What is the iOS 14 update?
What measurements will be affected?
How can I track conversions from my app? (2 simple steps)
- Step #1: Update Facebook SDK to iOS version 8.1 or above
- Step #2: Configure your SKAdNetwork to measure app events
How can I track conversions from my website? (2 simple steps)
- Step #1: Verify your website’s domain
- Step #2: Configure 8 conversion events per domain
So, what exactly does this spell for your business?

By now, you probably have heard about the Apple iOS 14 update that shook up the digital marketing world.

While this change might seem daunting, Facebook has just introduced a handful of updates that will help ease the transition and get your Facebook ads back on track.

Here’s the breakdown of what you can do to save your Facebook ads from a slow, painful death.

(Or, alternatively, you can reach out to us and we can take a look at your Facebook Ads for you. )

What is the iOS 14 update?

Essentially, all Apps in the App Store must now show a prompt to users granting permission to track their cookies – a massive hurdle for businesses worldwide that rely on ads to reach customers.

What’s more, this update will completely change the way businesses monetise their Facebook ads, including tracking and measuring campaign performance.

What measurements will be affected?

Facebook tools measuring conversion events will be affected

Any Facebook tools that optimise, target and report web conversion events will be affected, including Ads Manager, reporting, and Insights API.

In layman’s terms – this means you are going to lose valuable data. But, have no fear – this is where Facebook SDK and Aggregated Event Management come into play.

How can I track conversions from my app? (2 simple steps)

Tracking app conversions by using Facebook SDK

The iOS 14 updates can affect the measurement of business’s app conversions, resulting in data that can be delayed, aggregated, or restricted. Fortunately, Facebook’s SDK updates help support Apple’s iOS 14 networks. Here’s two things you can do to track them effectively.

Step #1: Update Facebook SDK to iOS version 8.1 or above

If you’re looking to track conversions on your business’s app, you need to update your Facebook SDK to the latest iOS version 8.1 or above.

Without this step, you can say goodbye to iOS 14 app install campaigns.

This will enable you to continue measuring app install ads, delivering more personalised ads, and all that good stuff.

Updating Facebook SDK for iOS version 8.1 or above lets you:

Deliver personalised ads to iOS 14 users
Measure and optimise conversions on your business’s app
Receive app conversion events reporting

Step #2: Configure your SKAdNetwork to measure app events

After you update to version 8.1 or above, configure your SKAdNetwork events by using Facebook’s recommended events, importing from a partner app, or customising each event individually through Events Manager. Ensure your app is active in Events Manager and simply:

Select your app → Click “Settings” → Under “Configure App Events for SKAdNetwork” and click “Set up events” → Choose how you want to configure your event, and get started!

How can I track conversions from my website? (2 simple steps)

Verify domain and configure events to track website conversions

Now that you have your app conversions taken care of, let’s get your website sorted. We’ll do this through Facebook’s Aggregated Event Management.

Step #1: Verify your website’s domain

Verifying your business’s domain is by no means a new process. In fact, we highly recommend it so you can claim ownership and editing permissions. In the case of the iOS 14 update, verifying your domain allows you to have authority over your conversion events from tools such as Facebook Pixel or their other business tools.

Believe me, this is data you want to have.

Step #2: Configure 8 conversion events per domain

The update will only allow you to track a maximum of eight conversion events per domain. That means it’s time to get creative – for you’ll have to make a call on your most important events to get data from.

Pro tip: Set up your events by tracking your customer at each touchpoint of their purchase journey (you’ll thank us later).

Facebook will initially configure the events they believe is most relevant for you based on business activity. Afterward, you should select your own based on your campaign goals through the SKAdNetwork configuration in Events Manager. Remember, priority is KEY.

So, what exactly does this spell for your business?

Facebook SDK and Aggregated Event Management can track ad conversions

Facebook has implemented new changes such as the SDK update and Aggregated Event Management to help businesses track their web and app conversions. While this helps recover some of the data loss, it might be hard to gauge the updates’ effectiveness – your conversion reports will experience some initial delays.

What we do know is that Facebook is continuously striving to improve their protocols to help advertisers navigate the iOS system, so keep posted as new updates get rolled out.

Other options such as diversifying your ad platforms, using Google Analytics to fill in the gaps, and simultaneously focusing on targeted SEO strategies are great methods to bringing much-needed traffic and sweet conversions to your business.

If you need help optimising your digital strategies (and oh boy, is it important), a professional digital marketing agency can help. At First Page, our team of performance media specialists are always the first to know about the latest happenings – equipped with a solid game plan to help your business adapt.

Want to learn more about this update or need help with your Facebook Ads? Get in touch with our digital marketing specialists today!

Get in touch

It doesn’t seem that long since the days of MySpace and Yahoo – but today’s internet giants are of a different breed. The Big Techs – Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft have a hand in just about everything you consume in the digital world.

These companies have a monopoly.

Google, for one, is no longer just a search engine. It is a platform for maps, online shopping, videos, books, weather, research, email, cloud storage, translations, website hosting, word editing, and so much more. Google, for many, is the internet.

But nothing lasts forever – just as MySpace gave way to Facebook and Yahoo lost out to Google, new technologies, new needs, and new regulations constantly change the way companies operate.

A new law in Australia poses a great problem for Google in particular and could change the way they operate not only there but globally. Here’s why.

What exactly is this new law, and why is there a need for it?
How are the Big Techs reacting to it?
What does an Australia without Google look like?
What is the future of search?
Setting a precedent
Want to learn more?

What exactly is this new law, and why is there a need for it?

In January of this year, the Australian government’s proposed digital news code suggested that these Big Techs pay media providers for the content they show on their platforms. Discussions have been ongoing since, and events are still unfolding.

At present, Google and these other tech giants are not forced to pay for the content they share on their platforms. While convenient for the average user, this has effectively been strengthening their stranglehold on digital content. For every $100 of online advertising spend, over 53% goes to google, 28% to Facebook, and just 19% to every other media company out there. This staggering statistic does make sense considering that Google dominates 94% of the search market in Australia – but it doesn’t mean it’s right.

To safeguard the interests of media companies – those who actually research, write, and pump out this valuable content – the Australian Competition and Consumers Commission proposed that they should get fairly compensated for what they produce.

Breaches could mean hefty fines – making business in Australia for these tech giants difficult.

How are the Big Techs reacting to it?

Unsurprisingly, they haven’t been too pleased by the proposition. The new law could greatly impact how much money they make in Australia, and so they are trying their best to circumvent the law being passed or even just dampening the impact of its introduction.

Google undeniably has the most to lose if the law goes through. Melanie Silva, Google Australia’s marketing director, argues that the law “breaks the way search engines work”. Whether this is viewed through the cynical lens of a company trying to save its profits or a genuine concern for the industry, it is clear that Google wants no part in the new law.

Facebook has taken a similar stance. As of February 18, in response to the proposed law, Facebook completely blocked users from sharing and viewing news content on the platform.

No matter how big these tech giants are, they understand that this law could have dire consequences for their operations. While Facebook has taken a more extreme stance, Google has been more proactive in engaging in talks with media companies to work out deals that would potentially be more favorable for them.

What does an Australia without Google look like?

If the law does pass, though, Google could indeed pull out of Australia. Without a VPN, Australians would no longer be able to use the search engine – but even with one, they wouldn’t have access to any of Google’s handy localisation features and much more.

In short, Google’s key selling point of being convenient – when it comes to news content – would be eradicated.

A life without Google would be incredibly inconvenient for a mobile generation who has essentially grown up using and depending on the platform for every aspect of their daily lives – not to mention work.

Plenty of small businesses could suffer without Google as their key advertising platform and struggle to find enough traffic to their businesses – whether they are purely online or primarily in brick-and-mortar locations.

What is the future of search?

Another search engine would have to take Google’s place in Australia. Which one this would be is yet to be clear – it could be DuckDuckGo, Bing – or even the return of Yahoo’s online dominance in Australia…

If this happens, overseas businesses relying on traffic from Australia through Google could be hit as well. Businesses, especially in the APAC region like Hong Kong and Singapore, should look at directing some of their traffic from Google Australia to another search platform – or at least brace for the impact of a withdrawal.

But until Google and the Australian government conclude their talks, it isn’t clear how search will look like in the future for Australia. One thing for certain is that this law could set a precedent for other countries to follow suit – something which could be disastrous for the business model that Google has been so successful using.

Setting a precedent

If the Australian government does go through with the new digital news code, it will make sense for other countries to follow suit. After all, it is a clear way to protect media companies who are at present struggling under the tech giant monopolies.