Automotive Ads

Automotive Ads - Events

Automotive ads use events that have a set of parameters (full list of event parameter details). You can use the Facebook pixel on your website and mobile app events in your Android app and iOS app.

Standard and Required Events

  • Standard events are actions we recognize and support across ad products. This consistency in how we name and categorize key actions improves our ability to show your ads to the people in your audience who are most likely to take the actions that matter to your business. See the full list and best practices for standard events here.
  • Required events - See table below. The code sample is Pixel, Android, iOS for all required events.
EventWhen to FireCode Sample

Search

On search result pages for vehicle/inventory searches

Pixel | Android | iOS

ViewContent

On webpages where you want to track views of key content. For example: vehicle detail pages, model pages, vehicle offers, or incentive pages.

Pixel | Android | iOS

AddToWishlist

When someones saves, favorites, or shows interest in a specific vehicle listing

Pixel | Android | iOS

Facebook Pixel (for websites)

This guide assumes you already have a Facebook pixel installed. If not, see Using Marketing API with pixel.

Before you Begin

  • Make sure the pixel base code is already loaded when you fire an event.
  • If you use a tag manager, make sure you include the tag that contains the pixel code on every page. The tag should appear before the tag that contains the pixel event code.
  • Use the Facebook Pixel Helper to validate your pixel implementation.

Search Pixel Event

    // This sample assumes the FB Pixel base code is already loaded

fbq('track', 'Search', {
      content_type: 'vehicle', // RECOMMENDED: If sent, it must be set to 'vehicle'
      content_ids: ['123'], // RECOMMENDED: array of vehicle IDs
      postal_code: '94025', // RECOMMENDED
      country: 'United States', // RECOMMENDED  don't use abbreviations
      make: 'Lexus', // RECOMMENDED
      model: 'ES', // RECOMMENDED
      year: '2017', // RECOMMENDED
      state_of_vehicle: 'CPO', // RECOMMENDED
      exterior_color: 'black', // RECOMMENDED
      transmission: 'automatic', // RECOMMENDED
      body_style: 'sedan', // RECOMMENDED
      fuel_type: 'gasoline', // RECOMMENDED
      drivetrain: 'awd', // RECOMMDENDED
      price: 1234.99, // RECOMMENDED, up to 2 decimals optional
      currency: 'USD', // REQUIRED if price and preferred_price_range is used, currency has to be the same for both price and preferred_price_range 
      preferred_price_range: '[10000,20000]' // Optional up to two decimals, min,max
});

ViewContent Pixel Event

    // This sample assumes the FB Pixel base code is already loaded

fbq('track', 'ViewContent', {
      content_type: 'vehicle', // RECOMMENDED: If sent, it must be set to 'vehicle'
      content_ids: ['123'], // REQUIRED: array of vehicle IDs
      postal_code: '94025', // RECOMMENDED
      country: 'United States', // RECOMMENDED  don't use abbreviations
      make: 'Lexus', // RECOMMENDED
      model: 'ES', // RECOMMENDED
      year: '2017', // RECOMMENDED
      state_of_vehicle: 'CPO', // RECOMMENDED
      exterior_color: 'black', // RECOMMENDED
      transmission: 'automatic', // RECOMMENDED
      body_style: 'sedan', // RECOMMENDED
      fuel_type: 'gasoline', // RECOMMENDED
      drivetrain: 'awd', // RECOMMDENDED
      price: 1234.99, // RECOMMENDED, up to 2 decimals optional
      currency: 'USD', // REQUIRED if price and preferred_price_range is used 
      preferred_price_range: '[10000,20000]' // Optional up to two decimals, min,max
});

AddToWishlist Pixel Event

// This sample assumes the FB Pixel base code is already loaded

fbq('track', 'AddToWishlist', {
      content_type: 'vehicle', // RECOMMENDED: If sent, it must be set to 'vehicle'
      content_ids: ['123'], // REQUIRED: array of vehicle IDs
      postal_code: '94025', // RECOMMENDED
      country: 'United States', // RECOMMENDED  don't use abbreviations
      make: 'Lexus', // RECOMMENDED
      model: 'ES', // RECOMMENDED
      year: '2017', // RECOMMENDED
      state_of_vehicle: 'CPO', // RECOMMENDED
      exterior_color: 'black', // RECOMMENDED
      transmission: 'automatic', // RECOMMENDED
      body_style: 'sedan', // RECOMMENDED
      fuel_type: 'gasoline', // RECOMMENDED
      drivetrain: 'awd', // RECOMMDENDED
      price: 1234.99, // RECOMMENDED, up to 2 decimals optional
      currency: 'USD', // REQUIRED if price and preferred_price_range is used 
      preferred_price_range: '[10000,20000]' // Optional up to two decimals, min,max
});

Mobile App Events for Android

This guide assumes you have the Facebook SDK implemented in your Android mobile app. If not, see the Android SDK. If you use a measurement partner, make sure they pass required events to Facebook.

Search Android Event

Bundle parameters = new Bundle();
// IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO USE A RECOMMENDED PARAM, THEN REMOVE IT, DON'T LEAVE IT EMPTY

// RECOMMENDED: If sent, it must be set to 'vehicle'
parameters.putString(AppEventsConstants.EVENT_PARAM_CONTENT_TYPE, "vehicle");

// RECOMMENDED: content ids - include eg top 5 search results
parameters.putString(AppEventsConstants.EVENT_PARAM_CONTENT_ID, "[\"123\", \"234\", \"345\", \"456\", \"567\"]"); // top search results

// RECOMMENDED: postal_code
parameters.putString("fb_postal_code", "94025");

// RECOMMENDED: country
parameters.putString("fb_country", "United States");

// RECOMMENDED: make
// Allows you to target people based on their search of a specific make
parameters.putString("fb_make", "Lexus");

// RECOMMENDED: model
// Allows you to target people based on their search of a specific make model
parameters.putString("fb_model", "ES");

// RECOMMENDED: year, in yyyy format
// Allows you to target people based on their search for vehicles manufactured from a specific year
parameters.putInt("fb_year", "2017");

// RECOMMENDED: state_of_vehicle
// Allows you to target people based on their search of specific type of vehicle
parameters.putString("fb_state_of_vehicle", "CPO");

// RECOMMENDED: exterior_color
parameters.putString("fb_exterior_color", "black");

// RECOMMENDED: transmission
parameters.putString("fb_transmission", "automatic");

// RECOMMENDED: body_style
// Allows you to target people based on their search of a vehicle body style
parameters.putString("fb_body_style", "sedan");

// RECOMMENDED: fuel_type
parameters.putString("fb_fuel_type", "gasoline");

// RECOMMENDED: drivetrain
parameters.putString("fb_drivetrain", "awd");

// RECOMMENDED: price
parameters.putInt("fb_price", 1234.99);

// RECOMMENDED: currency
parameters.putInt("fb_currency", 'USD');

// RECOMMENDED: preferred_price_range
parameters.putInt("fb_preferred_price_range", '[10000,20000]');

// Fire the 'Search' event on the search results page
logger.logEvent(AppEventsConstants.EVENT_NAME_SEARCHED,
  parameters

);

ViewContent Android Event

Bundle parameters = new Bundle();
// IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO USE A RECOMMENDED PARAM, THEN REMOVE IT, DON'T LEAVE IT EMPTY

// REQUIRED: content id of the vehicle that is shown
parameters.putString(AppEventsConstants.EVENT_PARAM_CONTENT_ID, "123");

// RECOMMENDED: If sent, it must be set to 'vehicle'
parameters.putString(AppEventsConstants.EVENT_PARAM_CONTENT_TYPE, "vehicle");

// RECOMMENDED: postal_code
parameters.putString("fb_postal_code", "94025");

// RECOMMENDED: country
parameters.putString("fb_country", "United States");

// RECOMMENDED: make
// Allows you to target people based on their search of a specific make
parameters.putString("fb_make", "Lexus");

// RECOMMENDED: model
// Allows you to target people based on their search of a specific make model
parameters.putString("fb_model", "ES");

// RECOMMENDED: year, in yyyy format
// Allows you to target people based on their search for vehicles manufactured from a specific year
parameters.putInt("fb_year", "2017");

// RECOMMENDED: state_of_vehicle
// Allows you to target people based on their search of specific type of vehicle
parameters.putString("fb_state_of_vehicle", "CPO");

// RECOMMENDED: exterior_color
parameters.putString("fb_exterior_color", "black");

// RECOMMENDED: transmission
parameters.putString("fb_transmission", "automatic");

// RECOMMENDED: body_style
// Allows you to target people based on their search of a vehicle body style
parameters.putString("fb_body_style", "sedan");

// RECOMMENDED: fuel_type
parameters.putString("fb_fuel_type", "gasoline");

// RECOMMENDED: drivetrain
parameters.putString("fb_drivetrain", "awd");

// RECOMMENDED: price
parameters.putInt("fb_price", 1234.99);

// RECOMMENDED: currency
parameters.putInt("fb_currency", 'USD');

// RECOMMENDED: preferred_price_range
parameters.putInt("fb_preferred_price_range", '[10000,20000]');

// Fire the 'ViewContent' event on the vehicle details or other specific content page
logger.logEvent(AppEventsConstants.EVENT_NAME_VIEWED_CONTENT,
  parameters

);

AddToWishlist Android Event

Bundle parameters = new Bundle();
// IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO USE A RECOMMENDED PARAM, THEN REMOVE IT, DON'T LEAVE IT EMPTY

// REQUIRED: content id of the vehicle that is added to wishlist
parameters.putString(AppEventsConstants.EVENT_PARAM_CONTENT_ID, "123");

// RECOMMENDED: If sent, it must be set to 'vehicle'
parameters.putString(AppEventsConstants.EVENT_PARAM_CONTENT_TYPE, "vehicle");

// RECOMMENDED: postal_code
parameters.putString("fb_postal_code", "94025");

// RECOMMENDED: country
parameters.putString("fb_country", "United States");

// RECOMMENDED: make
// Allows you to target people based on their search of a specific make
parameters.putString("fb_make", "Lexus");

// RECOMMENDED: model
// Allows you to target people based on their search of a specific make model
parameters.putString("fb_model", "ES");

// RECOMMENDED: year, in yyyy format
// Allows you to target people based on their search for vehicles manufactured from a specific year
parameters.putInt("fb_year", "2017");

// RECOMMENDED: state_of_vehicle
// Allows you to target people based on their search of specific type of vehicle
parameters.putString("fb_state_of_vehicle", "CPO");

// RECOMMENDED: exterior_color
parameters.putString("fb_exterior_color", "black");

// RECOMMENDED: transmission
parameters.putString("fb_transmission", "automatic");

// RECOMMENDED: body_style
// Allows you to target people based on their search of a vehicle body style
parameters.putString("fb_body_style", "sedan");

// RECOMMENDED: fuel_type
parameters.putString("fb_fuel_type", "gasoline");

// RECOMMENDED: drivetrain
parameters.putString("fb_drivetrain", "awd");

// RECOMMENDED: price
parameters.putInt("fb_price", 1234.99);

// RECOMMENDED: currency
parameters.putInt("fb_currency", 'USD');

// RECOMMENDED: preferred_price_range
parameters.putInt("fb_preferred_price_range", '[10000,20000]');

// Fire the 'AddToWishlist' event on the vehicle details or other specific content page
logger.logEvent(AppEventsConstants.EVENT_NAME_ADDED_TO_WISHLIST,
  parameters

);

Mobile App Events for iOS

This guide assumes you already have the Facebook SDK implemented in your iOS mobile app. If not, see the iOS SDK. If you use a measurement partner, make sure they pass required events to Facebook.

Search iOS Event

// Fire the 'Search' event on the search results page  
[FBSDKAppEvents logEvent:FBSDKAppEventNameSearched

// IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO USE A RECOMMENDED PARAM, THEN REMOVE IT, DON'T LEAVE IT EMPTY
  parameters:@{
    // RECOMMENDED: If sent, it must be set to 'vehicle'
    FBSDKAppEventParameterNameContentType : @"vehicle",
    // RECOMMENDED: content ids - include eg top 5 search results
    FBSDKAppEventParameterNameContentID : @"[\"123\", \"234\", \"345\", \"456\", \"567\"]",

    // RECOMMENDED: postal_code    
    @"fb_postal_code" : @"94110",

    // RECOMMENDED: country
    @"fb_country" : @"US",
    
    // RECOMMENDED: make    
    // Allows you to target people based on their search of a specific make
    @"fb_make" : @"Toyota",
    
    // RECOMMENDED: model
    // Allows you to target people based on their search of a specific make model
    @"fb_model" : @"Camry",
    
    // RECOMMENDED: year, in yyyy format
    @"fb_year" : @"2015", 
        
    // RECOMMENDED: state_of_vehicle
    // Allows you to target people based on their search of specific type of vehicle
    @"fb_state_of_vehicle" : @"CPO",
    
    // RECOMMENDED: exterior_color
    @"fb_exterior_color" : @"black", 
    
    // RECOMMENDED: transmission
    @"fb_transmission" : @"automatic",
    
    // RECOMMENDED: body_style
    // Allows you to target people based on their search of a vehicle body style
    @"fb_body_style" : @"Sedan",
    
    // RECOMMENDED: fuel_type
    @"fb_fuel_type" : @"gasoline", 
    
    // RECOMMENDED: drivetrain
    @"fb_drivetrain" : @"awd", 
    
    // RECOMMENDED: price
    @"fb_price" : @18000, 
              
    // RECOMMENDED: currency
    @"fb_currency" : @"USD",

    // RECOMMENDED: preferred_price_range
    @"fb_preferred_price_range" : @"[10000,20000]",
    }
  ];

ViewContent iOS Event

// Fire the 'ViewContent' event on the search results page  
[FBSDKAppEvents logEvent:FBSDKAppEventNameViewedContent

// IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO USE A RECOMMENDED PARAM, THEN REMOVE IT, DON'T LEAVE IT EMPTY
  parameters:@{
    // REQUIRED: content ids for vehicle shown
    FBSDKAppEventParameterNameContentID : @"123",  

    // RECOMMENDED: If sent, it must be set to 'vehicle'
    FBSDKAppEventParameterNameContentType : @"vehicle",

    // RECOMMENDED: postal_code    
    @"fb_postal_code" : @"94110",

    // RECOMMENDED: country
    @"fb_country" : @"US",

    // RECOMMENDED: make
    // Allows you to target people based on their search of a specific make
    @"fb_make" : @"Toyota",
    
    // RECOMMENDED: model
    // Allows you to target people based on their search of a specific make model
    @"fb_model" : @"Camry",
    
    // RECOMMENDED: year, in yyyy format
    @"fb_year" : @"2015", 
    
    // RECOMMENDED: body_style
    // Allows you to target people based on their search of a vehicle body style
    @"fb_body_style" : @"Sedan",
    
    // RECOMMENDED: state_of_vehicle
    // Allows you to target people based on their search of specific type of vehicle
    @"fb_state_of_vehicle" : @"CPO",  
    
    // RECOMMENDED: exterior_color
    @"fb_exterior_color" : @"black", 
    
    // RECOMMENDED: transmission
    @"fb_transmission" : @"automatic",  
    
    // RECOMMENDED: fuel_type
    @"fb_fuel_type" : @"gasoline", 
    
    // RECOMMENDED: drivetrain
    @"fb_drivetrain" : @"FWD", 
    
    // RECOMMENDED: price
    @"fb_price" : 18000, 
              

    }
  ];

AddToWishlist iOS Event

// Fire the 'AddToWishlist' event on the search results page  
[FBSDKAppEvents logEvent:FBSDKAppEventNameAddedToWishlist

// IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO USE A RECOMMENDED PARAM, THEN REMOVE IT, DON'T LEAVE IT EMPTY
  parameters:@{
    // REQUIRED: content id of vehicle added to wishlist
    FBSDKAppEventParameterNameContentID : @"123",  

    // RECOMMENDED: If sent, it must be set to 'vehicle'
    FBSDKAppEventParameterNameContentType : @"vehicle",

    // RECOMMENDED: postal_code    
    @"fb_postal_code" : @"94110",

    // RECOMMENDED: country
    @"fb_country" : @"US",
    
    // RECOMMENDED: make
    // Allows you to target people based on their search of a specific make
    @"fb_make" : @"Toyota",
    
    // RECOMMENDED: model
    // Allows you to target people based on their search of a specific make model
    @"fb_model" : @"Camry",
    
    // RECOMMENDED: year, in yyyy format
    @"fb_year" : @"2015", 
    
    // RECOMMENDED: body_style
    // Allows you to target people based on their search of a vehicle body style
    @"fb_body_style" : @"Sedan",
    
    // RECOMMENDED: state_of_vehicle
    // Allows you to target people based on their search of specific type of vehicle
    @"fb_state_of_vehicle" : @"CPO",  
    
    // RECOMMENDED: exterior_color
    @"fb_exterior_color" : @"black", 
    
    // RECOMMENDED: transmission
    @"fb_transmission" : @"automatic",  
    
    // RECOMMENDED: fuel_type
    @"fb_fuel_type" : @"gasoline", 
    
    // RECOMMENDED: drivetrain
    @"fb_drivetrain" : @"FWD", 
    
    // RECOMMENDED: price
    @"fb_price" : 18000, 
              

    }
  ];

Pixel and App Event Parameters

While each automotive advertiser may have slightly different goals or custom tracking needs on the website, we've provided some recommended parameters below based on the most common actions and KPIs for automotive websites.

Parameters are subsets of a standard event that track additional information about each action. For example, if you're tracking a ViewContent event on a Vehicle Detail Page (VDP), you can use parameters to also capture information each time that VDP is viewed, such as the make, model, and year of the vehicle.

While parameters are optional for general pixel setup, there are a few specific parameters required for automotive ads. We recommend adding those (at minimum) to make it easier to set up DAA now or in the future.

App Event Parameter Specifications

  • On mobile, the parameter names are different than for Facebook pixel. Often prepended by fb_, with a few exceptions, such as content_ids versus fb_content_id, value versus _valueToSum.
  • When you send multiple values (for example, with content_ids or content_type) it provides a JSON-encoded array of values: ["value1", "value2"]. Note: Do not concatenate values with a comma.
Field and TypeDescription

event_name

Type: string

Required for Search, ViewContent, AddToWishlist.

Predefined event names that allow you to measure the performance of your campaigns and capture intent from your audiences.

content_ids

Type: array of strings

Required for ViewContent, AddToWishlist. Recommended for Search.

Relevant ID as listed in your vehicle catalog.

Example: ['123', 456]

content_type

Type: string

Recommended for Search, ViewContent, AddToWishlist.

Product or content type. Supported value: value.

postal_code

Type: string

Recommended.

Postal code for the vehicle location.

Example: 94112

country

Type: string

Recommended.

Country name for the vehicle location.

Example: New Zealand

make

Type: string

Recommended.

Vehicle make/brand/manufacturer.

Example: Ford, Toyota, Honda

model

Type: string

Recommended.

Vehicle model.

Example: F-150, Camry, Accord

year

Type: integer

Recommended.

Year the vehicle was launched in yyyy format.

Example: 2013

state_of_vehicle

Type: enum

Recommended.

Essential to know whether the vehicle is new or used. Supported values: New, Used, CPO

mileage.value

Type: integer

Recommended.

Vehicle mileage (in km or miles); zero (0) for new vehicles.

Example: 5000

mileage.unit

Type: string

Recommended.

Mileage units in miles (MI) or kilometers (KM)

exterior_color

Type: string

Recommended.

Vehicle exterior color.

Example: black, blue, white, and so on

transmission

Type: enum

Recommended.

Vehicle transmission type. Supported values: Automatic, Manual, Other

body_style

Type: enum

Recommended.

Vehicle body style. Supported values: Convertible, Coupe, Hatchback, Minivan, Truck, SUV, Sedan, Van, Wagon, Crossover, Other

fuel_type

Type: enum

Recommended.

Vehicle fuel type. Supported values: Diesel, Electric, Flex, Gasoline, Hybrid, Other

drivetrain

Type: enum

Recommended.

Vehicle drivetrain. Supported values: AWD, FOUR_WD, FWD, RWD, TWO_WD, Other

price

Type: float

Recommended.

Vehicle price.

Example: 8000

preferred_price_range

Type: [float (min), float (max)]

Recommended.

Vehicle price range.

Example: [8000, 12000]

currency

Type: string

Recommended.

Currency for the price and price_range. Use ISO 4217 currency format, such as "USD".

trim

Type: string

Recommended.

Vehicle trim.

Example: 5DR HB SE

vin

Type: string

Recommended.

Vehicle identification number. Maximum characters: 17

Example: KL9CD9S99EC111111

interior_color

Type: string

Optional.

Vehicle interior color.

Example: Black, White, Blue, and so on

condition_of_vehicle

Type: enum

Optional.

Vehicle physical condition. Supported values: Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, Other.

viewcontent_type

Type: string

Optional for ViewContent.

Use viewcontent_type to differentiate between soft lead landing pages.

Example: Model Page, Offers Page

search_type

Type: string

Optional for Search.

Use search_type to differentiate other user searches (such as dealer lookup) from inventory search.

Example: Dealer Locator

registriation_type

Type: string

Optional for CompleteRegistration.

Use registriation_type to differentiate between different types of customer registrations on website.

Example: Brochure request