Why Can't I See City-Level Data in My Facebook Ads Reporting?

Facebook Ads typically report data at the province or state level, rather than by specific cities. This is due to privacy concerns, data aggregation rules, and system efficiency. Below is a detailed explanation:

1. Privacy and Data Anonymity

• User Anonymity: Reporting on specific cities could potentially allow advertisers to narrow down user identities, especially in smaller or less populated areas. To protect user privacy, Facebook aggregates data at a higher level (such as provinces or states) to prevent identification.
• Regulatory Compliance: Privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA have strict guidelines on how user data can be shared and reported. Aggregating data helps Facebook comply with these regulations.

2. Data Aggregation and Accuracy

• Statistical Reliability: In smaller cities or regions with low ad engagement, the sample size may be too small to provide reliable data. Aggregating at the state or province level ensures more accurate and meaningful insights.
• Ad Performance Insights: Reporting at a higher level provides a more comprehensive view of ad performance, allowing advertisers to identify trends across larger regions and make informed decisions.

3. System Efficiency and Simplification

• Resource Optimization: Breaking down data by every possible city or town would be resource-intensive and could slow down reporting. Aggregating data helps Facebook optimize system performance and deliver quicker insights.
• Dashboard Simplification: For advertisers managing campaigns across many regions, reporting at the province or state level simplifies the dashboard, making it easier to analyze and optimize campaigns.

If your campaign specifically targets cities, you can still view performance based on your location targeting settings. However, reporting will be rolled up to the broader province or state level for the reasons outlined above.