Dark Post / Social Media Marketing Terms Dark Post A dark post is a paid social media advertisement that does not appear on a brand’s public profile or timeline. These posts are created specifically for targeted audiences through a platform’s ad manager and are only visible to the users being served the ad. Dark posts allow marketers to run highly customised campaigns, test different messages or creative variations, and avoid cluttering their main feed with repeated or segmented content. Dark posts are commonly used on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter). They support a variety of objectives including lead generation, website traffic, video views and conversions. For example, a business might create several versions of a dark post, each tailored to a specific audience segment based on demographics, interests or behaviour. This allows for more precise testing and optimisation without confusing or overwhelming the brand’s broader social audience. Using dark posts effectively requires thoughtful targeting, compelling creative and clear calls to action. Since these ads are not tied to organic content, they are ideal for A/B testing headlines, images, formats and offers. Dark posts also make it easier to isolate performance data for specific audience groups. However, transparency and consistency in messaging remain important, especially for regulated industries or mission-driven organisations. Marketers should use dark posts as part of a broader content and ad strategy that aligns with brand values and campaign goals.