Technology Description
Appcast Quality Connect
Overview
Appcast Quality Connect is an ATS integration framework that creates a feedback loop between the Appcast Platform and a customer’s Applicant Tracking System (ATS). By receiving down-funnel hiring data from the customer, Appcast understands which advertising sources are delivering qualified candidates and optimizes your job advertising spend accordingly. Appcast Connect is not a standalone product, but an integration that enhances the performance of Appcast’s core advertising products by connecting recruitment advertising data to actual hiring outcomes.
How it Works
When a candidate clicks on an Appcast-powered job ad, Appcast appends a unique Click ID (CCUID) to the application URL. This ID is used to match the click to subsequent ATS events including application, screening, interview, offer, and hire, creating a complete picture of the candidate journey. The customer determines which ATS stages represent a qualified applicant and which represent a hire. Appcast uses this definition to optimize its buying strategy and reporting.
Capture: Appcast appends a unique Click ID (CCUID) to every job ad click, tracking candidate interactions from the first touchpoint all the way through to hire. When a candidate applies, the CCUID is passed through the ATS, linking the application to the original advertising source.
Match: Parsed quality records are matched to existing Appcast apply events using the CCUID and supporting fields including job reference, candidate ID, and timestamp. Matched applications are tagged with quality outcomes, distinguishing qualified applicants, interview-stage candidates, and hires.
Optimize: Quality data feeds directly into Appcast’s bidding logic, enabling the platform to favor sources with better down-funnel conversion. Publishers that consistently deliver qualified candidates receive higher placement, while underperforming sources are deprioritized or removed from the advertising mix.
Report: Once a Quality connection is active, down-funnel metrics become available in the Appcast Platform, including cost per qualified applicant, cost per hire, quality applications by source, and publisher quality scores.
Quality connections support three delivery methods. CSV report delivery requires the customer to configure a daily report in their ATS including all status changes for the last 30 days, delivered to an Appcast-provided email address or SFTP location. Webhook delivery sends a real-time event to Appcast each time a candidate’s status changes in the ATS, eliminating the need for manual report configuration. Server-to-server (S2S) delivery allows the customer’s system to call the Appcast API directly with quality signals. Appcast maintains certified Quality connections with a range of ATS partners including Greenhouse, Fountain, iCIMS, and Workday. Contact your Customer Success Manager for a current list.
Integration
Appcast Quality Connect integrates with our other product and technology offerings (when available) including Programmatic Media Buying, Xtend, Appcast Search Ads, and Appcast Brand Ads.
Requirements
Quality Connect tracks performance-based recruitment advertising only and requires an active ATS integration to function.
ATS Requirements: The customer must have an ATS capable of generating a data report or activating a webhook. Stage definitions must be provided to Appcast before setup can be completed, identifying which ATS stages indicate a qualified candidate and which indicate a hire. Not all ATS platforms are currently supported by Appcast.
CCUID Passthrough: The customer’s ATS or apply flow must preserve the CCUID URL parameter through the application process for accurate attribution. Without CCUID passthrough, click-based matching is limited.
Ongoing Delivery: CSV-based connections require the customer to maintain a daily report delivery. Delivery interruptions will affect optimization accuracy and publisher scoring.
Stage Definitions: Quality metrics reflect the customer’s own stage definitions. Changing those definitions mid-campaign will affect historical comparability and reporting accuracy.