Facebook Pixel Helper [Updated June 2018]


Facebook is the go to platform to kick start your digital marketing campaigns for most new entrepreneurs. Facebook ad statistics are significantly growing every year with a massive 50% increase in current year. Today we take a look at, Facebook Pixel Helper updated June 2018, the technology behind the immense success of Facebook Business.

What is Facebook Pixel?

In general ‘Pixels’ are codes added to your eStore to contact with a cookie saved on your website to track users and their behavior. Hence, Pixels are the connection between your website the server for analytic services to track user habits.

So, when a visitor comes to your website Pixels will activate the cookies installed in their browser and connect Facebook servers with that cookie. Cookies then synchronize information with the Facebook server while Pixels analyze ‘events’ (user actions) on your website.

What data is in Pixels?

A Pixel does not hold any data within itself because it is a code, nothing more. It connects Facebook servers to a Facebook user’s cookies, which contain all important event data.

What is Facebook Pixel helper?

Facebook Pixel helper is a Chrome extension tool designed to certify code is running smoothly on a website. Using the extension you can validate the code for performance, rectify common errors, and improve performance.Facebook Pixel Helper - Performance of Your Facebook Pixel

It runs in the background automatically monitoring your header code, while providing real time feedback. The extension also automatically displays the number of events as they occur. When you click the FB Pixel Helper at any point, it will display a detailed page overview of Pixels in addition to any warnings, errors, and successful events.facebook Pixels in addition to any warnings, errorsYou can learn more about Facebook Pixel helper on the official Google Chrome Store page and the official website.

How to Install the Facebook Pixel Helper Chrome Extension

Here’s how you can easily install the Facebook Pixel Helper Chrome Extension.

Go to the Chrome web store and search for “Facebook Pixel Helper“, click “Add to Chrome“.

A pop-up dialogue will ask for confirmation if you want to add the Pixel Helper, click “Add Extension“.Add facebook pixel helper Extension

That’s it Facebook Pixel Helper is now installed in your Chrome browser. It will be located in the top-right corner o the Chrome browser.

Why You Should Use Facebook Pixel?

There are four major benefits for online businesses to use Facebook Pixel, much like Google Analytics. These include:

  1. Track website conversions
  2. Optimize Ads and run them more effectively
  3. Remarket Ads to qualified audiences
  4. Create look alike audiences based on data on existing buyers

How do I create a Facebook pixel?


Now that we know what a Facebook Pixel is and what it can do for us, let’s create one for our eStore:

  1. Go to your Facebook Ads Manager > Click the Menu icon
  2. Click “Pixels” > then click “Create a Pixel”
  3. Give your Pixel a name – the name should be linked to your business since it’s the only one you will get for your eStore
  4. Accept the Terms and then click Next
  5. Install the header code, there are 2 ways to do this
    1. Install code with a Tag Manager (Google Tag Manager Installation Guide)Install the facebook Pixel Code
    2. Copy-Paste the Pixel code manuallyCopy-Paste the Pixel code manually
      1. The Pixel Code is added to the website header code of your website
      2. The Code is added after the <head> tag, and closed before the </head> tag
      3. Then click NEXT
      4. You will have to add the code individually to every page, or add it to your template code
  1. Make sure you are copying the correct code from Facebook.
    1. For custom conversions, click the “Custom Event” option
    2. You will have Basic, Recommended & Advanced setup options here
    3. To determine which setup type is best, you can consult the official guide on Facebook
  2. Simply paste the Pixel code to the page header
    1. You can also attach this code to certain HTML elements like CTAs or Images
    2. Then click Next
  3. Lastly, confirm your code is working
    1. Download the Facebook Pixel Helper
    2. Go to the page you want to track events for
    3. When the Chrome extension notices the header code it will turn Blue
    4. The add-on will also validate the Pixel code for proper functioning
    5. You can then make proper corrections and make the code more effective to run

What is Facebook tracking Pixel?

Facebook used to have different Pixel codes for various functions include one to record impressions, one for conversions, and remarketing. After the massive success of their Facebook Business platform, the company revised the algorithms. Facebook merged all others to create one Pixel algorithm to trace all user habits & behavior in one place.

The primary function of this code is to

  • Track conversions across your Facebook Ad campaigns
  • Optimize Ads to be more effective based on analyzed user data
  • Create targeted audiences for developing future Ad campaigns
  • Retarget marketing to qualified buyersFacebook Pixel Helper - Qualified facebook pixel buyers

How does Facebook Pixel work?

Facebook Pixel Default

It has been developed with nine predefined criteria assigned in the code. Whenever a Pixel “event” (A specific action performed by a FB user on your website) occurs, Facebook records the event(s).

The 9 default event criteria provided by Facebook Pixel include:

  • View content – when Facebook users land on your website
  • Search – When someone uses the search function on your website
  • Add to cart – When buyers add items to cart on your website
  • Add to wish list – When visitors add items to wish lists on your website
  • Initiate checkout – When buyers start their cart checkout
  • Add payment info – When buyers complete the payment form
  • Make purchase – When a buyer completes purchase on your website
  • Lead – When a lead or visitor completes a form, signs up or takes other steps that qualifies them as a lead
  • Complete registration – When buyers complete account or a newsletter registration on your websiteFacebook Pixel Default

Facebook Pixel Custom Conversions

The great aspect of Facebook Pixel, you can also include custom Pixel events to collect more data or analyze a particular action taken by visitors.

Custom events are developed to use URL rules, designed for a particular URL or Keyword. This can be explained using a simple example. For instance, you have an apparel eStore and you wish to track which specific section of the website your visitors went to. Your custom conversion code can then determine pages men & women visit, without having to go through all website data.Facebook Pixel Helper Custom Conversions

Related Article:
How to add facebook pixel to shopify
Facebook Ads Account Disabled
11 Hacks to use Facebook Audience Insights

What does a Facebook Re-targeting Pixel do?

As I mentioned above, Facebook used to have separate custom Pixel codes for retargeting and those for conversions.

The Retargeting Pixel was developed to achieve one target. Facebook would install a cookie on a user’s device so they can be “retargeted” later on when they visit an eStore or any other website.

Facebook Pixel helper for Browsers

It is not compatible with Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Safari browsers. Although you can use the FB Pixel code over all browsers, the app is only available for Google Chrome. You can definitely use the code and track user habits over your website, but, the Helper extension will not be available.

FAQ – Pixel did not load

In case you see this error, the Pixel Helper ext. identified the code on your website but the ‘actual HTTP call was never made.’ This error is generally cause by either an error in the code or in case the Pixel is triggered on a “dynamic event”.

In the case of an error it is best to recheck the header code for typing mistakes or a simple copy-paste mistake. Next compare the code on your eStore with that Facebook provided you. In the second instance, a dynamic event can be a button click or a signup, simply click the button or complete the action and the error will go away.

Facebook Pixel Helper not Working

Sometimes the Facebook Pixel Helper will not work and show you some type of error. It could be anything like a wrong Pixel ID or the pixel activating twice on the webpage.

Most of the times you can see what’s the error and why it’s happening directly in the extension. This way you can easily get to it and fix it from your end.

See You Again Soon

I hope you enjoyed our brief guide about Facebook Pixels. I am hopeful it gave you a better idea about the technology and how it helps your eCommerce business. Visit us again soon for more amazing guides and tutorials. For any help simply drop a comment in the section below and sign up to our newsletter to receive trending eCommerce blogs directly in your inbox. Stay posted, until next time see you again soon.

Ameer Rizvi

Ameer Rizvi is a professional blogger and previously worked with lifestyle, information security & entertainment services. Ameer now exercises his digital marketing & authoring skills assisting entrepreneurs and prospect wantrepreneurs reach their million dollar goals. A loyal Liverpool FC fan, EDM fanatic, geo-politics observer, and history geek; Ameer spends hours discovering strategies, hacks and tricks to contribute towards the eCommerce community.

3 Responses to Facebook Pixel Helper [Updated June 2018]

  1. Devon Michaels says:

    I have a question: Is the Facebook Pixel Chrome extension developed by Facebook itself or is it developed by some third-party? Because if it’s developed by a third-party then I don’t know how safe it is to use the extension.

  2. Brooklyn Joseph says:

    How can I know if a website uses Facebook Pixel?

    • admin says:

      There are two different ways to check if a website uses Facebook Pixel.
      First, you can view page source to see if the website uses Facebok Pixel. Just right click anywhere on site and select the view page source option. Press Ctrl + F and search for the section, if it’s there then it means the website is using Facebook Pixel.
      Second, If the website is already using GTM to install the pixels and tracking. You can check if the website uses Facebook Pixel via Google Chrome’s “Facebook Pixel Helper” extension.

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