, creative quality and landing page alignment.

Where is TPR Media based?

TPR Media operates from Level 34, 1 Eagle Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000, serving clients across Brisbane and Australia-wide.

TPR Media compares Facebook and Instagram ads, explaining the right platform for each audience and how to use them together.