Overview
The Polar Conversion API (CAPI) Enhancer, powered by Polar Pixel, is a server-side tracking feature designed to send high-quality event data back to ad platforms like Meta (Facebook), Google Ads and TikTok. By capturing more detailed event information, CAPI Enhancer helps ad platforms optimize their algorithms, leading to improved ad performance and greater efficiency.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
What the Polar CAPI Enhancer is and how it works.
How it improves ad performance compared to other tracking methods.
The setup process and requirements to start using the feature.
How to troubleshoot Meta (Facebook) CAPI issues
What It Is and Why It Improves Ad Targeting
The Polar Conversion API (CAPI) Enhancer uses server-side tracking to send event data collected by the Polar Pixel directly to ad platforms.
This process bypasses browser-based tracking limitations (like ad blockers and cookie restrictions) by transmitting events securely from server to server — ensuring you capture more complete and accurate data for optimization.
Key Benefits:
Higher Match Quality Scores: Better data capture improves audience targeting.
Reduced Cost Per Purchase (CPP): Improved ad performance lowers customer acquisition costs.
Increased Return on Ad Spend (ROAS): Accurate event data leads to smarter ad delivery.
Real-Time Syncing: Unlike Shopify’s native Conversions API, which sends data in batches, Polar sends data in real-time, ensuring no conversions are lost.
Reduced Impact of Browser Restrictions: Server-side tracking overcomes the limitations of cookie-based tracking, providing more reliable data.
Real-World Impact:
Decreased Cost Per Thousand Impressions (CPM): Better targeting results in fewer wasted impressions.
Improved Conversion Rates: Sending complete event data allows ad platforms to optimize delivery toward high-intent audiences.
Case Studies:
Several brands have seen notable improvements in ad performance within just two weeks of using the CAPI Enhancer:
The Frankie Shop: Increased ROAS and decreased CPM.
Sage + Page: Higher Match Quality Scores and improved ad efficiency.
Yellow Pop: Reduction in CPC and increased conversions.
Set Up
Prerequisites:
To qualify for the CAPI Enhancer, the following conditions must be met:
Polar Pixel Installation: Ensure the Polar Pixel is correctly installed and tracking events.
Subscription: Confirm with your Customer Success Manager (CSM) that CAPI Enhancer is included in your current Polar plan.
Setup Process:
For Facebook:
Install Facebook Pixel: Ensure your FB Meta Pixel is installed on your Shopify store. Learn more here: Add a Meta pixel to your online store
Approve Account Access: We’ll request access to your Facebook accounts, which you will need to approve.
Manual Sync Creation: Our team will manually create the sync, refreshing every 15 minutes to push data back to Facebook.
Monitoring and Updates: We’ll closely monitor results for the first two weeks and provide weekly updates.
For Google:
Approve Account Access: We’ll request access to your Google Ads accounts, which you will need to approve.
Manual Sync Creation: Our team will manually create the sync, refreshing every 15 minutes to push data back to Google.
Monitoring and Updates: We’ll closely monitor results for the first two weeks and provide weekly updates.
For TikTok (Closed Beta):
Add Polar Team to Your Business Center:
Add
hey@polaranalytics.cowith standard access to your TikTok Business Center.
Grant Access to Your Ad Account:
Add
hey@polaranalytics.cowith operator access to your TikTok ad account.
Provide Pixel Access:
Add
hey@polaranalytics.cowith edit pixel access to your TikTok pixel.
Contact Your CSM: After completing the steps, notify your CSM to finalize the setup.
Troubleshooting Facebook/Meta CAPI
If your Meta events aren’t showing up or seem incomplete, you can use the Meta Pixel Helper Chrome extension to verify your setup and identify issues.
When to Use This
Run these checks if:
You’ve completed setup but no Meta events appear in Ads Manager
You’re seeing low event match quality or data discrepancies
You suspect deduplication issues between browser and server events
How to Troubleshoot
Install the Meta Pixel Helper
The Meta Pixel Helper is a Chrome extension, so you’ll need to use the Chrome browser.
Search for “Meta Pixel Helper” in the Chrome Web Store and install it.
Navigate to Your Website
Open your Chrome browser and visit the site where your Meta Pixel is installed.
Use the Pixel Helper
Click the Pixel Helper icon next to your address bar.
A pop-up will display all detected pixels and events on the page.
Look for event IDs, which confirm that deduplication is working correctly.
Identify Issues
A green icon indicates successful events.
Yellow or red icons show warnings or errors — such as events not firing or a missing pixel.
Review the message provided in the helper to identify the cause of the issue (e.g., “Pixel did not load”).
FAQs
Are There Any Risks in Using the Conversion API Enhancer?
Are There Any Risks in Using the Conversion API Enhancer?
No, there are no risks. Since the CAPI Enhancer sends additional event data to ad platforms, it only enhances the platform’s understanding of customer behavior, leading to improved ad performance.
Do I Need Technical Skills to Set It Up?
Do I Need Technical Skills to Set It Up?
Not at all! You will only need to install the Polar Pixel, our team will handle the manual sync setup and provide ongoing performance monitoring.
How Can I Get More Information or Assistance?
How Can I Get More Information or Assistance?
For more information about pricing or to schedule a demo, feel free to:
Contact your Customer Success Manager.
Reach out to us via the in-app chat.
For additional resources, explore our guides on: