“Should I invest more in TikTok or Instagram?”
The truth is, both platforms have power, but the real winner for ROI (Return on Investment) depends on your goals, content style, and audience.
Let’s break it down.
TikTok and Instagram are two of the biggest names in the industry of social media marketing. Their audiences, strengths, and content forms are very different.
TikTok targets a younger audience and specializes on brief, musical videos. Instagram gives marketers the ability to customize their tactics by providing a wide variety of content types for a wider age range.
Instagram places more emphasis on visual storytelling and well-established influencer culture than TikTok, which promotes authenticity and virality.
What Do We Mean by ROI in Social Media?
Before we dive into TikTok vs. Instagram, it’s important to define ROI for social platforms. ROI isn’t just sales, it can be:
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Leads generated
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Brand awareness
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Website clicks
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Engagement rate
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Email signups
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Conversion to sales
TikTok: Wide Audience, Fast Growth
✅ Pros:
You Can Easily Go Viral: A single video can reach thousands of views even with a modest account.
Cheaper Ads: Compared to Instagram, TikTok ads are typically less expensive to run.
Excellent for Younger Audiences: The majority of users are between the ages of ten and thirty.
Fun & Trendy: The main focus is on short films, current events, and narratives.
❌ Cons:
Videos Are Short: A post that goes viral could disappear in a day or two.
Fewer Link Options: Compared to Instagram, you are unable to share as many clickable links.
Users are mostly there to be amused, not to shop, so they might not be ready to make a purchase.
Instagram: Sales Power + Trust
✅Pros
Sales are easier to make because customers may purchase directly from the app after viewing your post.
Establishes Trust: Your page may have the appearance of a polished portfolio.
Additional Posting Methods: You can mix and match stories, reels, pictures, live streams, and highlights!
DMs & Shop Features: Excellent for direct sales or conversation with customers.
❌ The difficulties
More Difficult to Grow Naturally: Growth may be sluggish if you don’t post Reels frequently.
Ads Cost More Because Instagram has more competitors.
The Algorithm Is Tricky: Your reach decreases if you cease posting or receive little interaction.
TikTok vs. Instagram in 2025 (What’s Working Best)
| Area | TikTok | |
|---|---|---|
| Views & Reach | -Best for going viral | – Not as easy to go viral |
| Sales/Conversions | – Lower (more for awareness) | – Better for turning viewers into buyers |
| Trust Building | – Less personal | -Stronger for connection & trust |
| Ad Budget | -Cheaper ads | -More expensive, better targeting |
Our Advice?
👉 Go with TikTok if:
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You want quick attention and lots of views
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You enjoy making short videos
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Your audience is younger (under 35)
👉 Go with Instagram if:
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You want to build trust and close sales
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You want to use multiple types of content (not just video)
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Your audience is more professional or over 30
Or Use Both!
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Use TikTok to get seen by more people.
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Send people to Instagram to build trust, chat in DMs, and make sales.
And that’s it !! It’s really not that complicated! If all these sound too much for you to handle, you can always reach out to us(Seo Ghana) for assistance!
