Businesses spent over $856 billion on paid advertising in 2023. That’s a huge number.
If you’re trying to figure out where to spend your ad budget, we’re here to help you. The top PPC platforms can make or break your marketing results, and picking the right ones matters more than you think.
Highlights:
- Pay only when people click
- Google Ads reaches almost everyone
- Meta Ads excel at local targeting
- LinkedIn delivers high-quality B2B leads
- TikTok rewards authentic, engaging content
At DigiEvolve, we work with clients who ask us the same question every day. Which advertising platforms work? We’ve tested most of them, spent millions in ad budgets, and learned what works for different types of businesses.
Let’s talk about the seven top PPC platforms that work really well.
What Makes a PPC Platform Worth Your Money?
Before we get into the top PPC platforms, it’s important to know what matters. A good platform helps you reach your target audience effectively without overspending. You want to see clear results and understand where your money is going.
That’s why digital marketing solutions like PPC work so well. You’re charged only when a person actually clicks on your ad. You’re paying for actual interest, not just impressions.
1. Google Ads
Google owns about 92% of the search market. That’s basically everyone.
When someone searches for something, they’re ready to find an answer. Maybe they want to buy something, learn something, or fix a problem. Your business shows up right when people are searching for what you offer with Google Ads.
What you can do is run text ads, video ads, image ads, and their Performance Max campaigns that use AI to handle everything.
It costs around $3.67 per click on average, but this changes a lot depending on what you’re selling.
Pretty much everyone should use Google Ads. If you’re in local services, SaaS, e-commerce, or travel, this should be your first stop. People come to Google already looking for something, which means they’re ready to take action.
2. Meta Ads
Meta combines Facebook and Instagram into one advertising platform. Their system automatically shows your ads on whichever platform works better. You don’t have to guess or split your budget manually.
These top PPC platforms are very visual so you can get creative. Show your products, tell stories, and build a brand that people remember.
It costs between $0.50 and $2.00 per click.
E-commerce brands, travel companies, and local businesses do really well here. If you’re a restaurant, dentist, or retail shop, Meta’s location targeting can bring customers right to your door. The targeting options are some of the best you’ll find anywhere.
3. Amazon Ads
Amazon handles 47% of all online shopping in America. Almost half of all e-commerce happens there.
If you sell physical products and aren’t on Amazon, you could be leaving a lot of sales on the table. Amazon Ads show your products to people when they are ready to buy.
It costs between $0.80 and $1.50 per click.
Consumer electronics and home and garden sellers do really well here. People trust Amazon, and they’re ready to buy when they visit. The conversion rates on Amazon are higher than most other platforms because people go there specifically to shop.
4. LinkedIn Ads
LinkedIn is where professionals hang out. If you’re trying to reach other businesses, there’s no better option among the top PPC platforms available today.
You can target people by their job title, company size, and industry. Want to reach marketing directors at software companies? LinkedIn lets you do that with precision.
It costs between $5 and $8 per click. Yes, it’s more expensive than other platforms, but the quality of leads often makes up for it.
B2B services, software companies, and recruiters see the best results here. If you’re selling to other businesses, this is where decision makers spend their time. They’re on LinkedIn to network and find solutions for their companies.
5. TikTok Ads
TikTok is growing really fast, and smart marketers are jumping in early.
Here’s what works on TikTok. Your ads need to look like regular posts. No polished corporate videos. Make it look like user-generated content, and you’ll get much better results. The platform rewards authentic content that fits naturally into people’s feeds.
You need to spend at least $50 every day. They charge based on impressions, usually between $1 and $10 per thousand views.
Fashion, beauty, supplements, fitness, and e-commerce brands in general see great results. If you’re targeting younger people, TikTok is where they spend hours every day. The engagement rates here are higher than most social platforms.
6. YouTube Ads
YouTube is technically part of Google, but it feels different enough that we’re treating it separately.
Video ads let you build trust in a way that text ads can’t. You can show your product, explain things better, and connect with people more deeply.
It costs between $0.01 and $0.03 per view. That’s really cheap compared to other platforms, which makes it great for brands with smaller budgets.
Entertainment, education, tech, fashion, automotive, and travel companies all see great results here. YouTube has over 2 billion users, and people go there to watch and learn. If you can create good video content, this platform offers incredible value.
7. Microsoft Ads
Bing might only have 10% of the search market, but that 10% is worth your attention. Bing users tend to be older and have more money than the average Google user.
The platform works almost exactly like Google Ads. If you’re already running Google campaigns, adding Bing takes almost no extra effort.
It costs around $1.54 per click, which is cheaper than Google while often reaching a more affluent audience.
Financial services, healthcare, and education companies do well here. The demographic skews older and wealthier, which is perfect if that matches your target customer. Many advertisers ignore Bing, which means less competition and lower costs for you.
How DigiEvolve Helps Choose the Right Platform
At digital marketing agency, we know that the solution to every problem is not the same. What drives growth for a fashion brand might not work for a B2B software company. That’s why our affordable PPC services begin with getting to know your business and your audience, where they spend their time and what they’re searching for online.
Then we test, measure, and make it better. We might start with two or three of the top PPC platforms and see which ones give the best results for your specific situation. Sometimes a platform you’d never expect ends up being your best performer.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to be on every platform. You need to be on the right top PPC platforms for your business.
Google Ads and Meta Ads work well for most companies, while LinkedIn is extremely important for B2B. TikTok and YouTube are growing fast for the right industries. Amazon is required if you sell physical products. And Bing gives you access to people with more money at lower costs.
Start with one or two top PPC platforms, get them working well, and then add more. The top PPC platforms can really change your business when you use them right.
May You Need to Read:
SEO vs PPC: Which Strategy Is Best for Your Business
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