The Apple iOS 14.5 update introduces Apple’s new controls on the ways that apps can track people. App users now have to opt-in and allow any application they download to track their activity via a similar opt-in mechanism to other marketing campaigns. At face value, this is a long-anticipated improvement for the consumer as it provides the control over data they have been demanding.
However, for marketers, advertisers, and small businesses, the change to data tracking is likely to upend their entire campaign strategy. Apps like Facebook can no longer track users without specific permission and thus hurting the capacity for targeted campaigns. Mark Zuckerberg has publicly said that he believes the changes are being made in Apple’s “competitive interests.”
The iOS 14.5 Update
In a study by Flurry Analytics, during the first three weeks of the iOS 14.5 rollout, the global opt-in rate for data collection was averaging 13% or only 6% in the US.
When a user doesn’t opt-in to Facebook tracking, it means marketers lose access to the Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA).
- When Facebook cannot track user behavior on iOS 14.5 devices, pixels cannot serve a function for advertising campaigns
- Facebook Ad targeting is far more limited. Marketers won’t have enough data to do more granular targeting, resulting in less personalized content and campaigns.
- Facebook app and web conversions will no longer provide a reporting breakdown on dimensions such as age, gender, region, or ad placement for iOS 14 users.
- For iOS 14 devices, there is no real-time reporting, and data may be delayed for up to 3 days.
The changes come under Apple’s App Tracking Transparency framework, which prohibits particular data collection and sharing unless people opt-in via the prompt.
What workarounds are available for Facebook Ad Campaigns?
In Facebook Ad strategies, finding lookalike audiences, remarketing, and tracking conversion are all crucial components. There are a few workarounds that businesses can try.
- Decide whether you should completely remove iOS devices from your Facebook ad campaign if you have a conversion objective.
- Use your website domain’s tracking to determine if a conversion occurs on your website rather than through the Facebook campaign metrics.
Facebook is working on a solution called Aggregated Event Measurement. AEM is designed to measure campaign performance to be more consistent with how consumers want to manage and control their data. Facebook Pixel conversion events will still be processed on IOS devices and can track the events that people take on your website. The social network is making its best effort to help marketers run an effective campaign while complying with the new privacy laws.
Actions you can take
As a response to the changes, Facebook recommends you update SDK for IOS version 8.1, which helps personalize ads delivered to IOS 14 users and continue to receive app conversion events reporting. You do this via Events Manager and need to be an app admin to make the updates.
It also helps to verify your website domain and avoid any future disruption to campaigns. This is important if you plan to deliver ads optimized for conversion events that occur on your business website. There are three implementation methods: DNS TXT, HTML, and Meta Tag that require a code. It would be best if you looked to verify your company domain on your Facebook page. There is a guide to doing so here.
Source: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/sharing/domain-verification/verifying-your-domain/
There is now a limit of 8 events for each domain that can be tracked with the iOS 14.5 update. Facebook automatically assigns the events based on what it perceives to be the most relevant to your business. Any iOS 14 user who opts out of data tracking is only logged for one event after clicking on a Facebook Ad. Facebook recommends that companies optimize their top eight conversion events to track a consumer’s journey, ranking the most valuable data to your company, such as a purchase.
Facebook is launching an Events Managing tool so users can make adjustments and prioritize the top eight events. Typically, Facebook Ad accounts don’t use all eight events, but you need to do some work to consolidate them into overarching categories if that is the case.
If you are a developer, you can read about the more technical details here.
Marketers should review their campaign optimization strategies that could require testing against the new rules and see if they need to apply alternative audiences or bidding strategies. This could include bid types, amounts, or optimization events to see how they stack up against new performance levels, allowing you to develop best practices.
Please don’t panic. It’s not all bad!
Although the news might sound like it will be catastrophic for your Facebook Ad campaigns, it is worth noting that Android still has a massive 72% of the global market share compared to 27% using iOS. Although it is essential to be aware of the changes and update your strategy as necessary, it isn’t something that needs to cause a lot of stress to marketers.
In the remainder of 2021, marketers should keep on top of the changes as you may see a dip in the performance of Facebook campaigns. Facebook has created a checklist to help you prepare for the iOS 14 changes with actions you can take. The Apple requirements are still evolving and being contested by Facebook and LinkedIn, so keep an eye on the latest news for additional guidance.