Postback Setup in MGID Ads

This article describes how to set Postback in the MGID Ads system.

In this article:

Definition

Setting up Postback in the MGID Ads Dashboard

Manual Postback Setup

Template Postback Setup

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Definition

Postback is a server-to-server (S2S) tracking method used to track user actions or conversions by communicating directly between servers rather than relying on client-side data such as cookies or pixels. Server-to-server communication is typically more reliable, ensuring that conversions are tracked even if the user’s browser crashes or they navigate away quickly.

Setting up Postback in the MGID Ads Dashboard

1. Create a new advertising campaign or edit an existing one by clicking on its respective icon in the dashboard.

2. Navigate to the Conversion tracking section and select the Postback option in the Tracking settings tab.

3. Add a new conversion goal and create a unique name for the goal. You can select an existing goal here as well.

This field accepts only Latin letters and numbers; when filled in, it is automatically assigned as the "e" parameter.

Here, you can also indicate the conversion cost (optional).

Repeat these steps (i.e., add another goal) if you want to track more than one conversion goal. The system allows for tracking up to three conversion goals using Postback. 

You can track unique and non-unique conversions using Postback.

Find the conversion counting button under the advanced settings dropdown. By default, it’s set up to track only unique conversions. 

However, some funnels require counting multiple conversions with the same click ID. An example of this is a standard funnel with a "purchase" conversion and an upsell action after the first purchase. In this case, counting non-unique conversions feature will be useful for accurate tracking. 

The conversion counting setting is available separately for each of the three conversion goals.

4. Select either Manual setup or one of the available Postback templates.

Let’s take a closer look at both options in detail.

Manual Postback Setup

1. Set up macros for tracking link, add the real get parameter for the click_id macro that the third-party tool uses.

The {click_id} macro is crucial for postback conversion tracking.  To make sure your Postback works as intended, add the real parameter for the {click_id} macro in this field. For instance, if MGID  click ID is located in the {sub_id} macro of your system, you need to add sub_id={click_id} at the end of the link.

You can also set up the  following fields:

• Add additional macro by clicking the plus button;
• Add any additional parameters to your tracking link. Custom tags will be included alongside system-defined macros when your campaigns go live;
• Add UTM tags to the link. 

Check the Tracking link preview field to see how the appended part of your tracking link will look with all macros and tags included.

2. Click Get Postback URL and then copy the URL. Save the link on your device, as you will need it later.

3. Save changes if editing, or publish the campaign if creating a new one.

4. Add postback link(s) on the third-party side.

Template Postback Setup

A Postback template is a preconfigured set of settings designed for seamless integration with a specific third-party platform for tracking purposes. The template automatically includes all the necessary data, such as conversion steps and event names, GET parameters for the {click_id} macro, third-party {click_id} and {revenue} macros in the generated postback link.

Additionally, all conversion steps can be customized to meet your specific needs.

An example of template configurations can be seen in the screenshot below, where the Voluum template is selected. The click_id GET parameter is automatically added, and the postback link is generated with the real macros.

When using a template, simply select your platform and allow the mandatory data to be auto-generated. You can customize the conversion goal names as needed.

When setting up postback using a template, you can track unique and non-unique conversions. 

Tracking System Dashboard Settings

Add the Postback URL to the system that will transfer the data to your tracker or affiliate platform and modify it with a correct macro.

Example: 

https://a.mgid.com/postback/client_ID?c={externalid}&e=test_event&r={payout}

Where:

• client_ID is a unique parameter assigned to each user in our system.

• "c" parameter accepts data from the third party tool {click_id} macro (must be changed to the real one in case postback is set up manually, not with a template);
• "e" parameter indicates the name of the event;
• "r" parameter accepts data from the third party tool {revenue} macro (must be changed to the real one in case postback is set up manually, not with a template).

Use the following guide here to verify the Postback URL settings.