How long does it take to set up Xplainr?

Most teams are up and running in under 5 minutes. Simply connect your marketing channels using OAuth (no API keys needed), and you'll see your first AI-generated insight immediately. There's no complex configuration or data mapping required.

Absolutely. We use bank-level 256-bit AES encryption for all data in transit and at rest. We never store your raw marketing data, only the aggregated metrics needed to generate insights. Our platform is built with enterprise-grade security practices, and we never sell or share your data.

Which marketing platforms do you integrate with?

We currently support Google Analytics 4, Google Ads, Google Search Console, Meta Ads (Facebook & Instagram), and LinkedIn Ads. All integrations use secure OAuth authentication, so you never have to share passwords or API keys.

Can I try Xplainr before committing?

Yes! Start with our Free tier to connect one domain and get 5 AI insights per month, no credit card required.

What if Xplainr doesn't work for me?

No problem - all paid plans come with a 14-day free trial, and you can cancel anytime with one click. If you're not seeing value within the first two weeks, you won't be charged. We're confident you'll see ROI, but there's zero risk to try.

How is Xplainr different from Google Analytics or Looker Studio?

Those tools show charts and expect you to figure them out. Xplainr tells you what happened in plain English, explains why it happened, and recommends what to do next. Instead of building dashboards and manually hunting for patterns, you get AI-generated insights that explain anomalies, identify opportunities, and prioritize your daily actions.

Can my whole marketing team use Xplainr?

Yes! Starter plans include 3 team members, Pro plans include 10, and Enterprise plans have unlimited seats. Team members can share domains, assign action items from insights, and collaborate on priorities - all with role-based permissions.

Do I need technical skills to use Xplainr?

Not at all. Xplainr is built for marketing managers, not data scientists. You can ask Aria (our AI assistant) questions in plain English like 'Why did my conversion rate drop yesterday?' and get clear, actionable answers without writing any queries.

Comparison Guide

Brand Marketing vs Performance Marketing

Brand and performance marketing aren't opposites - they're partners. Brand creates the demand that performance captures. Over-indexing on either leads to problems: all brand means no accountability; all performance means rising CAC and market ceiling.

Quick Definitions

Brand Marketing

Brand marketing builds awareness, recognition, and emotional connection with your brand. It focuses on long-term demand creation rather than immediate conversions.

Performance Marketing

Performance marketing drives direct, measurable actions like clicks, leads, and purchases. It focuses on immediate ROI and conversion optimization.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect	Brand	Performance
Time horizon	Months to years	Days to weeks
Primary goal	Awareness, affinity	Conversions, leads
Measurability	Difficult (brand lift studies)	Easy (direct attribution)
Target audience	Broad - future customers	Narrow - in-market buyers
CAC impact	Reduces long-term CAC	Direct CAC (rising over time)
Channels	Video, display, sponsorships	Search, social, retargeting
Budget flexibility	Often first to cut	Protected by ROAS

Pros & Cons

Brand Marketing

Advantages

Builds long-term demand
Creates pricing power
Reduces CAC over time
Compounds over years

Limitations

Harder to measure directly
Long time to impact
Requires sustained investment
Results not immediately visible

Performance Marketing

Advantages

Directly measurable
Fast feedback loop
Scalable with proven ROAS
Accountable spend

Limitations

Can't create new demand
Increasingly expensive over time
Diminishing returns at scale
Doesn't build brand equity

When to Use Each

Use Brand when...

You're in a crowded market and need differentiation. Your performance marketing CAC is rising unsustainably. You need to justify premium pricing. You want to reduce reliance on paid acquisition.

Best for:

Market leaders: Defending position
New market entry: Building awareness
Premium products: Justifying price

Use Performance when...

You have a proven product with clear value prop. You need immediate revenue results. You're testing new markets or offers. You have limited budget and need accountability.

Best for:

E-commerce: Direct conversions
Lead generation: Measurable actions
Startups: Proving product-market fit

How They Work Together

The research suggests 60/40 brand-to-performance for most categories, adjusting based on market maturity. Brand creates future demand; performance captures it today. If performance CAC is rising, brand investment is likely too low. If brand awareness is high but conversions are low, you may need more performance focus.

How Xplainr Handles This

Xplainr tracks both brand metrics (share of search, direct traffic trends) and performance metrics (ROAS, CPA). Our AI identifies when performance CAC is rising due to brand underinvestment, helping you find the right balance.

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Related Resources

Prove Marketing Value CMO Reporting Budget Allocation ROAS vs ROI

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the right brand vs performance split?

Binet and Field's research suggests 60% brand / 40% performance for most categories, but it varies. High-consideration B2B might be 70/30 brand; low-consideration e-commerce might be 40/60.

How do I measure brand marketing ROI?

Use brand lift studies, share of search (organic brand searches), direct traffic growth, and customer surveys. Long-term, track CAC trends - if brand is working, CAC should decrease or stabilize.

My CFO only cares about measurable results. How do I justify brand?

Show that performance CAC is rising over time - this often indicates brand underinvestment. Frame brand as reducing future CAC, not as unmeasurable spending. Share case studies where brand cuts led to performance decline.