Retargeting & Tracking Pixels: Explained!

How does Facebook know that you doubted to buy something on another website? They use tracking pixels! A small image that is added to other websites & track your activity and interests. Let's Simply Explain how they work.

Tracking pixels are small 1x1 images that are practically invisible, and yet, they can transfer your personal data to advertisement networks like the ones from Facebook, Google and Amazon.

Tracking pixels are sometimes called a "web beacon".

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[alexcarroll]

Nice job Xavier, I particularly appreciated that you did not ignore how this impact privacy concerns/law.

[ShawnBaldwin-seil]

You putting this up for free is actually clutch - praise to you

[UrselColeman]

Appreciate the non-fluff straightforward approach. Was a great review for me. Thank you!

[RomanBishop-wd]

A good lecture that will benefit all who have followed this excellent explanation.

[JohnSimon-ouev]

Crisp, smart way of explaining, necessary and sufficient information. That was helpful. Thank you.

[HakeemDavis-kzpb]

Everything is clear. Brief and clear. No water. Thank you)

[KaneMcLeod]

Really clever explanation and no unnecessary verbiage! Respect! + subscription

[JohnRichardson-yqbb]

Clear and understandable, I wish there was more information like this.

[LukeJohnson-mqsn]

Thank you for explaining everything so clearly. Everything is very clear. Like for the explanation.

[jessicamurray]

Thank you for this! You explained it so well.

[chuctanundaspiderbone]

Thank you for this Public Service Announcement about this unethical and creepy practice. Isn't stalking illegal? If so, it should be illegal online, too. Very well explained. Wouldn't it be great if people just stopped clicking on ads? Why go out of your way to be exposed to lies?

Keep up the good work.

[QuintinAnderson-kqpr]

Thanks for the video! Loved it very much!

[atiquerahman]

Amazing explanation and subtle presentation, what tool did you use to make the presentation?

[HaroldCampbell-qhyg]

Thank you for creating the video - likes Unequivocally !!!!

[johnlee]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. Quick question...
How can video campaigns be used to retarget with pixels? Or is it only used for websites, blogs, etc.? Thanks

[robmacdonaldonline]

But even if you block the tracking pixels, you're still going to see ads. They just won't be relevant to you. What's the benefit to you? If I have to look at ads, I'd prefer them to be about things I'm interested in. This video is very well crafted and informative, but takes a negative tone about tracking pixels that is not justified.

[gregorysih]

Thanks for the explanation, but how does FB / Google or ad networks that don't have 1st party data know it is the same user to retarget the content to? And if the answer is through cookies, what will happen when Chrome finally blocks 3rd party cookies? Is there a way besides fingerprinting?

[TheJrbdog]

So I understand the tech, but I don't really understand why. What's the point of using an invisible pixel instead of just linking a Javascript file?

[shevetzvulun]

It actually is a pixel on the screen...

[barrelroller]

I still do not understand why they use GET request for pixel, but not just POSTing some valuable data