External ID

Object Type: string or array of strings | Hashing is recommended

External ID is a string that represents a user on an advertiser’s system, like loyalty membership IDs, user IDs, and external cookie IDs. You can send one or more external_ IDs for a given event and we try to match it to someone on Facebook.

External IDs can be sent via multiple channels, including browser Pixel, Conversions API, and Offline Conversions API (OCAPI). You must be consistent across channels. For example, if you send a browser pixel event with external_id set to 123, your Conversions API event for that same user should also have external_id set to 123.

To check on external_ids sent via browser Pixel, look for the Pixel Helper under Advanced Matching Parameters Sent. external_ids are not available in the Test Events tool.

Why You Should Use It

As an advertiser, you may already assign your own ID to users that visit your properties. The external_id field allows you to leverage these IDs to:

  • Scale your business: Once you provide external_id, it can be used again across different channels and to create different audiences. On your end, just map external_id to your internal identity system and you no longer need to manage a large number of PIIs.
  • Improve match rates and leverage matches across channels: Improve match rates on channels you do not have access to certain identifiers, leveraging information coming from another channel. See Example - Leverage Match Type Across Channels.
  • Create your own audiences: See Audience Creation.
  • Increase security and privacy: Instead of uploading hashed PIIs multiple times, you can send your external_id with PIIs once and you can reuse that match.

How It Works

Step 1

You send us an event with external_id and a number of other customer information parameters. The event can be sent via different channels, including browser Pixel, Conversions API, and Offline Conversions API.

Step 2

On our end, we look for a match using all the information you sent. If we find a match, we associate the external_id you provided with that specific user.

Step 3

In subsequent events, you can send us an event containing only external_id. On our end, we keep the previously established association between your external_id and the matched Facebook user.

The external_id to specific user matches expire periodically. We recommend that you refresh it as frequently as possible.

Example - Leverage Match Type Across Channels

  1. You have a website with the browser Pixel.
  2. A user views a specific product on your website.
  3. You send us a ViewContent event via browser Pixel containing hashed customer information. You include hashed email and hashed external ID for that user. The Pixel automatically includes cookie information.
  4. On our end, we use the hashed email to find a match. We remember the mapping between your external_id and that Facebook user.
  5. A couple of days later, that same user completes a purchase on your website.
  6. You send us a new event. This time, you use the Conversions API. In the event, you include external_id.
  7. We get your external_id. We see that a match was already made with data sent via Pixel. We can leverage the existing mapping on Conversions API.

Example - Partner Use Case

Leverage external_id to report conversions that happen on a partner’s website. In that case, the process looks like this:

  1. User is on your website and clicks on your partner’s website.
  2. You send a pixel event an external_id to Facebook. To your partner, you send a redirect request including external_id.
  3. User completes a conversion on your partner’s website.
  4. Your partner sends you conversion information, including external_id. Your partner does not have to share any sensitive information.
  5. You send us another event, including the new conversion information and the respective external_id.

Audience Creation

It is imperative that you be consistent using external_ids across browser Pixel, Conversions API, Offline Conversions API, and App Events. This way, you can use external_ids to create the following types of audience:

Note that Customer File Custom Audience is not listed. This type of audience uses different policies and cannot be created using only external_id or extern_id from data received through Conversions API.

Fbp Parameter

If you are able to add external_ids in your events, you should always do so. But, if your system is not set up for that, we can mitigate the problem by using the fbp parameter as an external ID. Learn more about the fbp parameter.

ScenarioHow Data Is Handled

Event includes fbp, but not external_id

We use fbp as external_id and try to find a match. Since fbp is a browser cookie, it has an expiration date.

Event includes fbp and external_id

We save both fields and try to find a match. external_id is always favored, since it offers improved performance.

Event includes external_id, but not fbp

This is processed as a regular event including external_id.