# Google Ads vs Smartly: which do AI models recommend for paid ads, October 2026

GTM AI Recommendation Index, October 2026 Edition, Search and social advertising platforms. One of fourteen models named Google Ads first on the direct prompt; zero named Smartly. Page: https://gtm-ai-index.com/marketing/search-and-social-advertising-platforms/google-ads-vs-smartly/

| | First-choice share | Rank | Negative rate | Labels | Models naming it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Ads | 13% | #1 of 14 | 10% | 30 | 13 of 14 |
| Smartly | 2% | #7 of 14 | 15% | 20 | 12 of 14 |

## The direct prompt, model by model

- Claude Haiku 4.5: google ads first (first choices: Directive, Google Ads) (alternatives: AdRoll ABM, Disruptive Advertising, HawkSEM, LinkedIn Campaign Manager, Optmyzr)
- GPT-5.4 mini: neither first, one named (first choices: Google Marketing Platform with Search Ads 360) (alternatives: Optmyzr, Smartly)
- DeepSeek V4 Flash: neither first, one named (first choices: HubSpot Advertising) (alternatives: 6sense, Skai, Smartly, Wask)
- Qwen 3.7 Flash: neither first, one named (first choices: AdRoll ABM, Terminus) (alternatives: Google Ads, HubSpot Ads, LinkedIn Campaign Manager, Microsoft Advertising, Revealbot)
- Gemini 3.5 Flash: neither named (first choices: Metadata.io) (alternatives: HubSpot Ads, Influ2, Optmyzr)
- Perplexity Sonar: neither named (first choices: HubSpot Marketing Hub) (alternatives: AdRoll, Optmyzr)
- Grok 4.1 Fast: neither named (first choices: Skai) (alternatives: Adzooma, Marin Software, Optmyzr, Revealbot)
- Mistral Small: neither named (first choices: Metadata.io) (alternatives: 6sense, AdRoll, WebFX)
- Llama 4 Maverick: neither named (first choices: AdRoll) (alternatives: 6sense, Madgicx, WebFX)
- Kimi K2: neither named (first choices: Metadata.io) (alternatives: AdRoll ABM)
- GLM 4.7 FlashX: neither named (first choices: HubSpot Marketing Hub) (alternatives: AdRoll ABM, Skai)
- MiniMax M2.5: neither named (first choices: Skai) (alternatives: 6sense, HubSpot's Ad Management Tools)
- GPT-6 Luna: neither named (first choices: Metadata.io) (alternatives: Optmyzr)
- Muse Glimmer 30B: neither named (first choices: Marin Software) (alternatives: 6sense, Ryze AI, Semrush Advertising Toolkit)

## What the models said about Google Ads

- "Trustpilot shows significant dissatisfaction around misleading promotional credits, billing discrepancies, unexpected deductions, and unhelpful support." (DeepSeek V4 Flash, negative prompt, soft negative)
- "Verdict: Essential but challenging; consider using a third-party management tool" (GLM 4.7 FlashX, negative prompt, soft negative)
- "the native platforms like Google Ads and Meta Ads Manager ... are often the best starting point—they're completely free to use" (Grok 4.1 Fast, budget prompt, first choice)
- "For PPC, Google Ads (particularly for branded and intent-based campaigns) is often considered the best overall solution." (Mistral Small, paraphrase prompt, first choice)

## What the models said about Smartly

- "Smartly.io: Social-first (Meta/TikTok/LinkedIn) with AI creative; scales to search. Ideal for visual/brand campaigns." (Grok 4.1 Fast, scale prompt, first choice)

Share is the count of first choices across the direct, paraphrase, budget and scale prompts over all fourteen models, for a mid-market B2B company; rank is within the category. Comparisons are drawn for the top eight products in each category. Published under CC BY 4.0; the output is the models' output, and nothing here is a recommendation by the index.