The Attribution Playbook: How to Eliminate 40–60% of Wasted Ad Spend
Why Attribution Matters
Attribution is the foundation of profitable advertising. Without proper tracking, you're flying blind—spending budget without knowing what's actually driving results.
The Core Problem
Most advertisers waste 40-60% of their ad spend on audiences, creatives, and placements that don't convert. Proper attribution eliminates this waste by feeding real conversion data back to the algorithm.
What Proper Attribution Enables:
- Automatic optimization toward users who actually convert (not just click)
- Clear visibility into which creatives drive registrations, deposits, and sales
- GEO-level performance data to scale winners and cut losers
- Cost-per-acquisition (CPA) tracking across the entire funnel
- ROI calculation with actual revenue data
Blockchain-Ads provides multiple attribution methods: Client-Side Pixel, Server-to-Server (S2S) Postbacks, and native integrations with popular tracking platforms. This guide covers all options.
2. Tracking Methods
Choose your tracking method based on your technical setup, conversion types, and existing tracking stack.
Recommendation
Use BOTH methods for all campaigns. Pixel for website events (sign-ups, form submissions) and S2S for high-value conversions (deposits, purchases, in-app actions). This gives you maximum data capture and ad-blocker resilience.
2.1 Pixel Tracking Implementation
The Blockchain-Ads pixel is a JavaScript snippet that fires when users take specific actions on your website.
Step 1: Install the base pixel in your website's <head> section. You'll receive your unique pixel code from the Blockchain-Ads dashboard.
Step 2: Configure conversion events. The pixel supports standard and custom events:
Step 3: Pass conversion values when applicable. For purchases and deposits, include the transaction value to enable ROAS optimization.
Critical
Place conversion events on confirmation/success pages only—not on button clicks. This ensures you're tracking actual conversions, not intent.
2.2 Server-to-Server (S2S) Postback Setup
S2S postbacks send conversion data directly from your server to Blockchain-Ads. This method is immune to ad blockers and provides the most accurate data.
How S2S Works:
- User clicks your ad → Blockchain-Ads appends a unique click_id to the URL
- Your landing page captures and stores the click_id (cookie or database)
- User converts → Your server sends a postback with the click_id
- Blockchain-Ads matches the conversion to the original click
Required Postback Parameters:
Implementation Checklist:
- Capture click_id from URL parameters on landing page
- Store click_id with user session or in database
- Configure postback endpoint in Blockchain-Ads dashboard
- Fire postback server-side when conversion occurs
- Include event value for revenue-based optimization
- Test with a manual conversion before going live
2.3 Third-Party Integrations
Already using a tracking platform? Blockchain-Ads natively integrates with the tools you're already running, so you can start tracking conversions without additional setup.
Supported Integrations:
How to Connect:
- Go to Integrations in your Blockchain-Ads dashboard
- Select your tracking platform
- Follow the platform-specific setup guide (API key, postback URL, or pixel configuration)
- Map your conversion events to Blockchain-Ads events
- Send a test conversion to verify data flow
Pro Tip
If you're running mobile app campaigns, connect AppsFlyer first. This ensures accurate install attribution and in-app event tracking across all your traffic sources, with data flowing directly into Blockchain-Ads for optimization.
Benefits of Using Native Integrations:
- No additional pixel or code implementation required
- Leverage your existing tracking setup and data
- Unified reporting across all traffic sources
- Faster campaign launch—connect and go
- Automatic data sync keeps conversions flowing in real-time
3. Conversion Event Strategy
Not all conversions are equal. Structure your events to capture the full funnel and optimize for the metrics that matter.
3.1 Funnel-Based Event Structure
Key Principle: Optimize for the deepest funnel event that has sufficient volume. You need 15-30+ conversions per week for the algorithm to optimize effectively.
3.2 Event Selection by Vertical
Utilities / VPN:
- Primary: Subscription Start (with plan value)
- Secondary: Free Trial, Registration
- Advanced: Plan upgrade, renewal, referral signup
Sweepstakes:
- Primary: SOI (Single Opt-In) or DOI (Double Opt-In)
- Secondary: Email confirmation, page engagement
- Advanced: CC Submit, paid conversion
iGaming:
- Primary: First Deposit (FTD) with value
- Secondary: Registration, account verification
- Advanced: Repeat deposit, high-roller threshold, first bet placed
Dating:
- Primary: Paid Subscription or Credit Purchase
- Secondary: Registration, profile completion
- Advanced: Message sent, premium upgrade, subscription renewal
Forex / Trading:
- Primary: First Deposit (FTD) with value
- Secondary: Registration, KYC complete, demo account
- Advanced: First trade, deposit tier ($500+, $1K+), qualified lead
Crypto:
- Primary: First Deposit (FTD) or First Purchase
- Secondary: Registration, KYC complete, wallet connect
- Advanced: Trade executed, deposit tier, staking action
Finance / Loans:
- Primary: Qualified Lead (full application submitted)
- Secondary: Pre-qualification, partial application
- Advanced: Loan funded, approval, document upload complete
E-commerce:
- Primary: Purchase (with order value)
- Secondary: Add to Cart, Registration
- Advanced: Repeat purchase, high-AOV order, subscription start
Mobile Apps:
- Primary: In-app purchase or key action
- Secondary: App install, registration
- Advanced: Day 7 retention, subscription start, level complete
Nutra / Health:
- Primary: Sale (COD confirmation or CC submit)
- Secondary: Lead, trial order
- Advanced: Upsell accepted, subscription rebill, repeat order
Volume Rule
If your bottom-funnel event (deposit, purchase) has fewer than 15 conversions/week, optimize for a mid-funnel event (registration, lead) first. Once volume increases, shift optimization to the higher-value event.
4. How the Algorithm Optimizes
Once tracking is live, the Blockchain-Ads algorithm uses your conversion data to automatically improve campaign performance. Understanding this process helps you set up campaigns for maximum optimization.
4.1 The Optimization Loop
- Data Collection: Pixel/S2S/Integration sends conversion signals with associated user and contextual data
- Pattern Recognition: Algorithm identifies characteristics of converting users
- Audience Refinement: Delivery shifts toward users matching high-converter profiles
- Creative Analysis: System identifies which banners drive the most conversions
- GEO Optimization: Budget automatically shifts to top-performing regions
- Continuous Learning: Each new conversion further refines the model
4.2 What Gets Optimized
4.3 Optimization Timeline
Days 1-3: Learning Phase
- Algorithm explores broadly across audiences, creatives, and placements
- Performance may be inconsistent—this is normal
- Do NOT make major changes during this phase
Days 4-7: Pattern Formation
- Initial patterns emerge in converting user profiles
- Top 2-3 creatives begin to differentiate
- GEO performance becomes clearer
Week 2+: Active Optimization
- Algorithm actively optimizes delivery toward proven winners
- CPA should decrease, conversion rate should increase
- Safe to make iterative improvements (new creatives, expanded GEOs)
Critical
Give campaigns at least 7 days and 30+ conversions before evaluating performance. Premature optimization decisions based on insufficient data will hurt results.
5. Implementation Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure your tracking is properly configured before launching campaigns.
Pre-Launch Verification
- Tracking method selected (Pixel, S2S, or Third-Party Integration)
- Base pixel installed OR postback configured OR integration connected
- Conversion events configured for each funnel stage
- Event values passed for revenue-based events
- Click_id capture verified (if using S2S)
- Test conversion fired and received in dashboard
- Conversion deduplication configured (prevent double-counting)
Campaign Setup for Optimization
- Primary conversion event selected (highest value with sufficient volume)
- 3-5 creative variations uploaded
- Target GEOs selected based on business priorities
- Daily budget set to allow 2-3+ conversions per day minimum
- Attribution window matches your conversion cycle
Ongoing Monitoring
- Conversion data flowing daily in dashboard
- No tracking gaps or missing data
- Pixel health check passed (no errors)
- Postback/integration success rate above 99%
6. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Next Steps
Proper attribution is the difference between guessing and knowing. With tracking configured correctly, every dollar you spend generates data that makes your next dollar more effective.
Ready to implement?
- Log into your Blockchain-Ads dashboard
- Navigate to Tracking Setup or Integrations
- Choose your method: Pixel, S2S, or connect your existing tracker
- Fire a test conversion
- Launch your optimized campaign
Comience ahora
Programa una llamada para calificar y lanzar tus anuncios