Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Google Ads VS SEMRush

Compare Google Ads VS SEMRush and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Google Ads logo Google Ads

Easily boost website traffic and sales with Google AdWords. Appeal to customers who are already interested in what you are advertising by appearing on Google searches.

SEMRush logo SEMRush

All-in-one Marketing Toolkit for digital marketing professionals.
  • Google Ads Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-05
  • SEMRush Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-08-24

Google Ads features and specs

  • Wide Reach
    Google Ads provides access to a vast audience as it partners with the world's largest search engine and numerous partner platforms.
  • Targeted Advertising
    Advertisers can target users based on various parameters including location, language, device, and even interests collected from browsing behaviors.
  • Measurable Results
    Offers detailed reporting and analytics, allowing advertisers to track performance metrics like clicks, impressions, and conversions in real-time.
  • Cost Control
    Allows for flexible budgeting where advertisers can set daily or campaign-specific limits, and use pay-per-click (PPC) pricing models.
  • Ad Customization
    Supports various ad formats including text ads, display ads, video ads, and shopping ads, catering to different advertising goals.
  • Remarketing
    Enables advertisers to show ads to users who have previously interacted with their website or app, improving chances of conversion.

Possible disadvantages of Google Ads

  • Costly for Competitive Keywords
    Bidding on highly competitive keywords can be expensive, driving up the cost-per-click and overall advertising expenditure.
  • Complexity
    The platform can be complex to navigate for beginners, requiring a learning curve to effectively manage and optimize campaigns.
  • Click Fraud
    Thereโ€™s a risk of click fraud where competitors or malicious actors click on ads to deplete the advertiserโ€™s budget.
  • Constant Monitoring Needed
    Campaigns require frequent monitoring and adjustments to maintain performance, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.
  • Ad Fatigue
    Repeated exposure to the same ads may lead to ad fatigue, causing users to ignore them, thus reducing effectiveness over time.
  • Policy Restrictions
    Compliance with Googleโ€™s advertising policies can be restrictive, sometimes leading to disapprovals or account suspensions without clear reasons.

SEMRush features and specs

  • Comprehensive SEO Toolkit
    SEMRush provides a wide range of tools for keyword research, competitive analysis, backlink analysis, site audit, and more, making it a one-stop-shop for all SEO needs.
  • Accurate Data
    Known for providing accurate and updated data which is crucial for making informed SEO decisions.
  • Competitive Analysis
    Offers extensive competitor analysis features, helping businesses understand their competitors' strategies and improve their own.
  • In-depth Reports
    Creates detailed reports that offer valuable insights into performance metrics and areas for improvement.
  • User-friendly Interface
    The platform is designed with a user-friendly interface, making it accessible even for beginners in SEO.

Possible disadvantages of SEMRush

  • Pricing
    SEMRush pricing can be relatively high, especially for small businesses and freelancers.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite being user-friendly, the sheer depth of features can present a steep learning curve for new users.
  • Data Limits
    Certain features and data exports are limited based on the subscription plan, which can be restrictive for high-volume users.
  • Customer Support
    While customer support is generally good, some users have reported slow response times during peak periods.
  • Occasional Inconsistencies
    Some users have reported occasional inconsistencies in search volume and backlink data.

Analysis of Google Ads

Overall verdict

  • Google Ads is considered an effective advertising platform for many businesses due to its comprehensive targeting options, extensive reach, and detailed analytics capabilities. However, its effectiveness can vary depending on the business type, goals, and how well the campaigns are managed.

Why this product is good

  • Google Ads is a widely used online advertising platform that allows businesses to reach potential customers through targeted advertising across the Google network, including search results and partner websites. It provides robust tools for targeting audiences based on keywords, demographics, locations, and more. Additionally, it offers valuable analytics and performance tracking to optimize ad campaigns and maximize return on investment.

Recommended for

  • Businesses looking for wide audience reach
  • Advertisers needing detailed targeting options
  • Companies aiming to drive traffic and conversions
  • Marketers seeking measurable results and insights
  • Small to large enterprises with internet-driven sales goals

Analysis of SEMRush

Overall verdict

  • SEMRush is considered an excellent tool for digital marketers due to its wide range of features and reliable data. It is especially beneficial for businesses and marketers who want to enhance their SEO strategies and gain a competitive edge in the digital space. While it can be on the pricier side, the value it provides in terms of actionable insights and enhanced marketing strategies justifies the investment for many users.

Why this product is good

  • SEMRush is a comprehensive digital marketing tool that is highly regarded for its robust features designed to improve online visibility and optimize content marketing strategies. It offers extensive SEO tools, including keyword research, site auditing, competitor analysis, and backlink tracking. Additionally, SEMRush provides tools for PPC campaigns, social media monitoring, and content optimization. Its user-friendly interface and detailed analytics make it a favorite among digital marketers seeking data-driven insights to boost their online performance.

Recommended for

    SEMRush is particularly recommended for SEO specialists, digital marketing agencies, content marketers, and businesses of all sizes who are serious about improving their search engine rankings and digital marketing strategies. It is also suitable for PPC managers and social media strategists who need comprehensive tools for campaign analysis and tracking.

Google Ads videos

Avoid Google Ads โ€“ Donโ€™t Use Google Ads Until You Watch This (How Google Ads Work)

More videos:

  • Review - Warning: What Is Google Adwords and How Does It Work | Top 5 Reasons You Should NEVER Use Google Ads
  • Review - How Google Ads Work

SEMRush videos

SEMRush Review 2020 โ˜‘๏ธ Best Keyword Research Tool in 2020? ๐Ÿ˜ฑ SEMRush Tutorial

More videos:

  • Tutorial - SEMRush Review 2019 and Full SEMRush Tutorial on How to Use SEMRush
  • Tutorial - SEMRush Review and Tutorial: How Good Is It Really?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Google Ads and SEMRush)
Advertising
100 100%
0% 0
SEO
0 0%
100% 100
Marketing
100 100%
0% 0
SEO Tools
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Google Ads and SEMRush

Google Ads Reviews

ย Google Adwords Alternatives
Bing and Yahoo are Google's competitors not only in the area of search engines but also in online ads. Yahoo!/Bing Ads, formerly known as Microsoft AdCenter appeared after the ad networks of Microsoft and Yahoo! joined forces in order to beat Google AdWords. Yahoo!/Bing ads isn't a cheap alternative to AdWords but you should also consider it because it is really good....
10 Alternatives To Google AdWords
Google AdWords has been the leading PPC network for the last 15 years because of the number of searches, sites on the GDN, and their continued leadership in the digital space. Even with this, it is easy to think AdWords should be at the forefront of every PPC plan, but there are scenarios when you should look to alternatives for results. There are three main reasons you...
Source: www.ppchero.com
A Beginnerโ€™s Guide to Ad Servers (Plus: 8 Ad Servers Reviewed)
DoubleClick for Publishers is owned by Google. Google purchased DART for Publishers back in 2008 and renamed it DoubleClick for Publishers. DFP is free to use if youโ€™re serving less than 90 million ad impressions a month. DFP also offers premium services for publishers that have large sales teams who need more advanced features. This is one of the most popular ad serving...

SEMRush Reviews

  1. fraserstewart
    ยท CCO at Lyfeguard ยท
    Fantastic platform but introduce a โ€˜starter tierโ€™

    Canโ€™t knock the platform - itโ€™s great. I feel like they should have a paid-for offering at a lower price point, however. Strongly recommend!

  2. Mohit Gupta
    ยท Small Business Owner at SmokeHub ยท
    Easy to use with limited trail but prices are high expensive - Semrush

    Semrush is very popular and next level performance tool which varies competitors, analyzes and tracking of any domain website, which provides you full information what's the position of the website, overall traffic, etc. This tool is easy to use with limited trial 7 days, after the trial ends, has limited features work on free plan. There plans are very expensive, not affordable at purchasing price plans.

    In my experience, semrush is very costly and high level of experience.

    ๐Ÿ Competitors: Ahrefs, Moz, SE Ranking, Marketing Miner
    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    Real-time analytics|Excellent features|Simple yet powerful and efficient tool
    ๐Ÿ‘Ž Cons:    Pricing is too high|Limited features with free plan.
  3. Dorian Leone
    ยท Webmaster at Competitive Insight ยท
    Great keyword tracking platform, shame they removed the display advertising report

    SEMrush provides a great central hub for adding your websites as projects which can be tracked, audited and measured for visibility over time. I've used the platform across many roles and found the only recent drawback was the removal of their display advertising competitor reports.

    ๐Ÿ Competitors: Serpstat

The 16 Best Moz Alternatives for Every Budgetย 
If you run local SEO campaigns, Semrush has a whole set of tools called Semrush Local that are just for that purpose. You can add this tool kit on to a standard Semrush subscription or purchase it separately.
10 SE Ranking Alternatives in 2025 [Free and Paid]
SEMrush is ideal for users who need a comprehensive suite that goes beyond SEO, including content marketing and PPC management, making it perfect for digital marketers with diverse needs. Its extensive feature set offers a broader range of capabilities compared to SE Ranking.
10 Moz Pro Alternatives in 2025 [Free and Paid]
SEMrush is an all-in-one marketing platform that offers a broader range of tools compared to Moz Pro. SEMrush includes features such as keyword research, site audits, and backlink analysis, but it also extends into content marketing, social media management, and PPC.
Top 5 SEO Automation Tools for Agencies
By now, youโ€™ve seen how each of these top SEO automation tools can help your agency thrive in 2025. The right choice for you depends on your agencyโ€™s focus and challenges. If you need to quickly optimize on-page elements at scale, a tool like ClickRank or Alli AI might be your best bet for automating those tasks. If youโ€™re looking for a complete done-for-you AI assistant,...
Screaming Frog Alternative
SemRush - SemRushโ€™s technical SEO tools will allow you to crawl your website similar to Screaming Frog. SemRush also provides comprehensive keyword research tools of course, and a powerful toolset for any SEO. Pricing starts at $139.95 per month for one user.
Source: metamonster.ai

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SEMRush should be more popular than Google Ads. It has been mentiond 18 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Google Ads mentions (11)

  • I built a website where you can get a shoutout on the homepage for $1
    Nice one. There is another one with fluctuating prices https://ads.google.com/home/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Choosing Profitable Dropshipping Products As A Beginner
    Use Google Keyword Planner and trends tools to assess search volume and growth for product keywords. High volumes signal interest.Prioritize products with the most searches and aim your marketing efforts accordingly. Optimizing inventory based on search volume data will boost visibility for the most in-demand dropshipped items consumers are searching for. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Superior Google Ads Results: The Simplified Approach with PPC Rocket
    If youโ€™re a business struggling with Google Ads, feeling like youโ€™re being swept away by the current, it's time to anchor yourself with PPC Rocket. This tool is not just another addition to the market but a game-changer. Its clever design, optimized for efficiency, spend, and understanding, makes it a must-have for businesses aiming for superiority in their Google Ads results. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Best Creative Finance ads network in 2023
    Using Google Ads to advertise your financial services is a terrific approach to reaching your target market. On this network, which has over 2 billion active users, you may find your target market with ease. Source: over 2 years ago
  • How To Make Money Selling Courses Online (best Practices - 2022) - Pluggable
    Google ads help you to target your audience all over the internet. Your ads will be displayed on all types of relevant channels. The ads will appear on AdSense configured websites, searches, youtube videos, and other forms of channels. - Source: dev.to / about 3 years ago
View more

SEMRush mentions (18)

  • SEO 101: A Fun and Easy Guide to Crushing It in Digital Marketing
    Unveiling the Advanced SEO Strategies: 1. Strategic Keyword Domination: Identify high-value, long-tail keywords relevant to your niche. Leverage keyword mapping to align content with specific stages of the customer journey. Tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush offer advanced keyword research capabilities. 2. Content Excellence Beyond Basics: Craft content that not only targets keywords but provides value and... - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Research tools for niche/product competition?
    I use SEMRush (semrush.com/) a lot when researching a niche. I would input the URL of a competitor, and then examine "competitors of organic key words" -- to find related websites that compete with the input URL website. I would spent hours and hours in researching and documenting a list of competitors in different niches. Source: over 2 years ago
  • The blackout isnโ€™t just for subreddits. Users need to participate too.
    Https://www.similarweb.com/ and https://semrush.com they are not 100% accurate but they are a good indicator. Source: over 2 years ago
  • How is your content production workflow?
    Each day that I write, I create the post directly in Wordpress. I use Surfer for Content optimization and sometimes SEMrush to help with keyword research, but Iโ€™m not super strict about following the suggestions. I try to keep it as natural as possible. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Need to up my SEO game.
    If you're looking to up your SEO game, there are several strategies you can try. One approach is to conduct thorough keyword research to identify the phrases and terms your target audience is using to search for businesses like yours. Tools like SEMrush and SurferSEO can be helpful. From there, you can optimize your website content, including titles, meta descriptions, and body copy, to incorporate these keywords... Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Google Ads and SEMRush, you can also consider the following products

AdSense - Earn money with website monetization from Google AdSense. We'll optimize your ad sizes to give them more chance to be seen and clicked.

Ahrefs - Ahrefs is a toolset for SEO and marketing. We have tools for backlink research, organic traffic research, keyword research, content marketing & more. Give Ahrefs a try!

Microsoft Advertising - Use our search engine marketing and audience solutions to help you build your business.

Moz - Backed by industry-leading data and the largest community of SEOs on the planet, Moz builds tools that make inbound marketing easy.

Facebook for Business - Facebook Business gives the latest news, advertising tips, best practices and case studies to meet the business goals.

SE Ranking - All-in-One cloud-based SEO software for agencies, marketing teams and webmasters