Connecting Meta CAPI (Signals Gateway Setup)
Overview
Signals Gateway is LayerFive's server-side connection to Meta's Conversions API (CAPI). It sends event data directly
from your website to Meta, improving the accuracy and reliability of your Meta attribution by reducing dependence on
browser-based tracking.
Setup is a guided three-step flow: connect your Meta account, optionally configure a custom tracking domain, and set up
your data pipeline. Most accounts can complete the full setup in under 15 minutes (longer if you choose to configure a
custom domain, since DNS changes take time to verify).
Where to start: This setup flow appears the first time you connect Meta CAPI. If you've already completed it and need to
make changes, use View Configuration from the Setup Complete summary screen, or check with your CSM for the direct path
in your account.
Step 1: Get Started — Connect Meta CAPI
This is the first step in setup. You connect your Meta Business Account before any domain or pipeline configuration
happens. Navigate to Edge and Select CAPI
What to do:
1. Click Configure META CAPI and click Connect
2. LayerFive handles the Meta authentication and connection automatically in the background
3. No manual entry of Business ID, Dataset ID, or Access Token is required at this step
4. On success, you're automatically advanced to Step 2
Only the Signals Gateway pipeline type is supported. You won't see a pipeline type selection screen — clicking Connect
takes you straight into the Meta CAPI connection.
Once connected, this step appears as Meta CAPI connected on the final summary screen, with a Disconnect option
available.
Step 2: Configure DNS (Optional)
This step is optional. You can skip it and move directly to Pipeline Setup, or complete it to route your data through a
first-party custom domain — which generally improves measurement accuracy by making your tracking look like part of your
own website rather than a third-party connection.
What you'll need if you choose to set this up
- A domain associated with your business
- Access to make changes to your DNS settings through your DNS provider
Screen 1: Optimize Data Routing (Intro)
Explains the benefit of custom domain routing. Two options:
| Button | What Happens | | ------------ | ----------------------------------- | | Optimize | Proceeds to the domain
setup form | | Skip | Proceeds directly to Pipeline Setup |
Screen 2: Choose Your Signals Gateway Domain
You'll set up a subdomain on a domain you already own.
| Field | Example | | ---------------------- | ---------------- | | Prefix (subdomain) | routing | | Root domain |
mybusiness.com |
Requirements:
- Must be based on a domain you already own
- You need access to update DNS settings through your DNS provider
- The Signals Gateway domain can't already be in use elsewhere
Screen 3: Configure DNS to Connect Domain
You'll create two CNAME records with your DNS provider to verify domain ownership and route traffic to Signals Gateway.
Here's an example:
| Type | Record Name | Routed Traffic Destination | Status | | ----- | ------------------------------------------- |
------------------------------- | ------- | | CNAME | signals.yourdomain.netlify.com | signals.sgl5.com | Waiting | |
CNAME | _3a3d5ee...signals.yourdomain.netlify.com | _d0f276a...cm-validations.aws | Waiting |
Important timing notes:
- DNS changes typically take about 1 hour to propagate and reflect as verified
- You must complete this process within 48 hours, or you'll need to start the domain setup again
- If you need to change domains or restart, use the reset your domain link on this screen
Once verified, this step appears as Custom domain verified on the final summary screen, with a View DNS records option.
If you skipped this step, it won't appear on the summary at all.
Step 3: Pipeline Setup
By this point, Meta CAPI is already connected (Step 1). This step focuses on naming your pipeline and configuring your
Signals Gateway Pixel.
Screen 1: Set Up Signals Gateway Pixel
You'll be asked: Does your website have a Meta Pixel?
If Yes (recommended):
- Your existing Meta Pixel settings are applied to the new Signals Gateway Pixel
- Event data is sent to the same Meta dataset you already use
- Running both pixels together typically performs better
- Installation is faster since settings carry over
If No:
- The Signals Gateway Pixel will be set up fresh and will send first-party website data directly to Meta
- You'll configure a new pixel and its events from scratch
Both paths include a Connect Meta Pixel step — the only difference is when it happens in the sequence. On the Yes path,
it comes right after Get Started. On the No path, it comes after you've added your pixel code.
Screen 2: Connect Meta Pixel
You'll manually connect your Meta business portfolio so Signals Gateway can create or link the pixel using your existing
Meta Pixel settings.
| Field | Where to Find It | | -------------------- | ---------------------------------- | | Meta Business ID | Dataset
Settings → Details → Owner | | Dataset ID | Dataset Settings → Details | | Access Token | Dataset Settings → Conversions
API |
The Connect button activates once all three fields are filled in.
Screen 3: Setup Method
Choose how you'll add the Signals Gateway Pixel to your website:
| Method | Best For | | --------------------------- | ---------------------------------- | | Manually add pixel code |
Direct website code edits | | Shopify | Stores using Shopify's admin panel | | Google Tag Manager | Teams managing tags
through GTM |
Screen 4: Add Pixel Code
The instructions shown depend on the method you chose in the previous screen.
Manual:
- A base code snippet is shown for you to paste into your website's <head> section, just above </head>
- Copy instructions — share these with a developer
- Copy base code — add the pixel yourself
- The base code automatically records page views; you can select additional web events to track
Shopify:
- A custom code snippet is shown (includes your Pixel ID and Host)
- Deploy it via Shopify Admin → Settings → Customer Events
- Use the Copy custom pixel code button
Google Tag Manager:
- Your Pixel ID, Pixel Host, and Pixel Script are each shown with individual Copy buttons
- Paste these into the Tag Configuration page in your GTM account (Template Preview)
Screen 5: Connect to Meta / Finish
The final screen in pipeline setup. Confirms your Meta connection and completes the process. Clicking Continue takes you
to the Setup Complete summary.
Setup Complete — Summary Screen
Once all steps are finished, you'll land on a summary screen confirming everything is connected.
Progress Tracker
Shows your completed steps in sequence:
- Get Started ✓
- Configure DNS ✓ (only shown if you completed this step; omitted if skipped)
- Pipeline Setup ✓
Summary Cards
Meta CAPI connected This account is connected to Meta CAPI. Action available: Disconnect
Disconnect is destructive. It removes your pipeline, your custom domain and DNS configuration, and unlinks your Meta
account entirely. Only use this if you intend to fully remove the integration.
Custom domain verified (only shown if DNS setup was completed) Events route through your custom domain (e.g.
signals.l5id.com). Action available: View DNS records
Your data pipeline is configured Your Signals Gateway pipeline is set up and provisioned. Events will appear in the CAPI
dashboard once they start flowing. Actions available: Delete configuration | View Configuration
Delete configuration removes only the pipeline setup — it does not affect your Meta CAPI connection or your DNS/domain
setup. This is the safer option if you just need to reconfigure your pipeline without starting over completely.
View Configuration opens your existing pipeline setup in edit mode, so you can review or update any step without
starting from scratch.
Troubleshooting
My DNS records show "Waiting" after more than an hour DNS propagation can occasionally take longer than expected
depending on your provider. Double-check the records were entered exactly as shown, including the full record name. If
it's been several hours, use the reset your domain link to restart the process.
I ran out of time on the DNS setup (48-hour window) You'll need to restart the domain configuration from Screen 2 of
Step 2. Your Meta CAPI connection from Step 1 is unaffected — you won't need to reconnect Meta.
I'm not sure whether to choose Yes or No for "Does your website have a Meta Pixel?" Check Meta Events Manager for your
business. If you see an existing pixel actively receiving events, choose Yes — this lets Signals Gateway share its
configuration instead of starting from scratch. If you're not sure or don't have one yet, choose No.
I accidentally clicked Disconnect on the Meta CAPI card This is destructive and removes your entire setup, including
your custom domain and pipeline. You'll need to go through the full setup flow again, including reconnecting Meta and
reconfiguring DNS if you had it set up.
I need to change my pipeline configuration but don't want to lose my Meta connection or domain Use Delete configuration
on the pipeline card, not Disconnect on the Meta CAPI card. This removes only the pipeline, leaving your Meta connection
and DNS setup intact.
Related Articles
- Tag Management
- System Settings
- Integrations
- Attribution Analytics
- Glossary of Terms