How to Set Up Conversions Using the Universal Pixel

Tracking user actions on your website is essential for measuring campaign success. With ad:personam's pixel tracking system, you can monitor conversions and optimize your marketing efforts. This guide walks you through creating and implementing tracking pixels to capture valuable user data.

Understanding Tracking Pixels

A tracking pixel is a small piece of code that fires when users complete specific actions on your website. These pixels help you measure campaign effectiveness by tracking events like purchases, form submissions, or page visits.

Creating Your First Pixel

Follow these steps to create a tracking pixel in your ad:personam dashboard:

1. Access the Pixels Section

Navigate to your advertiser dashboard and click on the Pixels tab. Here you'll see your existing pixels and can create new ones.

2. Start Creating a New Pixel

Click the "Create New Pixel" button to open the pixel creation dialog.

3. Choose Your Pixel Type

You'll be presented with two options:

• Universal Tag: Creates a single pixel that works across all campaigns and placements. Best for general tracking and when you have a Universal Pixel already implemented.
• Standard Pixel: Creates a standalone pixel for specific conversion events. Perfect for tracking particular actions without requiring additional setup.

4. Configure Your Universal Tag Pixel

If you selected Universal Tag, you'll need to:

Name Your Pixel: Give your pixel a descriptive name that reflects what it tracks (e.g., "Purchase Completion" or "Newsletter Signup").

Set the Activation Rule: Choose how your pixel should trigger:

• "view a URL that contains": Activates when users visit a specific URL or page containing certain text
• "event is equal to": Triggers based on predefined user actions

Define the Trigger:

• For URL-based tracking: Enter the URL or URL part that should trigger the pixel (e.g., "/thank-you" or "checkout-complete")
• For event-based tracking: Select from standard events like:
  • PageView
  • LandingPage
  • ItemView
  • AddToCart
  • InitiateCheckout
  • AddPaymentInfo
  • Purchase
  • Lead

Select Category (URL-based only): Choose the appropriate conversion category to help organize your tracking data.

5. Configure Your Standard Pixel

If you selected Standard Pixel, you'll configure:

Pixel Name: Enter a descriptive name for your tracking pixel.

Repeat Conversions: Choose whether to:

• Count only one conversion per user
• Allow multiple conversions from the same user

Attribution Windows: Set how long to attribute conversions to your ads:

• Post-View Window: Days to attribute conversions after someone sees your ad (1-30 days)
• Post-Click Window: Days to attribute conversions after someone clicks your ad (1-30 days)

6. Generate Your Pixel Code

After configuring your pixel settings, click "Create Pixel". The system will generate your tracking code and display it in a code snippet box.

Implementing Your Pixel Code

For Universal Tag Pixels

The implementation depends on your activation rule:

URL-Based Pixels: If you already have the Universal Pixel installed on your website, no additional code is needed. The pixel will automatically track visits to your specified URLs.

Event-Based Pixels: Copy the generated JavaScript code and place it on pages where the event should trigger. The code looks like:

<script>
pixie('event', 'Purchase'); 
</script>

Universal Pixel Installation: If you don't have the Universal Pixel yet, you'll also receive the initialization code to place in your website's header.

For Standard Pixels

Copy one of the provided tracking codes:

JavaScript Tag: Place this in your HTML where the conversion happens Image Tag: Use this for simple page-based tracking
Server-Side: For advanced implementations requiring server-to-server tracking

Need more details on Standard Pixels? Check out our comprehensive Standard Pixel guide for detailed configuration options and advanced settings.

Advanced tracking needs? Learn about Server-Side Conversion Pixels for scenarios where traditional browser-based tracking isn't sufficient.

7. Copy and Install the Code

Use the "Copy" button to copy your pixel code to the clipboard, then paste it into your website's code according to the implementation instructions.

Managing Your Pixels

Once created, your pixels appear in the Pixels table where you can:

• View Details: Click the preview icon to see pixel information and code
• Monitor Status: Check if pixels are "Active" (recently fired) or "Inactive"
• Track Performance: See when pixels last fired and their creation dates
• Delete Pixels: Remove pixels you no longer need

Tips for Success

• Use descriptive pixel names to easily identify their purpose
• Test your pixels after implementation to ensure they're firing correctly
• For event-based pixels, make sure the Universal Pixel is properly installed first
• Choose appropriate attribution windows based on your typical customer journey length
• Regularly review pixel performance in your dashboard to optimize tracking

This streamlined pixel creation process ensures you can quickly set up conversion tracking and start measuring the success of your marketing campaigns.