Facebook Conversion Pixels Issue (42)

Hi,
I am trying to use a facebook tracking pixel for the first time. It spits out code like this:

<!-- Facebook Conversion Code for adfsdf -->
<script type="text/javascript">
var fb_param = {};
fb_param.pixel_id = '60173457512888';
fb_param.value = '0.00';
fb_param.currency = 'USD';
(function(){
var fpw = document.createElement('script');
fpw.async = true;
fpw.src = '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/fp.js';
var ref = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
ref.parentNode.insertBefore(fpw, ref);
})();
</script>
<noscript><img height="1" width="1" alt="" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/offsite_event.php?id=6013453457512888&amp;value=0& amp;currency=USD" /></noscript>


This looks like code for a landing page. I am unsure how i can use it as a postback for say Cake or Direct Track.

Wasn't sure if this went in newbie, fb or tracking so sorry if it is in the wrong place.

I figured it out. You would use something like this https://www.facebook.com/offsite_eve...p;currency=USD

Originally Posted by fightingfffreedom

I figured it out. You would use something like this https://www.facebook.com/offsite_eve...5&currency=USD

<img height="1" width="1" alt="" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/offsite_event.php?id=6013453457512888&amp;value=0& amp;currency=USD" />

Ah perfect thank you.

Yup - in Cake just drop it in the pixel HTML box making sure to fill out the value parameter (who wants $0 conversions!).

Note that some offers don't work well with the pixel... for whatever reason e.g. they allow postback URLs only. If this happens, ask your AM - the pixel HTML box is always enabled in Cake but this doesn't reflect the capabilities of the advertiser.

The 3 systems I would need this to works with our cake, direct track & hitpath. I'll try this out. Btw Zeno it was your guide that helped me figure it out.

That post combined with the fb help.

I got this error when I tried to place it.

Originally Posted by richierich

If, you going to use as postback. It won't work.

You can put this in html or image pixel field in affiliate network.

Code:

<img height="1" width="1" alt="" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/offsite_event.php?id=6013453457512888&value=0& amp;currency=USD" />

Postbacks are cookie less. Image/iframe/javascript pixels may or may not require Cookies. But Facebook's image and javascript pixel require cookies.

Some advertisers won't implement javascript or iframe pixel on their landing pages because of security issues. So, your best bet is to use postback wherever possible. If postback is not available use image pixel. Otherwise, use iframe pixel. Not many advertisers support javascript pixel. ( So it won't be option for most ).

That means you can only use postback URLs for that campaign. No way to use FB pixel then, so you will need to rely on your tracking system in the middle or on descriptive subids.

Originally Posted by fightingfffreedom

Is it possible the advertiser will reject the image pixel also? I really want to use a facebook pixel on top fo the cpvlabs pixel.

Hi,
Cake took it. However there appears to be something wrong. I set up the pixel for lead. I see it converted (cake and cpvlabs show it) but there is nothing in facebook. Here is the code with the numbers changed

<img height="1" width="1" alt="" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/offsite_event.php?id=6017111118888&amp;value=2.10& amp;currency=USD" />

Is there something wrong with that? Should I try a different event instead of leads (like registrations or add to carts)?

Thanks in advance not sure what I did wrong here. When I tested the pixel manually (by clicking on it), facebook shows it confirmed and active.

Sometimes it takes like 40 mins to show in FB. If not, the advertiser has not implemented the code properly. It literally needs to be the visitor that views it, as it checks if user is logged into FB and uses the uid.

Hi. Thanks for the response. I implemented the code as copied (minus the numbers) the conversions happened hours ago. I am now trying with registrations.

Originally Posted by fightingfffreedom

Hi. Thanks for the response. I implemented the code as copied (minus the numbers) the conversions happened hours ago. I am now trying with registrations.

Originally Posted by richierich

Your issue solved? Can, you please give details like how your final pixel looks like?

Could you get your AM to try firing a test lead from their end? Sounds like there might be an issue with the tracking there.

Try including the full code, i.e. the javascript and the noscript image backup.

The conversions are always delayed in the FB reporting but if they aren't firing at all it's probably an issue with the advertiser not placing the pixel HTML code.

Originally Posted by caurmen

Could you get your AM to try firing a test lead from their end? Sounds like there might be an issue with the tracking there.

Originally Posted by zeno

Try including the full code, i.e. the javascript and the noscript image backup.

The conversions are always delayed in the FB reporting but if they aren't firing at all it's probably an issue with the advertiser not placing the pixel HTML code.

I coped the whole thing above into cake. Cake took it. Is that what you mean?

If it would help I can take a screenshot from cake and upload it here.

Yes, paste the entire posted code and then test from there.

This does work. However, I have found it doesn't for some offers. The logical conclusion is that the Cake tracking iFrame or whatever they use is not added to their conversion page correctly, or that the advertiser only supports server-side conversion tracking.

Originally Posted by zeno

Yes, paste the entire posted code and then test from there.

This does work. However, I have found it doesn't for some offers. The logical conclusion is that the Cake tracking iFrame or whatever they use is not added to their conversion page correctly, or that the advertiser only supports server-side conversion tracking.

Ask your affiliate manager.

You could convert on the offer and analyse the resulting landing page but you'd need to be code savvy and have an idea of what the Cake tracking code looks like.

Is there anyway anyone could a facebook pixel that is actively working in cake (removing the private and identifying information) so that I could see the structure of it and compare it to what i am doing.

I have not been able to test the copy of the complete code that Zeno suggested in post 18 because i have not had any conversions recently. Is there an easier way to test it? What i tried doing last night was

01) Click the ad in ad manager
02) Click under it where it says view on right hand side
03) Take the url from there and have a friend use it and convert

What happens then is cpvlabs sees the conversion but facebook still doenst. I am not sure if this is because of the way I am testing it or because the pixel is broken.

What is the best way for me to test this? Can anyone provide working code (without private info) so I can compare?

I am really at a stuck point and don't know what to do. I need the data in facebook for something I am working on. If it can't be done on this offer then I have to move to another offer but before I do that I need to know it is the offer that wont allow it not me screwing something up.

You place the entire pixel code provided by FB in the pixel HTML box in Cake, e.g.

<!-- Facebook Conversion Code for GoT -->
<script type="text/javascript">
var fb_param = {};
fb_param.pixel_id = '0001234567000';
fb_param.value = '0.00';
fb_param.currency = 'USD';
(function(){
  var fpw = document.createElement('script');
  fpw.async = true;
  fpw.src = '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/fp.js';
  var ref = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
  ref.parentNode.insertBefore(fpw, ref);
})();
</script>
<noscript><img height="1" width="1" alt="" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/offsite_event.php?id=0001234567000&amp;value=0&amp;currency=USD" /></noscript>

OK, so I have talked to an AM from a network using Cake.

The situation is like this:

Advertisers will support one or more types of tracking. Many support postback URLs.

The affiliate network tends to implement one type of tracking method on a per-offer basis to match what the advertisers use. If the advertiser uses iFrames, they use an iFrame. If the advertiser supports postbacks and iFrames, the protocol may be to just go straight for the postback only and keep things simple.

If there is no iFrame or javascript tracking code placed with the advertiser, affiliate pixel HTML codes cannot be fired.

So, if this happens, you have several courses of action:

1) Ask your AM if a Cake iFrame or javascript code is placed with the advertiser for that offer.

2) Ask if it would be possible to place one for that specific offer. It may be, but the network has only implemented postback URL tracking because it is what the advertiser prefers.

3) Cry because the advertiser, who has all the power here, refuses to let the network place an iFrame or javascript code because of the way they have designed their pages and their tracking.

4) Promise volume and see how flexible the advertiser becomes. "I can send $x,xxx daily but only if you f**king implement my network's javascript pixel!" is a reasonably persuasive ultimatum. But if the offer is already working for them well... they may not want to change anything (not every company cares much for tracking).

And this just came to mind.... Scumbag advertiser:

Originally Posted by zeno

You place the entire pixel code provided by FB in the pixel HTML box in Cake, e.g.

Code:

<!-- Facebook Conversion Code for GoT -->
<script type="text/javascript">
var fb_param = {};
fb_param.pixel_id = '0001234567000';
fb_param.value = '0.00';
fb_param.currency = 'USD';
(function(){
  var fpw = document.createElement('script');
  fpw.async = true;
  fpw.src = '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/fp.js';
  var ref = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
  ref.parentNode.insertBefore(fpw, ref);
})();
</script>
<noscript><img height="1" width="1" alt="" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/offsite_event.php?id=0001234567000&value=0&currency=USD" /></noscript>

If it is not working, you can be 99.9% sure it is because

a) the network hasn't placed the Cake iframe/javascript pixel, which fires your pixel HTML as well, on the offer's conversion page

or

b) the advertiser hasn't placed it or doesn't support it i.e. S2S pixels only.

Unfortunately there isn't much you can do here other than profusely nag at your AM/network.

I don't think that the type matters. I just go with leads. I think it's just semantics.

I have always placed both postback URLs for my tracking and javascript pixels for various things. I don't think it causes any issues... if there are issues it will be from the network placing an iFrame conversion tracking code and postback URL tracking. You're pixel HTML code being ported over won't interfere with anything.

Considering how my FB traffic LoA gets, it's surprising that every portal isn't facilitating placement of FB conversion pixels on their landers.

Most offers use postback URL tracking so you can be 99% sure it will work.

In some cases advertisers will let networks place iFrames as well... so it really all hinges on the advertiser as well.

Also, if the advertiser can pass subids dynamically to an iFrame then you could actually use that to fire postbacks as well as include HTML code...

Conclusion: depends on what advertiser allows and what network has implemented. Discussions of three parties all with different priorities is always going to suck.

I am sorry to bump this thread but I have had issues now with 2 networks telling me this is an unusual request. As I am new to using facebook pixels is that true? I can't believe that 2 networks both using cake have told me they can't do it for various reasons. Is it really that unusual?

Also shouldnt I see the facebook pixel on the conversion page? I fill out the form for league of angels, it brings me to the game page. Shouldnt the pixel be there in the source? If not how can I verify it has been placed properly.

Again apologies. I don't feel like this is such a hard task but it is turning out to be for whatever reason.

Verifying the pixel presence manually can be hard because the conversion event could happen in a number of places, via AJAX and so on so for a non-techy it may be difficult to investigate.

Placing an HTML/Javascript pixel is unusual? Bullshit. Ask them if they've ever heard of retargeting.

Some advertisers are stubborn and wont help much with technical requests but a network should at least be able to try and place Cake's iFrame/javascript tracking pixel.

I think it's ridiculous really. Tracking is critically important, yet people seem to always get in the damn way of it.

Originally Posted by zeno

Verifying the pixel presence manually can be hard because the conversion event could happen in a number of places, via AJAX and so on so for a non-techy it may be difficult to investigate.

Placing an HTML/Javascript pixel is unusual? Bullshit. Ask them if they've ever heard of retargeting.

Some advertisers are stubborn and wont help much with technical requests but a network should at least be able to try and place Cake's iFrame/javascript tracking pixel.

I think it's ridiculous really. Tracking is critically important, yet people seem to always get in the damn way of it.

We have run into this as advertisers. We usually only support S2S postbacks but we have had networks approach us asking to place html/iframe at the request of the affiliate.

In these cases if the affiliate has shown he is capable of pushing volume we have placed the pixels on our page.

This whole thing is a mess. Now it is 100% the network saying yes we placed the iframe and cake saying we dont see it. Is there another advertising network that runs games & uses cake? Is there a way I can even find out what companies use cake so I can begin to contact them?

I'm not sure what's going on in this situation but I don't see how Cake needs to be brought into the conversation.

The issue is primarily one of the advertiser, who controls the offer page, and the network, who has their tracking pixel, reconciling and placing the pixel correctly on the 'converted' page.

Loads of networks that run games use Cake - I would be very surprised if there was a problem there.

Originally Posted by zeno

I'm not sure what's going on in this situation but I don't see how Cake needs to be brought into the conversation.

The issue is primarily one of the advertiser, who controls the offer page, and the network, who has their tracking pixel, reconciling and placing the pixel correctly on the 'converted' page.

It's a bit ridiculous that you've been given this run around and it probably comes down to your AM not being technically apt or not wanting to spend the time on you (prioritising their time to high volume affiliates most likely).

I would recommend trying some other networks for games... as mentioned, Glispa and iQU are good. Neither use Cake - don't get stuck on this. They say you learn tracking, not tracking systems. The same applies for affiliate network systems. You don't learn one, you learn to understand such 'systems' in general.

Both Glispa and iQU use custom platforms.

With Glispa their pixel placement is quite transparent and you can be guaranteed they know exactly what is going on with tracking and their advertisers. They will run more gaming volume that most. With iQU you need to talk to your AM to place pixels. They support a global postback and rely on global S2S tracking in general. However, I have never had any issues with getting my AM to place a pixel - I just email it and it's done.

I PM'd you contact details for iQU.

Thanks.

Btw we got it work with Hitpath first shot!

Thanks for everyone who helped me keep a bit of my sanity!!

Btw for newbie reading this. I look at it as reference experience. I learned so much from this whole situation that it helped me take my game to the next level as far as understanding the underlying technology, developing troubleshooting methodologies & the proper questions to ask

Hurrah!

FYI - I've had this same issue with Cake on 2 networks, same offer.

It won't even fire my trackers javascript, I had to use s2s. They all placed iframe pixels with the advertiser though, maybe its something to do with that.

Getting one to reset it up with Javascript tomorrow see if that works.