Here’s an outline of those limitations from Facebook:
As a result of the iOS 14 rollout, Facebook is shifting its mobile app measurement to rely on the SKAdNetwork in order to report on app conversion data. With this change, businesses will be limited in their ability to measure the performance of iOS 14 app install campaigns on Facebook.
As a result of the IOS 14 changes, some advertisers may experience reporting latency which will make it harder for brands and marketers who adjust and / or report on Facebook conversion stats in real-time (within the first 24 hours for mobile app campaigns). The shift is due to the recent IDFA announcement as well as changes browsers are making with regard to cookies, including updates to Chrome and Safari, which already limits first-party cookies to seven days.
It’s important to note there are limitations with the SKAdNetwork in terms of how the data will populate in Facebook that will impact the way advertisers will be able to optimize their mobile app campaigns.
What are the limitations of the SKAdNetwork?
With account attribution moving to the ad set level, it is important to get an understanding of individual benchmarks for individual targeting segments to be able to inform any shifts that are necessary. This is very crucial for those who have been running through CBO as the SKAdNetwork will move attribution to the ad set level.
You can learn more about the new windows and defaults for Facebook here.
Pro-tip: As a result, advertisers may notice an increase in inventory prices as well as a decrease in conversions. Don’t be caught off guard. We encourage advertisers to prepare accordingly. Take note of the expert tips below and reach out to our team of experts if you have any questions.
With the data lag, it will be important to get a full picture of what is happening within the campaigns prior to making any changes. Set a cadence for regular checks to ensure campaign performance is closely monitored.
Editor’s Note: This article was written by Katy Lucey, Paid Social Director at Tinuiti, and Liz Emery, Senior Director, Mobile App Strategy at Tinuiti.
Delayed reporting: Real-time reporting will not be supported, and data may be delayed up to 3 days. For iOS 14 app install campaigns, conversion events will be reported based on the time that they are reported to Facebook by the SKAdNetwork API and not the time they occur.
- 1-day click
- 7-day click (default after Apple prompt enforcement)
- 1-day click and 1-day view
- 7-day click and 1-day view (initial default)
Let’s dive in.
Facebook and the SKAdNetwork: Next steps for advertisers
At Tinuiti, here’s what we recommend:
To be able to move quickly on the optimization front, advertisers will need to set themselves up for success in terms of how they will analyze this delayed data.
The following windows will be supported under the new attribution setting:
Step 1: Establish Breakdown Benchmarks
Want to learn more? Check out “Facebook Releases Update on iOS 14 Guidelines” or visit “The Future of the Web” to find out everything you need to know about the new restrictions, cookies, IDFA, first-party data, and all things privacy from our Tinuiti experts.
Step 2: Focus on Campaign Trends Rather than Intraday Metric Comparison
No support for breakdowns: For both app and web conversions, delivery and action breakdowns, such as age, gender, region, and placement will not be supported.
Step 3: Align on Targeting Attribution Benchmarks
For any targeting breakdown that will be deprecated, like age, gender or placement, pull historical benchmarks to get an idea of how the percentage breakdown typically is for your campaigns. For example, if 30% of your delivery has historically been on Instagram, that breakout can be assumed when determining strategy moving forward.
Step 4: Use Android Performance as a Proxy
Changes to account attribution window settings: Once Apple enforces their iOS 14 requirements the attribution window for all new or active ad campaigns will be set at the ad set level, rather than at the account level.
Estimated results: For iOS 14 app install campaigns, the SKAdNetwork API will report results to Facebook, aggregated at the campaign level. Statistical modeling may be used to account for results at the ad set and ad levels, unless the campaign is composed of a single ad set and ad.
Most of the items that will be changing for Apple-focused campaigns won’t affect their Android counterparts. Look at Android campaigns as your future testing ground to pilot new ideas or anything that requires more real-time views.
