> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.upstackdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# NewsBreak Ads

> Send conversion events to NewsBreak's postback API for native advertising campaign optimization — powered by Upstack Signal.

<Note>
  **Data direction:** This is a **destination** — Upstack sends event and conversion data **out** to this platform via server-side APIs.
</Note>

## What it does

NewsBreak's Server-to-Server Postback API is the conversion tracking method for their native advertising platform. Unlike other ad platforms, NewsBreak uses a simple GET-based postback rather than a full browser pixel SDK. Upstack Signal forwards purchases, add-to-carts, and other conversion events directly to NewsBreak's servers, bypassing browser ad blockers and giving NewsBreak's algorithm stronger signal for campaign optimization.

Server-side delivery means conversions reach NewsBreak even when browser tracking is blocked by ad blockers, ITP, or cookie restrictions. Each event carries the click identifier (`nbclid`) captured from ad clicks so NewsBreak can match the conversion back to the ad interaction that drove it.

<Warning>
  **Important limitation:** Unlike Meta, TikTok, Google, Reddit, and other ad platforms, NewsBreak does **NOT** support enhanced matching via hashed email, phone, or other PII. Attribution relies **solely on the click ID (`nbclid`)** captured from ad clicks. Events without a click ID cannot be attributed and are skipped.
</Warning>

## How it works

Upstack Signal captures and stores the NewsBreak click ID when visitors land from a NewsBreak ad. When a visitor takes an action on your store:

1. Captures the NewsBreak click ID (`nbclid`) when the visitor lands from a NewsBreak ad.
2. Stores the click ID in a first-party cookie for attribution across sessions.
3. On conversion events, sends the event to NewsBreak's postback endpoint with the click ID.
4. Logs the response so you can monitor delivery status from the Upstack dashboard.

**Attribution model:** NewsBreak uses last-click attribution based solely on the `nbclid` parameter. Cross-device conversions, cookieless conversions, and conversions from returning visitors whose cookies expired **cannot be attributed** to NewsBreak campaigns.

## Setup guides

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Onboarding guide" icon="route" href="/guides/newsbreak-ads/complete-how-to-guide-for-onboarding-newsbreak-in-upstack-data">
    End-to-end walkthrough for connecting NewsBreak to Upstack Data.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Configure destination" icon="sliders" href="/guides/newsbreak-ads/how-to-configure-newsbreak-destination-in-upstack-data">
    Configure the NewsBreak destination inside Upstack Data.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Find Pixel ID" icon="magnifying-glass" href="/guides/newsbreak-ads/how-to-find-newsbreak-pixel-id">
    Locate your NewsBreak Pixel ID in the Ad Manager Event Management.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Configure click ID tracking" icon="link" href="/guides/newsbreak-ads/how-to-configure-newsbreak-click-id-tracking">
    Add the click ID parameter to your campaign URL suffix.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Event mapping

Upstack maps storefront events to NewsBreak postback event types automatically:

| Upstack event      | NewsBreak event     | Key parameters                   | Notes                    |
| ------------------ | ------------------- | -------------------------------- | ------------------------ |
| `Purchase`         | `complete_payment`  | `callback`, `nb_value` (revenue) | Primary conversion event |
| `NC Purchase`      | `complete_payment`  | `callback`, `nb_value` (revenue) | New customer purchase    |
| `AddToCart`        | `add_to_cart`       | `callback` (click ID)            | Cart additions           |
| `InitiateCheckout` | `initiate_checkout` | `callback` (click ID)            | Checkout started         |
| `Lead`             | `submit_form`       | `callback` (click ID)            | Form submissions         |
| `SignUp`           | `subscribe`         | `callback` (click ID)            | Account registration     |
| `Subscribe`        | `subscribe`         | `callback` (click ID)            | Newsletter signup        |
| `AddToWishlist`    | `add_to_wishlist`   | `callback` (click ID)            | Wishlist additions       |

Every event includes the NewsBreak click ID (`nbclid`) when available. **Events without a click ID are skipped** because NewsBreak cannot attribute them to any campaign.

<Note>
  NewsBreak only supports conversion events. Page views, content views, and browsing events are not supported. Revenue is only sent for purchase events via the `nb_value` parameter.
</Note>

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Why is there no browser pixel for NewsBreak?">
    NewsBreak does not provide a public JavaScript SDK like Meta (`fbq`) or TikTok (`ttq`). Their recommended integration method is server-side postbacks using the click ID captured from your landing page URL. Upstack handles all server-side delivery automatically once you configure the destination.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if a visitor doesn't have a NewsBreak click ID?">
    Without a click ID, NewsBreak cannot attribute the conversion to an ad click. This typically happens when visitors arrive through organic traffic or when the `nbclid` parameter is stripped from URLs (e.g., by link shorteners or redirects). Upstack will skip sending events for visitors without a captured click ID to avoid errors.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I verify events are arriving in NewsBreak?">
    Open NewsBreak Ad Manager, navigate to **Tools → Event Management**, and check that events are appearing. Server-side events should start appearing within 5–10 minutes of storefront activity. Note that test events won't show up in the dashboard — conversions only register when a real user clicks on your ad.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why are my attribution rates lower than other platforms?">
    NewsBreak does not support enhanced matching with hashed PII (email, phone, IP, user-agent). Attribution relies **solely** on the click ID (`nbclid`). If a visitor clears cookies, uses a different device, or the click ID expires, the conversion cannot be attributed. This is a platform limitation, not an Upstack issue.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does NewsBreak support event deduplication?">
    NewsBreak does not have built-in event deduplication like Meta or TikTok. Instead, configure your events in NewsBreak's Event Management with the appropriate counting mode: "Every" (all conversions) or "Once" (unique users only). Since Upstack is server-side only, there is no browser pixel that could fire duplicate events.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What are NewsBreak's rate limits?">
    NewsBreak enforces rate limits based on your account tier:

    | Tier     | QPS | QPM   | QPD       |
    | -------- | --- | ----- | --------- |
    | Basic    | 10  | 600   | 864,000   |
    | Advanced | 20  | 1,200 | 1,728,000 |
    | Premium  | 30  | 1,800 | 2,592,000 |

    Upstack automatically handles rate limiting with exponential backoff and retries failed events. For high-volume accounts, contact NewsBreak about upgrading your tier.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="No conversions appearing in NewsBreak dashboard">
    If events aren't appearing after confirmed store traffic:

    **Steps to fix:**

    1. Verify your campaign URL suffix includes `nbclid=__CALLBACK_PARAM__`
    2. Confirm the Upstack destination shows **Active** (green)
    3. Check that the `_nbclid` cookie is being set on your storefront (inspect browser cookies)
    4. Test with a real ad click — test traffic without `nbclid` in the URL won't generate events
    5. Wait up to 24 hours — NewsBreak may take time to process and display events
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="No conversions attributed to ads">
    Conversions are showing in NewsBreak but not attributed to campaigns:

    **Steps to fix:**

    1. Verify your NewsBreak ad URLs use the correct macro: `?nbclid=__CALLBACK_PARAM__`
    2. Confirm the event type in Upstack matches the event configured in NewsBreak Event Management
    3. Check that you're not using link shorteners or redirects that strip URL parameters
    4. Verify the attribution window in NewsBreak hasn't expired for old click IDs
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Low attribution rate compared to other platforms">
    This is expected due to NewsBreak's click-ID-only attribution model.

    **To maximize attribution:**

    * Ensure all campaigns include `nbclid=__CALLBACK_PARAM__` in the URL suffix
    * Verify the Upstack Pixel is loading on all pages to capture click IDs
    * Check that first-party cookies are not being blocked by browser settings
    * Note that cross-device and returning-visitor conversions will not be attributed
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Rate limit errors (code 4034)">
    If you see rate limit errors in Upstack logs:

    **Steps to fix:**

    1. Upstack automatically retries with exponential backoff — most rate limit errors resolve on their own
    2. If errors persist during peak traffic, consider spreading campaigns across time zones
    3. Contact NewsBreak support ([adsupport@newsbreak.com](mailto:adsupport@newsbreak.com)) about upgrading to Advanced or Premium tier for higher limits
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Note>
  For additional troubleshooting beyond NewsBreak-specific issues, see [Troubleshooting: Events Not Reaching Destination](/troubleshooting/events-not-reaching-destination).
</Note>

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Conversion API forwarding" icon="lightbulb" href="/concepts/conversion-api-forwarding">
    How Upstack Signal forwards events to ad platforms via server-to-server APIs.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Identity resolution" icon="fingerprint" href="/pixel/identity-resolution">
    How Upstack matches anonymous visitors to known customers for higher match rates.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Outbrain destination" icon="rectangle-ad" href="/destinations/outbrain">
    Set up Outbrain — another native advertising platform with click-ID-only attribution.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Events not reaching destination" icon="wrench" href="/troubleshooting/events-not-reaching-destination">
    End-to-end diagnostic guide when events aren't arriving at any destination.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>