Yes, it is possible to set an ad schedule for LinkedIn ads. LinkedIn’s ad platform allows advertisers to specify the days and times that their ads should be shown to target audiences. This ability to set ad schedules allows for more refined targeting and potentially improved campaign performance.
Why Set an Ad Schedule?
There are a few key reasons why setting an ad schedule for LinkedIn ads can be beneficial:
Target Users During Peak Times
Setting an ad schedule allows you to show your ads during the times when your target audience is most active on LinkedIn. For example, you may want to show your ads during regular business hours when people are checking LinkedIn more frequently. Conversely, you can choose not to show ads at times when your targets are less active, like evenings and weekends.
Coordinate With Business Hours
If your business has certain hours of operation, you can align your ad schedule with those hours to only show ads when your business is open. This avoids wasting ad spend outside your working hours.
Manage Your Daily Budget
Scheduling ads allows you to control the pace of your daily spend. You can avoid overspending your daily budget too quickly by limiting your ads to certain hours.
Test Performance At Certain Times
Scheduling gives you the ability to test how your ads perform during different time slots. You may find certain hours of the day lead to higher engagement and conversion rates.
How to Set an Ad Schedule on LinkedIn
Setting up an ad schedule on LinkedIn is simple and can be done when first creating your campaign or editing an existing one. Here are the steps:
1. Access Campaign Manager
Log into your LinkedIn ads account and go to the Campaign Manager section. This is where you manage all your LinkedIn ad campaigns.
2. Select Your Campaign
Choose the specific campaign you want to set a schedule for. You can apply a schedule to both new campaigns you are creating or existing campaigns.
3. Click Delivery Options
Find the Delivery Options section and click on the link to open up additional settings. The Delivery Options section is on the right side when viewing campaign details.
4. Set Your Schedule
In the Delivery Options popup, you will see the ad schedule settings. There are a few ways to configure your schedule:
- Always On – Runs ads continuously without schedules
- Set Daily Schedule – Choose start and end times for each day of the week
- Hourly Schedule – Target specific hourly ranges down to the minute
Choose your preferred schedule method and set the timeframes. Be sure to hit Save when done.
5. Activate Your Campaign
Make sure to activate your campaign for the schedule to take effect. Scheduled ads will now deliver only during your specified timeframes. You can adjust the schedule later on if needed.
Scheduling Recommendations
Here are some best practices to consider when setting an ad schedule for LinkedIn:
- Analyze when your target audience is most active on LinkedIn and align your ad delivery with those peak times.
- Avoid showing ads on weekends unless your business operates then and your targets are active.
- Try testing different schedules to see what optimizes your campaign metrics.
- Adjust schedules seasonally if your targets’ behavior shifts throughout the year.
- Schedule ads to run for longer periods if trying to maximize reach and impressions.
- Use shorter schedules focused on peak times if aiming to increase click-through rates.
Troubleshooting Limited Ad Delivery
If you set a very narrow ad schedule, your campaign may start under-delivering on impressions and reach. Some issues and ways to troubleshoot include:
Problem: Not Enough Bid Volume
Your bid price needs to be competitive enough within your limited schedule to win auctions and serve ads. Increase your bid amount if needed.
Problem: Low Daily Budget
With a restricted schedule, you need to ensure your daily budget is still high enough to spend fully during that short timeframe. Expand your daily budget to increase delivery.
Problem: Too Few Targeting Options
Having a very narrow target audience can lead to fewer eligible ad impressions. Try expanding your targeting to include more members.
Problem: High Audience Overlap
If other advertisers are also bidding on the same limited audience, add additional targeting dimensions to reduce overlapping reach.
Using Schedules Optimally
Here are some pro tips for using LinkedIn ad schedules for optimal performance:
- Always test multiple schedule options against each other to see which works best.
- Analyze performance data by day and hour to identify patterns in your audience’s behavior.
- Remember to align your ad content with the appropriate parts of the buyer’s journey for each schedule.
- Monitor delivery over time and adjust schedules if you see sudden performance changes.
- Schedule a few always-on days for testing new creative content.
- Use broad targeting for always-on schedules and more refined audiences for peak schedules.
Conclusion
Setting an ad schedule for your LinkedIn campaigns provides excellent control over when your ads are shown to your audiences. Matching these schedules to your target users’ daily habits and behaviors can drive improved campaign performance and return on ad spend. Be sure to analyze the data frequently and test different schedule options. With the right schedule tailored to your goals, LinkedIn ads can deliver outstanding results.
Ad Schedule Benefits | Potential Issues | Optimization Tips |
---|---|---|
|
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I schedule ads on LinkedIn’s self-serve platform?
Yes, self-serve advertisers have full access to scheduling options when setting up or editing their LinkedIn campaigns.
When should I not use an ad schedule?
If maximizing total impressions and reach are your main objectives, leaving your campaign always-on without schedules is recommended.
Do schedules apply to the LinkedIn Audience Network?
Yes, any schedule set for your LinkedIn campaign will also apply to ads delivered through the Audience Network.
Can I run different schedules for different ad groups?
Absolutely. LinkedIn lets you customize schedules at the campaign, ad set, or ad level based on your preferences.
Is scheduling available on both desktop and mobile?
Schedules can be set for ads running on desktop, mobile, or both. Device targeting options are not affected.
Summary
– LinkedIn advertising provides the ability to set ad schedules to control when your ads are shown.
– Key benefits of scheduling your ads include targeting peak activity times, coordinating with business hours, pacing daily budget, and testing performance by time.
– To set a schedule, access your LinkedIn Campaign Manager, select your campaign, adjust the delivery options, and configure your preferred schedule and times.
– Monitor your scheduled ads closely and optimize based on performance data over time. Test different schedules to find the right fit.
– Properly scheduled ads shown at the ideal times can help boost your LinkedIn ad performance and deliver improved results.