Using New Age Recruitment Methods

Abstract

The present study aimed to describe the experience of a birth cohort study using advertisements on Facebook and Instagram in the attempt to increase user traffic on a study website and increase the interest of potential participants. Two advertisement flights (82 days total) provided a link to the study website where further information could be obtained, and a form could be completed to show interest in joining. Study specific data, SM analytics, and landing page metrics were collected. During the two flights, 34 participants consented and 47 showed interest via the study website; 1,184,112 impressions and 691 engagements were recorded. Flight 1 and 2 had an initial 494% and 612% increase in the number of sessions, respectively. Pageviews saw an initial 369% and 448% increase, respectively. New age recruitment methods influenced the number of SM analytics of the study website and should be used as a supplement to traditional methods.