🧡 isn't 🧡 isn't 🧡

0 min read
August 24, 2020

Three platforms have a heart icon: Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Yet, this action means different things to each of the platform algorithms. For the purposes of our discussion, let's focus on Instagram and TikTok as these represent either a large share of advertisers efforts or the emerging trend.

In a great simplification, Instagram is 3 surfaces: Home Feed, Story Feed and the Explore page (this analysis removes pages related to searches as that behavior is not core to Facebook properties). It is important to note that the first two properties are entirely driven by who a person chooses to follow and which advertisers win impressions. Explore is the only section on Instagram where a user can find content from those they don't follow.

In a similarly simplified world, TikToK is a Story feed. A story feed that is consumed on average for 60 minutes a day! This story feed opens to a For You page and interestingly NOT the following feed. This gives us a glimpse at probable algorithm differences between the platform. This focus on the Story Feed also allows the app to deliver a tuned experience to the format. TikTok is of course a video-first platform but most interestingly an audio-first platform as well. Sound ON is the default in a disruptive move from the pack. This has interesting implications saved for a later day.


How To Go Viral


Instagram has a two main avenues for virality on an organic post. These options assume proper best practices of posting consistently at top periods during a day.

  • Option A - You have a large following. Your followers engage with your content which drives it up on the explore page. This allows the post to extend out of your follower network to net new people.
  • Option B - With an appropriate hashtag strategy, your posts are featured in the top 9 grid for popular hashtags. The larger the hashtag audience the harder it is to crack the top 9 grid which means hashtag use needs to be done with care for small time influencers.

The major factor being leveraged in the model are Likes (hearts) and comments. View time is probably incorporated but the specific algorithm is under lock and key :)

TikTok is an entirely different beast. Your posts are forced to go to people who do not follow your account. Posts are judged on the following factors and likely stacked ranked as follows: likes, comments, shares, followers gained, watch duration, and duets (again the algorithm is under lock and key so take this stack ranking as illustrative). As TikTok needs content to keep the For You feed fresh it leverages an interesting strategy to drive virality - what we're calling a round robin system.

TikTok takes a post and forces it to a small group of user's feeds. If it does well in the small group, it then graduates into a larger group of people on the platform. This process is iterative and allows the TikTok algorithm to leverage a Bayseian approach to predicting the success of the post for a large audience. It sacrifices a small minority of people for the enjoyment of the majority. Our guess is that overtime an account earns a quality score to help with this prediction. If you post a lot of winning content it could go through less tiers of audience before being featured in a large audience feed.

This means you want to design TikTok posts for high repeat consumption or high completion. Also, content that gets users to make their own videos in response are highly valued. What type of content does this favor - challenges, dance videos, "watch till the end" , etc.


What This Means


Growing on Instagram is a steady grind while TikTok can be explosive and highly variable. One is not necessarily better or worse but it does mean that content needs to be tailored for each platform. Beautiful imagery, unlike Instagram, won't get you anywhere on TikTok as watch time is low.

If you're a photographer, you might want to provide a video tutorial on how you took a photo with a quick edit at the end showing the beautiful image. This would entice people to watch the tutorial twice to see the image again. On Instagram, you might just get away with posting a beautiful image.

--

Thanks to Aaron Weiss for sharing their work on Unsplash

Nate Lorenzen
Founder
Jenner Kearns
Chief Delivery Officer
Jenner Kearns
Chief Delivery Officer
Jenner Kearns
Chief Delivery Officer
Kenneth Shen
Chief Executive Officer
Kenneth Shen
Chief Executive Officer
Kenneth Shen
Chief Executive Officer
Kenneth Shen
Chief Executive Officer
Jenner Kearns
Chief Delivery Officer
Kenneth Shen
Chief Executive Officer
Jenner Kearns
Chief Delivery Officer
Jenner Kearns
Chief Delivery Officer
Jenner Kearns
Chief Delivery Officer
Jenner Kearns
Chief Delivery Officer
Kenneth Shen
Chief Executive Officer
Jenner Kearns
Chief Delivery Officer
Kenneth Shen
Chief Executive Officer
Kenneth Shen
Chief Executive Officer
Isla Bruce
Head of Content
Isla Bruce
Head of Content
Isla Bruce
Head of Content
Jenner Kearns
Chief Delivery Officer
Isla Bruce
Head of Content
Kenneth Shen
Chief Executive Officer
Isla Bruce
Head of Content

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Facebook Ads Bidding Strategies can either make or break your advertising campaign. If you've been struggling with getting the best results, understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each strategy can save you both time and money. The right bidding strategy can help you reach your target audience more effectively and get the most out of your advertising budget.

Each bidding strategy has its unique benefits and challenges. Some are great for maximizing visibility, while others prioritize cost-efficiency. Choosing the right one depends on your specific goals, whether that's more clicks, better engagement, or higher sales. Knowing the pros and cons of each strategy will help you make informed choices that benefit your business.

This article will guide you through five key Facebook Ads Bidding Strategies. You’ll learn about their benefits, drawbacks, and how to pick the one that suits your campaign objectives. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which strategy will help you achieve your advertising goals effectively.

Understanding Facebook Bidding Mechanics

Facebook bidding is essential for advertising success. It involves auctions where advertisers compete for ad placements. Understanding key elements like Auction Dynamics and Different Bidding Strategies is crucial.

Auction Dynamics and How Bids Work

In Facebook's auction, ads compete based on bids, estimated action rates, and ad quality. Bid represents how much you're willing to pay for a specific action (like clicks, views, or conversions). The Cost Per Result adjusts based on competition.

Bid Cap lets advertisers set a maximum bid. This ensures spending control but may limit campaign reach. Meta bidding strategies, like Lowest Cost and Target Cost, help optimize for specific goals, balancing cost and performance.

Factors influencing the auction include:

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Exploring Different Bidding Strategies

Advertisers can choose from several Facebook bidding strategies. The Lowest Cost strategy aims to get the most results for the lowest price but may lack spending control. The Cost Cap strategy helps maintain an average cost while driving results.

The Bid Cap strategy is useful for high-control needs, letting you set the max bid per action but it might restrict delivery. Target Cost aims for a stable cost per action, ideal for steady budget planning.

Choosing the right strategy depends on your campaign goals, budget, and desired Cost Per Result. Evaluate each option to find the best fit for your needs.

Implementing Bidding Strategies for Campaign Success

Successful implementation of bidding strategies can drive better results and optimize ad spend. Key factors include setting appropriate bid caps, maximizing returns using ROAS goals, and balancing volume and value.

Setting the Right Bid Cap for Your Campaign

Setting the right bid cap involves determining the maximum amount you are willing to pay for a result. This ensures costs don't exceed the budget. Bid caps can help control spending and improve efficiency.

  • Analyze past performance: Review historical data to identify the highest bid that achieved desired results.
  • Adjust as needed: Be flexible to change bid caps based on real-time campaign performance.
  • Consider the competition: Higher bid caps might be necessary in competitive markets.

Maximizing Returns with ROAS Goals

Use the Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) bid strategy to drive maximum returns. ROAS goals ensure that every dollar spent on ads generates a specific amount of revenue.

  • Calculate target ROAS: Set a realistic ROAS based on past campaigns.
  • Monitor and tweak: Regularly check ad performance and adjust your ROAS goals to meet revenue targets.
  • Balance quality and cost: High ROAS might limit reach, so find a balance between cost and quality.

Balancing Volume and Value in Bidding

Balancing volume and value helps achieve the right mix of reach and profitability. Consider using both Highest Volume and Highest Value strategies.

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By carefully implementing these strategies, advertisers can meet their campaign goals effectively.

Static ads and dynamic ads serve different purposes in the world of marketing. Static ads are simple and stay the same at all times. They are easy to create and can be effective for straightforward messaging. But dynamic ads offer customization, changing their content to fit the audience's preferences and behaviors.

Dynamic ads might seem complicated, but they bring better results by targeting specific groups with personalized messages. This means higher engagement rates and more conversions. Static ads, on the other hand, are less effort to produce but may not capture attention as effectively.

Deciding between static and dynamic ads depends on the brand's goals and resources. Each has its strengths and can be powerful if used appropriately in a marketing strategy.

Understanding Static and Dynamic Ads

Static ads and dynamic ads serve different purposes in digital marketing. Each has unique features and benefits that cater to varied marketing needs.

Exploring Static Image Ads

Static image ads are straightforward. They are typically still images that do not change once created. These ads are ideal for conveying a clear, unchanging message or brand image.

A static image can include text, graphics, and logos, and is often used on websites and social media platforms.

Advantages of Static Images

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Unpacking Dynamic Advertising

Dynamic ads are more complex. They can change content in real-time based on user data and behavior. Unlike static ads, dynamic ads can alter images, text, and calls to action depending on who is viewing the ad.

Benefits of Dynamic Ads

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Static Images Vs. Videos

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