Ask Is building authority more important than running advertisements?

[Meridian]

Running ads can bring quick attention, but authority is what makes people believe what a business says. When a brand becomes known for real knowledge and honest advice, customers start trusting its products without needing constant convincing. Advertisements can fade once the budget stops, but authority built over time keeps working in the background. Many small businesses focus only on ads and forget to build that kind of respect. Which one do you think matters more for long term growth?