# Hashing Best Practices for Google Ads and Meta

> Clean inputs produce consistent hashes. Avoid the whitespace, casing, and missing country code issues that cause failed custom audience uploads.

- Source: https://www.8apps.co/docs/hash-data/power-user-tip/best-practices
- Markdown: https://www.8apps.co/docs/hash-data/power-user-tip/best-practices.md
- Language: en

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# Best Practices for Using Hash Data

Hashing is only as accurate as the input it receives. Clean, properly formatted data ensures that your hashes are consistent, platform-compliant, and privacy-safe.
Small issues like extra spaces, missing country codes, or inconsistent casing can cause mismatches or failed uploads.

### 🔐 Tips for using Hash Data:

| Tip                                 | Description                                                                                                                        |
| ----------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Clean Your Inputs                   | Remove leading/trailing spaces, fix typos, and ensure consistent formats before applying hashing functions.                        |
| Include Country Codes               | Phone numbers must include country codes for proper E.164 formatting. For example, use `14155552671` instead of `4155552671`.      |
| Be Consistent Across Rows           | Consistency is key for matching records in advertising platforms. Double-check that formatting is uniform across your dataset.     |
| Freeze When Final                   | Use the Freeze Results feature to lock in values once you're done. This avoids rehashing and saves credits or API calls.           |
| Test a Few Rows First               | Before hashing your entire dataset, try a few sample rows and validate the output, especially when preparing for audience uploads. |
| Be Cautious of Sensitive Parameters | The `=HASH()` function is case-sensitive. Use `=HASHEMAIL()` for consistent email hashing, as it automatically normalizes casing.  |