Does Facebook CHEAT Ad buyers?
 

Started a new direct traffic campaign at FB and this what FB Ads managers says

https://i.imgur.com/ianfEGx.png

This is what Statcounter says

https://i.imgur.com/G4F0CGZ.png

Anybody run FB ad campaigns here? Care to share your thoughts on this DISPARITY?

Yes actually. I keep a close eye on the analytics of my mainstream site and the stats don’t match the Facebook campaign. Haven’t done anything about it as I only spend a few dollars a day on the FB campaign

No, last two times when i run it everything was fine.

205 link clicks = 58 UVs?

WTF

Unique views... unique user count of people viewing an ad?
Link clicks... those unique users clicking on your link multiple times?

Just thinking out loud.

Facebook suspends my ad account once a month or so -- no reason -- then when I appeal it, they open it up again after having to wait a few days. No reason. No apology. It's crazy how much power Facebook has over businesses.

Welcome to the world of FB media buying :)

Is Statcounter a javascript you add to your webpage's HTML source?

If it is, its numbers will be lower and that's normal. FB will count all clicks, your JS based analytics won't track all visitors. For instance people who enabled "Do Not Track" in their browser most likely won't show. People with ad blockers with strict settings might not show. People who change their mind instantly after clicking the link and closing the window won't show. People with internet connection issues won't show if the JS isn't loaded.
The same applies to Google Analytics, and all other JS based analytics, they won't have all your visitors.

You need a real counter to be able to compare the numbers. Move all your incoming campaigns through something like yourdomain.com/track.php which registers each hit and writes it to your database. Some option for this:
- if you use a free CMS such as Wordpress, find a plugin for it
- develop your own simple tracker
- there are paid solutions for tracking your campaigns (eg. Voluum)

:2 cents::2 cents::2 cents:

BigFurry,

Very good explanation! Thanks!

sounds like someone is trying to get rid of you. i had it happen quite a bit on social media.

Thanks, man