PUBCAST: The Problem with Facebook Ads Optimization

Conspiracy theories about Meta advertising spread because most advertisers don't understand how things actually work, making them vulnerable to believing anything. Jon challenges you to invest time learning Meta's actual mechanics, not theory or opinion, and explains why building this foundation of fact is the only way to cut through the noise and confusion.

Advertisers want clear rules, step-by-step checklists, and universal solutions they can apply to fix their campaigns. But Meta advertising doesn't work that way, and demanding certainty means missing where real solutions are found. Jon explains why "it depends" isn't a cop-out, why the best answers live in the grays, and how to get comfortable with the uncertainty that comes with actually understanding how things work.

Advertisers list every campaign detail when their results tank, like objectives, ad sets, targeting, placements, and creative counts, hoping the right setting will fix everything. But obsessing over the "how" of Meta advertising means ignoring what actually drives performance. Jon explains why you should focus on the "what" and "why" instead, and what questions you need to ask when troubleshooting bad results.

Experienced advertisers who've spent millions often blame Meta when results tank, but they're missing something crucial. Jon explains why humility might be the most overlooked trait in advertising and why new advertisers often have an advantage over veterans.

When ads stop working, most advertisers tweak targeting or try new campaign structures. But there's a static list of things that actually matter, and it never changes. Jon walks through the exact troubleshooting process you should follow, starting with why complexity is your enemy.

Advertisers resist every Meta automation because they want control over targeting, budget distribution, and creative enhancements. But this resistance isn't just about performance. Jon explains why clinging to control will make you obsolete and what you need to embrace instead.

Adding a new ad is supposed to restart the learning phase, but Jon discovered it doesn't always happen. This revelation has him rethinking everything about what the learning phase actually means and why advertisers fear it unnecessarily.

Social media is full of advertisers blaming Meta when their results tank, creating what Jon calls the "bottomless pit of despair." They try every tactic and strategy except examining the things that actually matter. Jon explains how to escape this pit and what you should focus on instead.

Remarketing used to be 90% of Jon's budget, but it's mostly unnecessary now. However, there's one very specific business model where remarketing still makes perfect sense. Jon explains this exception and exactly how to set it up without falling into the usual remarketing traps.

Meta says performance drops 45% when frequency hits 4, but advertisers obsess over this metric without understanding the context. Jon explains why frequency isn't the villain you think it is and when a high frequency might actually help your campaigns.