In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, staying ahead means constantly fine-tuning your strategies. 

One critical aspect that can make or break your campaigns is Facebook event match quality. This metric plays a pivotal role in how well your ads perform, making it a must-know for marketers. 

Event match quality is all about targeted advertising, but should we really care about targeted advertising? 

Yes! 

Targeted ads have a click-through rate (CTR) that is 3 TIMES HIGHER compared to their non-targeted counterparts. 

Additionally, the conversion rate can be up to 6 TIMES the average for geo-targeted ads! 

These two are not some isolated events where targeted advertising shines.

In this guide, we'll delve into why event match quality matters, how it's calculated, and the practical steps you can take to improve it. 

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Facebook Event Match Quality: Matter or Antimatter?

Okay, we’re not physics experts, so let’s drop antimatter out of the discussion, but event match quality matters! (terrible pun)

Remember this: In today’s era, personalization isn’t a nice-to-have, it is a MUST-HAVE for businesses looking to stay ahead in the marketing curve. Event match quality is simply one such personalization tool in marketing that will help you gain an edge over the competition.

Event Match Quality: An Overview

Facebook event match quality is a score from 0 to 10 that indicates how accurately the events you send from your server match with Facebook user profiles.

This accuracy is crucial because it ensures that your ads are shown to the right people, maximizing their effectiveness. 

A higher score means better targeting and, ultimately, better results for your campaigns.

The last 48 hours of data are used to calculate scores, so keeping your event match scores updated requires sending events regularly.

Whether you're new to Facebook ads or looking to enhance your current strategy, understanding event match quality is key to your success.

Significance for Marketing Success

Understanding and improving your event match quality can significantly impact your marketing success.

After all, there's a good reason why leading marketers are 72% more likely than average to invest in quality and volume improvements of the first-party data that they collect.

Precise event matching allows for more personalized ad experiences, which resonate better with users.

Moreover, well-matched events help Facebook's algorithm to optimize your ad delivery, making your campaigns more effective and cost-efficient.

Impact on Ad Performance

The direct correlation between event match quality and ad performance cannot be overstated.

High-quality matches mean that Facebook can effectively link user actions on your website to specific individuals, resulting in more accurate audience targeting. 

Focusing on improving this metric is not just about better data; it's about driving tangible improvements in your marketing outcomes.

For instance, startups such as SumUP have reported a 15% decrease in cost per acquisition when their event match quality is optimized. This means you get more value out of your ad spend, achieving better results without necessarily increasing your budget.

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How Is It Calculated?

Understanding the Calculation

Facebook calculates event match quality using various parameters. It looks at the accuracy of the data you send from your server and how well it matches Facebook user profiles. 

The higher the match rate, the better your score. This calculation takes into account both the quantity and quality of the matched events.

Key Factors in the Calculation

Several key factors influence the Event Match Quality score. These include the completeness of user information, the consistency of data across events, and the frequency of updates. 

In fact, Meta specifies a number of customer information parameters and their importance in helping to improve event matching. If you’re looking for a condensed version of the linked documentation above, we’ve got you covered:

Parameters that are high in priority: 

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1. Email Address
2. Click ID

Parameters with a medium priority:

1. Facebook Login ID
2. Date of birth
3. Country
4. Phone number
5. External ID (a unique ID from the advertiser)
6. Browser ID

Finally, 5 low-priority parameters:

1. Lead
2. First name
3. Surname
4. Town/city
5. Postcode

Practical Example

Consider an online store tracking purchase events. If the store sends detailed user information with each event, such as email and phone number, Facebook can more accurately match these events to user profiles. This leads to a higher event match quality score. 

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Event Tracking In A Nutshell

Picking Valuable Events

Not all events are created equal. Focus on tracking events that provide valuable insights into user behavior. Commonly tracked events include page views, purchases, and sign-ups. 

By prioritizing these high-value events, you can gather more meaningful data to optimize your campaigns.

Remember to Set Up Facebook Pixel

Setting up the Facebook Pixel is straightforward but crucial for effective event tracking. 

First, create a Pixel in your Facebook Ads Manager. Then, add the Pixel code to your website’s header. Ensure it's placed on every page to track all user interactions. 

You can also use plugins if you're on platforms like WordPress or Shopify for easier implementation.

_fbp and _fbc

Meta recommends that _fbc and _fbp browser cookie values are always sent in the fbc and fbp event parameters respectively, when available. For a deep dive into _fbc and _fbp, visit Meta’s guide on these parameters by clicking here.

Use the Conversions API for Better Tracking

The Conversions API complements the Facebook Pixel by allowing server-side tracking. This means you can send events directly from your server to Facebook, ensuring higher accuracy. 

To set it up, you'll need access to your server's code and the Facebook Events Manager. Follow Facebook's detailed API documentation to integrate it properly. 

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Get The Data On Point!

Accurate Data: A Gold Mine

Accurate data is the backbone of a high Event Match Quality score. Ensure that your user data is consistently formatted and regularly updated. 

Implementing data validation checks can help maintain accuracy. For example, standardizing email formats and verifying phone numbers can prevent mismatches.

Conduct Regular Data Audits

Regular data audits are essential for maintaining data quality. Schedule monthly reviews to identify and correct discrepancies. Use tools like Excel or data management software to compare your data sets. 

If you’re still not sold on the idea of data audit, this excellent list outlines 10 reasons to conduct data audits and will surely convince you.

Syncing Data Across Different Platforms

Consistency across platforms is key. Ensure that user data is synchronized between your CRM, email marketing system, and Facebook. 

Use integration tools to automate this process and minimize manual errors. This synchronization not only improves match quality but also enhances overall marketing efficiency.

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Boosting Your Data Matching Game

Use Advanced Matching Techniques

Advanced matching techniques involve using more detailed user data. Collecting additional identifiers like address and phone number can significantly improve match rates. Implement these techniques by updating your data collection forms and encouraging users to provide more information.

Capture Customer Information Better

To collect better customer information, incentivize users to share more data. Offer discounts or exclusive content in exchange for detailed profiles. 

Ensuring data privacy and being transparent about data usage will also encourage users to share their information.

Utilize Custom Audiences Effectively

Custom Audiences allow you to target users who have already interacted with your brand. Create these audiences by uploading your customer data to Facebook. Segment your audience based on behaviors like purchases or website visits.

Why even bother with custom targeting? Well, in a world where ads are often perceived as a nuisance by the masses, a whopping 87% of surveyed consumers say that personalized content positively influences their perception about a brand!

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Making Sense of Your Event Data

How to Interpret Event Data Correctly

Interpreting event data correctly involves understanding the context behind user actions. Look for patterns in user behavior and identify key conversion points. 

Tools like Facebook Analytics can help visualize this data, making it easier to derive actionable insights.

Finding Trends and Patterns in Your Data

Analyzing trends and patterns in your data can reveal valuable insights. For instance, identifying peak times for user activity can help you schedule your ads more effectively. Use analytical tools to segment data and highlight significant trends.

Tweaking Campaigns Based on Data Insights

Use the insights gained from your event data to tweak your campaigns. Adjust your ad creatives, targeting parameters, and bidding strategies based on what the data tells you. 

Continuous optimization based on real-time data ensures that your campaigns remain effective and relevant. By the way, if you want to automate this optimization process, Nucleus is an excellent tool to try for free!

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Tips and Tricks

Staying on Top of Facebook’s Latest Guidelines

Facebook frequently updates its guidelines and tools. Stay informed by regularly checking Facebook’s Business Help Center and subscribing to updates. 

Implementing the latest best practices ensures your campaigns are always optimized. 

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The Importance of Testing and Iteration

Testing and iteration are crucial for improving Event Match Quality. Run A/B tests to compare different strategies and identify what works best. Regularly review and refine your approach based on test results.

This simple tactic is so potent that it is responsible for a 10 to 25% growth in Microsoft Bing’s annual revenue.

Marketing and Data Teams are the Best Collaborators 

Collaboration between your marketing and data teams can significantly enhance your event match quality. Ensure that both teams understand the importance of accurate data and work together to maintain it. 

Regular meetings and joint strategy sessions can help align their efforts, leading to better results.

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Are We Done?

No! Not Just Yet!

Final Tips for Improving Event Match Quality

• Setting up a custom subdomain to increase tracking accuracy
• Ensuring the presence of a data layer. Then, make sure that all possible user information are being sent to the data layer
• Checking for errors in the server events that you send
• Utilizing event enhancement
• Storing and enriching user data

In conclusion, focus on collecting accurate and detailed user data, regularly audit and update your data, and use advanced matching techniques to improve your event match quality. Stay informed about the latest Facebook updates and continuously test and refine your strategies.

Incline to Refine!

Finally, always strive for continuous learning and improvement. The digital marketing landscape is constantly evolving, and staying ahead requires ongoing education and adaptation. 

Encourage your team to participate in webinars, read industry blogs, and experiment with new techniques to keep your strategies fresh and effective.

We wish you the best in your marketing journey!

Oh, and also: if you want to put your eCommerce growth on autopilot while letting AI do all the work, check out Markopolo!

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