What Are Lookalike Audiences and How They Boost E-Commerce Sales?

Leyla Ezgi Dinc

Leyla Ezgi Dinc

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6 Mins

E-commerce AI

E-commerce

If you want to reach the right people with your online ads, let’s talk about Lookalike Audiences. In this blog, we’ll break down what Lookalike Audiences are and why they can make a big difference for your e-commerce. We’ll share some simple tips on how to create them, whether you're using your customer list or reaching out to your newsletter subscribers. Of course, we’ll also discuss the powerful combination of AI and Lookalike Audiences.

What Are Lookalike Audiences and How They Boost E-Commerce Sales?

What is a Lookalike Audience?

If you’re managing online ads, you might be familiar with the challenge of finding new customers who are genuinely interested in your products.

One tool that can help you with this is Facebook’s Lookalike Audiences. If you haven’t used it yet, you’re missing out on a straightforward way to target potential customers who are similar to your current ones.

Lookalike Audiences are designed to help you reach people who resemble your existing customers. Facebook does this by analyzing the data you provide about your current customer base. It then uses this information to find new users who share similar characteristics like:

  • Interests
  • Behaviors
  • Demographics

So, Facebook examines the profiles of your best customers to understand what they have in common. Then, it searches for other people who match these traits, effectively expanding your reach to those who are more likely to be interested in what you offer.

Why Should You Use Lookalike Audiences?

Using Lookalike Audiences helps you focus on people who are similar to your best customers instead of casting a wide net and hoping for the best. This means your ads will reach individuals who are more likely to be interested in what you’re offering.

Lookalike Audiences in digital marketing also mean you’re not wasting money on audiences who might not be interested in your products or services. Better targeting leads to better results and a higher return on investment. Basically, it’s all about getting more value from every dollar you spend.

Growing your business means finding new customers, and Lookalike Audiences are a fantastic tool to help you do just that. By continuously identifying and targeting potential customers who share similarities with your current ones, you can expand your reach and grow your customer base.

7 Best Source Audiences to Build Lookalike Audiences

By choosing the right source audiences, you can create Lookalike Audiences that truly resonate with your target market.

Source audiences are the groups Facebook uses as a starting point to find new users who resemble your best customers. Selecting the most relevant source audiences can significantly enhance your ad targeting and improve your campaign results. Here’s some of the most effective source audiences you can use:

1. Customer List

They’ve already chosen to buy from you, which means they’re a perfect starting point for finding new, similar prospects. Use your customer list as a source audience to help Facebook find people who are likely to share the same interests and behaviors as your best buyers.

2. Newsletter Subscriber List

Your newsletter subscribers are a fantastic source for Lookalike Audiences because they’re already engaged with your content. Facebook can use this list to discover new users who are likely to appreciate your updates and offers just as much.

3. Website Visitors

Visitors to your website are already on your radar. Even if they haven’t made a purchase yet, they’ve shown interest in your brand. Using website visitors as a source audience, you can help Facebook find new people who have similar browsing habits and interests.

4. People Who Have Installed Your App

If you have a mobile app, the users who’ve installed it are already interacting with your brand in a meaningful way. This makes them an excellent source for Lookalike Audiences. Facebook can use this information to find new users who are likely to be interested in your app and what you offer.

5. People Who Have Spent Time Viewing Product Pages

Users who spend time browsing product pages on your website are clearly interested in what you sell. By selecting these visitors as a source audience, Facebook can help you reach new people who are just as likely to be drawn to your products.

6. People Who Have Interacted with Your Business Offline

Don’t forget about offline interactions.

Whether it’s people who’ve visited your store or attended your events, these offline engagements provide valuable insights. Using these interactions as a source audience can help you find new online users who resemble your real-world customers.

7. People Who Engage with Your Content

Finally, consider those who engage with your content, like video watchers or social media followers. These individuals are already interested in what you have to say and share. By using them as a source audience, you can find new people who are likely to be equally interested in your brand.

Potential Business Outcomes of Lookalike Audiences

Using Lookalike Audiences can bring several key benefits to your business. Here’s a simple breakdown of what you might expect:

Reaching new customers who resemble your best existing ones can be a big win for your sales.

When you target people similar to your most valued customers, you’re likely to see a boost in both sales and traffic. These new prospects are already inclined to be interested in what you offer, which means they’re more likely to make a purchase.

Lookalike Audiences can also make your ads perform better.

When your ads are shown to people who match the profiles of your top customers, you get higher engagement rates. This means more clicks and interactions with your ads, which makes your advertising spending more efficient.

Beyond immediate results, Lookalike Audiences can support long-term business growth.

By continually reaching out to new customers who share traits with your best buyers, you build a solid foundation for ongoing expansion. This approach helps you grow your customer base steadily.

Meet the World’s First AI Lookalike Audience?

Think artificial intelligence can't make everything easier? Well, think again. If AI can drive cars and write poetry, it can definitely help you find the perfect audience for your ads.

AI dives into mountains of data and pulls out people who are practically destined to love your business instead of just finding people who kind of look like your customers.

So, what does that mean for you? Well, not only will your ads reach more people, but they’ll also hit the ones who are most likely to care about your offerings.

Your targeting goes from “eh, close enough” to “wow, that’s spot on.”

And here’s the thing—AI doesn’t get stuck in the past. Machine learning in online advertising constantly evolving, learning, and adapting to trends, so your ads stay up to date and relevant.

Beyond just finding new faces for your business, AI gives you valuable insights into why these people are a good match. It’s not just about making connections; it’s about understanding what makes those connections click.

And here’s the best part. AI Lookalike automates the whole process, so you can focus on creating awesome content and strategies while it takes care of finding your next big customer. So go ahead—let AI do the hard work, and you take the credit.

START USING AI ADS before your competitors do, and in the future, your grandchildren will thank you for this smart investment.

FAQ

What is a lookalike audience on Facebook in simple terms?

A Facebook lookalike audience is a group of people who share similar traits to your current customers, allowing you to expand your reach to potential new buyers.

What is an example of a lookalike audience?

A lookalike audience might be a group of users similar to those who have made purchases on your website, helping you reach new potential customers who are likely to be interested in your products.

What does 1% lookalike audience mean?

A 1% lookalike audience includes the top 1% of users in a selected country who are most similar to your source audience, giving you a very targeted group for your ads.

What is the difference between target audience and lookalike audience?

A target audience is a group of users you choose based on interests, demographics, or behavior. A lookalike audience is automatically created by algorithms, based on your existing customers or leads.

Lookalike audience vs custom audience?

A custom audience is made up of people who have already interacted with your business, while a lookalike audience is a group of new users who resemble your custom audience, helping you find new prospects.

Scale your Shopify E-commerce with AI Ads & the World’s first AI Audience.