Native Ads vs. Facebook Ads: Which is Best for Affiliate Marketing?

Let’s start with a myth... 

Facebook is not the right platform for affiliate marketing.

This myth stems from the fact that Facebook has notoriously shut down several business accounts and personal accounts in the past for adding direct links to their ads. This had even prompted several affiliate marketers to look for greener pastures in the past... One such space is native ads. 

But the truth is, Facebook as a platform cannot be ignored when it comes to affiliate marketing. After all, it has billions of users along with tons of personal information—a perfect recipe for accurate targeting.

So, what should we choose? Facebook ads or Native ads? Let’s compare them a bit...

Native Ads vs. Facebook Ads: 5 Key Differences

1. Algorithm

Facebook is hugely dependent on algorithms to qualify the ads. Also, some of their policies related to links are not exactly affiliate marketing-friendly. As a result, many face challenges in the form of ad rejections and account bans. 

Native ads, on the other hand, seem to be a better friend to affiliate marketers. They are neither dependent on algorithms nor have any unreasonable policies or guidelines related to links. 

Winner - Native Ads

2. Ad Format

The format is pretty simple for Facebook ads. 

An affiliate marketer can push in as many words as they want; there is no limit on the number of words you can use. However, for native ads, the recommended limit is 30-150 characters. This curtails the affiliate marketer’s ability to convey multiple points in the same ad. 

Winner - Facebook Ads

3. Reach

This is a no-brainer. 

Undoubtedly, Facebook is the biggest social media platform out there and has gazillions of users that affiliate marketers can tap into. 

And on top of that, its advanced targeting feature lets you deliver ads to the right target audience. 

Native ads, on the other hand, only get as many users as the number of visitors reaching the website where the ad is placed. Targeting for native ads is usually broader and is not as pointed as Facebook. 

Winner - Facebook Ads

4. Cost

Facebook ads are not the cheapest in the market... Also, the prices fluctuate continuously. On average, for all sectors, the CPC of Facebook is around $1.72. 

On the other hand, Native ads are way more affordable. Their CPC hovers around $0.20 to $1.00. It varies based on the target platform, the device used, and several other factors.

Winner - Native Ads

5. Time Needed to Generate Results

Again a tough fight, but Facebook enjoys a slight advantage here. 

Facebook ads often give results faster than native ads, primarily because you pour all your budget into a single platform. Affiliate marketers distribute their budget across multiple websites when it comes to native ads. 

You spend a lot of time collecting and analyzing data and removing websites that aren’t giving results. This takes a considerable amount of time. 

Winner - Facebook Ads

Wrapping Up

Though Facebook seems to have scored 3 - 2 in the above parameters, we still think it is a draw. Both these ad platforms are suitable for different types of affiliate marketers. 

For instance, if you are an affiliate marketer with limited resources, limited time, but more budget, then you can leverage the reach of Facebook to get more clicks. 

However, if you are only looking for higher ROI, then native ads might be your perfect choice.

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