What is a Facebook Ads 'Lookalike Audience' and How Do You Build One?
Imagine if you could take your best customer—the one who buys everything you sell without complaining—and clone them 1,000 times. That is essentially what a Lookalike Audience does. It is one of the most powerful tools in the Facebook Ads toolbox, and it is surprisingly easy to set up.
A Lookalike Audience is a group of new people who share similar traits with your existing customers. Facebook analyzes your data and finds commonalities you wouldn't even notice, like 'They all listen to jazz' or 'They all shop at Whole Foods.'
The Source Audience
To make a clone, you need a source. This is usually your email list or your website purchasers (tracked by the Pixel). The better the source, the better the Lookalike. A Lookalike of 'people who bought' is much better than a Lookalike of 'people who visited the website.'
The Percentage Size (1% vs 10%)
When you build it, Facebook asks for a percentage from 1% to 10%.
1% is the closest match (small, but very accurate).
10% is a broader match (huge audience, but less similar).
We recommend starting with 1%.
When to Use Them
Use Lookalike Audiences when you are ready to scale. Once you have exhausted your Interest targeting, Lookalikes open up a whole new pool of potential buyers.
Speaking to Strangers
Remember, even though they look like your customers, they don't know you yet. You need ads that introduce your brand clearly. Stirling helps you create introductory ads that grab attention and explain your value proposition quickly.
