zurirayden
I've been running small crypto campaigns for a while, mostly promoting community projects and tokens on social media and a few ad networks. But honestly, the biggest question I've had for months is this — do retargeting ads actually work for crypto projects, or are they just another marketing buzzword?
I've read so many posts saying “you need retargeting to grow your project,” but no one really explains what that looks like in practice — especially when your audience is crypto-native, skeptical, and constantly using ad blockers.
So, I thought I'd share what I've noticed after experimenting a bit and maybe get some feedback from others who've tried something similar.
The struggle with regular crypto advertising
When I first started out, I ran basic banner and CPC ads on a few crypto ad networks. They worked okay — I got clicks, some impressions, but the conversion rate was awful.
People in crypto don't just sign up for a project after one ad. Most of them are cautious (for good reason). They'll check your project's socials, maybe read your whitepaper, and disappear into the void before you ever see them again.
That's where I started wondering if retargeting could fix that — by bringing those “almost interested” visitors back.
My first attempt (and a bit of confusion)
At first, I had no idea how to properly set up a retargeting campaign. I assumed it was just “showing the same ad again” to people who already saw it. But it turns out, it's a bit smarter than that.
Basically, you set up a small pixel or tracking code that collects data on who visited your project's site or landing page. Then, you can show those same users targeted ads later — like remind them, “Hey, remember that project you checked out?”
Sounds easy enough, right? But crypto audiences are tricky. Many use privacy browsers or VPNs, which can make tracking unreliable. My first run didn't perform well. I thought the ads were too generic, and I didn't segment my audience.
What started to actually work
The second time around, I got more intentional. Instead of blasting one generic banner, I made different ad sets for different actions:
After about a week, I noticed a small but steady rise in returning visitors. My analytics shows that people who saw my retargeted ads were around 40% more likely to revisit the site. That might not sound huge, but in crypto traffic, that's gold.
What I learned about crypto advertising in general
If there's one thing I've learned, it's that crypto advertising isn't like traditional online ads. The audience is niche, cautious, and quick to ignore generic marketing. You need to build trust before they even think about converting.
Retargeting helps with that because it's more like a reminder than a pitch. It keeps your project in people's minds without being pushy. The trick is to make the message feel human — not “Buy now,” but “Still curious about what we're building?”
There's actually a good breakdown of this idea here: Retargeting ads for crypto . It explains how timing and audience behavior play a bigger role than just ad spend. I found it helpful when I was figuring out how to structure my second campaign.
A few mistakes I'd avoid next time
Honestly, yes — if you do it with some strategy. Retargeting ads aren't a magic fix, but they help you re-engage the 80% of people who leave your site without doing anything. It's a slow burn, but in crypto, that's kind of how trust grows anyway.
I still run regular crypto ad campaigns, but I pair them with retargeting now. It's like following up with someone who showed up once to your event but didn't stay long — gentle reminders work better than loud invitations.
If you're trying to grow a crypto project or token community, it's worth testing at least a small retargeting campaign. Just don't expect overnight results. Think of it as building familiarity, not forcing conversions.
Final thought
I'm curious — has anyone else here tried retargeting ads for their crypto project? Did you notice a difference in engagement or conversions? I'd love to compare notes, especially about what types of ads (banners, videos, native) work best for crypto audiences.
I've read so many posts saying “you need retargeting to grow your project,” but no one really explains what that looks like in practice — especially when your audience is crypto-native, skeptical, and constantly using ad blockers.
So, I thought I'd share what I've noticed after experimenting a bit and maybe get some feedback from others who've tried something similar.
The struggle with regular crypto advertising
When I first started out, I ran basic banner and CPC ads on a few crypto ad networks. They worked okay — I got clicks, some impressions, but the conversion rate was awful.
People in crypto don't just sign up for a project after one ad. Most of them are cautious (for good reason). They'll check your project's socials, maybe read your whitepaper, and disappear into the void before you ever see them again.
That's where I started wondering if retargeting could fix that — by bringing those “almost interested” visitors back.
My first attempt (and a bit of confusion)
At first, I had no idea how to properly set up a retargeting campaign. I assumed it was just “showing the same ad again” to people who already saw it. But it turns out, it's a bit smarter than that.
Basically, you set up a small pixel or tracking code that collects data on who visited your project's site or landing page. Then, you can show those same users targeted ads later — like remind them, “Hey, remember that project you checked out?”
Sounds easy enough, right? But crypto audiences are tricky. Many use privacy browsers or VPNs, which can make tracking unreliable. My first run didn't perform well. I thought the ads were too generic, and I didn't segment my audience.
What started to actually work
The second time around, I got more intentional. Instead of blasting one generic banner, I made different ad sets for different actions:
- One for users who visited the homepage but didn't sign up.
- Another for those who viewed the token sale page.
- And a separate one for visitors who clicked on the roadmap or blog.
After about a week, I noticed a small but steady rise in returning visitors. My analytics shows that people who saw my retargeted ads were around 40% more likely to revisit the site. That might not sound huge, but in crypto traffic, that's gold.
What I learned about crypto advertising in general
If there's one thing I've learned, it's that crypto advertising isn't like traditional online ads. The audience is niche, cautious, and quick to ignore generic marketing. You need to build trust before they even think about converting.
Retargeting helps with that because it's more like a reminder than a pitch. It keeps your project in people's minds without being pushy. The trick is to make the message feel human — not “Buy now,” but “Still curious about what we're building?”
There's actually a good breakdown of this idea here: Retargeting ads for crypto . It explains how timing and audience behavior play a bigger role than just ad spend. I found it helpful when I was figuring out how to structure my second campaign.
A few mistakes I'd avoid next time
- Don't over-retarget. I made this mistake early on — showing ads too often. It just angered people and burned my budget. Now, I cap it at a few impressions per user per week.
- Mix it with content. If your project has blog posts, AMAs, or updates, use those as retargeting material. It keeps things fresh and informative instead of spammy.
- Focus on timing. Crypto markets move fast. If your ad shows up too late (like after a market dip), users may lose interest. Short, well-timed campaigns tend to perform better.
Honestly, yes — if you do it with some strategy. Retargeting ads aren't a magic fix, but they help you re-engage the 80% of people who leave your site without doing anything. It's a slow burn, but in crypto, that's kind of how trust grows anyway.
I still run regular crypto ad campaigns, but I pair them with retargeting now. It's like following up with someone who showed up once to your event but didn't stay long — gentle reminders work better than loud invitations.
If you're trying to grow a crypto project or token community, it's worth testing at least a small retargeting campaign. Just don't expect overnight results. Think of it as building familiarity, not forcing conversions.
Final thought
I'm curious — has anyone else here tried retargeting ads for their crypto project? Did you notice a difference in engagement or conversions? I'd love to compare notes, especially about what types of ads (banners, videos, native) work best for crypto audiences.
