Comparing Polar with your ad platforms

Last updated: November 6, 2026

Polar shows two kinds of ad performance numbers. Platform-reported metrics come straight from your ad platforms and should match them closely. Polar Pixel metrics use Polar's own attribution and are expected to differ. Start by checking which kind you're comparing.

Two kinds of numbers

Type

Example

Compared with the ad platform

Platform-reported

Facebook Ads Spend, Purchases and Purchases Conversion Value

Should match closely. They use the attribution settings configured in the ad platform. See Can I change the attribution window for my ad platform data?

Polar Pixel

Pixel orders, revenue and ROAS by channel or campaign

Usually lower. Polar credits each order using the attribution model you choose. See What is the difference between the Polar Pixel and other platforms' data?

Spend always comes from the ad platform, so it should match in both cases.

Platform-reported numbers don't match

Run these checks in order.

  1. Compare the same dates. Polar reports ad data in each ad account's time zone, as the ad platform does. Make sure both tools use the same date range.

  2. Compare the same currency. Polar converts ad data from the ad account's currency into your workspace currency, using the exchange rate for each day. Small differences come from the rate used.

  3. Compare the same attribution setting. Platform-reported conversions use the attribution setting from the ad platform. If your ad platform report uses a different window, such as a custom column, the numbers won't match. For Facebook Ads, Polar also has Purchases (for Click Attribution window) and Purchases (for View Attribution window) to compare with click-only or view-only columns in Ads Manager.

  4. Allow for recent days to update. Ad platforms keep updating conversions for several days after they happen. Polar re-reads the most recent days on every sync and a longer window once a day, so the latest days can differ for a short time.

  5. Check the connector. On the Connectors page, look for a Warning, Broken or Delayed status. Open the connector's Data Integrity Report to see how Polar compares with the ad platform's API day by day. See Data Integrity Reports.

  6. Check filters. A report filter or a View's Global Filter can exclude campaigns or accounts.

Ask Polar can run these checks for you. It checks your connector status, reads the ad platform's own numbers live and compares them with Polar. For example: "Compare my Facebook Ads purchases in Polar with Meta for last week and explain any difference." Reading live ad platform data needs the Admin or Analyst role.

Polar Pixel numbers are lower than the ad platform

This is expected. Each ad platform counts every sale it touched within its own window, including view-through and modeled conversions. When several platforms touch the same order, each one counts it, so their totals add up to more than your real orders.

The Polar Pixel credits each order based on the journey it tracked and the attribution model you choose. Its totals stay in line with your store's orders. See Understanding Attribution Models.

Use platform-reported numbers to optimize inside each platform. Use Polar Pixel numbers to compare channels with each other.

To see both side by side, try this Ask Polar prompt: "Show Polar Pixel orders by channel next to Facebook Ads and Google Ads purchases for last month."

Still doesn't look right?

Contact us through the in-app chat. Include the date range, the exact metrics you're comparing, the attribution setting in the ad platform, and a link to your Polar report. If you used Ask Polar, share the conversation too.

FAQs

Should my Polar revenue match Shopify?

Yes, closely. If it doesn't, see Troubleshooting Data Discrepancies between Shopify and Polar.

Why does spend match but conversions don't?

Spend is a fact the ad platform reports once. Conversions depend on the attribution window and keep updating for days. Check steps 3 and 4 above.