Why does SEO get all the attention, while paid ad intelligence gets overlooked?
I’ve noticed that in most growth discussions, people tend to focus heavily on SEO — optimizing blogs, backlinks, keywords, etc.
But very few talk about paid traffic strategies, especially analyzing competitors’ ad placements, creatives, and media buying patterns.
In our experience, paid ad data often gives faster, clearer direction — especially when entering a new market or launching a product.
Curious to hear from others:
Do you analyze competitors’ ads?
Has it impacted your growth more than SEO?
Or is SEO still your go-to strategy?
Replies
That’s a great point! I totally agree, while SEO is super important for long-term growth, paid ads can give much faster insights, especially when testing a new product or market.
Yes I analyze competitor ads. Checking their ad creatives, ad copies, landing pages, platforms they're using.
But SEO is still very important for long-term success. It’s a slower process, but if we consistently post or update content, fix on-page SEO issues, and follow best practices, organic traffic can grow steadily and bring long-lasting results.
I'm deep in paid ads strategy right now. I completely agree with your "faster, clearer direction" point. It's a no brainer if you know how to use them.
Yes, I look at the meta ad library and have a swipe file of my favorite formats and copy
Yes, WAY more impact than SEO
I barely focus on SEO until a product is already cranking. It just takes too long and is a poor use of up-front time. It's MUCH better to spend a little money to confirm whether you're right or wrong, then either shut it down fast or double down.
People don't realize that paid ads allow you to force results for not that much money. It's a positive ROI trade either in time, money, or both.
Great points, Zoe! I agree that SEO often steals the spotlight because it’s seen as a sustainable, long-term growth strategy, whereas paid ads can feel more tactical and short-lived. However, competitor ad intelligence can be a goldmine for quick insights — from messaging that resonates to channels driving conversions. In my experience, combining both is the sweet spot: SEO builds a strong foundation and organic credibility, while paid ad analysis helps you pivot faster and uncover immediate opportunities. Would love to hear how others balance these approaches!