The Truth About Digital Ads: What Google & Meta Aren’t Telling You by Jeff Greenfield

In this eye-opening episode of Small Biz Stories, Dr. LL sits down with Jeff Greenfield, serial entrepreneur and CEO of Provalytics, to unpack why most small business owners are tracking the wrong marketing metrics—and what to do instead.

With decades of experience in attribution modeling, Jeff reveals why clicks lie, cookies are crumbling, and why you’re probably misjudging your Meta ads. If you've ever wondered why your Google Ads "work" but your Meta ones "don’t," this episode will blow your mind. And flip your funnel.

Whether you're spending $500 or $5M a month, Jeff explains how to:
✴️Follow the money trail beyond misleading dashboards
✴️Measure the halo effect of ad impressions across platforms
✴️Build your own DIY analytics dashboard (no expensive tools required)
✴️This one’s a must-listen for anyone struggling to make their ads pay off.

⏱️ Timestamp Highlights

[5:01] – “I’m really good at taking an idea and bringing it to market.”
→ Jeff shares how his entrepreneurial brain works—and why chaos excites him.

[10:01] – “Most entrepreneurs gloss over the data—until it’s too late.”
→ The ADHD struggle is real. Learn how to ground your optimism in reality.

[14:00] – “Your Google Ads didn’t win the sale. Your Meta ad planted the seed.”
→ A masterclass on attribution and what your analytics dashboard won’t tell you.

[25:00] – “Most people optimize for clicks. But impressions are what drive sales.”
→ The biggest DIY marketing tip for budget-conscious entrepreneurs.

[27:00] – “Stop tracking only clicks. Track attention.”
→ Jeff walks through exactly what to change in your ad tracking Google Sheet.

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Jeff Greenfield is a seasoned entrepreneur and attribution expert known as the “Cookie Monster” for his deep knowledge of how browser cookies shape the digital advertising ecosystem. With over 30 years of experience in strategy, growth, and tech-enabled marketing, Jeff has built and led high-performance teams that push innovation in measurable media.

He is the co-founder and former COO of C3 Metrics, a pioneering multi-touch attribution platform trusted by global brands including JP Morgan, Hertz, Nestlé, Carhartt, and Fender.

As a sought-after thought leader, Jeff has taken the stage at major conferences like NAPTE, NAB, ANA, MASB, and more. His insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Bloomberg, ABC, CBS, and other top-tier outlets.

#entrepreneurship #digitalmarketing #advertising #googleads #smallbusiness