Adjust Your Approach to the Way You Run Facebook Ads with Help from a Digital Marketing Agency
In the world of digital marketing, keeping up with the latest tools and technologies is a must for businesses aiming to thrive online. Digital marketing platforms often update their tools to keep pace with their capabilities and their advertisers’ needs – status quo for the industry.
One such shift is the transition from Meta Pixel – formerly Facebook Pixel – to Conversions API, which is slated to change the way marketers run and optimize social media ads.
In this blog, we’ll dive into what these two tools are, how they differ, why this switch is necessary, and what you need to know about this change.
What Is the Meta Pixel?
The Meta Pixel was like a tiny piece of code you place on your website to track how users interact with your site after they click on a Facebook ad or Instagram ad your business was running.
Pixel was a data goldmine, tracking things like page views, items added to carts, and purchases. Advertisers could use this data to see how well their ad campaigns were performing, show social media ads to people more likely to take certain actions, and bring back website visitors with content or products that catch their interest. But it wasn’t without fault, so Meta developed its replacement, Conversions API.
What is the Conversions API?
The Conversions API is a newer addition to Meta’s toolkit for advertisers. Instead of relying on tracking via users’ browsers, Conversions API sends data directly from the server to Facebook or Instagram.
Think of Conversions API an express lane for sharing events and user interactions with Meta platforms in real-time. This includes information on purchases, lead submissions, and other conversions, all of which help you better understand how your social media advertising campaigns are performing.
What’s the Difference Between Meta Pixel and Conversions API?
While both the Meta Pixel and Conversions API perform fundamentally the same job – tracking user interactions – they have some key differences. These differences remedy issues that digital marketers had with the Pixel tool.
-
Data accuracy: Meta Pixel uses browser-based tracking. Ad blockers, cookies, and privacy settings can interfere with it. In contrast, Conversions API is server-side tracking, so it is more accurate and dependable. This means fewer discrepancies and clearer insights to how your Instagram or Facebook ad campaigns are performing.
-
Real-time data: Conversions API uses real-time data, which is valuable for businesses with high sales volumes who need updates by the minute.
-
Data privacy: Conversions API is more privacy-friendly because it doesn’t rely on cookies, nor does it track individual users. With privacy concerns in the spotlight, this new tool offers a better solution.
-
Cross-device tracking: Meta Pixel tracked users on one device. Conversions API, however, tracks across devices, giving a more complete picture of user behavior. Most people use multiple devices, so this is a major plus for social media advertisers who want a complete view of who their audience is and what they’re doing.
What You Need to Know About This Social Media Advertising Transition
As Meta makes this switch, digital marketers have a lot to think about in terms of implementing the tool, analyzing data, troubleshooting, and adapting to yet another update in the online ad industry.
-
Switching to Conversions API means digging deeper into “technical stuff,” like coding on the server side, and implementing it into current systems. It can take a knowledgeable hand to do this.
-
When sharing data via Conversions API, make sure you’re handling sensitive customer information securely and following data protection rules.
-
Conversions API lets you process data in real time, but that also means any hiccups will be immediately obvious, requiring marketers to stay on top of monitoring and troubleshooting. This is a powerful benefit, as it allows marketers to keep campaigns running at their very best.
-
Like any change, remember that an adjustment phase is necessary. It can take more time to fine-tune campaigns and gather data for meaningful optimizations as you learn the new tool.
Need More Information About Instagram or Facebook Ads?
Understanding Conversions API is essential for businesses looking to make the most out of their Meta campaigns. Business marketing teams who aren’t well versed in social media advertising may find the tool – and necessary optimizations – frustrating or difficult to coax performance from.
For best results from your social media ad campaign, working with a Meta-certified marketing professional at a digital ad agency can provide clarity and success.
Sydney Weeks, a graduate from the University of Arkansas, is a seasoned social media coordinator at iFocus Marketing. She has written compelling content and managed social media ads for diverse industries, including law firms, ecommerce stores, and service providers. When she’s not working, Sydney enjoys exploring the outdoors with her furry sidekick Hazel, solving puzzles, and baking.
