Introduction
When analyzing your ad performance, you might notice discrepancies between the data shown in Polar Analytics and the data displayed in your ad platforms (such as Facebook Ads, Google Ads, Snapchat, and Pinterest).
Discrepancies between Polar and your ad platform’s data can usually be traced back to differences in account settings, attribution models, time zones, and data refresh timing. By ensuring correct account connections, comparing data consistently, and aligning time zones strategically, you can minimize inconsistencies and gain more accurate insights.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the key reasons why data might not match exactly and how to troubleshoot common discrepancies.
Check Your Account Connection and Attribution Settings
Before comparing metrics, ensure that the correct account is connected in Polar Analytics:
Navigate to Connectors in Polar and verify that the right ad account is selected.
Click Configure and check the account settings.
Ensure that your attribution window settings in Polar match those in your ad platform. For instance, Facebook Ads allows different attribution settings (e.g., 7-day click vs. 1-day view), which can lead to differences in reported conversions.
If needed, reconnect your ad account to refresh the connection. Check out this article for more information on reconnecting your Facebook Ads account.
If your account is well connected and the data has finished importing, check that you do not have a View filter applied, which could limit the data displayed.
Compare Data Using the Same Date Range and Key Metrics
When reviewing your data:
Always compare using the same date range in both Polar and the ad platform.
Focus on Spend, Purchases, and ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) as key comparison points.
Note that recent conversion data may slightly differ due to delayed attribution reporting—ad platforms often backfill conversions over a few days, whereas Polar syncs data periodically.
Consider Time Zone Differences
Time zone settings can impact how data is displayed across different platforms.
If you have multiple ad accounts across different time zones, ensure that your Polar account’s main timezone aligns with the account that updates the latest during the day.
Example: If you have a UK Facebook account (UTC+1) and a US account (EST), setting your Polar timezone to UTC+1 might cause the US data to appear incomplete early in the day. In this case, it’s better to use EST as your main timezone in Polar to capture all data at its latest refresh point.
Additional Troubleshooting
If you still notice unexpected differences, contact our support team for further assistance.