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Everything you need to know about Facebook Conversions API

In today’s business landscape, advertising is substantially reliant on data. Generally speaking, this data comes from browsers. 

New privacy regulations have forced marketers to adapt to cookieless tracking and reshape the way they approach data acquisition and strategizing. 

However, if third-party cookies are no longer the cornerstone of online advertising, what will change? And how do we stop privacy implications from blocking data collection with cookies and Pixels? 

Throughout this article, you’ll discover how Facebook Conversions API can help businesses overcome data collection modifications, as well as the integrations that can be used in conjunction with this.  

What is Facebook Conversions API?

Facebook Conversions API (or Facebook CAPI), previously known as Facebook Server-Side API. It’s designed to help businesses deliver personalized advertising experiences to audiences, all whilst maintaining data privacy. 

This tool allows you to send web events from their respective servers, directly to Facebook. The entire process is achieved without a reliance on browser-based tools, including cookies.

The intention of Meta Conversion API is to exist on the server side of your website (as the previous name suggests), sending events to the browser pixel that has been installed. 

Facebook cookieless tracking 

The removal of third-party cookies is beneficial for the promotion of data privacy. However, this has posed a great challenge to businesses across the globe. Brands could no longer rely on cookies to curate strategies that effectively target users whilst simultaneously measuring campaign performance. 

In the past, you could track Facebook ad campaigns by inputting a series of Javascript code lines, and have Facebook Pixel do the rest. However, this is not the case anymore. 

The conversions API has combatted Facebook cookieless tracking, allowing for the sharing of data directly from your business’ server, as opposed to via a browser. The data within the API is transferred directly into Facebook and handled in a similar way to that of pixel events. 

Once completed, you can monitor the conversions that take place and make adjustments wherever necessary within the Meta Ads Manager. This is achieved while upholding the user’s specific privacy preferences.

Facebook Conversions API and data privacy

With the development of Intelligent Ad Tracking Prevention (ITP) systems, a trend has arisen of browsers phasing out third-party data entirely.

Instead of sharing data with the browser, companies can use meta conversions API to share the data that matters with Facebook through their server.

This means that if a customer uses a privacy tool for non-Facebook activity, their actions will be extended to data sent through Conversions API.

So, where does the end-user opt in to get recorded? 

The user opt-in is recorded on your website. That consent is then passed to Facebook when uploading conversion activity via Meta Conversions API. If the user opts out, a new event is fired with this information – consequently removing it from the audience.

Additionally, there are major differences between how cookies collect data vs. how the API collects data. In short, what cookie-based data alone has the ability to collect is strictly dependent on end-user browser preferences – particularly for what concerns ad-blocking extensions. 

Facebook CAPI sends server events instead, bypassing these limitations. This Blueprint training can be used as a resource for more information.

Server-side API Facebook

Server-side APIs are programmatic interfaces that contain at least one publicly open endpoint to a request/response system. Mostly, these are expressed in JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) or XML (Extensible Markup Language).

These are exposed through the web, usually by means of an HTTP web server. As previously mentioned, the Server-side API from Facebook is no longer known as such. Instead, it is exclusively referred to as Conversions API.

Conversions API Facebook

Facebook itself encourages advertisers across the board to implement Conversions API in addition to Pixel for optimal full-funnel tracking and reliable data sharing. This way, advertisers can transmit a larger array of data in order to back their advertising efforts.

With the implementation of Conversions API, data such as CRM data and lower funnel events can be captured. This is more than Pixel can offer alone. Moreover, companies with high-security needs can use this to decide which data they wish to share. 

Setting up Conversions API will require some development resourcing, but a network of Facebook-certified partners or your own existing system integrator/marketing platform provider streamline the process.

How does Facebook Conversion API work?

Although this may seem like an overwhelmingly technical process, it can be simplified when broken down into sections.

Here is a quick rundown of how Facebook Conversions API works:

  1. The customer enters the website.
  2. The website must have a Facebook Pixel. Facebook Pixel documents first-party user data in cookies.
  3. The server will save user information in the same way that it saves IP addresses, user agents, Google Analytics client_id, and other parameters.
  4. When the user (with their saved user data) triggers an event, the server will make a request that contains information about the said event and said user data to the Facebook server.

For Facebook Conversions API, you will need to set up the following:

  • Meta Business Manager (this is a must, as you cannot use Meta Conversions API without it);
  • A Facebook Pixel with your website. It’s important to note that it should be correlated with the Business Manager;
  • The specialized Facebook App. This is an app for working with Facebook Conversions API, and it’s combined with Business Manager.
LeadsBridge Facebook Conversions API

What conversions can be tracked with Conversions API?

With all this talk of event tracking, it’s important to note which events are tracked through Facebook CAPI. 

These events are as follows;

  • Leads
  • Affiliate payments
  • Find locations
  • Phone calls
  • Form submissions
  • Purchases
  • Email subscriptions
  • Subscription changes

CAPI has a unique set of benefits that the browser Pixel does not possess, including a better overview of omnichannel customer journeys. This is done by conquering things that used to be challenging for event tracking, challenges such as;

  • Bad network connections
  • Long loading times for pages
  • Ad blockers

Possibly, the best benefit of Facebook Conversions API is that you can control the data that is shared with Facebook servers. This gives you the ability to track offline conversions like in-person purchases and sales made over phone calls.

With Conversions API, you can also send offline events’ data directly to Facebook.

What is Conversion Leads Optimization on Facebook?  

The Conversion Leads Optimization Facebook delivery option is a new feature for Facebook Lead Ads. It allows you to optimize your ad delivery by displaying your ad to users who can be converted to high-quality leads easily. 

While Facebook Lead Ads prioritize the volume of leads, the Conversion Leads Optimization delivery feature prioritizes the quality of your leads. So to display your ads to higher-quality potential leads, Facebook gathers your existing customers’ data and creates audience segments. 

LeadsBridge offers an integration for Facebook Conversion Leads Optimization.

3 Facebook Conversions API examples

The Conversions API creates a direct and dependable link between your company’s marketing data and Facebook. This connection can boost your ad targeting and optimization significantly. 

These data-driven advertising efforts include online, app, and offline conversion events. They eventually make room for personalized campaigns and effective audience targeting for higher conversion rates.

Let’s take a look at some of the Facebook Conversion API examples.

SumUP’s Facebook Conversions API use case

SumUp, a European financial technology startup, increased quality leads by 10% via a conversion-optimized ad campaign that integrated Facebook’s Conversions API with its CRM system. 

Unlike your usual lead volume optimization, this technique highlighted producing higher-quality leads using offline conversion data. 

Facebook Conversions API examples
Source: Meta

SumUp increased its targeting accuracy by securely submitting offline conversion-related actions to Facebook’s server via the Conversions API. 

The results? A remarkable 10% increase in qualified leads, a 15% drop in cost per qualified lead, and a 12% rise in addressable leads.

Fever as a Facebook Conversions API example

Fever is a worldwide entertainment discovery network. By running advertisements across different Meta applications, the company used the Conversions API and custom conversions that eventually increased its return on ad spend by 2.1X.

Facebook Conversions API examples
Source: Meta

Fever achieved great results by optimizing for specific client behaviors which also improved their understanding of the customer journey via the insights they gained through Conversions API. 

These improvements brought about a 2.8X decrease in cost per purchase, a 2.4X rise in view content, and a 2.4X decrease in cost per view content.

YOOX NET-A-PORTER & Facebook Conversions API case study

This international online fashion and lifestyle destination, YOOX NET-A-PORTER, boosted its Facebook ad sales (30%) by seamlessly integrating the Meta Pixel and Conversions API.

Facebook Conversions API examples
Source: Meta

The Meta Pixel provided insights into user behavior, while the Conversions API enabled the direct sharing of key web and offline events from YOOX’s server to Meta’s. This integration positively affected mostly their ad targeting, cost reduction, and accuracy of tracking efforts. 

To be things in a quantifiable perspective, the company witnessed a 30% boost in purchases, a 25% reduction in the cost per purchase, and a 30% increase in return on ad spend just during the test period.

Facebook Conversion API iOS 14

Apple implemented its new App Tracking Transparency framework in iOS 14 back in 2020. This implies that app developers must let users know that their data is being collected. They must request permission from users to track how they engage with apps. 

Overall, advertising and marketing as we know it are changing drastically, mostly due to the GDPR’s data privacy laws and regulations.

However, if users opt out of tracking, their behavior cannot be tracked again. The iOS 14 changes impact all apps, which is why Facebook encourages marketers to switch to server-side tracking.

The impact of this change includes:

  1. Inability to track iOS users after they opt out; you cannot use retargeting campaigns for them.
  2. Events are limited to 8 per website; you cannot use custom events.
  3. Unverified domains are unable to use events; you cannot optimize your campaigns for outside events.
  4. Facebook no longer supports the attribution windows of 28-day click-through, 28-day view-through, and 7-day view-through attribution windows. This makes it difficult to analyze campaigns.
  5. There will be no real-time reporting anymore. Data will experience delays.

How to tackle iOS 14 changes

  1. Use Facebook CAPI to track conversions, optimize campaigns, and create custom audiences. Instead of using the browser pixel, events are sent through the server.
  2. Verify your domain.
  3. Use aggregated event measurement tools to choose the eight events available for a website.

Facebook Conversions API GDPR 

Data protection has become a major concern for users and businesses alike. Advertisers have faced numerous challenges in how they approach operations whilst achieving results and gaining insight. 

CAPI has presented itself as an alternative to previous tools that have been subject to extensive data regulations. However, it must still abide by general data protection regulations. 

The API is independent from the use of third-party cookies, making it obedient to GDPR specifications. Instead of tracking user activity and sending data through a web browser, this tool transfers the data through a server using a unique ID.

Additionally, Facebook conversion API GDPR is maintained by offering increased data control with more nuanced sharing and tracking settings.

This is achieved by allowing businesses to choose which data they would like to share with Meta, as opposed to default tracking every action a user takes. Businesses that use CAPI can better comply with GDPR specifications by appending their insights within Facebook.  

Facebook Conversions API vs. Facebook Pixel

Conversions API helps businesses share specific online and offline events between their server and Facebook’s Server.

Facebook Pixel – which has been around for quite a while now – helps businesses track the effectiveness of their product or service. It basically tracks what people do on your website, including the pages they visit, what actions they take on those pages, etc.

Conversions API vs. Facebook Pixel: What are the differences?

The Facebook Pixel and conversions API tools are fundamentally different in functionality. Yet, they are combined as a unit to improve marketing performance on Facebook. That being said, let’s have a look at the major differences between CAPI and Pixel below:

CAPI makes up for the ad tracking obstacles by managing problems such as lengthy load duration, inadequate network connections, and ad blockers. 

Unlike Pixel, conversions API does not show the customer’s complete journey and presents only the end result. However, it helps measure customer actions using the Facebook pixel to gain visibility into your buyer’s entire journey. Facebook CAPI helps you control the data you share and when you share it.

In addition, it offers accurate information you can use for ad targeting, measurement, and optimization (if used with Facebook pixel). Overall, it enables you to keep your social media marketing campaigns efficient. 

On the other hand, Facebook Pixel gathers important data for creating optimized Facebook ads and audience targeting. It also helps you track your customers’ interaction with your products or specific conversion events across your business page.

Weighing your options to know which is the best for your business? The answer is using the conversions API in addition to Facebook Pixel since both tools are very consistent and extremely effective if used as a unit.

Benefits of Facebook CAPI

Facebook CAPI can let you share data directly from your server to Facebook. Sharing data like this allows you to achieve the following;

  • Accurately measuring actions in multiple ways. It enables you to share events like delayed values and user/lead scores so that you can use them for further optimization with other Facebook tools.
  • Improving targeting data accuracy with measurements and optimizations when paired with Pixel.
  • Gaining complete control over the data you share and when you share it 

This is all possible as server events are linked to your pixel and behave like browser events. This is how they do it:

  • They’re used for the same ad optimization, including conversion and value.
  • They appear on almost all of the same surfaces. Two of which include Ads Manager and Events Manager.
  • They abide by the same controls and restrictions implemented by Facebook, like with the Off-Facebook Activity tool and the Facebook Business Tool Terms.

When combining Facebook Conversions API with another tool from the Facebook suite, you can gain massive insight that would otherwise be impossible to have.

The use of the API to send conversion information goes around the IOS restrictions. When CAPI is purely used to track offline activity with lower-funnel events (e.g., Purchase), iOS 14 restrictions will not be taken into consideration as such activity doesn’t come from any specific OS.

Remember that with the iOS 14 update, it’s required for apps in the App Store to ask for specific permission before using customer data. This takes the form of an in-app prompt that details how the data is being used, and gives the user explicit permission to opt out if they want to.

How Facebook CAPI advertising can help to improve your campaigns 

The Conversions API essentially creates a direct and reliable link between your business’s marketing data and Facebook. This feature enhances your advertising targeting and optimization. 

It collects event data from your website, apps, and offline conversions. All this collective information enables you to run personalized campaigns, laser-sharp audience targeting, and achieve better conversion rates.

With CAPI, you do more like tracking a higher number of conversions and gaining deeper insights into Facebook campaign performance. And when you combine CAPI and Pixel capabilities, you’ll get a comprehensive view of the customer journey.

This is the holy grail of every advertiser: simplifying strategy development with data-driven advertising actions.

Why use LeadsBridge as a Meta partner

Many companies have the option to develop CAPI technology in-house, but with so many operational duties already existing, is that the best solution available?

Undoubtedly, the answer is no. There are several things that companies need to address in order to get the most out of this technology. This includes:

  • Having a deep understanding of CAPI
  • Quickly developing the necessary integrations and keeping them up to date
  • Properly managing complex data whilst avoiding leaks

So, how can companies use this technology without encountering the problems listed above? Simple, they need to use an FMP like LeadsBridge. 

Here are the highlights:

Exclusive access to up-to-date APIs

LeadsBridge is an FMP-Meta Business Partner.  This is a Meta-approved App for API management and maintenance. By using our platform for CAPI technology, you’ll always have up-to-date and functional integrations. Facebook usually updates its APIs every two or three months.

Troubleshooting technical issues for you

Like all data partners, LeadsBridge can troubleshoot technical issues for the Side-Side program along with the length of service. 

And if your team needs to update the integration and add more data, our Solution Specialist will guide you using our UI or talk to your tech team to understand how we can retrieve more data.

Access to services ranging from free to tailor-made solutions

Our tailor-made integrations are built to match your company’s exact requirements while allowing to decrease the “time-to-market significantly”. Once integrated with LeadsBridge, you will be able to send your data to any other platform, e.g., Facebook, Google, or Business Intelligence (BI tools).

Integrations available for Facebook Conversions API

In order to get the most out of Facebook CAPI, you’re going to want to integrate it with your favorite CRM. LeadsBridge offers pre-built integrations to help you set up and run campaigns on Facebook and get optimum results. What’s more, you can get tailor-made integrations to meet your exact advertising needs and stay ahead of the competition. 

Facebook Conversions API + Salesforce® integration

The Facebook Conversions API and Salesforce® connection is one of our most popular data bridges.

Connecting Facebook Conversion API with Salesforce® allows you to send new Salesforce® records. Then, the data is sent to Facebook Conversions as lead events and also creates new leads.

Salesforce®  is a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) application for small, medium, and large businesses. It enables businesses to track communications and connect with their customers, employees, partners, and products.

Integrating the two platforms facilitates automated lead data sharing in real-time. Although Facebook does have data about its users, your Salesforce® CRM contains all your customer’s details – which Facebook might not have. Therefore, you can leverage this information to build better-targeted ads and make more sales.

With the Facebook Conversions API – Salesforce® integration, you can share and sync different types of data, such as CRM data, lower-funnel events, or multi-site conversion paths on a website and offline location.

Learn more about our Salesforce® – Facebook CAPI integration here.

Facebook CAPI + ClickFunnels integration

Another one of our sales-funnels focused bridges is the integration between Facebook CAPI and ClickFunnels.

ClickFunnels is a tool for service-based businesses – especially popular amongst fitness coaches and gyms. It’s a drag-and-drop funnel creator and editor that allows even the least tech-savvy creators to build funnels and turn prospects into clients. 

This tool lets you create landing pages and sales pages, accept payments, and manage multiple sales funnels with just a few clicks.

By connecting Facebook CAPI with ClickFunnels, you can upload to Facebook the exact segments of leads that you want to track and use them as the target of your campaigns, which will also help you build more accurate audiences.

HubSpot + Facebook Conversions API

The HubSpot and Facebook Conversions API integration is a favored choice for businesses of all sizes. 

HubSpot is a cloud-based CRM platform with several marketing features that help companies deliver an outstanding customer experience, grow their team, manage marketing campaigns, build landing pages, and much more. 

By creating the HubSpot and Facebook CAPI integration, you can share your website data and conversion events with Facebook. This data bridge offers better visibility into customer interactions with your brand, allowing you to optimize your ads better.

Shopify + Facebook Conversions API 

A connection that cannot be overlooked is that of our Shopify Facebook CAPI integration

Shopify is an all-in-one commerce platform that’s mostly designed for independent owners. It offers a streamlined dashboard to manage businesses both online and in-store. 

The platform supports sales across various channels, including physical stores, mobile devices, and social media. On its dashboard, you’ve plenty of options to micro-tune every aspect of your business; execute marketing campaigns, manage inventory, process payments, handle shipping, and more.

Integrating Shopify with Facebook CAPI allows you to track conversions directly from your advertising efforts and re-target users who’ve engaged with your business before.

This connection also lets you monitor orders, specific page visits, cart additions, and checkout initiation. All while providing valuable insights for targeted marketing and traffic analysis.

Join the waiting list for the Shopify Facebook Conversions API integration.

How to set up Facebook Conversion API for WooCommerce?

Integrating WooCommerce with Facebook Conversions API can give your e-commerce business the boost you have been looking for. 

WooCommerce is a powerful and popular e-commerce plugin for WordPress. It lets website owners transform their WordPress websites into functional online stores. It lets users list products, set prices, manage inventory, process customer orders, and even handle various payment gateways.

Once activated, Facebook Conversions API – WooCommerce integration automatically links your sales pipeline with WooCommerce orders. In simple words, each new WooCommerce order triggers a corresponding Facebook Conversions funnel event. 

This allows you to measure customer actions and improve event accuracy and data control, while also future-proofing your business. With LeadsBridge, you can set up your Facebook-WooCommerce integration with just a few clicks.

How to connect your data with Facebook Conversions API

It’s easy to see how important CAPI is and will continue to be in the marketing world. But how to pass conversion data to Facebook API? 

Here are the two ways you can do this!

Facebook Conversion API integration manually

Keep in mind that this process is somewhat complex and requires developer-level knowledge and qualification.

Before you get started 

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Pixel ID: If you’ve already set up a Pixel for your website, Facebook suggests using the same Pixel ID for both your browser and server events. If not, here is how to install Facebook Pixel.
  • A Business Manager account: If you don’t have a Business Manager yet, use this guide to create one.
  • Access Token: To work with the Conversions API, you must obtain an access token, using Events Manager or using your own App (if there is any).

a) The Events Manager method: 

  • Step 1: Go to the Event Manager on your Business account dashboard. 
  • Step 2: Choose the Pixel you wish to implement.
  • Step 3: Navigate to the Settings tab.
  • Step 4: Locate the Conversions API section and click on the “Generate access token” link under “Set up manually.” Then, follow the instructions in the pop-up.
  • Step 4: After getting your token, click “Manage” next to Conversions API to auto-create an API app and system user. No App Review or permissions are needed.

Note: The “Generate access token” link is visible only to users with developer privileges for the business and is hidden from other users. 

b) The method using your own App:  

If you already have your app and system user, you can generate your token within Business Manager. 

  • Step 1: Go to your Business’s Settings.
  • Step 2: Assign a Pixel to your system user (you can also create a new system user if needed).
  • Step 3: Select the assigned system user and click “Generate Token.”

Also, no App Review or permission requests are necessary for your App in this case.

Facebook Conversions API partner integration

When using a partner integration, there are no requirements for coding knowledge; it allows for potential self-implementation without a developer. 

This option is available if your website is hosted on a Facebook partner platform, such as WordPress, or if you use a partner customer data platform, commerce platform, adtech, tag manager, or system integrator. 

LeadsBridge is one of the Conversion API partner integrations by recommended Meta.

We’ll provide you with access to a team of experts that keep up with anything and everything related to CAPI, so you can focus on what’s most important to you: New leads.

Here’s how to set up the conversions API through a partner integration:

Step 1: Go to the Events Manager. Select your pixel from the Data Sources tab and click “Settings” in the top menu.

Facebook Conversions API partner integration

Step 2: Scroll down to the Conversions API section and click “Choose a Partner” under “Set up through a partner integration.”

Facebook Conversions API partner integration

Step 3: Find the provider (LeadsBridge) in the pop-up gallery. This will guide you through the specific setup instructions for your partner integration. 

Although a direct connection (at face value) is free, it can cost a decent amount when it comes to maintenance. With LeadsBridge, with your monthly or annual subscription, you will have full access to experts, ready to help you at any time.

How does LeadsBridge help with Facebook CAPI?

LeadsBridge offers easy-to-use and practical integrations to connect all the data points in your marketing technology stack. One of these integrations enables automated data sync for CAPI.

The biggest setback any marketer can face is the need for repetitive, manual, and time-consuming tasks. With simple integration, you can forget about manually importing CSV files every few days, and get the important marketing data instantly.

By automating your Facebook CAPI experience, you’re able to jump on lead data as soon as it comes in. This gives a boost to their journey through the funnel, while giving you precious insight throughout the entire process.

So what integration is done within the CRM tool to sync your lead data?

If you have access to the website backend, Facebook Conversions API is fairly easy to implement! You can choose to integrate either with the CRM or directly with the website’s back end. In both cases, LeadsBridge could help you out.

How to set up Facebook Conversions API through LeadsBridge

Still wondering how to pass conversion data to Facebook API without any of the technical headaches? We have made it simple! Like any integration on LeadsBridge, it only takes a few clicks.

First, log in to your LeadsBridge account. If you haven’t registered yet, you can create your account here.

Once signed in, you’ll be taken to the main dashboard.

Step 1: Creating a Bridge.

To start, you’ll need to create the connection between Facebook Conversions API and your CRM. Simply click “Create new Bridge”. 

LeadsBridge Facebook Conversions API set-up

Step 2: Selecting the source & destination platforms.

Find the desired Source, for example, your favorite CRM from the drop-down menu and select Facebook Conversions API as Destination. Then, click “Continue”.

Now, you can name your bridge by clicking on the edit pencil icon. This can help you easily find your bridge later.

LeadsBridge set-up

Step 3: Account authorization.

Here, you’ll need to connect your accounts by selecting your source- let’s say, Salesforce® – and your destination, Facebook CAPI, and connect your accounts for both tools.

LeadsBridge set-up

Step 4: Fields mapping.

At this point, you have to make sure that all fields of data are mapped correctly between your source and destination apps.

LeadsBridge Facebook Conversions API

Step 5 (optional): Testing the CAPI integration.

You have the option to test your new integration in your LeadsBridge dashboard using a mock-up lead or an existing one.
After mapping the fields and inputting the necessary information, click “Test now.” Check your inbox for an email containing the testing stage information if the integration was set up correctly.

You can choose to do this during or even after creating the bridge. 

Step 6: Save & publish.

Once everything is matched correctly, click “Save & publish”. Your bridge will be officially completed, and you’ll see it added to your bridge dashboard.

LeadsBridge set-up

And just like that, your integration is ready to go live, and you’re ready to receive new leads!

Key takeaways

Although the loss of third-party data has posed a major obstacle, businesses are continuously adapting to the change, learning how to operate in a cookieless landscape by looking to first-party to create impactful campaigns. 

Having gained a comprehensive view of Facebook Conversions API, it cannot be denied that this tool is of substantial benefit to advertisers the world over, using it to gain heightened insight into the customer’s journey and customize their ad experience to achieve better results.

Most importantly, all of this is achieved whilst maintaining data privacy regulations. 

Discover the full range of LeadsBridge integrations here.

Zachary McDaniel

Try LeadsBridge now!