The iOS 14 update brought significant changes to Facebook’s advertising ecosystem, particularly affecting event match rates. With the increasing focus on user privacy and data transparency, marketers are faced with new challenges. In this article, I’ll explore some of the strategies that helped me improve Facebook event match rates in the post-iOS 14 era in the campaigns that I manage.

Understanding Event Match Rates

Event match rates are a critical metric for advertisers, measuring the percentage of users who trigger a specific event, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter, after clicking on a Facebook ad. High match rates indicate that your ads effectively drive users to take the desired actions.

However, since iOS 14, Apple has implemented App Tracking Transparency (ATT) measures, requiring user consent for apps to track their data across other apps and websites. As a result, Facebook’s ability to track user actions has been limited, affecting event match rates.

Strategies for Improving Event Match Rates

  1. Verify Your Domain: Start by verifying your website domain with Facebook. This helps establish domain ownership and builds trust with the platform, which can positively impact event match rates.
  2. Implement Aggregated Event Measurement: Facebook now limits the number of conversion events you can track per domain. Prioritize the most critical events and use aggregated event measurement and consider combining similar events, such as “Add to Cart” and “Initiate Checkout,” into a single event for tracking purposes.
  3. Utilize the Conversions API: The Conversions API allows you to send event data directly to Facebook’s servers, bypassing some limitations imposed by the iOS update. This can improve your match rates by providing more accurate data.
  4. Leverage First-Party Data: Emphasize the use of first-party data, which is data you collect directly from your users through your website or app. This data is less reliant on third-party tracking and can help you understand user behavior better.
  5. Segment Your Audiences: Create highly targeted audience segments based on user behavior and demographics. By delivering personalized content to specific groups, you can increase the likelihood of users engaging with your ads and completing desired actions.
  6. Optimize Ad Creative: Invest in compelling ad creative that resonates with your target audience. Well-designed visuals and persuasive copy can capture users’ attention and encourage them to take action.
  7. A/B Testing: Continuously test different ad formats, placements, and messaging to identify what works best for your audience. A/B testing helps you refine your strategy and maximize event match rates.
  8. Offer Value: Ensure that your ads and landing pages offer genuine value to users. Make it clear why they should take the desired action, whether it’s making a purchase, signing up, or downloading an app.
  9. Educate and Encourage Consent: Be transparent with your users about data tracking and encourage them to opt in when prompted by the App Tracking Transparency dialog on iOS devices.
  10. Adapt and Monitor Performance: Stay agile and adjust your advertising strategies based on real-time performance data. Continuously monitor your campaigns and make necessary changes to optimize match rates.

Conclusion

The iOS 14 update has indeed posed challenges for Facebook advertisers, but with the right strategies, you can still achieve impressive event match rates. By focusing on transparency, data optimization, and audience targeting, you can adapt to the changing landscape of digital marketing and continue to drive meaningful results from your Facebook advertising campaigns. Remember that the key to success lies in staying informed of platform changes and being agile in your approach and management.

Thanks for reading!

David Gengler