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Heatmap Ad Integration FAQ

Updated this week

Overview

What is Heatmap Ad Integration?

The Heatmap Ad Integration feature allows you to track and analyze user behavior from specific advertising campaigns. It connects your ad platforms (Facebook, Google, TikTok, X/Twitter) with your heatmap data, enabling you to see exactly how visitors from each ad campaign interact with your website.

Which ad platforms are supported?

Currently supported platforms include:

  • Facebook (including Facebook Ads)

  • Google (Google Ads)

  • TikTok (TikTok Ads)

  • X/Twitter (Twitter Ads)

  • Klaviyo

How does it work?

When users click on your ads, they're directed to your website with UTM parameters that identify the ad source. Our system tracks all their interactions (clicks, scrolls, page navigation) and allows you to filter this data by specific ad campaigns.


Getting Started

How do I connect my ad platforms?

There are two ways to connect your ad platforms:

Method 1: Through Settings

  1. Navigate to Settings > Integrations

  2. Click "Connect" next to your desired platform

  3. A pop-up will appear for account authorization

  4. Select your account and click "Continue"

  5. The platform will show as "Connected"

Method 2: Through Heatmap Filters

  1. Go to your Heatmap dashboard

  2. Click on "Filters"

  3. Select "AD Platform" filter

  4. Click "Connect" for your desired platform

  5. Complete the authorization process

Do I need special permissions for my ad accounts?

Yes, you'll need admin or appropriate permissions on your ad accounts to authorize the connection. Each platform has its own requirements:

  • Facebook: Admin access to ad accounts

  • Google: Manager access to Google Ads

  • TikTok: Advertiser account access

  • X/Twitter: Premium verification may be required for ads

What happens after I connect a platform?

Once connected, the system will:

  • Fetch all your ad accounts for that platform

  • Display available campaigns

  • Begin tracking sessions from those campaigns

  • Enable filtering options in your heatmap dashboard

Using the Feature

How do I view heatmap data for specific ad campaigns?

  1. Go to your Heatmap dashboard

  2. Click the "Filters" button

  3. Select "Ads Platform" from the filter options

  4. Choose your connected platform

  5. Select specific campaigns you want to analyze

  6. The heatmap will update to show only sessions from those campaigns

Can I filter by multiple campaigns?

Yes, you can select multiple campaigns from the same platform or even across different platforms to compare performance.

What metrics can I see?

The integration provides:

  • Number of sessions per campaign

  • Device breakdown (desktop/mobile/tablet)

  • User interactions (clicks, scrolls, time on page)

  • Navigation paths through your site

  • Conversion tracking (if configured)

How do I disconnect a platform?

  1. Go to Settings > Integrations

  2. Find the connected platform

  3. Click the "Disconnect" button

  4. Confirm the disconnection

Note: Disconnecting will not delete historical data but will stop tracking new sessions from that platform.

Tracking and Analytics

How are sessions tracked from ads?

Sessions are tracked using UTM parameters automatically added to your ad URLs. These parameters include:

  • utm_source (platform name)

  • utm_medium (ad type)

  • utm_campaign (campaign name)

  • utm_content (ad creative identifier)

  • Platform-specific parameters (fbclid, gclid, ttclid)

  • ad_id ( the ad identifier )

  • adset_id ( the adset or adgroup identifier )

  • campaign_id ( the campaign Identifier )

Why don't I see any data after connecting?

Several reasons might cause this:

  1. No active campaigns: Ensure you have running campaigns with traffic

  2. Recent connection: It may take up to 30 minutes for initial data to appear

  3. UTM parameters: Verify your ads include proper tracking parameters

  4. Ad approval: Some platforms require ad approval before they go live

  5. Tracking script: Ensure your heatmap tracking script is properly installed

Can I see historical data from before I connected?

No, the integration only tracks sessions from the moment you connect your ad platform. Historical ad performance data is not retroactively added.

How accurate is the tracking?

Tracking accuracy depends on:

  • Proper UTM parameter implementation

  • Users not using ad blockers

  • Correct heatmap script installation

  • Cookie acceptance by users

Troubleshooting

My platform shows as connected but I see no campaigns

This could happen if:

  • You have no active campaigns in that ad account

  • The account permissions are insufficient

  • There's a sync delay (wait 15-30 minutes)

  • Try disconnecting and reconnecting the platform

Sessions aren't appearing in the filter

Check the following:

  1. Verify ads are actively running and receiving clicks

  2. Confirm UTM parameters are present in your ad URLs

  3. Check that the heatmap tracking script is on all pages

  4. Ensure cookies are enabled for tracking

  5. Wait at least 30 minutes after generating test traffic

I'm getting an authentication error

  • Your ad platform session may have expired

  • Platform permissions may have changed

  • Try disconnecting and reconnecting the platform

  • Ensure you're using the correct account credentials

Filter shows zero sessions but I know there's traffic

  • Double-check campaign selection in the filter

  • Verify date range includes when ads were running

  • Confirm UTM parameters match expected values

  • Clear browser cache and refresh the dashboard

Best Practices

Setting up campaigns for optimal tracking

  1. Always use consistent UTM naming conventions

  2. Test tracking with a small budget first

  3. Create separate campaigns for different objectives

  4. Use descriptive campaign names for easy filtering

Analyzing the data

  • Compare heatmaps between campaigns to identify best performers

  • Look for patterns in user behavior by device type

  • Use session recordings alongside heatmaps for deeper insights

  • Export data regularly for historical analysis

Privacy and compliance

  • Ensure you have proper consent for tracking users

  • Include privacy policy updates mentioning ad tracking

  • Comply with platform-specific privacy requirements

  • Respect user opt-outs and do-not-track settings

Limitations

What are the current limitations?

  • Real-time data may have a 15-30 minute delay

  • Maximum of 10,000 sessions per filter view

  • Some ad platforms require premium accounts

  • Cross-domain tracking requires additional setup

Platform-specific limitations

  • X/Twitter: Requires premium verification for ads

  • Google: Ads API requires separate approval process

  • Facebook: Limited to accounts you admin

  • TikTok: Business account required

Getting Help

Where can I get additional support?

If you need further assistance:

  • Contact our support team through the help center

  • Check our video tutorials for visual guides

  • Join our community forum for tips from other users

  • Schedule a demo with our success team for advanced features

How do I report a bug or request a feature?

  • Use the feedback button in the dashboard

  • Email our product team directly

  • Submit detailed reports including screenshots

  • Include steps to reproduce any issues



Questions? Reach out to support@heatmap.com - we're here to help you succeed.

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