Short answer: Meta Ads Manager is where you create, manage and measure ads on Facebook, Instagram and other Meta technologies. You see every campaign, ad set and ad in one place, choose the results you want as columns, split them with breakdowns and save reports. If you’re new, start on the Account Overview page.
What Meta Ads Manager is
Meta describes Ads Manager as a tool for creating and managing ads on Facebook, Instagram and other Meta technologies. In it you can view, change and see results for all your campaigns, ad sets and ads in one place.
To create a campaign step by step, see our guide on how to run Facebook ads. Our Meta Business Suite guide compares Ads Manager with the tool for posts and messages.
How to get in
When you sign up for Facebook, Meta gives you an ad account by default. Go to Ads Manager, and if you only have one ad account, it is selected for you.
Every advertiser starts with one ad account ID until Meta confirms a payment; after that, Meta says it may allow more. A business that runs ads for several projects can group them in a business portfolio, and our Business Manager guide shows how.
If you’re new, Meta sends you to the Account Overview page. Its setup steps are to add your payment method, create or connect a Facebook Page and verify your business email. Meta also offers a phone app for Ads Manager on Android and iOS, with fewer features than on a computer.
How Ads Manager is organized
Meta organizes ad creation in three levels: the campaign, the ad set and the ad. A campaign can hold several ad sets, and every ad set can hold several ads.
| Level | What you choose there | Where you read it |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign | The objective and the buying type | The Campaigns tab |
| Ad set | Audience, placements, budget and schedule | The Ad sets tab |
| Ad | Format, creative and the Page and Instagram account shown | The Ads tab |
Our summary of Meta’s help pages, read November 5, 2026.
All ads in the same ad set share its audience, placement, budget and schedule settings. At the ad level you choose the format: a single image or video, a carousel or a collection.
Columns, breakdowns and charts
The table in Ads Manager shows your results in columns. To change them, open Campaigns, Ad sets or Ads, click Columns and then Customize columns. You can save your choice as a column preset to use later.
Meta groups the metrics in categories. Performance covers results, reach, frequency and impressions; Conversions covers metrics such as website purchases. Our Meta pixel guide explains how website conversions reach those columns.
Breakdowns split the same results by age, by where people see your ads, by device and more. Select the campaign, ad set or ad, click the Breakdown icon and choose By time, By delivery or By action.
Hover over a row and click View charts. The side pane shows performance, demographics and platform, plus a delivery chart that Meta only offers for reach and frequency ad sets.
Reports and the Account Overview
Meta Ads Reporting lets you create, customize, export, share and schedule reports on your ad performance. You can also set a recurring report to arrive by email.
The Account Overview shows alerts, recommendations and steps to improve your campaigns. Alerts are urgent items, such as ad rejections and a payment method that expires. Above the Campaigns tab you also find your opportunity score, from 0 to 100.
Payments and a paused account
If the payment method behind your ads fails, Meta pauses your ads and disables the ad account until you pay the amount due. Meta suggests backup payment methods in case your main one has a problem.
If the account was disabled for another reason, our guide to a disabled Facebook ad account covers what to check.
How to find your way around Meta Ads Manager
- Open Ads Manager and check that the right ad account is selected.
- Read the alerts on the Account Overview page.
- Pick the level you want to read: Campaigns, Ad sets or Ads.
- Open Columns, choose Customize columns and save a preset for the results you track.
- Add a breakdown by time, delivery or action.
- Hover over a row and open View charts.
- Save the view as a report in Ads Reporting and schedule it by email.
Before you trust the numbers
- You are in the right ad account.
- A valid payment method is on file, with a backup.
- You know which level each number belongs to.
- Your column preset shows the results you care about.
- You read the alerts on the Account Overview page.
- A recurring report reaches your email.
RememberRead Ads Manager level by level, from the campaign down to each ad. Choose your columns, split them with breakdowns, and check the Account Overview alerts before you change anything.
Our Meta Ads service plans, makes and runs ads on Facebook and Instagram, in Spanish and English, and the ad account stays in your name. You can reach us on WhatsApp or through the form.
Quick answers about Meta Ads Manager
Where do I see how much I have spent?
On the Account Overview page. Below your ad account name and ID, Meta shows your active campaigns, the amount spent and the current balance of your account spending limit.
How many ad accounts can I have?
At first, one. Meta allows a single ad account ID per advertiser until a payment is confirmed. Once your first payment goes through, Meta says it may let you have more ad accounts.
Why were my ads paused after a payment failed?
When the payment method behind your ads fails, Meta pauses your ads and disables your ad account until you pay the amount due. Meta suggests adding backup payment methods in case your main one has a problem.
What is the opportunity score in Ads Manager?
A score from 0 to 100 that Meta shows above the Campaigns tab in Ads Manager. Meta says it represents how optimized your campaigns, ad sets and ads are, and it comes with recommendations you can review.
Can Ads Manager email me a report?
Yes, through Meta Ads Reporting. You choose the audiences and metrics for the report. Then you create it as a recurring report and schedule it, for example to reach you and your colleagues by email every week.
Sources
All read on November 5, 2026. Meta Business Help Center: About Meta Ads Manager. How to create an ad account in Meta Ads Manager. About the Meta Ads Manager Account Overview Page. What are the advertising levels in Meta Ads Manager? Customize Columns In Meta Ads Manager. Navigate to Breakdowns in Meta Ads Manager to Understand Ad Performance. Analyze Facebook and Instagram Ads Performance in Meta Ads Manager. About Meta Ads Reporting. Fix a failed payment issue on Meta.