Recommended vs Manual Traffic Campaigns

Alright, so you’ve finally decided to dive into Facebook Ads. You’re sitting there, staring at your screen, wondering, “Should I go for the Recommended settings or do things the hard (and possibly better) way with a Manual Traffic Campaign?”

Let’s break it down in a simple, no-fluff way so you can actually enjoy setting up your campaign. Below are seven golden tips that’ll help you pick the best campaign setup. Spoiler alert: there might be some laughs along the way.

1. Know Your Goal Before Choosing the Settings

Here’s the deal: Facebook loves making things easy with its Recommended settings. It’s like they’re saying, “Let us do the hard work, sit back, relax.” If you’re new, Recommended settings can be a great starting point. But here’s the catch: Manual Traffic Campaign settings let you control every little detail—which is golden for seasoned pros.

Think of it this way: Recommended is like letting a friend pick your dinner order (trusting they know what you like). Manual is ordering exactly what you want, down to the extra hot sauce on the side.

2. Audience Targeting: Who Are You Talking To?

Letting Facebook recommend your audience is easy-peasy, but does it know Aunt Sally from your ideal customer? If you want serious control over who sees your ads, go Manual. You can get as specific as targeting pet lovers in winter or coffee drinkers over 40 in L.A.

In Manual Traffic Campaign settings, you can tweak age, interests, behaviors, and more. This is awesome if you know your audience really well and don’t want Facebook to throw your ads at just anyone.

3. Ad Placement: Where’s It Showing Up?

Recommended settings will have your ads popping up everywhere like confetti at a New Year’s party. Newsfeed, stories, right column, in-article… you name it. This is fine if you want maximum exposure. But with Manual, you can decide if you want your ads to show up just on Instagram, the Facebook News Feed, or even Messenger.

For example, if you’re targeting professionals, you may want to stick with Facebook and avoid Instagram. No one’s scrolling for accounting advice while looking at vacation pictures, right?

4. Bidding and Budgeting: Trust Issues

Here’s where things get spicy. Facebook’s Recommended settings will handle the bidding for you, and sure, they’re pretty good at it. But if you’re watching your budget like a hawk, Manual Traffic Campaign settings let you control your cost-per-click (CPC) and daily budget. You can test different bids and maximize your dollar like a coupon queen at a grocery store.

Imagine this: Recommended is like giving your friend your credit card and saying, “Surprise me.” Manual is you with a calculator, making sure you’re not overpaying for a single click.

5. Ad Creative Control: Your Design, Your Choice

Here’s a fun fact—Manual Traffic Campaign allows you to upload custom creatives and test multiple ads. It’s like being in a candy shop and trying every flavor instead of the standard chocolate. Recommended is fine, but if you like to get creative and want to experiment with various images or videos, go Manual for sure.

And remember: keep your audience intrigued! With Manual, you can change the ad’s text, call-to-action, and visuals in ways Recommended wouldn’t dare to touch. Think of it as Picasso having full freedom over his art. Be your own Picasso.

6. Campaign Objective: Are You Going for Traffic or Sales?

If you’re just looking for traffic (i.e., people clicking over to your site), then Facebook’s Recommended settings can definitely get you some action. But if you’re more interested in precise actions—like sign-ups, downloads, or purchases—Manual Traffic Campaign is the way to go.

Here’s the catch: with Manual, you can even tell Facebook what kind of traffic you want. Do you want people who are actually likely to engage with your site, or anyone with a working internet connection? You decide.

7. Results Tracking: Analytics for the Win!

The beauty of a Manual Traffic Campaign setup is that you have detailed tracking options. You’ll be able to see how different segments of your audience respond to specific ads. Facebook’s Recommended settings does a decent job here too, but Manual is the winner if you want all the juicy details.

When using Manual, you can measure conversions, clicks, bounce rates, and even set up custom events. So, you’ll know exactly where to spend your money (or save it). Imagine Facebook as a fitness tracker that counts every step. Recommended counts most steps; Manual counts every hop, skip, and jump.

Final Words: So, Which Is the Best Campaign Setup?

It all depends on your needs. If you’re new to Facebook Ads or just don’t have the time to play around, go with Recommended settings and call it a day. But if you want to dig in deep, get a grip on your audience, and control your spending like a pro, Manual Traffic Campaign is the way to go.

In short: Recommended is like auto-pilot on a smooth highway. Manual is you, taking the wheel, weaving through the best routes, and knowing every twist and turn. And let’s be honest, sometimes it’s just more fun to be the one in control.

Aitizaz Rahim

Aitizaz Rahim is a dynamic Digital Marketing and SEO expert, empowering businesses worldwide with proven strategies. As the founder of Masterblogerz, he shares actionable insights to help others master the digital marketing world.