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What Is The Facebook Ad Review Process?

In late May, Facebook published a post on Facebook for Business by Jeff King, VP, Business Integrity at Facebook, explaining its ad review process. The post gave a general summary of the Facebook ad review process, including advertiser responsibilities and how to meet Facebook ad standards. The post, “Breaking Down Facebook’s Ad Review Process,” offers transparency to advertisers and consumers, particularly as Facebook continues to be scrutinized for the ads it does and does not approve. 

facebook review process

Why Did Facebook Choose To Share More About Its Ad Review Process?

“How we review ads across Facebook apps and services is a common topic of interest among businesses and people who use Facebook, and we want advertisers to understand our policies and how our enforcement system works,” explains King in the post. It’s also likely Facebook wanted to create more knowledge and understanding around the ad review process because of ongoing questions about what ads Facebook allows on its platform. 

In November 2020, Facebook banned political ads in an attempt to stop the spread of misinformation, only recently ending the policy and allowing political campaigns to advertise again. By publishing and promoting the ad review post, Facebook can point advertisers, and the public, to its clearly spelled out ad approval process.

What Is Facebook’s Ad Review Process?

Before any ads can run on Facebook, the ads undergo an automatic review against Facebook’s advertising policies. Facebook explains , “The ad review system reviews ads for violations of our Advertising Policies . This review process may include the specific components of an ad, such as images, video, text and targeting information, as well as an ad’s destination, among other information. An ad's destination is where an ad directs people who click on the ad, such as a web page.” Once the review of an ad compared to Facebook advertising policies is complete, an ad will be approved to run or not. 

King also notes that, typically, Facebook avoids ads that include “profanity, show excessive nudity or include misinformation.” Ads must also meet the community standards and guidelines of Facebook and Instagram, depending on where the ads run. Marketplace ads are subject to Facebook’s commerce policies . 

How Do Advertisers Impact Whether An Ad Is Approved By The Facebook Ad Review Process?

An advertisers’ past behavior can impact whether an ad is approved or even whether the advertiser is allowed to advertise on Facebook at all. “Beyond reviewing individual ads, we may also review and investigate advertiser behavior, like the number of previous ad rejections and the severity of the type of violation, including attempts to get around our ad review process. Advertisers who violate our policies may have actions taken against them, including losing the ability to run ads on Facebook,” explains King. 

Facebook also relies on its users to report advertisers that may violate Facebook policies, using these user reports to improve ad review processes and, if necessary, re-review ads for approval. Additionally, changes to “targeting, creative (for example, images, text, links or videos), optimization or billing event” for scheduled or running ads or ad sets will trigger a “new review process.”

How Long Does The Facebook Ad Review Process Take Place?

Advertisers should expect a 24-hour turnaround for the Facebook ad review process, but there can be delays. King explains that “ads about social issues, elections or politics have an increased level of authenticity and transparency,” but he does not say that they take any longer to approve. 

What Can Advertisers Do If An Ad Is Rejected By The Facebook Ad Review Process?

If an advertiser is faced with an ad rejected by the Facebook ad review process, that advertiser can make a new ad, revising the aspects that didn’t meet Facebook’s standards or starting from scratch. If a brand or business feels that an ad was unfairly rejected, they can request another review. Although Facebook relies primarily on automated technology and machine learning for its ad reviews, typically human reviewers are responsible for “re-review requests from advertisers.” King acknowledges that the Facebook ad review process is not perfect, but believes that, with more data and feedback from advertisers and users, the ad review process will continue to improve. 

For advertisers, the more knowledge about what meets Facebook standards and how to pass the ad review process, the better they are able to create campaigns and ads that resonate with Facebook audiences. 

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Digital Media Solutions (DMS) is a technology-enabled, data-driven performance advertising solutions provider connecting consumers and advertisers. Contact DMS today to learn how our first-party data asset, proprietary technology and expansive digital media reach can help you scale your customer acquisition results.

About the author

Digital Media Solutions, Inc. is a leading provider of technology-enabled digital performance advertising solutions connecting consumers and advertisers within auto, home, health and life insurance plus a long list of top consumer verticals. The DMS first-party data asset, proprietary advertising technology, significant proprietary media distribution and data-driven processes help digital advertising clients de-risk their advertising spend while scaling their customer bases. Learn more at https://digitalmediasolutions.com.

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  • June 1, 2022

The Facebook Ad Review Process

There’s a lot to think about when you’re preparing to launch new Facebook ads.

Will your ad copy drive enough conversions?

Are you targeting the right audience segments? 

Is your campaign tracking set up correctly?

But if you’re going to successfully activate a new campaign, one of the most important steps is to have your ads approved by the Facebook platform.

And that means navigating the famous ad review system. 

If you’re not fully prepared for the ad review process, you can quickly encounter some obstacles. Rejected ads can significantly delay campaign timings, and even incur costly creative edits. 

Fear not. 

We’re about to explain everything you need to know about the Facebook ad review process and equip you with the knowledge you need to secure stress-free ad approvals. 

What is the Facebook Ad Review Process?

Facebook ad review process

The Facebook ad review process is designed to check the eligibility and suitability of all ads before they go live on the platform. 

The aim is to filter out any inappropriate, misleading or controversial advertising content to ensure that only high-quality assets are given the green light. 

As you can imagine, with the scale of Facebook advertising, this is no small task.

The Facebook review process is mostly automated, but in certain cases, human moderators will manually review assets. 

How Long Does the Facebook Ad Review Process Take?

According to Facebook, ad reviews are generally completed within 24 hours. 

However, these timings aren’t set in stone. 

Sometimes the review process can be completed in a matter of minutes, while sometimes the process can take days. Assets can even be reviewed once again after they’ve been set live, which can be pretty disruptive. 

Now, you might be thinking that these timings sound a little vague.  

And you’d be right. 

It’s difficult to accurately predict how long an ad approval will take on Facebook, which is why it’s super important to build enough time into your campaign deadlines to account for the review process. 

We’d strongly recommend submitting ads at least two weeks before your desired live date to compensate for approval timings and potential delays. 

What are the steps for the Facebook ad review process?

On paper, a Facebook ad review involves a straightforward three-step process:

  • You submit a new (or edited) ad for approval
  • Your ad is reviewed by Facebook
  • Your ad is approved or declined, pending review 

However, in reality, the review process is a little more complicated, and it’s important to understand what’s involved in each of these individual steps. 

facebook review process

When you submit a new Facebook ad for approval, it will be reviewed by either a human moderator or in most cases, an automated system. 

The status of your ad will be set as ‘In Review’ while it’s processed by the platform, usually within 24 hours. During this time, you’ll just need to wait for the outcome of the review to be confirmed. 

So what’s actually being reviewed by the Facebook platform? 

In simple terms, the Facebook review system is checking for any violations of Facebook advertising policies.

(It’s always a good idea to familiarise yourself with these advertising policies to avoid any issues with the review process!)

Some of the Facebook policies will affect every advertiser. For example, all businesses will need to avoid including any inappropriate or sensationalist messages in their campaigns. 

However, some industries (e.g. alcohol, online dating) will also need to abide by additional rules that are associated with specific products. 

Violations of these policies can also come in different forms. They can involve individual elements of an ad, such as headlines, images and targeting details.

Facebook will also review the destination URL associated with a new ad to ensure that nothing contained in the landing page violates any policies. If an ad is deemed to have violated advertising policy, it will be rejected, and the advertiser will be notified. 

What can trigger the Facebook ad review process? 

The Facebook ads review process will occur whenever a new ad is created and submitted for approval. 

If you’re planning to launch a new ad campaign, you’ll always need to prepare for new assets to be reviewed.

But the review process can also take place if you make edits or adjustments to an existing ad, which is very important to bear in mind. 

If you tweak any of the following elements of an existing ad, the asset will need to be re-reviewed by the system:

  • Any creative assets (e.g. images, ad copy, videos)
  • Audience targeting tactics
  • Campaign objectives 

If you’re hoping to make a few speedy changes to your ads mid-campaign, just remember that you’ll be restarting the review process – and those speedy changes may not be so speedy after all!

What are the Facebook ad guidelines? 

There are plenty of reasons for a Facebook ad to be declined by the review system. 

You can check out the Facebook advertising policies here in detail, but there’s a fair amount of information to digest. 

Below are some of the most common issues that brands can encounter when submitting ads for review:

  • Ads that include sexual or inappropriate content
  • Ads that aren’t relevant to the product/service being advertised
  • Ads that receive a high level of negative feedback
  • Ads that contain personal or sensitive user information
  • Ads that use Facebook branding without permission
  • Ads that lead to inappropriate sites or error pages

As you can see, the list is fairly extensive, so it’s important to be aware of potential hurdles when producing a new Facebook ad. 

Some industries will always need to be more careful than others when navigating these guidelines, but you should always remind yourself of these policies before producing a new creative asset.

Avoiding policy violations in the first place is infinitely easier than making last-minute edits before a campaign is due to launch. 

Is there any way to speed up the Facebook ad review process? 

It’s important to understand the inner workings of the Facebook review process so that you can avoid basic errors and costly mistakes. 

But we know the question that you’re itching to ask. 

Are there any tricks, tips, or techniques that can help me to speed up this process?

A rigorous review process is great for brand safety and quality control, but when you’re trying to activate a campaign quickly, it can feel like a nuisance.

The first (and most important) thing to acknowledge is that there isn’t an official method for speeding up ad reviews. The process will take as long as it takes, so you’ll just need to prepare for this and avoid last-minute submissions as often as possible. 

However, that doesn’t mean you’re totally powerless here. 

By following best practices, you can give your ads the best possible chance of being approved quickly. 

One of the best ways to create easily-approvable ads is to follow Facebook advertising guidelines as closely as possible. Steer clear of anything that might cause complications in the review process and reference Facebook policy throughout the production process.

If your ad doesn’t explicitly break the rules, but still contains potentially problematic content, you can find yourself dealing with time-consuming additional reviews. 

If any element of your ad feels like it could border on violating advertising policy, it’s best to remove it to save time and prevent complications. 

It’s also important to stay aware of seasonality when preparing to launch a campaign. Busier sales periods (e.g. Christmas, Black Friday) will inevitably clog up the review system, so if you can avoid them, you’re more likely to secure faster approvals. 

Finally, consistency is key to achieving speedy approvals.

Trusted domains and advertiser accounts with a track record of submitting approved ads are more likely to receive quicker approvals over time – so the more consistent you can be, the more time you’ll save.

What can I do if my ads are stuck in review? 

No system or technology is perfect, and the Facebook review process doesn’t always run smoothly.

Sometimes you’ll find that your ad is in a permanent state of ‘in review’, floating in cyberspace with no updates on approval or rejection. 

If you’re dealing with an asset that’s trapped in the review process, you have two options to rescue your ad from the Facebook void.

Facebook Manager review ads

The first tactic is to essentially reset your ‘in review’ ads. Open the Facebook Ads Manager, select all of the ads in your ad set, and hit ‘pause’. Select your ads once again, click ‘resume’, and wait for the review status to update. 

(This sounds suspiciously like ‘turn it off and on again’, we know – but sometimes the best solutions are the simplest ones!)

Your second option is to contact Facebook directly through the Business Help Centre. This isn’t necessarily a quick fix, but a support agent should be able to assist and resolve the situation.

What should I do if my ads are rejected? 

If your ad has been rejected by the Facebook review system, don’t panic. 

You’ll be notified directly that your ad has been denied, and you’ll also receive an update on the Facebook Account Quality page explaining why the submission has been rejected.

Facebook account quality page

If you feel like your ads have been incorrectly denied, you can request a re-review by following these instructions. This will take time to process, but if you’re confident that your ads aren’t violating any policies, it saves you needing to make edits.

However, if it’s clear that your ads have broken the rules, you’ll need to go away and make the necessary changes to your assets. 

After you’ve edited your existing ads or created new ones, you can re-submit them for another round of reviews.

A handful of rejected ads won’t impact your ad account, but consistent violations can have more serious consequences. 

Multiple ad rejections can cause Facebook to place restrictions on your account, which may prevent you from launching new campaigns. If you do find that your account has been disabled, follow this guide for more information. 

How can I make sure that my ads will be approved?

Avoiding the headaches of rejected Facebook ads is crucial to launching seamless and efficient campaigns.

Although the speed of the ad review process can vary, you can significantly increase the chances of approval by following a few basic rules and strategies. 

1. Don’t advertise banned products or services

This might sound like a no-brainer, but many advertisers can run into an immediate roadblock by trying to advertise prohibited products.

The list of banned products and services is fairly extensive, so if you’re wondering whether your campaign falls into this category, it’s always worth double-checking before producing new ads. 

Prohibited products and services on Facebook Ads

The following products are all strictly prohibited by the Facebook platform: 

  • Illegal items or services
  • Tobacco and related products
  • Unsafe substances 
  • Weapons or explosives
  • Adult content and services

2. Set up high-quality landing pages 

The Facebook review process doesn’t just check your creative assets. 

It also analyses your destination URLs and landing pages to make sure that your website doesn’t violate any policies. 

To avoid any ad rejections based on landing page content, make sure that your website is relevant and user-friendly. 

If your landing page isn’t remotely connected to your advertising message, the Facebook platform is likely to reject your ads. This also applies to misleading URLs.

Any disruptive content on your landing page can also be problematic. For example, if you’re sharing low-quality content that forces users to click through multiple pages, this can lead to rejections.

3. Tread carefully with restricted products

Some products aren’t strictly prohibited by the Facebook platform but are still subject to more scrutiny by the ad review system.

The following products are all classed as ‘restricted’ by Facebook:

  • Dating services
  • Online gambling and gaming
  • Online pharmacy promotion
  • Over-the-counter drugs
  • Subscription services
  • Finance and insurance 

Although these products can be featured in Facebook ads, they often require some additional legwork in order to get approved. For example, financial brands need to comply with strict ad regulations and age restricted targeting to launch new campaigns. 

If you’re planning to advertise any of these restricted products, make sure that you check and complete any specific requirements before submitting ads for review. 

4. Focus on quality and transparency 

Focus on quality ads to pass the Facebook review process

The words ‘quality’ and ‘transparency’ can go a long way when you’re trying to get your Facebook ads approved quickly. 

Quality content means ads that are clear, professional, and user-friendly. Avoid poor grammar, profanity, and crude messaging to prevent ads from being blocked by the platform. 

Transparency is also very important for the Facebook review system. 

Misleading claims and clickbait headlines can both be serious issues for advertisers, so make sure that your ads are honest and informative to ensure a smooth approval process.

If you’re ever unsure about the guidelines that you should be following, always refer to the Facebook advertising policies before producing new ads or submitting assets for review. 

The Facebook ad review process can be frustrating at times, but it’s necessary. 

If the platform became flooded with low-quality ads, audiences would quickly lose interest in them, which wouldn’t help advertisers to run successful campaigns. 

You can also reduce the headaches caused by the reviews system – sticking to Facebook policies, focusing on high-quality ads, and factoring in potential delays are all smart ways to make the process that much easier to navigate. 

If you need help with your Facebook ads, we are a Facebook advertising agency .

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Facebook ads review: maximizing advertising potential.

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Blog » Facebook Ads Review: Maximizing Advertising Potential

What is Facebook Ads?

Facebook Ads is an essential process for businesses and individuals looking to advertise on the platform. With over 2.8 billion monthly active users, Facebook offers amazing advertising opportunities to target a wide range of audiences.

However, to maintain the integrity and quality of the platform, Facebook has established a robust review system that ensures all ads comply with its advertising policies and guidelines. This process helps to prevent the dissemination of inappropriate content, misleading claims, or any form of disruptive advertising.

The Facebook Ads review process plays a critical role in safeguarding the platform's community and enabling businesses to reach their target audience effectively.

Why is a Facebook Ads Review Necessary?

A Facebook Ads review is necessary to maintain the integrity and quality of the Facebook platform. It ensures that all ads meet the platform's advertising policies and guidelines.

By reviewing ads before they go live, Facebook can prevent the dissemination of inappropriate, misleading, or disruptive content. The review process also helps protect users from potential scams, unethical practices, or offensive material.

How Does the Facebook Ads Review Process Work?

The Facebook Ads Review process involves a thorough examination of ad campaigns to ensure compliance with advertising policies.

Ads go through a combination of automated and manual review to assess their content, targeting, and overall compliance. The review examines factors such as the accuracy of information, the appropriateness of images or videos, and adherence to community standards.

In some cases, ads may require additional review, which can prolong the approval process.

Common Reasons for Ads Review Rejection

There are several common reasons why ads may be rejected during the review process. These can include the use of inappropriate or offensive language, promoting adult content or dating services, making misleading claims, or violating community standards.

Ads that feature prescription drugs or target sensitive social issues may also face scrutiny.

Additionally, ads with poor grammar, disruptive content, or those that violate Facebook's advertising guidelines may be rejected.

How Long Does Facebook Ads Review Take?

The time it takes for an ad to go through the review process can vary. Generally, Facebook aims to review ads within 24 hours, but during peak times, the process may take longer.

It is recommended to submit ads for review well in advance of campaign deadlines to account for potential delays.

Advertisers can check the review status of their ads and receive notifications through the Ads Manager platform.

Facebook Ads Review is a crucial step for advertisers to ensure their ad campaigns meet the platform's policies, guidelines, and community standards.

It helps maintain a safe and trustworthy environment for Facebook users while allowing businesses to effectively reach their target audience.

By understanding the review process, common rejection reasons and the timeframe involved. Advertisers can optimize their campaigns and ensure a smooth experience while advertising on Facebook.

Benefits of Facebook Ads Review

The benefits of Facebook Ads Review are manifold. This essential process ensures that ads are approved and seen by potential customers, maximizing the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. By undergoing the review process, ads are thoroughly examined to ensure they comply with Facebook's advertising policies and guidelines.

This helps businesses reach their target audience with ads that are accurate, appropriate, and engaging.

In addition to ensuring ad quality and compliance, Facebook Ads Review also offers valuable tools for advertisers. The platform provides robust targeting options, allowing businesses to reach specific demographics, interests, and behaviors with their ads.

This precise targeting ensures that ads are shown to the right people, increasing the chances of conversion and maximizing return on investment.

Advertising Policies

Facebook has strict advertising policies in place to ensure that ads on the platform meet certain standards of quality and compliance.

These policies help maintain a positive user experience and protect users from misleading or harmful advertisements. By adhering to these policies, businesses can create ads that are relevant, respectful, and engaging, while reaching their target audience effectively.

It is important for advertisers to review and understand these policies before creating their ads to avoid any potential issues or rejections during the review process. Facebook's Advertising Policies cover a wide range of topics, including prohibited content, restricted content, prohibited practices, and community standards.

Advertisers must comply with these policies to ensure that their ads are approved and displayed to the intended audience. With these policies in place, Facebook strives to create a safe and trustworthy advertising environment for its users and advertisers alike.

Common Reasons for Rejection

When it comes to running ads on Facebook, it is important to understand the common reasons for rejection. Facebook has strict advertising policies in place to ensure the safety and integrity of its platform.

By knowing what could potentially lead to the rejection of your ads, you can save time and resources by avoiding these pitfalls.

One of the most common reasons for ad rejection is the presence of adult content. Facebook prohibits the promotion of adult products or services, including explicit images and suggestive language.

Similarly, ads promoting alcoholic beverages can also be rejected, as Facebook aims to create a safe and inclusive environment for its users.

Dating services are another common category that faces ad rejection. Facebook prioritizes the safety and privacy of its users, and therefore requires all dating service ads to adhere to certain guidelines.

Additionally, election or political content can also lead to ad rejection on Facebook. With the aim of preventing misinformation, Facebook has put in place strict guidelines for political advertisements.

By avoiding these common reasons for rejection. Including adult content, alcoholic beverages, dating services and election or political content. You can ensure that your ads comply with Facebook's policies and have a better chance of being approved.

Key Reasons for Disapproval of Ads on Facebook

Key reasons for the disapproval of ads on Facebook include violations of advertising policies, the presence of adult content or prescription drugs, disruptive content, poor grammar, and violations of community standards.

Facebook has strict advertising policies in place to maintain the safety and integrity of its platform. Ads that violate these policies are likely to be rejected.

Another reason for ad disapproval is the presence of adult content. Facebook prohibits the promotion of adult products or services, including explicit images and suggestive language. Similarly, ads that promote prescription drugs without proper authorization may also be rejected.

Disruptive content, such as ads that create a negative user experience or interfere with the normal functioning of the platform, can also lead to ad disapproval.

Poor grammar and spelling mistakes in ads can undermine the credibility and professionalism of the advertiser, potentially resulting in disapproval.

Lastly, violations of Facebook's community standards, which aim to promote respectful and inclusive content, can lead to ad rejection.

Ensuring compliance with advertising policies, avoiding adult content or promotion of prescription drugs, creating non-disruptive content, maintaining proper grammar, and adhering to community standards can all help in increasing the chances of ad approval on Facebook.

Community Standards for Advertising

Facebook's community standards policy plays a crucial role in maintaining a safe and respectful environment for its users. These standards also apply to the ad review process, ensuring that advertisements align with Facebook's values and principles.

To begin with, Facebook prohibits advertising that promotes or glorifies violence. This includes content depicting physical harm, self-injury, or dangerous activities. Ads that feature criminal behavior or encourage illegal activities are also not allowed.

Exploitation is another key area addressed in the community standards. Facebook does not permit ads that exploit or demean individuals, such as those featuring nudity, sexual acts, or explicit content. Additionally, advertisements that promote harassment or bullying, either directly or indirectly, are strictly forbidden.

Privacy is a fundamental principle for Facebook, and it extends to advertising as well. Ads that violate user privacy by collecting personal information without consent, or by misusing such information, will be rejected.

Prescription Drugs and Adult Content in Ads

When it comes to advertising on Facebook, there are strict policies and guidelines in place for promoting prescription drugs and adult content.

For prescription drugs, Facebook has specific restrictions and requirements. Advertisers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including those related to the advertising of pharmaceutical products. Advertisements for prescription drugs must also be targeted only to users who are at least 18 years old.

Similarly, adult content is subject to stringent guidelines. Facebook does not permit ads that contain explicit or graphic content, including nudity, sexual acts, or adult themes. These restrictions apply to both images and text within the ad.

To get permission for running ads related to prescription drugs or adult content, advertisers must go through the regular ads review process . They need to submit their ads for review via the Ads Manager, and Facebook will evaluate them based on its advertising guidelines. The review process ensures that ads are compliant with Facebook's policies and standards.

It is important to note that ads related to prescription drugs may require additional documentation to verify the legitimacy of the advertiser and the product they are promoting. Advertisers also need to ensure that their ads comply with all relevant legal requirements and regulations in the regions they are targeting.

By following these policies and guidelines, advertisers can navigate the rules surrounding prescription drugs and adult content in Facebook ads and reach their target audience while staying compliant.

Ad Review Process

Facebook's ad review process plays a vital role in ensuring that the platform maintains the highest standards of advertising.

Advertisers must comply with Facebook's policies and guidelines for various types of ads, including those related to prescription drugs, adult content, and other sensitive topics. This article will provide an overview of the ad review process on Facebook, including how advertisers can navigate the requirements and submit their ads for review.

It will also highlight the importance of adhering to legal regulations and requirements, as well as the documentation needed for certain ad categories.

By understanding the ad review process , advertisers can confidently promote their products and services on Facebook while maintaining a safe and trustworthy environment for users.

Ensuring Compliance and Standards

When it comes to running ads for prescription drugs or adult content, advertisers must go through Facebook's ad review process to gain permission.

This process involves submitting their ads via the Ads Manager, where Facebook evaluates them based on its advertising guidelines. The primary aim of the ad review process is to ensure that all ads on the platform comply with Facebook's policies and standards.

Advertisers need to adhere to legal regulations and regions specific requirements while running ads related to prescription drugs.

Additionally, adult content ads must avoid explicit or graphic content, including nudity, sexual acts, or adult themes. By subjecting ads to the review process, Facebook maintains a safe and respectful environment for its users while providing advertisers with the opportunity to reach their target audiences effectively.

Considerations for Prescription Drug Ads

Ads related to prescription drugs may require additional documentation to verify the legitimacy of the advertiser and the promoted product. Facebook wants to ensure that these ads meet all relevant legal requirements and regulations in the regions they target.

Hence, advertisers must provide accurate and comprehensive information about the drug, including any potential side effects or risks associated with its use. By scrutinizing prescription drug ads, Facebook aims to protect users' safety and well-being while still allowing advertisers to educate potential customers about their offerings.

Navigating the Ad Review Process

To submit ads for review, advertisers can conveniently utilize the Ads Manager platform on Facebook. After submitting the ads, it typically takes some time for Facebook to conduct the review.

The exact review time may vary, but advertisers can track the progress of their review by checking the review status within the Ads Manager. Facebook understands the importance of timely campaign approvals, and they strive to process reviews as efficiently as possible.

Advertisers have the option to view additional review details and contact support through the chat option if needed. Overall, navigating the ad review process requires adherence to Facebook's advertising policies and careful consideration of the target audience's needs and expectations.

Ensuring Compliance and Successful Ad Campaigns

The ad review process on Facebook is vital for upholding community standards, safeguarding users, and maintaining a trustworthy advertising platform.

Advertisers must familiarize themselves with Facebook's advertising guidelines for different categories. Categories such as prescription drugs and adult content. As these may have additional restrictions and requirements. By understanding and adhering to these policies, providing necessary documentation, and ensuring compliance with legal regulations. Advertisers can create successful, engaging, and ethical ad campaigns that effectively reach their target audience.

Through this process, Facebook offers amazing advertising opportunities while upholding the quality and integrity of its platform.

Overview of the Process

The Facebook Ads Review process is a crucial step in ensuring that ads on the platform meet the highest standards and adhere to Facebook's advertising policies. This overview will explain how the review process works, from submitting ads for review to tracking their status and understand the timeline for review.

When advertisers submit their ads through the Ads Manager, they undergo a thorough evaluation by Facebook to ensure compliance with guidelines. This review process aims to maintain a safe and reliable environment for users while allowing advertisers to reach their target audiences effectively.

The timeline for reviewing ads may vary, but advertisers can track the progress by checking the review status within the Ads Manager. Facebook understands the importance of timely approvals, and they strive to process reviews as efficiently as possible.

During the review, key considerations are assessed, including adherence to legal regulations, guidelines, and specific requirements. For certain ad categories like prescription drugs, advertisers may need to provide additional documentation to verify product legitimacy and comply with relevant regulations.

Complying with Facebook's advertising policies is crucial for successful ad campaigns. By following these policies, advertisers can navigate the review process smoothly and ensure their ads meet the standards required for approval.

Time for Reviewing Ads on Facebook

The time it takes for Facebook ads to undergo review can vary depending on several factors:

  • Ad complexity: Ads that are more complex, such as video ads or carousel ads, may require additional scrutiny, which can prolong the review process.
  • Ad volume: If there is a high volume of ads awaiting review, it may take longer for Facebook to assess and approve them. This is particularly true during peak advertising periods.
  • Ad content: Ads addressing sensitive or controversial topics, such as social issues or adult content, may require more careful evaluation, resulting in a longer review time.
  • Ad compliance: Advertisements that do not comply with Facebook's advertising guidelines may require additional review or modifications, which can prolong the approval process.
  • Review workload: The number of ads being reviewed at any given time can impact the overall duration. If there is a backlog or high demand, it may take longer to review each ad.

On average, the review process for Facebook ads usually takes between 24 to 48 hours. However, it's important to note that this timeline can be influenced by the factors mentioned above.

Advertisers can check the review status within the Ads Manager to track the progress of their ads and get an estimate of when they will be approved.

By understanding these key factors and allowing sufficient time for review, advertisers can streamline the process and ensure their ads meet Facebook's advertising policies before they are launched.

Potential Customers Reached Through Ads

With the high demand for advertising on Facebook and its massive user base, businesses have the opportunity to reach a wide range of potential customers through ads on the platform.

Facebook boasts over 2.89 billion monthly active users, making it an incredibly powerful advertising platform. This means that businesses can target a diverse audience based on various demographics, including age, gender, location, interests, and more. Advertisers can use Facebook's robust targeting tools to refine their audience and ensure their ads are served to the most relevant users.

Retargeting ads, in particular, offer a highly effective way for businesses to reach users who have previously visited their website. By placing a Facebook pixel on their website, businesses can track user behavior and create customized ads specifically tailored to individuals who have shown interest in their products or services.

The benefits of using retargeting ads are manifold. Firstly, they help increase brand awareness by reminding users of a business and reinforcing its message. By continuously appearing in front of potential customers, businesses can stay top-of-mind and increase the likelihood of making conversions.

Chat Option in the Review Process

In the Facebook ad review process, advertisers have the option to access chat support for assistance with their ad-related queries. The chat option allows advertisers to directly communicate with a Facebook representative who can provide guidance and support throughout the review process.

To access the chat support, advertisers need to navigate to the Ads Manager and click on the "Support" tab. Here, they will find the chat option if a representative is available. It's important to note that the availability of the chat option may vary depending on factors such as the day of the week, time of day, and potentially the country and advertiser level.

When the chat option is available, advertisers can simply click on it to initiate a conversation with a Facebook representative. This direct line of communication can be extremely valuable in resolving any ad-related issues and obtaining timely assistance.

Reaching out to Facebook support through the chat option is highly recommended for advertisers who have questions or concerns regarding their ads. Whether it's seeking clarity on advertising policies, understanding the review process, or addressing specific issues with their ads, contacting Facebook support can help advertisers navigate through any challenges they may encounter.

Types of Ads Accepted by Facebook's Ad Review Team

Facebook's ad review team carefully evaluates and approves various types of ads to ensure they comply with the platform's advertising guidelines.

These guidelines aim to maintain a safe and positive user experience for Facebook's community. The ad review team examines a wide range of ads, including those promoting dating services, adult products, prescription drugs, and even controversial content.

From video ads to carousel ads, Facebook's ad review process analyzes the creative, targeting, and messaging to ensure they align with community standards.

By accepting and reviewing diverse ad types, Facebook offers advertisers amazing opportunities to reach their target audience and achieve their advertising objectives.

Video Ads and Carousel Ads Manager Platforms

Facebook offers powerful advertising platforms to help businesses effectively showcase their products and engage with their target audience. Two popular platforms for creating and managing ads on Facebook are Video Ads Manager and Carousel Ads Manager.

Video Ads Manager is a feature-rich platform designed to optimize the performance of video ads. It allows advertisers to create high-quality videos to capture the attention of their audience.

With Video Ads Manager, you can easily upload your video content, add captions, and customize the video's presentation. It also provides advanced targeting options to reach specific demographics, interests, and behaviors.

The platform offers analytics to measure the effectiveness of your video ads and make data-driven decisions.

On the other hand, Carousel Ads Manager enables businesses to create engaging and interactive ads. Carousel ads allow advertisers to showcase multiple images or videos within a single ad unit. This format is highly effective in telling a story or highlighting different product features.

Carousel Ads Manager provides various customization options, such as adding titles and descriptions to each image or video. Additionally, it offers detailed targeting capabilities and performance insights to enhance campaign performance.

Both Video Ads Manager and Carousel Ads Manager are user-friendly platforms that enable businesses to create captivating ads to attract their target audience.

Utilizing these platforms, you can unleash the power of video ads or showcase multiple products and messages in a single ad unit.

With their advanced features and functionalities, businesses can drive engagement, increase brand awareness, and achieve their advertising goals on Facebook.

General Advertising Guidelines to Follow on Facebook

When advertising on Facebook, it is essential to adhere to the platform's general advertising guidelines to ensure your ads meet the necessary criteria for approval. Facebook has a set of advertising policies and community standards that outline the key principles and rules for advertising on the platform.

Facebook's advertising policies cover a wide range of topics, including prohibited content, restricted content, and community standards. It is crucial to familiarize yourself with these guidelines to ensure compliance and avoid the rejection of your ads.

Some of the key principles and rules in Facebook's advertising policies and community standards include prohibiting the promotion of adult products or services, dating services, and the use of explicit or suggestive content.

Facebook also has guidelines regarding the targeting of specific audiences, including restrictions on targeting based on sensitive attributes like race, religion, or sexual orientation.

By understanding these guidelines, advertisers can create ads that are compliant and respectful, ensuring a positive user experience. Failure to comply with the advertising guidelines may result in the rejection of your ads or potential penalties.

In conclusion, familiarizing yourself with Facebook's advertising policies and community standards is crucial for advertisers on the platform.

By following these guidelines, you can create ads that meet the necessary criteria for approval and maintain a positive advertising experience on Facebook.

What Triggers a Facebook Ads Review?

Several factors can trigger a Facebook ad review:

  • New Ads: When you create a new ad campaign or ad set.
  • Edits to Existing Ads: When you make significant changes to an existing ad.
  • Ad Account History: If your ad account has a history of ad violations or policy issues.
  • Content and Keywords: Certain keywords or content that may be flagged for review.
  • Targeting Options: Unusual or sensitive targeting options may trigger review.

How Can I Speed Up My Facebook Ad Review?

While Facebook ad review times are generally determined by the platform, you can take some steps to help expedite the process:

  • Avoid Policy Violations: Ensure your ads comply with Facebook's advertising policies to reduce the chances of rejection or delays.
  • Use Familiar Content: Use content that is not likely to raise red flags with reviewers.
  • Select Clear Targeting: Choose well-defined and appropriate audience targeting.
  • Avoid Controversial Topics: Refrain from advertising on sensitive or controversial topics.
  • Regularly Review and Edit Ads: Keep ads updated but avoid frequent significant edits.

What If My Facebook Ad Is Stuck in Review?

If your Facebook ad is stuck in the review process for an extended period, you can take the following steps:

  • Check Ad Account Health: Ensure your ad account is in good standing and not subject to any penalties.
  • Review Ad Content: Check if the ad content complies with Facebook's policies and guidelines.
  • Contact Support: If the delay persists, you can contact Facebook Ads support for assistance.

How Long Does It Take Facebook to Review an Ad?

The time it takes for Facebook to review an ad can vary based on factors like ad volume and complexity. In most cases, ads are reviewed within 24 hours, but it can take longer during peak times or for ads that require manual review. It's advisable to plan your ad campaigns well in advance to account for the review process.

What to Do If Your Facebook Ads Are Rejected

If your Facebook ads are rejected, you can take these steps:

  • Review the Rejection Reason: Facebook provides a reason for the rejection. Carefully review this reason to understand what caused the rejection.
  • Make Necessary Edits: Address the issue that led to the rejection. This might involve editing ad content, adjusting targeting, or resolving policy violations.
  • Resubmit the Ad: Once you've made the necessary changes, resubmit the ad for review.
  • Appeal If Necessary: If you believe your ad was wrongly rejected, you can appeal the decision through the Facebook Ads platform.

It's important to ensure your ads comply with Facebook's policies to prevent rejections and delays in your advertising campaigns.

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Facebook Ads Rules 101: A Guide to Getting Your Ads Approved Quickly

January 14, 2021 166 Comments Animalz

Trying to follow Facebook ads rules can feel like trying to hit a moving target in the dark. What can you advertise? How can you advertise it? Who are you allowed to advertise to? And once you’ve figured out those answers, how long does the mysterious Facebook ads review process take?

Even when you’ve finally figured out, Facebook changes another marketing policy, and your ads get rejected again. Or they sit in a “pending review” purgatory forever, never to be approved or denied.

We have reviewed all of Facebook’s current advertising rules, policies, and procedures and have organized them here for an easy summary.

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Facebook Ads Review: How Does it Work and How Long Does it Take?

5 facebook ads rules to follow to get your ad approved, facebook marketing policy: what you need to know, how to keep your campaign running if your ad is denied.

Together, we’ll increase your ad approval chances, keep you out of Facebook purgatory, and make sure you know what to do when an ad is rejected.

Facebook has a posted procedure for the steps and the time they take to review your ads. But experience suggests their procedure is more a recommendation than a rule. Here’s what we’ve learned about the Facebook ads review process.

What are the steps of a Facebook ad review?

According to Facebook , ads review is a simple three-step process:

  • You submit or edit an ad.
  • Your ad is reviewed.
  • Your ad is either approved or denied.

Screenshot of Facebook's ad review procedure image

Whether your ad is approved or denied, Facebook will let you know by email and/or notification in your account. If your ad is approved, it’ll be published automatically, and you’ll start to see results in Ads Manager .

Behind the scenes, there seems to be a mix of people and machine-based reviews. Facebook says they rely mostly on automated ad reviews but use human reviewers “to improve and train our automated systems and, in some cases, to review specific ads.”

What triggers a Facebook ads review?

There are two scenarios that cause your ads to be reviewed by Facebook:

  • You create a new Facebook ad .
  • You make changes to an existing ad.

Changes that trigger a review include:

  • Changing creative like images, text, video, or link
  • Altering the audience you target
  • Choosing new optimization goals or billing events

Sometimes, your ad is approved quickly, only to be denied a day or two later. It’s hard to say for sure why that is. The timing suggests that the first approval is done via an automated process, and then a human manually reviews and denies the ad.

How can I speed up my ad review?

Facebook says that most ads are reviewed within 24 hours. In reality, some ads are approved in minutes, while some can take days.

There’s no official expedite function within the Facebook ads review policy; however, there are some things you can do that may help speed things along.

Publish between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. , Monday through Friday. From our data, we see ads posted during these times often get a faster review.

Be consistent . Domains and ad accounts with a long history of approved ads seem to be denied less often.

Don’t bend the rules . If your ad is on the edge of breaking one of the Facebook ads rules, it’s more likely to get flagged for additional review. You may win an appeal if it’s denied, but you’ll lose a lot of time in the process.

Allow for extra time in Q4. Businesses place more ads leading up to the holidays. You can see that play out in the fourth-quarter spikes of Facebook ad revenue.

Screenshot of graph showing Facebook ad revenue by quarter

With all that ad traffic to review, it’s best to give yourself some extra leeway leading up to the Q4 crunch. Ideally, submit ads at least two weeks before you need them to publish.

What if my ad is stuck in review?

Sometimes, your ad gets lost in Facebook limbo, with no status update on approval or denial.

So, my facebook Ad is stuck in “In Review” Can anyone help me understand what to do? How to solve it? Please retweet. Thanks. #Facebook #facebookmarketing — Arun Kumar Verma (@arun11192) November 23, 2019

You have two options to unstick your ad if it hasn’t been dealt with in 24 hours: You can submit a form to force a review. Or you can chat with Facebook support through the Facebook Business Help Center . We recommend the first option and that you use chat only if the form fails.

What happens if my ad is denied?

If your ad is denied, Facebook will let you know what rule you’ve broken on your Facebook Account Quality page .

Typically, a few infractions won’t affect anything beyond having those ads denied. If you show a trend of breaking the Facebook ads rules over and over, or if your infraction is egregious, Facebook may take further action , such as disabling, restricting, or revoking your account.

But what do you do if your account is negatively affected?

Welp, my Facebook ads account was banned after a whole 8 hours of running our first ad ever. Is it worth submitting for review or is this a lost cause? — Scott Robinson (@ScottWRobinson) January 7, 2021

If this happens to you, review this page from Facebook, and contact a representative through Business Center Help.

Avoiding ad rejection is an important part of Facebook marketing . It starts with understanding what products and content Facebook reviewers will and won’t allow.

1. Don’t advertise prohibited products.

Before you create a single ad or even commit to advertising on Facebook, make sure your products aren’t subject to an automatic Facebook ad ban. Here’s what’s currently not allowed:

Illegal products or services You can’t advertise any product that would get you arrested or fined for selling. This includes offering age-restricted products to minors.

Tobacco and related products No cigarettes, cigars, vapes, or any product that simulates smoking. Antismoking ads are OK, as are ads that lead to tobacco-enthusiast groups, like a cigar club — as long as the ads don’t lead to the sale of a related product.

Drugs and related products This means both illegal and prescription drugs, as well as paraphernalia and images that imply drug use.

Unsafe supplements Think steroids, ephedra, or human growth hormones. Facebook’s policy on this is clear: They get to decide which products are included in the category, so it’s going to be subjective.

Weapons, ammo, or explosives Handguns, rifles, and shotguns are obvious exclusions here. But this category also includes pepper spray, tasers, and things like batons and non-culinary knives. You can advertise accessories like holsters, scopes, and gun safes if you set your audience targeting to 18 years or older. Toy guns and gun-safety classes are also allowed.

Adult products or services You can advertise contraceptive products, but you have to focus the messaging on their contraceptive features, and audience targeting needs to be 18 years or older.

Payday loans or bail bonds Basically, any loan with a term of less than 90 days designed to cover expenses until the borrower’s next payday is a banned ad product.

Multilevel marketing This restriction also bans advertising any opportunity to make a quick buck with little investment. You have to be very clear on what your business model and associated products are if you want to promote moneymaking opportunities on Facebook.

Penny auctions They’re also called “ bidding fee auctions ,” and you can’t advertise them on Facebook.

Prohibitive financial products Some financial products are synonymous with misleading claims. Binary options and initial coin offerings are examples, and Facebook blocks ads that promote them.

Body parts We hope this is self-explanatory.

2. Do be careful when advertising restricted products.

Additional considerations are required before some products can be advertised on Facebook. If you’re in one of these industries, make sure you know the extra steps it takes to get your ad approved.

Alcohol Most of the restrictions on alcohol ad placements revolve around age targeting and local laws. For example, in the United States, you can’t target ads for alcohol to an audience under the age of 21. In Canada, the age threshold for alcohol ad targeting is 19.

Dating Dating services, online or otherwise, are subject to lots of ad restrictions . First and foremost, you have to fill out a form to request permission before you can place a single ad. Then, there are additional Facebook ads rules around imagery, language, and the types of services that can be offered (e.g., no mail-order brides).

Online gambling and social casino games Any game where you have to make a purchase for a chance to win something with monetary value falls into this category, according to Facebook . If that’s your niche, you’ll need to get permission to run your ad, and you’ll need to use proper age targeting and adherence to local laws. Exceptions are brick-and-mortar casinos and government-led lotteries.

Ads for casino games, where no money changes hands, are allowed without preauthorization as long as you restrict audience targeting to people over 18 years of age.

Online pharmacies While you can’t advertise for pharmaceuticals at all, you can post an ad for an online pharmacy with advanced written permission.

Over-the-counter drugs To sell aspirin, cough syrup, or any over-the-counter drug through Facebook , you’ll need to set age targeting and follow laws and guidelines per your geographic location.

Financial and insurance products You can advertise credit card applications, mortgage loans, and other financial products, but you have some rules to follow . You have to be clear about loan fees, interest rates, and your physical location. You can’t directly ask for personal financial information. And you have to target your ads to people over the age of 18.

Branded content Once you get paid by a company to publish a post, that post becomes an ad (even if you don’t actually pay Facebook to promote that post). A common example is an influencer who publishes a post that features them wearing a brand’s shirt, and they get paid to do so. That’s called branded content. In these cases, the person publishing the post needs to use the branded content tool , which makes it clear to viewers that the post is an ad.

Social issues, elections, politics Mostly this restriction is about following local regulations for political ads, but it also requires prior Facebook approval. Here are more guidelines and best practices for these types of ads.

Cryptocurrency Ads for cryptocurrency and related items (e.g., equipment for mining bitcoin) also require prior Facebook approval . You can also run ads for cryptocurrency tax services, events, and trading platforms with this preauthorization.

Drug and alcohol treatment Here’s the application to run ads for drug and alcohol treatment products and services. You’ll also need to be approved by LegitScript .

Cosmetic and weight-loss procedures Facebook allows ads for elective surgeries like rhinoplasty, dermabrasion, and weight-loss/cosmetic procedures, but you’ll need to get permission first .

3. Do use high-quality, relevant, truthful creative.

Even if you promote an approved and unrestricted product, the Facebook ads review process denies ads if your creative doesn’t adhere to the following guidelines. Creative includes text, images, video, and URLs.

Graphic or adult content Your ads cannot include images that are sexually explicit, are sexually suggestive, or include nudity. You’ll also need to steer clear of adding shocking, graphic images that depict things like medical procedures, car accidents, or weapons pointed at the viewer.

Controversial content You may be able to post about a controversial political topic in your organic feed, but you can’t exploit that topic commercially in an ad, says Facebook .

Grammar and profanity Very poor grammar in an ad gets it flagged for review and/or denial, as does profanity.

Nonexistent functionality Placing a fake “video play” button in your image may get more people to click on your ad, but it’s deceitful, and Facebook won’t allow your ad to run.

Before and after photos You can’t use images comparing the effects of a product on someone’s appearance. Weight loss and hair restoration are common examples here.

Misleading claims Unproven financial gain, purposely confusing return policies, and cures for incurable diseases are all examples of misleading claims that Facebook doesn’t allow in ads. If you can’t prove it, don’t use it in your ad.

Click-bait content You’ll never believe what Facebook doesn’t allow in ads! Hint: It’s hiding information or using sensational language. Also, don’t try to run up engagements with irrelevant either/or polls (e.g., Hit “like” for hamburgers or “love” for pizza).

If you’re unsure of your ad’s quality , Facebook helps you test it using their relevance diagnostics .

Automatic animation This means no flashing strobes or jarring sounds that play without a person’s interaction with your ad.

The updated 20% text on image rule It used to be that Facebook denied ads that had text covering more than 20% of their image. That rule was removed recently, but it’s still suggested you keep text confined to a small area of your photos. Ads with too much text won’t perform well simply because they are not very nice to look at.

4. Don’t link to an irrelevant, poorly designed landing page or URL.

The Facebook ads review process doesn’t just look at your ad. It also scrutinizes the website your ad links to.

Screenshot of Facebook's landing page review graphic

Here are some landing page or URL characteristics that could get your ad blocked by Facebook.

Disruptive content No one likes hitting the “next” button a hundred times to read one short article. Facebook hates it too. So if your ad leads to that kind of content, be ready for denial.

Nonfunctioning or non-matching landing page Using a call-to-action of “click here and lose unwanted weight” to drive traffic to a divorce attorney’s website might be funny, but Facebook will notice the bait and switch. Your ad will not likely be approved.

Misleading URLs Likewise, if the URL included in your ad looks like it leads to one type of landing page, but it’s redirected to something unrelated, your ad won’t run. So don’t use a URL like “www.stopsmokinginstantly.com” to link to a website for chewing tobacco.

5. Don’t misuse Facebook or Instagram brand assets.

Facebook is really picky about how advertisers use their logos and reference their products. Given the seemingly ubiquitous existence of things like the Facebook “thumbs-up” symbol, this can be a tricky thing to avoid. Here’s how to make sure you’re not overstepping Facebook’s brand use guidelines:

Endorsement You can’t say or imply that your product or service is endorsed by any Facebook company or platform, including Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and so on.

Brand usage Officially, Facebook says to not make their logos or branding a prominent feature in your ads or on the landing pages they link to. We’ve heard stories about denials of ads that had images with a Facebook-branded box in the background.

Screenshots If you use screenshots from any version of the Facebook, Instagram, or Messenger user interfaces, make sure it’s represented accurately. Don’t modify or crop the image.

Facebook maintains some policies that address broad categories like discrimination. Some are focused on marketing activities, and some also cover organic posts, messages, and comments. In either case, ads that cross these lines are rejected.

Discrimination policies

Several of the Facebook ads rules include language that prohibits or at least discourages discrimination. If your ads are denied, and you’re not sure why, take a second look to see if anything might be mistakenly interpreted as going against these policies.

Overt discrimination Of course your ads can’t directly discriminate against or demean people based on attributes like race, religion, gender, ethnicity, and so on.

Targeting With a little deductive reasoning, it’s possible to use audience characteristics— location, interests, etc.— to target ads in a way that unfairly discriminates against some groups of people. Doing so jeopardizes both your ad approvals and your account status with Facebook.

Asserting personal attributes You can mention a characteristic like ethnicity or religious affiliation in an ad, but you can’t directly or indirectly assert that the viewer has that characteristic.

Here are a few examples from Facebook:

OK: “Meet black singles today!” Not OK: “Meet other black singles near you!”

OK: “Depression counseling” Not OK: “Depression getting you down? Get help now.”

Negative self-perceptions Ads can’t contain copy or pictures that try to induce a negative self-image. For example, a weight-loss ad that focuses on body types rather than the product would likely be flagged and denied.

Community standards policy

Facebook has made its community standards public . They apply to all forms of communication on Facebook, not just ads. Many of these standards, like authenticity, duplicate other Facebook ads rules we’ve discussed. But two stand out as covering new ground:

Violence and criminal behavior Your ads can’t incite, depict, or promote violence or criminal behavior. They also can’t support groups that openly encourage or engage in those behaviors.

Exploitation, harassment, and privacy These standards cover a lot of ground, but they’re generally meant to say that you can’t use Facebook to bully or take advantage of other people. You also can’t expose anyone’s private information, including images, on the platform.

Personal data policies

As marketers, we love the ability to personalize ad experiences. Consumers are sometimes less enthused and often express privacy concerns. Facebook has policies in place to help ease those concerns.

Data collection Facebook lead ads are ads with an embedded form that allows you to gather information about your customers. Before you can use them, though, you must create a privacy policy and link it to your lead form.

Data sharing Any data you collect from your Facebook ads can only be shared internally or with “ someone acting on your behalf ,” like a service provider.

If you advertise on Facebook for any length of time, odds are you will have an ad rejected eventually. It’s frustrating, but you do have some options to get your campaign back on track.

Edit your ad

You can simply review the part of your ad that Facebook says doesn’t comply, and then make a change. This is usually the fastest and easiest option with the highest chance of success.

Once you make the change, Facebook automatically re-reviews your ad.

Appeal the ruling

If you’ve reviewed your ad and can’t see anything that conflicts with the Facebook ads rules or policies, you have the option to appeal the decision.

If your ad is denied quickly, like in a few minutes, it probably means something triggered the automated process. Submitting an appeal will move the review to human hands.

Get started by filling out the form that’s linked in your rejection notice on the Facebook Account Quality page . Reference the rule that’s been “broken,” and explain how your ad actually complies with the rule.

Duplicate and resubmit your ad

Although you can’t submit the same ad over and over again for approval, you can create a duplicate ad that’s automatically reviewed.

If a human reviewer denied your ad the first time, it’s possible a new human reviewer may pass it. You can try this as an alternative to an appeal, but it could waste some time if it’s denied again.

Create multiple versions and A /B test

In advertising, A/B testing is the practice of creating multiple versions of an ad to see which best achieves some predetermined outcome.

In this case, A/B testing is done to see which ad passes review. This gives you a better shot at getting an ad out if one gets denied. If multiple ads pass on the first go, then you’ll get to see which performs best with customers.

Try organic posting instead

Facebook gives organic posts more leeway than ads in terms of the content they can contain. Of course, you still don’t want to discriminate or advocate violence. But you might be able to mention a dating service or use copy that would get flagged by ad reviews.

Organic posts usually see way less reach than paid ads, so it’s not an ideal option. But at least you can use the creative you’ve spent time making.

Note that boosted posts are reviewed like ads. So you can’t just create a post and boost it if it was already restricted.

Stay on top of Facebook Ads Rules and Marketing Policies

Facebook describes their standards as “a living set of guidelines.” Twice a month, they meet globally to review their current rule book and look for ways to improve it.

The good news is, Facebook publishes the notes from those meetings. You can read what the people responsible for Facebook’s community and ad policies are planning to change in just a few minutes each month. With that kind of heads-up, you’ll never have another ad rejected. Well, fewer ads rejected, anyway.

Now that you know all the Facebook ads rules, you’re ready to start brainstorming some creative. If you need some inspiration from those that do it really well, check out these examples of top performing Facebook ads .

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February 3, 2015 at 12:05 pm

A high-quality very informative post. Thanks for posting and sharing valuable information on how best to abide by the best practices while advertising at Facebook platform.

Gladly enjoyed and like your commitment to educating on how best to use Facebook advertising especially since am starting out.

Highly appreciate the gold-nugget content.

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February 3, 2015 at 5:49 pm

Massimo, thanks for the post, quick question, do you know if electronic cigarettes are allowed on Facebook?

I’m planning the 2015 advertising campaign for a customer selling e-cigs and would like to add Facebook Ads to the mix.

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February 3, 2015 at 8:17 pm

Sorry John, I’m afraid Facebook considers eCigarettes as any other tobacco products.

While it’s not clearly stated I know of many campaigns in the space that were immediately rejected, I’m afraid Facebook Ads won’t be part of your marketing mix 🙂

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April 28, 2016 at 10:43 am

What about an ad or an account from a tobacco company recruiting for people to work for their company?

April 29, 2016 at 3:49 am

Good point but honestly I’m not 100% sure about this. It could be challenging if you specifically talk about tobacco but I don’t have specific experience on this, sorry!

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July 7, 2016 at 5:29 pm

hi thanks for the post. When I was building my audiences Facebook including a long list of possible tags including an endless amount of ecigarrett companies. I had believe that because they did this it would be possible to advertise to people who use ecigs with an ad about dry mouth problems…but it looks like all my ads are being rejected. Why oh why do they include ecig tags when all they do apparently is prevent an ad to be permitted…?

July 12, 2016 at 3:06 pm

The problem should not be in the eCig by itself. There are a couple of options:

– They are rejecting the ad because of the product you’re promoting. For example I don’t think you can promote eCig on Facebook. – You’re using the targeting in a way that Facebook consider spooky. For example you can say “But this gadget to release stress” but you cannot say “Buy this gadget because YOU ARE STRESSED”.

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February 3, 2017 at 4:14 am

Hi Massimo my name is CJ and my ads don’t get approved at all I don’t know why they say it’s my URL link. What do they mean that I’m trying to figure it out so I can start making money with my business.

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February 3, 2015 at 7:53 pm

My ads get approved quickly and the status is active, but it’s not running. Even after 10 hours it’s still 0 reach! Why is this?

February 3, 2015 at 8:04 pm

Hey Yaz, this is likely not related to Facebook rules as your ad were approved. The cause must be somewhere else. Most likely: – Bid too low (try increasing the bid) – Reach too low (try to target a broader audience)

Sometimes however, it’s simply a glitch in Facebook’s engine and simply copying the campaign and creating a new one will work and it’ll start delivering impressions.

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February 3, 2015 at 7:56 pm

The Facebook review process really sucks! Has it ever happened to you to have ads in pending review literally forever, more than 3 days?

Will they ever be published? I had published a couple of campaigns before with no major issue, what’s going on?

February 4, 2015 at 9:13 am

Mark, 3 days is pretty long, the most I’ve seen was 2 days.

This could be a glitch on Facebook side, you may want to republish your campaign from scratch and see what happens.

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March 26, 2015 at 6:36 am

Ive tried this several times!!! After 3 days waiting for an ad to be reviewed- i give up and redo only for the same thing to happen. Have been trying to post an ad for 2 weeks now. Thinking of deleting my ad account and starting again but dont know if that will make any difference whatsoever!

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March 9, 2018 at 9:41 am

I attempted to boost a Facebook Live Video dated February 28, 2018, eight times over period of one week and it the boosts remain ‘In review’ for more than 24 hours. I left 2 of the boosts ‘In review’ for 72 hours and they were not accepted or declined. I removed 6 of the boosts, modified the description (text) and now have 2 boosts to two different audiences sitting ‘In Review’. I have a new Facebook Live video dated March 7, 2018 that also has 2 boosts ‘In Review’ and I am waiting for a response from Facebook. I have boosted many of my Facebook Live Videos and not had this issue before. Thoughts?

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February 5, 2015 at 5:19 am

My ads usually get approved in 5 minutes, so I have no problem here, but what annoys me the most is the inconsistency of the 20% text rule! Sometimes an all text ad visual go through and other times ad with some text that doesn’t cover the entire space of the five squares get disapproved!

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February 5, 2015 at 5:49 pm

Can you create a Facebook ad from a page post that is a photo album?

If so how does the 20% text rule apply to this?

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February 8, 2015 at 4:25 am

I agree that Facebook’s 20% text rule is a total pain.

I just created this free downloadable template that will help advertisers check the text in their ads while they are still designing. It works in Photoshop, Canva, GIMP and more.

http://aaronzakowski.com/facebook-ad-20-rule-template/

Hope it helps!

February 8, 2015 at 1:22 pm

Thanks Aaron! We’re Facebook PMD and they often reject our ads with the keyword “Facebook Ads” inside… Go Figure 🙂

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November 29, 2018 at 12:52 pm

Thanks, Aaron because FB has been a real pain lately. 🙁

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February 12, 2015 at 9:46 am

We advertise for local events in a certain health niche. We ran ads for months on FB with no problems and we were getting great results.

But now we’re getting our ads rejected consistently. In order to get approved, we’ve been forced to water down the copy of the ad and the landing page so much that our conversions are really suffering.

What’s worse, we have licensees of our program who are running the same ads, and now they’re getting poor results too 🙁

Problem is, we don’t know what part of our ad is the real culprit and causing us to get rejected?

– Is it the testimonials? Does FB not want testimonials on the landing page at all? We’ve removed all testimonials and I think that’s one of the biggest reasons conversions are suffering.

– Is it the sales video? We have a 60-second sales video with a celebrity endorser on the landing page. In the script, he makes some health claims that could be considered “unproven”.

– If we were to change our landing page after it’s been approved, will they go back and check it? If they were to go back and check it, what would they do? Would they shut down the campaign mid-stream, or could they possibly shut down our advertising account?

This has created a 2-week nightmare for us and we’re not quite sure where to turn for help 🙁 Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

February 13, 2015 at 12:31 pm

It’s tough to understand what may be the problem. For sure if you change the landing page, and resubmit the ads they should re-examine the page. Do you have anything that prevent users from exiting the landing? Like an alert asking them if they really want to leave? That’s one thing you’re not allowed to do. Exit intent popup inside the page are ok, but alert based ones that forces the user to click something to close it are forbidden.

Testimonials should be fine unless they do claims that may seems unreasonable. You may try adding a disclaimer that not everyone may get the same results.

Hope this helps!

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August 3, 2015 at 7:54 am

Barry we need to talk! I’m having this exact same issue and it causing us MASSIVE issues with clients.

Did you ever manage to find a way around this or a fix?

Any help or wisdom greatly appreciated!

March 23, 2015 at 5:16 am

I used to get my ads approved pretty quickly (less than 24 hours) but this last week Ive had none approved. They just sit their pending review! I did get one refused once so it has been seen. Tweaked it and then it sat there- 3 days plus. Gave up, deleted everything and started again with new ads. Same problem. Really really frustarting as cant get an answer from FB except the usual copy and pasted reply!!!

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June 15, 2015 at 12:24 pm

I finally boosted a post and after two days in review I scratched it and did another. Same deal. I’m pretty sure I found my answer right here. The word “apocalypse” is in there which has a religious connotation which might send it directly to the “scrutiny” pile. Dunno why this is a big deal, but your theory makes sense. So, many thanks Massimo! I was wondering if it was just me.

June 15, 2015 at 2:09 pm

Glad it was useful Norm, Thanks for letting us know and sharing your experience!

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July 2, 2015 at 6:08 pm

Hello, My ads was approved few mins ago, and mu ads was running successfully and i had 7 clicks and 370 reach…but it just stop running after some mins and display “Not Approved”..please i need your help.

July 2, 2015 at 7:11 pm

Hey John, unluckily this happen often, especially if the advertising account has some history, often ads seem to be pre-approved, and then reviewed later once they’re already running.

You should have received an email from Facebook saying why the ads were not approved, what did they say ?

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July 13, 2015 at 11:21 am

Im having a really great problem with facebook right now. All my ads (tons) suddenlt got deactivated – from active they become “not approved”. With the remarks saying they have violated the terms because i am selling sexual enhancing products when in fact i was only advertising skin care products (the usual soaps and lotions).

All my ads say the exact same thing.

I tried creating a new ad with a new photo and all, but it still gets the same remark. I badly need help for all my sales come from my fb ads 🙁

July 13, 2015 at 1:47 pm

Your website looks good from my point of view but of course I don’t know about the ads. I’d not create new ads until you’ve cleared the reasons why your ads were disapproved or you might risk a block of the account.

The best way to proceed is to fill out the form asking for a review of the decision and clearly explaining that there’s nothing wrong with your ads and why.

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July 14, 2015 at 11:30 am

My ads were approved for 2 years then every ad was not approved because they said they do not approve ads for “Dating sites”. We are not a dating site. We charter theme cruises for adults.

July 14, 2015 at 2:46 pm

I’m afraid this is a borderline case where it’ll be very tough to explain the difference to Facebook. Good Luck 🙁

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August 2, 2015 at 6:06 pm

I had one ad rejected and then approved after review. But, then when I tried to advertise again they said that our company name doesn’t fit their profanity guidelines. I tried to have it reviewed several times and explained that it is a donkey, but they said their decision won’t change. And, they said in the future they hope that we create ads which do fit their guidelines. I don’t see any way that’s possible. Do you have any ideas?

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September 3, 2015 at 2:24 pm

I have been running a facebook ad account for about two months, and spent about $15,000. Have had only one ad disapproved for too much text. Never had any problems. Today I have changed a few ads that had already been running for a few days (just changed their pixel) and since then they are pending review already more than 24 hours. I’ve sent already two emails to Facebook.

What could be the reason?

September 4, 2015 at 10:09 am

When you edit an ad it’ll always go through the review process again. Facebook actually does not allow editing the design of the ad. What happens in the background is that a new dark post is created and it replaces the old one so it goes through approval again (and you loose all the likes, shares, comments generated so far on the ad).

As for the 24 hours delay, sometime it may happen, it’s pretty strange tho’. Likely it could be a bug on Facebook side. You may try to edit the ad again and see if it gets approved sooner.

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September 12, 2015 at 4:03 pm

Hi, my ads get approved but they just don’t seem to run, they get no impressions at all. My audience is good, I tried to increase the daily budget and tried creating a new ad but nothing. Any ideas of what could be the solution?

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September 24, 2015 at 6:51 am

I’ve had a certain problem a handful of times. I post a campaign (usually boosted post) and have made some oversight (such as more than 20% text in my graphic). The ad will be disapproved, I will delete this campaign and post then start fresh.

Though I apply the same exact budget and audience the new reach will be up 70% lower than my original reach for the same bid/targets and sending them to the same landing page.

Do you have any insight on why this is, and what I can do to rectify it? Other than not making a mistake?

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September 30, 2015 at 12:15 am

Just got approved by Facebook to publish ads. Quick pending time if you ask me.

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October 28, 2015 at 4:51 pm

I am tired of aids rejection my once my aid is approved and working after 2-weeks my aid disapproved cause too many text i delete all the text still delete that aid creating new aid with no text now using power editor still says too many text and there is not a single text in my current aids what I do now………

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December 14, 2015 at 2:36 am

Please help All my ads are being disapproved no matter the content..this had happened after I made a post about some breast product which I didn’t run any ad to it..when I found that these posts are not welcomed in FB I deleted it immediately. .but still all my ads are entitled approved..evenue no reply when I appealed on FB This is happening since 3 days

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December 15, 2015 at 4:55 am

Hi, I’m getting error from facebook that My account flagged for policy violation my running ads are deactivated, I was selling replica of tag heuer watch, I wrote in picture Tag 17 75%Off Rs. 999 Free Delivery. Can you please tell me why I’m getting this? And The picture I used was from google is this the reason of getting rejected?

December 15, 2015 at 11:46 am

It could be that many users flagged your ads in a negative way or it was considered a violation of the Tag Heuer brand if you were directly referring at their brand 🙁

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December 17, 2015 at 12:13 pm

Thanks for sharing valuable facebook marketing tips!

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December 18, 2015 at 8:25 pm

I have a small mailing list that has about 200 people on it. I’ve used that as a custom audience and it’s great–when it works. But it’s often denied–I think for being to small. Is there a way to use both a mailing list plus a targeted audience to make my reach big enough? The mailing list is full of people I really want to reach.

December 21, 2015 at 11:57 pm

You can simply go with two campaigns, one targeting your custom audience and the other one, broader to attract new traffic and hopefully increase the Custom Audience 🙂

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January 3, 2016 at 10:41 pm

Hello my add is approved with in 10 minutes but after 10 hour people still not reach my website its status 0 kindly help me.. Amd guide me what can i do thanks

January 5, 2016 at 9:08 am

Looks like the problem is elsewhere. The bid may be too low (under Christmas ads get very expensive) or the audience may bee too small (< 2000 users)

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January 5, 2016 at 10:50 pm

I’m using click to website ads. My ads get approved and run well for a month. Then, my ads suddenly get disapproved with the reason: “Your ad wasn’t approved because it contains content that promotes the sale or use of adult products or services. We don’t allow images or videos that show nudity or cleavage, even if it’s portrayed for artistic or educational reasons. Keep in mind that ads for family planning and contraception are allowed if they follow our targeting requirements. You can learn more about our advertising guidelines in our policy site before you resubmit your ad. If you think your ad follows the rules and should have been approved, please let us know.” I send a request to Facebook for Appealing a Disapproved Ad but there’s no reply. So, I don’t know how to fix my ads to get approved again. Can you tell me what can I do to fix this issue?

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January 21, 2016 at 8:15 am

Hi, I have an issue related to approval. Facebook approves my ads but changes the links.

I want to advertise affiliate offers but once my ads have been through facebook approvals, the part of the ink used for tracking has disappeared. for instance

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=xxx&referrer=a%3Daa1f9caaa34131d27508dda157de29d805-20160121-5168

becomes https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=xxx

And I can’t track conversions in the affiliate platform . Do you know why ?

Best, Arthur

January 21, 2016 at 9:37 am

Pretty weird. Have you tried using url shortener services like bit.ly for the url ?

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January 28, 2016 at 10:30 pm

Hey I just read through all these comments and I think its great that you have been trying to help so many people, -Thanks.

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February 3, 2016 at 2:08 am

Sir, my ad was rejected because of the 20%. So, I choose a new photo. How do I get Facebook to approve a new photo after the first photo was rejected. I hit the Fix Issues link and the only reaction I got was a rotating circle below Boost Page Post.

February 3, 2016 at 8:55 am

The easiest way may be to just create another post and boost it again or you can edit the ad from PowerEditor!

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February 24, 2016 at 9:12 pm

Facebook disapproves my ad for app install because I have the word “your acne” in the name of the ad. (upper sentence) They scrape the name from the iTunes store. I do not find a way to change it in teh settings . Can anyone help how I can change it ? Thanks, Yoram

February 24, 2016 at 10:18 pm

Are you promoting the app through the app store link or do you have the app registered in Facebook with the SDK integration ?

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March 16, 2016 at 1:48 pm

Hi,i want to advertise the before and after images of plastic surgery patients of my clinic.But they’re not approved because of the rules. Ok. But still i see so many pictures of another clinics is being advertised.How can it be? How do they do that?

March 16, 2016 at 5:18 pm

Hey Narmina,

Yeah before/after on medical things are usually rejected by Facebook. One thing you may want to double check is if you’re targeting just users older than 21. That may help. Advertising this kind of things to 13yo could not be ok for Facebook

March 16, 2016 at 8:10 pm

Always targeting from 18 y.o.İ’ll try from 21.Thanks a lot ?

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July 27, 2017 at 11:14 am

Hey, Narmina! I know this is a long shot since your comment was left long time ago here. I’m doing Facebook Ads for cosmetic surgery. If you’re interested send me a email at [email protected] I would be happy in helping you out!

March 17, 2016 at 3:22 am

Not helped ?

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April 21, 2016 at 10:31 pm

Hello Massimo, I work for a financial services start-up in Pune, India. My facebook “Click to Website” ads are repeatedly getting disapproved. The reason mentioned in all cases is use of abusive language, profanity, negative feedback etc. my Ads have no language that could be interpreted as profanity or as abusive content. Could you please help throw more light on this ?

April 25, 2016 at 4:50 pm

It’s tough to say without knowing the text of the Ad. What I can tell you is that the error message you received is the generic Facebook error and it’s often not really related to profanity. If you offer financial services it may be related to lack of legal informations or disclaimers for example.

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April 28, 2016 at 5:25 am

Is it worth to ask for an ad reconsideration when you think there is no problem with the ad?

Yes, I often do it and won many times. In the worst case you may be able to better understand what caused the disapproval

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May 11, 2016 at 7:56 am

I am beyond frustrated. Ready to pull my hair out!! Once upon a time, I created ads, they were approved, and all was right with the world.

Then, starting a month ago, EVERY ad I create is rejected. Right now, my ad is getting the red error triangle in the Power Editor before I even upload.

I keep trying to change my copy. I try taking out brackets and other punctuation. And I still can’t get it to be OK. I honestly have no idea what I am doing wrong.

I appealed the last ad that wasn’t approved, asking if they can point out the specific line of text that is deemed inappropriate because I read the guidelines and I thought I was following them, and I didn’t know how to improve my ad without knowing what was wrong.

They finally responded by copying and pasting the generic guideline and didn’t answer any of my questions.

I am unsure of how to move forward.

My current ad is just going to a blog post: http://www.laboundguide.com/blog/how-much-money-do-you-need-to-move-to-la

May 12, 2016 at 12:30 am

Sorry to hear that Erica 🙁

Did they provide any explanation on why it was rejected ? What was the text of the ad ?

Cheers, Max

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September 9, 2017 at 9:46 pm

Hi Erica, I am suffering the same, have you fixed it yet? what can be the solution?

we are 5star Store and suddenly all my ads are disabled, I opened all kinds of accounts and nothing left, I am selling watches (genuine), perfumes etc which was previously approved for many months.

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May 16, 2016 at 7:16 am

Hi Massimo! Great article. I am currently running an Ad for my free weight loss ebook called “Top 3 REAL Reasons You Can’t Drop Stubborn Fat”. I has been approved with the ebook title in it, but after having a consultation with someone from Wordstream (who I am running my ad through), he suggested I change the main image (with was just of me with trees in the background) to a little more engaging photo – maybe of someone working out or something related to weight loss. I changed the photo to a picture I had of me lifting weights and then it was disapproved. I changed it to a “frustrated” looking woman and it was disapproved again. I’m not sure if it is the picture or if maybe now it’s something in the text. The title is the ebook name, the headline is “FREE ebook”, and the description is “Are you fed up with contradicting diet and exercise information? I’ll share with you the 3 HUGE things I learned that will help you safely reach your goals!” Any suggestions?

Thanks! Kristy V

May 16, 2016 at 10:45 am

Hey Kristy.

Diet related products are always tough to get approved 🙂 First thing, I’d try that text with the old image that was originally approved just to be sure that the problem is the text and not the new cover (which I agree should be more engaging with some trees in the background).

If it’s confirmed that the problem is the text you may try to remove the “fed up” (I got ads rejected because of an “Are you stressed”. If that doesn’t work even if it’s tough I’d try to remove the mention of diets 🙁

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May 29, 2016 at 4:37 am

My ad was approved, then went to “not approved” the next day… don’t understand what happened, never seen this before.

May 30, 2016 at 4:53 am

It happens very often Tiffany. As you increase your spend and your account has a good reputation, Facebook is more likely to pre-approve very quickly your ads and then double check them once they’re live.

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May 30, 2016 at 4:43 pm

Does FB actually reject ads based on how much text is in the “text” portion of the ad? Not the 20% on the image rule – just the text under the headline?

May 30, 2016 at 11:05 pm

No, they only consider the text inside the image. Pure text is subject to other kind of controls, more related to the content of the ad.

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June 16, 2016 at 10:07 pm

Hi, My facebook lead generation ad keeps on getting rejected. Checked with the fb policy is not violating any policy. Not able to figure out why the ad is getting rejected.

Created same ad but changed the objected to website conversion,it got approved

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June 17, 2016 at 12:22 pm

Hi Yamini! Without knowing a bit more, it’s hard to say why that shift happened. The ONLY thing that changed was the objective of the campaign?

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June 21, 2016 at 10:31 am

hello all basically facebook block my advert account after sometime when i run the ads i sell replica handbags n sunglasses n other replica products and when they block the advert account they also block my bank internet card so to run the ad on same page i have to make another id n a new internet card its like a debit card which i use to run ad on facebook , so can any one can please tell me that how to get rid of this thing should i change the page n run ad on new page or should i chnge my internet connection or anyother way to run my ads which are about replica products selling handbags n other stuff

June 22, 2016 at 1:09 pm

I think they don’t like replica products advertising (maybe they infringe brands’ copyrights ?) If that’s the case there’s no way around, you’ll always get banned sooner or later.

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July 22, 2016 at 3:24 pm

Helpful post. I’m having an issue that I can’t seem to solve. I have a client who is launching FB ads and constantly having them rejected for violating the smoking policies. There are no references to smoking or accessories anywhere on his site, his ads or on his FB page. ( https://www.facebook.com/MidtownLoftAndTerrace/ ).

We’ve been trying for weeks and gotten no results. Appeals and emails to FB have not helped at all.

The only thing that gets ads approved is linking the ads to another FB in my account. The ads then start running almost immediately. When I associate the FB page (above) with the ad, it’s again rejected.

I’ve deleted all kinds of posts and images from the FB page with no result.

What’s left to do?

Thanks, Chris

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June 16, 2017 at 2:37 pm

Did you ever figure this out? One of my clients is having the same issue and I’m trying to figure out how to resolve.

Thanks for your help. – Jess

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July 24, 2016 at 12:00 pm

Great article. There’s one question that I haven’t been able to find an answer to anywhere. Perhaps you can answer it.

When using Facebook ads, is the landing page allowed to have in-banner ads on it?

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August 2, 2016 at 10:19 pm

My ad is always refused. It is an ad for a new dating application on iPhone and I target only Paris in France for the moment. I target only wowen, who have a relationship status “single” or “undefined” and interested in “dating”. So I respect all rules mentioned here: https://www.facebook.com/business/help/143949649021372 . Except the “Interested in” filter because it is not alvailable for France country. For the image, I even chose an image proposed by Facebook in their bank of free images…

Why does my ad is always refused after 30 seconds of review?

I asked for more details directly to Facebook but they never answered.

Thank you for any help!

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September 22, 2016 at 2:41 pm

I am currently in outside of the States, I have been using my credit card. Then I made the extra cards for my staffs who never been to US. So, when they start to run their first ads with their cards, issued by me – USA cards, then Facebook rejected all of them. They said those are fraudulent cases. I explained them and tried to reach many emails by attaching my IDs and Credit cards. They just replied with cookie paste texts.

My questions is if Facebook rejected 5 ads accounts , will it affect my Facebook page – negative – down trust score? I am worried that they will shut down my page. Is that possible and happened before?

I don’t know how to reach them, why they don’t call the banks and clarify and just easily shut down the ads accounts ?

Please – kindly reply my questions. I am now so worried – Can I still boost with my active ads accounts? Very depressed!

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September 26, 2016 at 3:28 am

Hi There, I am putting legal lines on TV commercials that are to be shown on Facebook. Do we have to comply with the same rules as we do for TV? Does the text have to be on screen for a certain length of time depending on how many words are displayed? Thanks, A P

December 1, 2016 at 3:52 pm

I have ads that are approved and I use them again, and they’re declined. What’s up with that? Also, specific feedback on why it’s declined would be nice. Like which picture or word. And why can’t the reviewer message you to give immediate feedback?

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December 3, 2016 at 9:25 pm

Good day to you all! Can anyone tell me why my ads was stopped all of a sudden? I discovered that my ads was stopped all of a sudden. Actually, I wanted to draw funds from my account through an ATM not knowing fully well that I drew funds from the card which I am using to run my ads, After discovering this mistake, I had to quickly transfer funds into the account I am using to run ads as I thought maybe it was due to insufficient funds but I haven’t still be approved and kept telling me “An ad in this campaign wasn’t approved because it didn’t meet our ad guidelines”. It’s so painful. Can someone tell me if that could affect my campaign being approved. How can I get it fixed? I have appealed and told them exactly what happened but still waiting to hear from facebook.

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December 5, 2016 at 5:28 pm

Our ads used to be fine and now they are regularly rejected and no one at Facebook will explain why. They send the generic “Your ad wasn’t approved because it doesn’t follow our Advertising Policies, which apply to an ad’s content, its audience and the destination it links to. We don’t allow ads that use profanity, or refer to the viewer’s attributes (ex: race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, name) or harass viewers.” There is literally nothing that could possibly be considered inappropriate. The products are toys for children with special needs – I am careful never to call out anything about special needs. I appeal – they re-reject with no additional explanation. This is driving me crazy.

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December 15, 2016 at 12:55 am

Hello, I was running an ads on forever living products. The ads was approved and run for close to 11 days. i was checking my expenses when i realised that the ads has been disapproved. i have appealed but so far nothing. What could be the problem.

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December 21, 2016 at 4:49 am

Hi Hermann,

I believe the problem in your Ads is facing the rule of https://www.facebook.com/policies/ads/prohibited_content/misleading_or_false_content

Regards, Umesh

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December 15, 2016 at 1:49 am

there is a problem i cant approved my ads please guide me

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March 29, 2017 at 5:07 pm

Yea they have to catch up sometimes .

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January 29, 2017 at 2:24 pm

For the first time since my in my Facebook advertising history, my ad is taking longer than usual to get approved. Though I still believe it will turn out well.

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February 9, 2017 at 10:35 am

Great article! I’m having issues getting my online store up and running on Facebook as my products keep getting rejected. They are protein bars/protein powder for pre/post workout. I’ve seen quite a few other brands with online stores that sell those products. We also had 1/3 bars “approved” so it shows up on the store but the other 2 were rejected even tough their the same thing. I can’t get a response back from Facebook, either. Do you know if there are any ways around this?? Thank you!!

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March 17, 2017 at 11:17 am

The 20% rule still apllies?

March 20, 2017 at 5:35 am

Kinda. Facebook won’t block your ads nowadays if they don’t respect the 20% text rule but they’ll be heavily penalized in terms of delivery.

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April 6, 2017 at 12:28 pm

I try to run ads for listings for music events with the musical acts listed since that is the draw for the event. They are listed in the form of logos or text and they always get rejected.

What can I do in this case since people care about the artists performing and not the name of the event?

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April 8, 2017 at 1:13 am

HI Massimo,

Thankyou for this wonderful Article,

I am trying to boost my products (Sun Glasses which i sell online) , but the ad gets approved for 2 min max and its rejected saying you are not meeting facebook guidelines, i have tried changing the background, giving it a new look, tried every type of facebook ad but still its not working, what do you think i should do, should i create another page on facebook and use the same ad.

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April 14, 2017 at 10:07 pm

I tried the method you’ve mentioned and my Facebook ad has been successfully approved. Gained likes. Thanks for this post.

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April 16, 2017 at 8:22 pm

Thanks for sharing a great post

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April 19, 2017 at 6:54 am

Our ad account recently got deactivated out of nowhere. All ads that were running were approved. There might have been one inactive ad where we had high negative feedback.

We spend a lot on Facebook ads. I’m not sure why our account got deactivated and Facebook is impossible to get in contact with. Any suggestions?

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April 30, 2017 at 2:23 am

Hi, We want to run an advertising for our online shopping site, but unable to start the advertising because the advert getting disapproved every time.

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May 7, 2017 at 5:43 am

Good Day! Is Facebook against any ad submitted from mini web design(one page or static website) using the Microsoft Front Page?

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May 15, 2017 at 2:06 am

thanks for the information, i dot find any prohibited content in any of my ads but they still get rejected, and i also cant edit them either. how do i know what the problem is.

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June 2, 2017 at 12:37 am

This article is genuinely a good one it assists new the web viewers, whho are wishing in favvor off blogging.

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June 8, 2017 at 3:46 pm

hi, i have a facebook page name as originals and i am selling footwear on it for some months . but for last month facebook block my Billing account and when i made a new debit card then now my post are not approve. I am using only Some pictures of new articles shoes and giving a small introduction like new collection now in stock Casual shoes Runners fleets

limited stock cash on delivery High quality

for more information kindly inbox us

I boosted my ad for 5$ is this is a reason for disapproval?? kindly guide me i’m in big trouble

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August 11, 2017 at 2:06 pm

I’m trying to post my weight loss challenge group on some ” Private Sales Pages’ like Facebook craigslist but they are rejected… I try to contact Facebook, I already filled few different forms but nothing yet…..any advise please!!

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September 4, 2017 at 11:07 pm

ihave tried all angles but my ads never seem to go through what might be the problem

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September 14, 2017 at 4:31 am

Thank you very much for your insight sharing. I have one question about the ads approval process. I experienced my ads is approved at the beginning and scheduled for the next day. However, my ads account is suddenly being flagged after approval and before the ads is start running. How could it be like that?

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October 3, 2017 at 8:20 pm

I have been flagged so many times lately to a point I am thinking there is a bug in their algorithm or they are thinking everyone is a Russian trying to buy ads

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October 5, 2017 at 7:37 pm

The 20% rule is really a pain in the a**, I promote software so most of the time my ads have to have text that describes the software features. And just a bit more of describing text, I got rejected 🙁

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October 14, 2017 at 7:15 pm

I ran a very simple ad, with just a picture, hand making a heart… my ad was rejected. I appealed, and they said my FB page promotes MLMs, which it does not… I appealed and got my ad running.

I made a duplicate ad to run immediatly after the ad mentioned aboved expired (in advance), which also got rejected, for the same reason.

I am appealing this again. But this time, they are taking longer, and continue to say my page promotes MLMs…

What should I do?

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October 16, 2017 at 12:40 pm

I have always followed Facebook Ads rules I sale shoes and all my ads were always approved suddenly something changed and Facebook disapprove my ads no matter any corrections I made to make it worse they hav gone back to disapprove evn older ads which were approved

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May 19, 2018 at 3:30 pm

Same is happening with me. Any suggestion or guidance?

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October 26, 2017 at 2:06 am

Great information.

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January 31, 2018 at 7:01 am

It’s almost been 24 hours since I’ve appealed a rejection, so hopefully they’ll approve it. If not, I’ll be back here to try to figure out another way to fix this. Thank you!

' src=

March 13, 2018 at 2:32 am

Thanks for sharing. i really appreciate it that you shared with us such a informative post.

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March 30, 2018 at 11:37 pm

I have been running this same Ads on men’s health but lately Facebook has been giving me disapproval. What can i do.

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April 20, 2018 at 11:19 am

thx for the well explained answer but can u check mine?coz i dun see why its not aprroved:( thx so much https://www.facebook.com/events/142200086623685 ??ti=ia

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April 25, 2018 at 10:13 am

I am trying to post an ad for an authentic Coach purse on Marketplace and several local Buy and Sell sites in Canada. My ad has been rejected and the form they have asked me to fill out cannot be filled out. There are more than a dozen almost identical ads on these sites that are approved. I just can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. Can anyone help? Thank you for any help/advice you can offer!

' src=

May 9, 2018 at 9:59 am

very helpful post for us thanks sir i think you give us like this post forever me now become your fan and i will visit this site for update post

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May 14, 2018 at 1:41 am

Since we pay for the ads I don’t see why Facebook should reject. Well, off cause there are policies to be observed but they shouldn’t be that strict to the extent of limiting genuine ads — that’s my take

May 19, 2018 at 3:25 pm

Thanks for such a nice article, is there any tool to evaluate our promotion? I am running an online fashion store but my all advertisement are being rejected.

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May 29, 2018 at 7:08 am

Brilliant article guys! Facebook Ad creation is not intuitive, even when you’re a long-time marketer. I almost never get ads rejected but this article helped me get an ad I was struggling with approved in 5 minutes. I can’t thank you enough.

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June 14, 2018 at 9:08 am

This is website is very useful. This article is really helpful. Thank you for sharing this great content

' src=

June 19, 2018 at 9:42 pm

Hi, thanks for the post. But I really don’t understand why my ads had been repeatedly disapproved, I have edited the same ads 7times but still not approved, the comment from Facebook is, i mean Facebook said ” you can’t promote money making opportunity without full disclosure of the terms and I don’t seem to understand this. Also, I like to know if ads can be disapproved if one doesn’t use a recommended image size.

' src=

June 26, 2018 at 8:37 pm

Hello AdEspresso team, I have a question. My facebook page was banned due to violation policy. I want to try with a new page, and share content from violation policy page and start to boost again in a new page, is it possible?

' src=

June 28, 2018 at 8:09 pm

Hey, Nice post about Facebook ads, you have covered all rules for facebook marketing. thanks.

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July 19, 2018 at 8:05 am

NICE POSTING GREAT KNOWLEDGE

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September 9, 2018 at 8:14 am

I have been running Facebook ads for quite some time now. My ads get approved instantly on real estate posts. I don’t send users out of Facebook.

Now I’ve started a new blog on Make Money Online and Office.

Do you think Facebook will approve such ads?

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September 10, 2018 at 5:49 pm

Hi, once my ad has been flagged for policy violation and i have appealed, the ad wont get activated and in the process i lose a lot, please advice on what to do

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September 12, 2018 at 7:38 pm

Doesn’t look like anyone from Facebook has answered any questions here for over 2 years.

' src=

September 13, 2018 at 9:14 am

what do you mean Colin? 🙂

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October 5, 2018 at 2:39 am

Mighty article

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October 15, 2018 at 4:13 am

Hi I really enjoyed reading your blog.Nice article! Great information about. These tips are very helpful to me. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful article

' src=

October 29, 2018 at 7:16 pm

Hi Your site has a lot of useful information for myself. I visit regularly. Hope to have more quality items.

' src=

November 4, 2018 at 6:58 pm

I was extremely pleased to find this web site. I need to to thank you for ones time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely savored every part of it and I have you saved as a favorite to look at new things on your blog.

' src=

November 9, 2018 at 1:36 am

What types of words should we avoid for Financial / Debt Services ads, to ensure we are playing nicely within Facebook’s Policies?

Secondly, (probably a really dumb question). Can we use symbols such as “&” instead of “and” without any issues?

' src=

November 22, 2018 at 8:25 pm

Hi, This is a wonderful blog it’s amazing and helpful, I want to see more blog to know more about other things like this because this blog gives me a lot of information, knowledge.

' src=

November 28, 2018 at 12:54 am

Hi i am boosting products like sliming suit for women and inner wear, most of the time my posts were approved directly, but since couple of weeks my posts are getting rejected even after appeal. Same post has been approved previously another problem is since my posts are rejected facebook is saying that your posts are having body parts, edit them and focun on your products, but my products are inner wear that can not be defined well without appropriate images (not nude) same kind of posts are being published by other companies i have copied post link and waiting for help if someone can tell me that where i am making a mistake Thanks in advance

Post Link https://www.facebook.com/Royalbrand.Pk8/posts/2001275646587629

December 12, 2018 at 2:30 am

Thank you so much for sharing this.I really like the way you explained things to us

' src=

December 12, 2018 at 2:32 am

Really enjoyed the way you wrote and thanks for sharing this valuable information here. This really helped

' src=

December 12, 2018 at 2:33 am

Hi great services, that is very useful. I like the whole idea of this post.you have an implausible knowledge of it and it’s your gratefulness for giving out and imparting your knowledge with many of us.

' src=

December 12, 2018 at 2:34 am

Hi I really enjoyed reading your blog. Especially the part that how we can put emotions in our lifeless writings to make it more lively.

' src=

December 25, 2018 at 7:58 am

This article really makes sense

' src=

December 30, 2018 at 2:02 am

I’m really excited in your guide

' src=

January 10, 2019 at 10:19 pm

It’s informative… thanks for sharing!

' src=

January 11, 2019 at 9:42 am

hi , i really want to know that does Facebook have different advertising , boosting n review policy for different regions like is there any difference in policies in Europe n middle east. thank you

' src=

January 20, 2019 at 5:04 am

This article is genuinely a good one it assists new the web viewers, who are wishing in favor of blogging.

' src=

January 26, 2019 at 9:26 am

Good evening Please what does it means when it say 166 people reached but 1 engagement

' src=

February 5, 2019 at 8:54 pm

My Fackebook ad is in “review” from the past 3 days . It has not been declared as rejected nor even approved. What is the reason behind that??

' src=

March 3, 2019 at 6:31 am

My ads aren’t published from 3 days what can be done. Have tried several times creating new ads but ads are going for review and i am confused to take the next step. Kindly help me out.

If you know the way to connect with Facebook support via call or messenger please do share the link or guide me.

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March 27, 2019 at 3:17 am

Extra-Ordinary Post. Saved.

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April 6, 2019 at 11:43 am

I can’t seem to get an ad approved. It’s real estate. We buy houses. Can someone help me understand

' src=

April 7, 2019 at 11:22 pm

Mine are same, my wife posts same ad and it’s fine, ALL of mine get reviewed 3 to 5 days, causing hard times trying to sell fast. Its always put back on as I never violate terms. Discrimination??

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April 12, 2019 at 10:31 am

That was amazing! My thumbs’re up for you sir.

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April 12, 2019 at 10:54 am

My ads usually get approved in 5 minutes, so I have no problem here, but what annoys me the most is the inconsistency of the 20% text rule! Sometimes an all text ad visual go through and other times ad with some text that doesn’t cover the entire space of the five squares get disapproved!

' src=

April 24, 2019 at 6:17 pm

My ads are getting continuously disapproved. The following is the reasons (Ad Can’t Run: Update Website URL). Please advice.

April 26, 2019 at 1:51 am

Are you using redirects in the middle? That’s a strange error unless it means that they banned the url you are promoting and it cannot be promoted. But usually the error message is different in this case!

' src=

April 30, 2019 at 10:11 pm

I think we must always understand the facebook advertising policies properly before setting up the advertising campaigns. because sometimes violation of the policies will lead to bigger actions like account restriction and so on.

' src=

May 2, 2019 at 1:28 pm

Thank you for these tips! I’ll try to put this in practice.

' src=

May 9, 2019 at 4:27 am

I have submitted an ad four hours ago but its no approved till now. Many times I have submitted ad but they generally took 30 minutes and got approved

' src=

May 10, 2019 at 2:23 am

My Facebook Ads only run in the USA but not other countries. They are approved and no money is spent. I have tried to force Facebook by putting a minimum about of money to spend on a Post Engagement to U.K of $50 but nothing happened.

Where is the problem ?

' src=

May 10, 2019 at 4:51 pm

Thank you so much for this post, very insightful! Quick question though, please can you explain the 20% rule a little more? Also, does long texts delay Facebook ad approval?

' src=

May 29, 2019 at 7:33 am

Hello Everyone,

All of a sudden Fb says they cannot run my ad because ”This Website URL doesn’t comply with our Advertising Policies.”

Could someone help please ?

' src=

June 23, 2019 at 12:31 pm

Nice and Details. Exactly the Information I was looking for. But Facebook does not say clearly exactly what the issue. Recently I have faced a similar problem with Facebook ads.

' src=

July 19, 2019 at 8:13 pm

Hello. Hoping you can help. I have a dating service in Colorado and after finally getting approved by FB to advertise all my boost get denied. The reason they give are “EU” restrictions about singling people out based on sexual preference. Their suggestion is to go to my targeting and under “interests” remove anything that references gender preference, but I have nothing checked under “interests,” nothing at all. The only ad I managed to get approved was targeted to women (wouldn’t work w men and women), 18-65+, living in a 50 mile radius of Colo Springs. I also designated relationship status as single or unspecified (this is a requirement for dating sites). Who would it 1) subject me to rules for dating services in the EU and 2) tell me to adjust what I have checked under “interests” whne I have nothing? I try to appeal the decision but get a cut and paste answer that is the same every time. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

' src=

May 31, 2020 at 3:01 pm

hi, i am promoting a weight loss program but facebook keep rejecting it for promoting tobacco! what is up with that? i don’t have anything related with tobacco in my page

' src=

January 18, 2021 at 3:16 am

Hey, Author. You have covered all the important Facebook Ads Rules that Facebook Marketers or Advertisers should have to aware of to get ads approved quickly. Thanks, for sharing this informative article with us.

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Understand Meta Advertising Standards and the ad review process

  • By Meta Blueprint
  • Duration 5m
  • Difficulty Beginner
  • Rating 1 star 2 stars 3 stars 4 stars 5 stars Average rating: 4.8 447 447 reviews

This lesson reviews common causes for rejected ads and prepares learners to create or edit ads to be approved during the ad review process.

How Long does Facebook Ad Take to Review? | MagicBrief

Learn how long does Facebook ad take to review and how to fix it. This guide offers insights and actionable steps to expedite your Facebook ad approval.

facebook review process

Understanding 'Facebook Ads in Review': Causes, Challenges and Solutions

Understandingg Facebook Ads Delivery option of the Facebook Ad library

Ahh, the dreaded ' Facebook Ads in Review ' process - a mystery and source of frustration to many. Hours turn into days, days into weeks, and the ads you took so long to craft remain in limbo. If you have enough on their plate, it’s the last thing you need.

Although Facebook ads stuck in review could just be a glitch or a bug, that’s often not the case. And you'll need to do some digging to try and figure out why your ad isn't going through.

If your Facebook ad is in review beyond 48 hours, we’re here to explain why it’s happening, and what you can do to get your ad approved faster.

  • How long does the ‘Facebook Ads in Review’ process take?
  • Reasons Facebook ads get stuck in review
  • What to do if your ad has been stuck in review for over 48 hours
  • Steps to take if your Facebook ad has been rejected
  • How to optimise ads for Meta's Guidelines with MagicBrief

How Long Does it Take for a Facebook Ad to Be Approved?

When you submit an ad, Facebook undergoes an evaluation process that usually takes under 24 hours. During this time, the platform checks ad components like its image, copy, landing page, and targeting to ensure it meets their Advertising Policies.

Facebook also utilises automated technology to review most ads. Overtime, this technology is refined and improved by human reviewers, so ads are assessed with accuracy and meet Facebook's ad standards . However, it also means the system isn't perfect and can sometimes lead to wrongfully rejecting ads.

If your ad is still in review after only a day, don't immediately assume it’s been rejected. Your ad may have been passed to a manual review team for a more detailed evaluation, extending the approval time.

Why do Facebook Ads Get Stuck in Review

Now you know how meticulous Facebook is with its review process, let's break down why your ad may be stuck in review:

There's a substantial amount of ad submissions

In 2023, Facebook saw their platform house over 10 million active advertisers . And among SMBs, there are more than 90 million pages on Facebook - that’s a lot!

As mentioned, Facebook uses automated and human reviewers to evaluate your submitted ads. If your ad has been flagged for manual review i.e ad creative that goes against Facebook's Advertising Policies, it usually takes longer to review due to the sheer volume of submissions. 

With millions of advertisers and countless ads being submitted daily, the queue for manual reviews takes a while. This high demand, coupled with the need for meticulous scrutiny to ensure compliance, can lead to extended wait times.

Additionally, when there's an especially high demand for ads, i.e. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, holidays or special events, there can be a backlog of ads for Facebook to review.

You’ve using video or carousel ad formats

When reviewing a video ad, a bot must crawl through the content and analyse it for potential violations. This process takes longer than in regular image or text-based ads, so you may experience a slight delay in getting your ad approved.

The same goes for Carousel ad formats, as Facebook will have to review each card that makes the carousel.

You live in Europe

European regions tend to have stricter GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) regulations and consumer rights policies. Facebook has to ensure that your ad follows the rules and regulations the GDPR sets, which means longer review times.

Your ad creative requires a second look

In some countries, specific keywords, images, videos or audio content are borderline or even prohibited. In these cases, Facebook needs to exercise extra caution when reviewing the ad, leading to a human reviewer taking over. 

You use Custom or Lookalike audiences

Unlike broad audience targeting, custom or lookalike audiences are more specific. If you’re using the latter, it could trigger Facebook to verify that your audience isn't being targeted inappropriately. To do this, they may need to review the ads and their content in more detail before approving them.

You have other ad accounts that have been flagged

Facebook enables business owners to create multiple ad accounts. Larger companies, who run a wide range of products or services, for example, require numerous accounts to organise their campaigns better.

While one account may be the shining example of ad compliance, others may have had prior violations. If yours have been reported for violations or are associated with a negative track record, Facebook may take longer to review your ad.

Your advertising history is questionable

Similarly, past campaigns and advertising history affect how quickly your ad is reviewed and approved. If a business has had ads rejected in the past due to policy violations, it generally takes longer as the platform is more cautious. So, while your new ads may be perfectly compliant, past infractions can make Facebook scrutinise your submissions more closely.

By the same token, established businesses are typically approved more quickly if their advertising track record is exemplary. 

You've edited an ad during the approval process

It's common for advertisers after ad submission to have forgotten some minor details that need to be tweaked. However, editing the ad (ad creative, targeting, billing event, etc.) during the ads review process causes the system to reset your waiting time. 

To avoid returning to the back of the queue, always double-check for mistakes before submitting any ads for review.

Failure to comply with Facebook's Ad Guidelines

Many advertisers are simply unaware of Facebook's ad policies and community standards. Sure, they may have skimmed the rules and know that certain content is restricted. But, if an ad contains even a hint of controversy or non-compliance with Facebook's rules, it will take more than a cursory glance to determine if the ad should be approved (or not).

Advertisers must adhere to many rules and regulations, and unfortunately, ignorance of the rules is not an acceptable excuse.

Below are the most common issues that can arise when ads are submitted and reviewed by Facebook:

Promoting banned items: Tobacco, weapons, adult goods, multi-level marketing schemes, cryptocurrency etc.

Incorrectly promoting regulated content: Different countries and states have different advertising regulations. If you're advertising alcohol, dating services, adult products, gambling, cosmetic surgeries, prescription meds, etc., always check the relevant laws before submitting your ad.

Misleading ads: This could range from ads that pretend to have features they don't, i.e. a static image that looks like a playable game, to copy that makes promises it can't keep.

Discriminatory targeting: This could be excluding specific demographics from ad targeting or using certain words that could be interpreted as discriminatory.

Mismatched ads and landing pages: This is when your ad doesn't match your landing page content. For example, if your ad is about discounted shoe sales but leads to a blog post, that's not in compliance with Facebook's guidelines.

Copyright infringement: If you're using an image, logo, music or other material that doesn't belong to you, it's not allowed and could result in your ad being disapproved. It could even lead to a ban as Facebook takes this very seriously.

Inappropriate advertising content: This refers to ads that display offensive, misleading, harmful or disruptive content. Whether it's explicit imagery, hate speech, or promoting dangerous activities, such content goes against Facebook's community standards and will lead to ad disapproval.

Drugs or related products: This can include illegal and prescription drugs, or even images that encourage drug use.

The best way to adhere to Facebook's advertising guidelines is to stay up to date with them. As the platform’s rules and regulations evolve, it helps to occasionally check in to see if any changed rules affect you directly. 

Furthermore, you want to be honest and transparent when creating your ad copy and targeting. Your ad should be an honest reflection of your product, so as long as you're not misleading potential customers, your ad should pass the review process.

How to Fix an Ad Stuck in Review

Before you give up and resubmit your ad, there are a few steps to take when an ad is stuck in review.

Contact Facebook

Did you know that Facebook has a live chat for business accounts? Yes, it's true! They've been rolling out this feature for accounts that have advertising issues with their campaigns.

If your ad is stuck in review, it's worth contacting Facebook and asking them for help. Here's how to chat with a live representative:

  • Go to the Facebook Business Support Help Page .
  • Scroll down and click on ' Contact advertising support '.
  • Click ' Other Issues '.

Selecting most common issues to fix ad stuck in review

  • Select the ad account that you're having trouble with.
  • Click on ' Load More ' and find ' Ad pending review ’.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the page and select ' Contact support '.
  • Fill in all the details (including screenshots, if possible) and click ' Start Chat '.

Start chat to fix the issue with the ad account

Use Broad or Detailed Targeting Options

Ads with custom and lookalike audiences sometimes take longer to review to ensure compliance. To prevent this, you can use more broad or detailed targeting options to expedite the review process. By targeting a wider audience or using Facebook's predefined categories, you reduce the risk of your ad being flagged for specific audience-related issues.

Alternatively, you can review your targeting and check for any elements that may cause concern. While Facebook may take longer than usual to review this ad, you'll avoid getting it rejected altogether.

  Duplicate the ad

 Although this isn't guaranteed to get your ad out of the review process faster, it just might. Many marketers have tried this strategy to great success, while others have found it a waste of time.

To try this, simply create another ad campaign copy and submit it for approval. While you can simply leave it as-is, try adjusting your targeting if you suspect that's the reason why it's stuck in review. 

Turn your ad on and off again

Like ad duplication, simply turning your ad off and then on again can push things along. This method acts as a reset, prompting the system to re-evaluate the ad. It's like rebooting a computer when it's slowed down considerably.

While this isn't a guaranteed solution, many advertisers swear by it. So, if your ad has been stuck in review for an extended period, toggling it off and back on might give the system a nudge to finalise the review. 

Tweak Details at the Ad Set Level

Your ad set is the part of your ad campaign that contains all of the details for targeting, budgeting, and scheduling. To get your stuck ad moving again, you can try tweaking some of the details at this level.

For example, you can change your bidding strategy or adjust the daily budget for the ad set. Even if the change is minor, i.e. lowering your cost per click, it might nudge the review process along. You can also experiment with other details, such as adding or removing targeting options, which may cause the review process to speed up.

What to Do if Your Facebook Ad Is Rejected

If you've done all of the above, then it's likely that your ad has been rejected. If this happens, you'll receive a notification stating which Facebook policy you violated.

Once you know the specifics, you can do either two things:

  • Appeal the decision

As we said earlier, Facebook's review system is far from perfect. There are times when ads are rejected incorrectly, so it might be worth appealing the decision.

 To request an ad review, follow these steps:

  • Go to Business Support Home .
  • Click the ad account or catalogue that contains your rejected ad.
  • Choose the ad, ad sets or campaigns that you want to review.
  • Click Request Review and select Submit .

During the review, you can track its review status in the Business Support Home page.

If the decision is overturned, your ad will remain in your campaign and become active. If not, the ad will be deemed ineligible, and you won't be able to request a second review request for it.

The review process relies more on human reviewers than artificial intelligence. If an ad was incorrectly rejected, the reviewers take that opportunity to find out why and make changes to the ad review process. It's an iterative and continuous process, which is why it's worth taking the time to appeal a decision.

  • Make the necessary changes to your advert

A lot of the time, Facebook's automated systems get it right – your ad could well have violated their policies. If this is the case, you'll need to make the necessary ad changes before making another submission.

To do this, check out Facebook's Advertising Policies and familiarise yourself with them. You can save time by reading and remembering policies that are most relevant to the type of ads you're running. For example, if you're a gambling and betting advertiser, you should focus on the policies related to this particular industry.

However, you'll also want a firm grasp of all the policies since violations can occur in an ad's text or images without you realising it. It’s always best to be safe than sorry as too many violations could get your ads account terminated. 

How to Craft Facebook-Compliant Ads with MagicBrief

Looking to design impactful ads that align with Facebook's guidelines? Dive into the strategies of top brands with MagicBrief. Get direct inspirations from Facebook Ad Library and curate your top performing Ad.

MagicBrief offers marketers a unique edge by curating a collection of competitor Facebook ads for reference. With our storyboard and brief tools, you can design captivating ads that meet Facebook's standards. Harness the power of MagicBrief to elevate your ad campaigns through informed insights.

Sign up with MagicBrief now for complimentary access to our extensive ad archive and more. Explore the MagicBrief difference and drive your ad success. Begin your journey today!

Final Thoughts

Understanding the Facebook ads review process is a part of any advertiser's journey. Once you understand why it's happening, you can then take action to get your ads approved quickly and efficiently.

Remember, the more you familiarise yourself with Facebook's advertising policies, the easier it is to avoid any pitfalls. Always keep up to date with the latest policies and review guidelines to ensure your ads are running in compliance with Facebook's rules. Good luck!

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The best review websites for local service businesses.

  • How to Manage a Google Places Listing for a Service Area Business
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how long does a Facebook review take to show up?

How Long Does a Facebook Review Take To Show Up?

As a local business owner, we know you’ve got a lot on your plate. You’re working hard managing day-to-day operations, keeping customers happy, and, oh, the small matter of maintaining an impeccable online reputation. One way of doing so involves Facebook reviews. So I’m sure you’ve got that one burning question: how long does a Facebook review take to show up?

Your online reputation is like a virtual storefront, and Facebook reviews are the testimonials that potential customers browse before deciding whether to give your business a shot. Lots of customers nowadays look for reviews before even considering doing business with someone— 95%, in fact —and Facebook reviews are easily accessible for that purpose. Because of this, positive reviews can be a goldmine.

Ready to learn more about Facebook reviews and how long they might take (and how to speed them up)? Then read on, dear business owners, as we’re going to get right into it!

Generate 5-star Facebook reviews for your business automatically

The factors influencing facebook review approval time.

Facebook has its own unique review process, and understanding the steps involved can shed light on why it takes a bit of time. The social media giant has a thorough system in place to ensure that reviews meet community standards . This involves a mix of automated and manual processes to maintain quality and authenticity. 

One step involves content guidelines and moderation. Ever wondered why your reviews seem to disappear into the Facebook void? It’s likely due to the content guidelines. Like any media site, Facebook has content policies in place to make certain the information being shared on their site does not fall into regulated categories, such as bullying and harassment or content containing known hate terms or inappropriate language. 

While the review process is not something known to those outside of Facebook itself, content that gets flagged due to their content policies takes a little more time to get approved as it needs to be checked over first.

Also See: How to Leave a Review on Facebook

Average Timeframes for Facebook Reviews

Another thing to take into account when asking how long a Facebook review takes to show up is what the review contains. The first thing to know is there’s no set timeframe and that what is put in the review will affect how long it takes to have it published. 

Let’s break it down by the most common types of reviews to understand the system a bit better:

Reviews with Positive Content

Ah yes, the golden ticket to a stellar online reputation —positive reviews! Fortunately, these gems often have a smoother journey through the approval pipeline. Facebook tends to prioritize good vibes, and as a result, positive reviews typically make their grand entrance within 1-3 days. After all, who wouldn’t want to showcase happy customer experiences promptly?

Reviews Containing Media (Photos or Videos):

Reviews adorned with photos or videos might take a tad longer to hit the review page, so around 3-5 days. This is because Facebook’s algorithms and manual reviewers may need a bit more time to ensure that the multimedia content aligns with community standards. So, if your customers are sharing snapshots of their delightful experiences, be prepared for a short but worthwhile wait. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words!

Reviews with Potential Policy Violations

Here’s where things can get a bit tricky. If a review raises eyebrows by potentially violating Facebook’s content policies, you might be in for a more extended wait, such as 5-7 days. The content could be flagged for a thorough manual review, and the decision-making process may take a bit more time. It’s a delicate dance between maintaining a positive environment and adhering to community standards.

Also See: How Many Recommendations Are Needed for a Facebook Rating?

Tips for Faster Review Approval

So, do you want to fast-track those Facebook reviews and bask in the glory of positive feedback? Here’s your cheat sheet for getting the green light in record time:

Make it Personal

Encourage your customers to share their specific experiences. A detailed review not only helps potential customers but also tends to pass through the approval process more swiftly.

Language Matters

Remind your customers to keep it friendly and avoid language that could be flagged by Facebook’s content filters. A sprinkle of positivity goes a long way!

Incentivize Positivity

Consider running promotions or giveaways for customers who leave positive reviews. A little incentive can boost positive engagement and prompt customers to share their experiences.

Provide Guidance

If you have particularly satisfied customers, guide them on how to express their joy in a review. Sometimes, a gentle nudge is all they might need to turn a happy experience into a glowing testimonial.

Preemptive Communication

When asking for reviews, give customers a heads up on the do’s and don’ts, including mentioning Facebook’s community standards. This way, they are more likely to craft a review that sails smoothly through the approval process.

Another great way to get faster review approval for your business is to utilize the settings of your Facebook Business page. Go to your settings and double-check that you’re open for business in the review department. 

Once you’ve done that, try the following:

Reviewing Section

Navigate to your Facebook Business page and explore the Reviewing section under Page and tagging. Here, you can view reviews before they go live on your page. This allows you to address any concerns or thank customers for positive feedback promptly.

how long does a Facebook review take to show up?

Respond Promptly

Engage with your customers by responding promptly to reviews. Positive or negative, your responsiveness can reflect positively on your business.

Here are two guides to help you respond to both types of reviews:

  • Responding to Bad Reviews: The Dos and Don’ts
  • Responding to Positive Reviews: Tips & Examples

Flag Inappropriate Content

If you notice any inappropriate or misleading reviews, use the tools available to flag them for review by Facebook. This ensures that your review ecosystem remains fair and authentic.

The Broadly Difference: Elevating Your Review Management

In the grand scheme of things, managing Facebook reviews is an art form in and of itself. By encouraging positive feedback, guiding your customers, and utilizing the tools at your disposal, you’ll not only boost your online reputation but also expedite the approval process. After all, who doesn’t love a business that’s on top of its review game?

Before you start feeling overwhelmed though, we want to talk about something that can make your life—and running your business—a whole lot easier: Broadly’s review management software .

If you want a tool that not only simplifies your review management but transforms it into a strategic asset for your business, look no further than Broadly’s review management software . Get all of your reviews in one place so that they’re easy to manage, and see how your business can stand out from the crowd. Schedule a demo with us today!

Watch your online reputation transform with Broadly

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Why is my Facebook ad still in review? Understanding the holdup

Why is my Facebook ad still in review? Understanding the holdup

Have you ever submitted a Facebook ad and been stuck in the dreaded "Pending Review" limbo? If so, you're not alone. In this blog post, we'll explore the reasons why your ad is stuck in review and what you can do to prevent it. We'll also discuss what to do

Have you ever submitted a Facebook ad and been stuck in the dreaded "Pending Review" limbo? If so, you're not alone. In this blog post, we'll explore the reasons why your ad is stuck in review and what you can do to prevent it. We'll also discuss what to do if your ad is rejected.

So you've invested hours of creativity, strategy, and hope into your latest Facebook ad campaign. With anticipation, you hit the submit button, eagerly awaiting the surge in clicks, conversions, and engagement that your meticulously crafted ad promises. But as the hours stretch into days, your excitement transforms into a cocktail of frustration, uncertainty, and impatience. You're stuck in the limbo of "Pending Review."

If you've found yourself in this scenario, you're not alone.

By understanding the common reasons behind Facebook ad review delays, you can navigate this waiting game more confidently and strategically.

In the following sections, we'll shed light on the Facebook ad review process and explore the factors that can cause your ad to be stuck in limbo.

Facebook ad stuck in review

Many marketers and business owners have experienced the exasperation of waiting for a ad to pass through the review process.

In a digital world where instant gratification is the norm, the waiting game can be more than just a minor inconvenience—it can directly impact your ad campaign timelines and goals.

The frustration and importance of understanding the holdup

You're not just waiting for the green light to start your ad campaign; you're waiting to gain access to potential customers, leads, and sales.

The delay means that each passing moment is a missed opportunity. Your marketing efforts are stalled, and your expectations are put on hold.

But beyond the immediate effects, there's a deeper frustration that arises from the lack of clarity.

Why is your ad still in review and not delivering ? Did you miss something in the advertising policies? Is there an issue with the content?

As a marketer, you know that time is money, and every day your ad is held up, you're losing both.

Understanding the Facebook ad review process

Before diving into the reasons behind Facebook ads review delays, we should understand Facebook’s Advertising Standards .

They are a set of rules for the type of content that's allowed to be promoted on the platform.

Facebook ads review process

The Facebook ads review system is an automated process that aims to to apply the Advertising Standards to the millions of ad campaigns run on Facebook.

However, Facebook also uses human reviewers to improve and train the automated process, and in some cases, humans do manually review some of the ads.

Facebook considers an advertiser’s historical compliance with Advertising Standards when deciding whether a submitted ad warrants further review for a specific advertising policy.

This review process typically includes the specific components of an ad, such as:

  • Targeting information
  • Destination URL

Based on the results of the review, your ad is either rejected or allowed to run.

Facebook ads review process

Facebook ad review: A necessity for ad quality

Now, let's talk about why your ad goes through a review process in the first place.

Consider it as quality control — a vital step to uphold the integrity of the platform and safeguard the interests of both advertisers and users.

Some of the ads are automatically approved by the platform right away, some might be approved and then go to review a while later and some go straight into the review process.

The goal is to prevent deceptive practices, misleading content, or offensive material from slipping through the cracks.

By conducting this review, Facebook aims to maintain a level playing field for advertisers and cultivate a trustworthy environment for users to engage with ads that resonate.

But why the inconsistency? Approved, then disapproved? 🤔

Why the inconsistency? Approved, then disapproved?

The journey from approval to disapproval might seem like a perplexing rollercoaster.

Ad rejections might be initially approved by an automated system, only for a human reviewer to spot a violation upon a closer look.

For instance, an image that initially seemed harmless might contain subtle elements that breach the guidelines upon further examination.

Similarly, the interpretation of certain phrases and visuals can be subjective, leading to a different outcome based on who reviews the ad.

How long does it take for Facebook to review an ad?

In general, Facebook aims to review ads within 24 hours of submission. This means that in most cases, your ad will receive the green light — or, perhaps, a set of necessary adjustments — within a day.

However, it's important to note that some factors can cause delays, extending the waiting period.

Navigating the Facebook ad review process

Now that we've grasped the essence of Facebook's ad review process, let's understand the common reasons behind those maddening ad review delays. Being familiar with these reasons will equip you with insights that can transform the waiting game into a strategic maneuver, empowering you to navigate the review process.

5 reasons why your Facebook ads are stuck in review

1. ad content violations.

Ad content violations can significantly impact the pace at which your ad is reviewed. If your ad contains content that violates Facebook's guidelines, it's like putting up a red flag that calls for a closer inspection.

These violations range from explicit imagery and hate speech to deceptive claims and prohibited products. While some violations might be glaringly obvious, others could be more subtle.

2. Sensitive topics

Ad campaigns that touch on political, social, or controversial subjects often require extra scrutiny.

The goal here is to ensure that these discussions are handled with care and respect.

While it's important to express your viewpoints, be aware that navigating sensitive terrain might require a bit more patience.

3. Image and text alignment

Believe it or not, the alignment of your ad's images and text matters. If your ad visuals and accompanying text don't sync up seamlessly, it could lead to a delay.

This misalignment could be an innocent mistake or a deliberate attempt to manipulate the user experience.

Regardless, Facebook wants to ensure that users aren't misled or confused by your ad's presentation. A quick double-check of your ad's layout can save you from unnecessary review time.

4. Landing page discrepancies

If your ad promises one thing and your landing page delivers another, you're likely to face a review delay.

Facebook wants users to have a consistent and trustworthy experience from click to conversion.

If your ad suggests an irresistible offer but leads to a landing page that lacks relevance or clarity, the review team will intervene.

The lesson here: align your ad's promises with your landing page's delivery.

5. Editing an ad while under review

If your ad is still under review and you make edits, expect a further delay in the review time.

Facebook resets the review clock based on the time of your edits. For example, if you modify targeting , location, or creatives, the 24-hour countdown starts anew from the moment of your edit.

Your past ad performance history can play a role in how swiftly your current ad gets reviewed.

If your account has a history of ad violations or low-quality content, the review process might take longer.

This is Facebook's way of ensuring that advertisers with a track record of violations are held to a higher standard. Maintaining a clean ad history can contribute to smoother review experiences

Thorough ad content review: your first line of defense

Think of your ad content review as an expert detective's investigation. Before you hit that submit button, put on your magnifying glass and comb through every element of your ad. Answer the following questions:

  • Are your images crisp and aligned?
  • Is your text clear and in line with your visuals?
  • Have you avoided any controversial or sensitive topics that could raise flags?

By taking the time to review your ad content thoroughly, you're not just ensuring it aligns with Facebook's guidelines—you're also setting the stage for a smoother review process.

5 Strategies for Facebook ads approval

There are a few proactive strategies to keep in mind while creating an ad for Facebook that could minimize the chance of it being reviewed and even disapproved:

1. Read Facebook’s Advertising Standards carefully

If your Facebook ad is rejected, resist the urge to jump right back into submission mode. Instead, take a deep breath and dive into the policy that led to the rejection. Read it carefully, and consider the nuances.

2. Play it safe

While creativity is key, don't take unnecessary risks if you're aiming for speedy approval. If you have even the slightest inkling that your ad might raise concerns, opt for a safer route.

3. Check your ad copy

Even if you're confident in your content, a second set of eyes can catch what you might have missed. Consider having someone else review your ad before submission.

4. Remember the visual emphasis

Facebook's text limit may have expanded, but it's still crucial to keep your text concise. Social media thrives on visuals, so let your imagery take the lead. Keep your text succinct and impactful, allowing your visuals to shine through.

5. Use Revealbot’s Top Creatives Report

If you're looking for ways to improve your Facebook ads, you can use a tool like Revealbot's Top Creatives Report . This report will show you your best performing ad creatives, so you can learn from them and create even more effective ads in the future.

Oh No! My Facebook Ad was rejected, what now?

You've meticulously crafted an ad, followed all the guidelines, and eagerly submitted it for review. But then, the unexpected happens—your ad is rejected. It's like planning a grand event only to have the curtains close prematurely.

So, what does it mean when your ad gets the dreaded rejection stamp? And, more importantly, what can you do about it?

Understanding the rejection

When an ad is rejected, it means that Facebook's review team found an aspect of your ad that doesn't align with their guidelines, but the Rejection isn't a final verdict; it's an opportunity to make necessary adjustments and resubmit with an improved version.

3 Steps to fix Facebook ads rejected status

If your Facebook ad faces the red flag of rejection, here's your roadmap to reclaiming approval:

  • Review the standards : Carefully identify the specific policy that led to the rejection. Familiarize yourself with the nuances of that policy to better understand how your ad fell short.
  • Make Necessary Changes : With a clear understanding of the policy violation, set to work on making the necessary changes. This might involve refining your ad copy, adjusting visuals, or reevaluating your landing page.
  • Resubmit : Ensure that all elements align with the guidelines and the changes you've made are in place. Then, with newfound confidence, hit that submit button again. This time, armed with insights from your initial rejection, you're better equipped to face the review process.

With these insights and proactive strategies at your disposal, you're not just crafting ads—you're crafting a smoother path to approval. Remember that each ad you create is an opportunity to engage, inspire, and make a lasting impact.

Onward to approvals and beyond! 🚀

Key takeaways

  • Facebook ads go through a review process to ensure that they comply with the platform's advertising policies. This process can take up to 24 hours, but there are some factors that can cause delays.
  • Common reasons for Facebook's ad review delays include ad content violations, sensitive topics, image and text alignment, landing page discrepancies, and editing an ad while it is under review.
  • Advertisers can help to prevent ad review delays by carefully reviewing their ad content before submitting it, playing it safe with creative content, checking their ad copy, and keeping their text concise
  • If an ad is rejected, advertisers can review the rejection notice to understand why the ad was not approved and make necessary adjustments.

Why is my Facebook ad still in review?

There are a few reasons why your Facebook ad might still be in review. Here are the most common ones:

  • Your ad violates Facebook's advertising policies.
  • Your ad is being manually reviewed by Facebook.
  • There is a high volume of ads being reviewed, so it is taking longer than usual.
  • You have made changes to your ad recently, which has reset the review process.

Most ads are reviewed within 24 hours, but it can take longer in some cases. If your ad is still in review after 24 hours, you can contact Facebook support for help.

What are the most common reasons why Facebook ads are stuck in review?

The most common reasons why Facebook ads are stuck in review are:

  • Using prohibited content, such as violence, hate speech, or adult content.
  • Targeting sensitive audiences, such as children or political groups.
  • Making claims that are not supported by evidence.
  • Using misleading or deceptive language.
  • Violating Facebook's advertising policies in other ways.

What can I do if my Facebook ads arestuck in review?

Here are a few things you can do if your Facebook ads are stuck in review:

  • Check your ad to make sure it complies with Facebook's advertising policies.
  • Make sure your ad is not targeting sensitive audiences.
  • Remove any prohibited content from your ad.
  • Revise your ad copy to be more clear and concise.
  • Contact Facebook support for help.

How can I contact Facebook support for help with a stuck ad?

You can contact Facebook support for help with a stuck ad by following these steps:

  • Go to the Facebook Business Help Center .
  • Scroll to "Contact advertising support" and click on it.
  • Follow the instructions and submit your request.

Mario Neto

Mario is a Content Specialist at Revealbot. He's passionate about creating engaging and educative content. When not writing, he’s binging TV shows or learning something completely random. 🤓

Amal Moursi

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facebook review process

facebook review process

  • Facebook Advertising

Unlocking 3 tips to speed up your Facebook ads in review process

  • December 18, 2023

Facebook ads in review might be the first hurdle you encounter when running a campaign, but it shouldn’t be the one that trips you up. Overlooking policies and optimizing content can leave your ads stuck in this stage or, worse, rejected altogether. Today, we’ll explore the common pitfalls of Facebook’s review system and equip you with the tools to overcome them, ensuring your campaign launches smoothly and reaches its full potential.

Table of Contents

Understanding the ‘Facebook ads in review’ meaning

Facebook ads in review process

‘Facebook Ads in review’ refers to the process of the Facebook review system, where advertisements go through a screening process before being approved and displayed on the platform. The process mainly depends on automated systems or sometimes human reviews to avoid violations and comply with policies.

The review process is vital to maintaining a high standard of quality and relevance for ads on the platform. The ad content, imagery, targeting, and other elements are examined during the review process to ensure they adhere to Facebook’s standards. Once the review is complete and your ads meet Facebook’s guidelines, they will be approved and can start running to reach your target audience.

Why is your process too long?

Most Facebook ads will be reviewed within approximately 8 hours, but in some cases, this process may take longer due to the following reasons:

Policy violations and sensitive topics

  • Multiple times editing ads
  • A high volume of ads
  • New advertising account is not yet verified identity

Landing page discrepancies

Facebook’s ad policy is very strict regarding inappropriate or offensive content. Your ads will be in review for up to 48 hours, and in the worst case, they can also be rejected for violating advertising policies or not meeting the community standards set by Facebook.

For instance, suppose your advertising campaign falls within the aesthetic field. In this context, if your design incorporates numerous sexualized images highlighting the contours of the human body or highlighting sensitive features, it could potentially violate Facebook’s advertising policies.

What should you do:

Before launching your advertising campaign, it’s crucial to review Facebook Ads policies to meet the approval process thoroughly. There are some Facebook policies that you should be more careful about before running a campaign:

  • Content related to sexuality, explicit nudity, or references to sexual activities.
  • Use personal characteristics of users, such as race, ethnicity, religion, beliefs, or sexual orientation.
  • Encourage false or deceptive practices or products in any capacity.
  • Include pictures depicting features that don’t actually exist.

The advertising policy most commonly encountered is related to appearance and personal health. To avoid this issue, include more text or elements on the image to cover sensitive areas that Facebook typically scans.

Images related to the curves on the human body.

Editing under-review ads

Constantly changing disrupts the review process and discards the advertising campaign’s stability and performance. Frequent modifications can create uncertainty about the content and objectives of the ad, making it challenging for Facebook to determine whether the ad complies with its advertising standards. Furthermore, if you edit your advertisements excessively, Facebook will impose a waiting period. This can lead to longer review times, and in some cases, the ad may be rejected, or the advertising account could face restrictions.

What should you do: 

You should make adjustments after Facebook has reviewed and approved the content and you’ve run the campaign for approximately 3-5 days. Consequently, when refining the content, the rescanning process by Facebook should be smoother, given that it is a campaign that has already been successfully executed and greenlit.

Learning phase progress

High volume of ads

Throughout the year, numerous holidays like Black Friday, Tet Holiday, or Women’s Day present opportunities for brands to boost sales by offering compelling discounts. To highlight these promotions, many brands run extensive campaigns on Facebook. Yet, the sheer volume of promotional activity during these periods tends to overwhelm the Facebook ads in the review system, causing delays in the approval process. The high demand for attention, driven by brands aiming to stand out, contributes to the temporary congestion in the review process.

Optimize your ad campaign by meticulously planning and submitting ads ahead of time, guaranteeing timely review before the campaign kicks off. Alternatively, running ads around 3-4 days prior to the holiday can not only captivate your audience but also alleviate the approval pressure on Facebook, enabling you to align your advertising seamlessly with your business objectives.

New advertising account is not yet verified identity.

When an account lacks a verified identity or has never run any advertising campaigns, it certainly faces a lower level of trust. The absence of a campaign history implies a lack of track record for the review system to evaluate. As a result, the Facebook ads in review process becomes more thorough.

For new advertising accounts, it’s wise to keep your initial campaigns simple. Start with straightforward content to speed up the review process and establish trust over time. Recognizing the need for a cautious review of new accounts, advertisers can slowly broaden their campaigns as trust is built. This step-by-step approach not only aligns with the platform’s scrutiny but also lays the groundwork for a more efficient and responsive advertising experience in the future.

However, if you want to skip the lengthy setup process, why not try using Mega Digital agency ads account ? This account is supported by Facebook and only distributed to its partners. With an agency ad account, advertisers can make use of its pre-established assets and exclusive features like multiple ad categories and unlimited domains. This streamlines the launch process, serving as a seamless and efficient starting point for your marketing endeavors.

This issue could be related to inconsistencies or problems with the content, design, or functionality of the landing pages associated with your ads. Facebook ensures that ads direct users to high-quality and relevant content, and any discrepancies with the landing pages may delay the approval process.

Boost your credibility on Facebook using a well-branded page established for 1-2 months . This passes Facebook scrutiny and makes it easier for customers to connect with you through the fan page’s chat feature, fostering trust and smooth interactions.

Landing page discrepancies

3 tips if your Facebook ads are still stuck in review

If you find yourself on the wrong side of ads approval, Mega Digital gonna give you some advice to get through the problem of ‘Facebook ads are stuck in review’:

  • Request for review appeal

Request for ads review appeal

Duplicate ads on an account that has been running steadily.

In cases where advertisers perceive that the Facebook ads in review process for their campaigns are extending beyond the expected duration, they can proactively request help from Facebook. This particular request can be conveniently submitted through the Account Quality section of the Meta platform. This distinctive feature not only permits advertisers to speed up the review process but also emphasizes their dedication to meeting the standards of ad quality and relevance.

By leveraging this functionality, advertisers contribute to a smoother and more efficient advertising experience, reinforcing the relationship between content creators and the platform’s review mechanisms. You can access the Account Quality for more convenience. 

Request for ads review appeal

Contact Facebook Support

Upon waiting for 48 hours without securing approval, you should connect with Meta Business Support, your go-to place when your Facebook ads in review system are too long or your account is disabled. The automated system allows you to request approval proactively.

If you face any problems with your account, payments, or posts, rely on Meta Business Support for receiving help from Facebook expert guidance. For a holistic solution to all your questions and concerns, navigate to the Meta Business Help Centre , where Facebook’s dedicated system stands ready to provide expert assistance, guiding you every step. Your success in running ads on Facebook is not just a goal; it’s a journey, and Meta Business Support is your trusted partner.

Facebook Support team

An account that has demonstrated stability and success over a span of 8 months is frequently evaluated as highly trustworthy by the Facebook ads in review systems. This credibility can translate into several advantages for advertisers. Firstly, there is a potential reduction in the review time for new ads submitted through such an account, as the system recognizes the reliability of the account’s advertising history. This, in turn, enhances the chances of swift approval when running new campaigns.

Moreover, an account boasting a history of effective ad campaigns may be a priority in the platform’s ranking. This preferential treatment can display ads in more prominent positions within search results, amplifying their visibility and impact.

Furthermore, when duplicating to a Facebook Agency Ads account, it not only speeds up the approval but also reduces the necessity for extensive content changes. This enhances the efficiency and convenience of the advertising experience for advertisers.

Final words

Facing challenges with Facebook ads in review process is common for both beginners and experienced advertisers. To navigate this, pay close attention to details and understand Facebook well. Always ensure your ad content is transparent, accurate, and consistent, and avoid attempting to deceive or mislead your audience. 

If the problem persists, the best resolution is to engage with Facebook agencies like Mega Digital to utilize their Facebook ad agency account and receive their support. Learning from top performers can also enhance your ad creatives. Explore some of the most successful Facebook campaigns for valuable insights!

Linh Nghiem

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Crime and Public Safety | Illinois’ top parole official quits amid…

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Crime and Public Safety

Crime and public safety | illinois’ top parole official quits amid controversy over release of man accused of attacking woman and killing her 11-year-old son.

Teea Smith, an aunt to Jayden Perkins, lights candles on...

Teea Smith, an aunt to Jayden Perkins, lights candles on March 15, 2024, at a memorial for Jayden Perkins, a 11-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in his home in Chicago. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)

Alicia Perkins, center, holds balloons during a balloon release at...

Alicia Perkins, center, holds balloons during a balloon release at a memorial for her relative, Jayden Perkins, a 11-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in his home on March 13. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)

Julia Perkins, right, 5, holds her little brother, Josiah Perkins,...

Julia Perkins, right, 5, holds her little brother, Josiah Perkins, 3, both cousins of Jayden Perkins, at a memorial for Jayden on March 15, 2024. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)

Alicia Perkins, center, an aunt to the father of Jayden...

Alicia Perkins, center, an aunt to the father of Jayden Perkins, cries while attending a balloon release at a memorial on March 15, 2024, for the 11-year-old who was stabbed to death in his home. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)

Friends and family release balloons at a memorial for Jayden...

Friends and family release balloons at a memorial for Jayden Perkins, an 11-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in his home on March 13, 2024. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)

A photo of Jayden Perkins, a 11-year-old boy who was...

A photo of Jayden Perkins, a 11-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in his home, at a memorial on March 15, 2024. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)

Julia Perkins, 5, right, holds her little brother, Josiah Perkins,...

Julia Perkins, 5, right, holds her little brother, Josiah Perkins, 3, stand at a memorial for their cousin, Jayden Perkins, a 11-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in his home on March 13, 2024. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)

Christine, from left, MacKenzie, 6, and Tom Zvonarits, visit the...

Christine, from left, MacKenzie, 6, and Tom Zvonarits, visit the memorial for Jayden Perkins, outside his home in Chicago on March 15, 2024. MacKenzie is a student at Peirce Elementary School, where Perkins was a student. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)

A memorial outside the home of Jayden Perkins, 11, who...

A memorial outside the home of Jayden Perkins, 11, who was stabbed to death in his home on March 13. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx watches as Chicago police...

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx watches as Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling speaks during a news conference March 15, 2024, where charges were announced in connection to the incident where 11-year-old Jayden Perkins was stabbed to death and his mother was seriously injured. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)

A woman, who asked not to be identified, mourns at...

A woman, who asked not to be identified, mourns at a memorial, March 15, 2024, for Jayden Perkins, 11, who was stabbed to death in his home. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)

A memorial outside the home of Jayden Perkins, 11, who...

Police investigate the scene of an apparent fatal domestic violence incident on the 5900 block of N. Ravenswood Ave., which fatally wounded 11-year-old Jayden Perkins and seriously injured his mother on March 13, 2024, in Chicago. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Police investigate the scene of an apparent fatal domestic violence...

Police investigate the scene of an apparent fatal domestic violence incident on the 5900 block of N. Ravenswood Ave., which fatally wounded a 11-year-old Jayden Perkins and seriously injured his mother on March 13, 2024, in Chicago. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

facebook review process

The state’s top parole official resigned from his post Monday after his board allowed a parolee with a history of violence against women to be released from state custody before, authorities say, he attacked a pregnant woman he once dated and killed her 11-year-old son when the child came to her rescue.

Donald Shelton served on the Illinois Prisoner Review Board for more than a decade and led the 13-member panel since last year. His resignation was announced Monday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker hours after the governor also disclosed that one of Shelton’s board members, LeAnn Miller, quit her post for her role in allowing Crosetti Brand, the suspect in the fatal stabbing of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins, to be released from custody following a hearing to determine whether he violated his parole.

Authorities alleged the day after his release, Brand stabbed to death Jayden on March 13 when the boy tried to intervene in Brand’s attack on the boy’s pregnant mother at her residence on Chicago’s North Side. She was also stabbed during the attack but survived.

Pritzker on Monday afternoon praised Shelton, a former Champaign police sergeant, for “providing a model of dedication to public service” and working “diligently to keep Illinoisans safe and uphold our justice system.”

But hours earlier, the governor was more critical of Miller in announcing her departure.

“The Prisoner Review Board must be able to operate independently as they review enormously difficult cases, but I believe LeAnn Miller has made the correct decision in stepping down from her role,” Pritzker said a statement Monday. “It is clear that evidence in this case was not given the careful consideration that victims of domestic violence deserve and I am committed to ensuring additional safeguards and training are in place to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.”

The governor’s office said he will be working with the Illinois General Assembly in the coming weeks to address vacancies on the board and will be conducting “a thorough search for qualified candidates.”

Shelton declined to comment. Miller, a former school district administrator from far downstate Gallatin County, could not be reached for comment. Shelton earned an annual salary of $108,189 a year and Miller’s salary was $96,920 a year, records show.

Their resignations mark the latest controversy for this little-known board under the Pritzker administration.

In 2022, Republican lawmakers criticized the governor for appointing board members who they felt were too lenient in granting parole to older people locked up in prison for decades after being convicted of particularly heinous crimes.

The state Senate in that instance rejected two of Pritzker’s appointments, both Democrats. Meanwhile, another Democratic appointee resigned and the appointment of a fourth Pritzker interim board member, an independent, was withdrawn by the governor.

Shelton, first appointed to the board in 2012 by then-Gov. Pat Quinn, and Miller, appointed to the panel in 2021 by Pritzker, were both Republicans. Their departures mean the board will be comprised of 11 members: Seven Democrats, three Republicans and an independent. At full strength, the board can have 15 members with a maximum of eight from the same political party.

In a statement on Monday, House Republican leader Tony McCombie, of Savanna, called for an overhaul of the review board.

“Lives were lost because of the lack of responsibility and due diligence at the PRB,” she said. “When innocent people die because of bad policy, we must correct course immediately.”

Senate Republican leader John Curran, of Downers Grove, was also critical of the review board under Pritzker’s leadership.

“Sadly, it is clear that the serious reforms that we have been calling for at the Prisoner Review Board are needed now more than ever,” Curran said in a statement. “This is another example of Gov. Pritzker failing to oversee an agency under his direct control. His attention should be focused on the life and death matters of our state.”

Last week, Pritzker indicated that changes needed to be made in the ways that the court system, law enforcement agencies and the review board communicate when dangerous criminals are released from prison.

“It’s an independent board and I do believe that they have the ability to make changes in the way that they communicate and I encourage them to do that, and certainly would work with anybody that will help us to accomplish that goal,” Pritzker said during an unrelated news conference on March 18. “The entire matter is tragic.”

On Monday, the Pritzker administration said it asked the review board to work with “experts and advocates” to expand its training in handling domestic violence cases. Pritzker also directed the board and the Illinois Department of Corrections to review “the current rules and procedures for receiving information related to cases involving domestic violence” and to decide whether any changes are necessary.

“As the administration continues to review the facts in this case, it may pursue any broader statutory or policy changes needed to strengthen PRB’s review of similar cases moving forward,” the governor’s office said.

A photo of Jayden Perkins, a 11-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in his home on March 13, at a memorial on Friday, March 15, 2024, outside Perkin's home in Chicago. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)

According to review board records obtained through an open-records request, Brand was granted mandatory supervised release — Illinois’ version of parole — in October, placed on GPS monitoring and ordered not to contact another woman he attacked in 2015 as well as Jayden’s mother, records show. The parole release was for the 2015 case in which Brand was originally sentenced to 16 years in prison.

The review board records only list one active order of protection against Brand at the time of his release in the fall, and that one was in reference to the 2015 case. Cook County officials have previously said Jayden’s mother had a lifetime order of protection against Brand, though there’s no indication that order is listed in the review board records.

Prosecutors said Brand sent Jayden’s mother a text message on Jan. 30 threatening her and her family and showed up at her apartment Feb. 1.

He rang the doorbell multiple times and tried to pull the door handle out of the door, authorities said. The woman contacted the parole board and he was sent back to prison, authorities said.

Though prosecutors indicated in court that there was already an active order of protection, court records show that Jayden’s mother sought an emergency order of protection against Brand after that incident, just weeks before the attack. In her petition, she said Brand had attempted to break into her apartment Feb. 1.

According to a Feb. 1 parole violation report associated with the attempted break-in, Jayden’s mother called authorities and “identified herself as a known victim of (Brand) and reported that he was at her address ringing her door bell and pulling on the door handle.”

Brand, who was arrested for allegedly violating his parole in that instance, initially told his parole supervisor he was at the address looking for a new apartment, according to the report.

A review board order dated Feb. 26 shows that Brand’s attorney said there was no evidence he had been at the woman’s door. Brand himself said his GPS would have shown if he had been near the woman he was directed not to contact and it had not.

Records show board members, including Miller, found there was not a preponderance of evidence regarding Brand’s alleged parole violations. The two other board members joining Miller in the decision were Ken Tupy, a Republican from Sangamon County, and Krystal Tison, an independent from far downstate Saline County. Brand was then released from state custody March 12.

The next day, Jayden’s mother was on the phone with her mother for a usual morning check-in and was about to take her sons, Jayden and a 5-year-old, to school, Cook County prosecutors said earlier this month.

As she unlocked the door of her residence to leave, Brand forced his way inside and attacked her in the apartment in the 5900 block of North Ravenswood Avenue, prosecutors said.

Jayden “attempted numerous times to help his mother” and was stabbed in the process, prosecutors said. At one point, the woman locked herself in another room, prosecutors said, and Brand kicked the door repeatedly. When she opened the door, authorities say Brand had fled the apartment and had taken her cellphone.

Prosecutors said the woman, who was engaged to someone else, was in a romantic relationship with Brand more than 15 years ago. Brand has racked up multiple convictions for battering her, threatening her and her mother and violating orders of protection, court records show.

In 2006, Brand came to a home she shared with her mother shortly after she broke up with him, waved a gun at them and threatened them, records show. At one point, he fired the gun in their hallway before fleeing, according to a motion filed by prosecutors in an unrelated case seeking to admit past crimes.

Despite an order of protection, Brand’s alleged harassment of them persisted over the next two years. For instance, he was accused of throwing rocks at their windows and calling them repeatedly.

A full two years after the breakup, Brand punched her in the head at a bus stop while yelling about her dating other men, the motion alleged. Brand also has convictions for battering other women.

In 2013, Brand pleaded guilty to charges of domestic battery for punching a woman, who had ended a relationship with him, hard enough to knock her unconscious and leave her bleeding from the mouth. Before the physical confrontation, he told her, “I’m gonna blow your head off, you think you gonna leave that easy,” according to a motion in that case.

Later, he was sentenced to 16 years in prison for the 2015 attack on another woman, who had also ended a relationship with him, according to court documents. He also allegedly threatened her son when he tried to intervene.

The Illinois Department of Corrections recommended that Brand receive anger management counseling and the review board required that he receive domestic violence counseling upon his October release, according to review board records. The IDOC and review board each said Brand should undergo cognitive behavioral therapy.

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I Retested HelloFresh After a Few Years Away and It’s Much Improved

By Adam Campbell-Schmitt

HelloFresh Meal Kit with produce and box

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

If you have a mailbox, you have almost certainly received a coupon for discounted or free meals from HelloFresh, the country’s largest packer and shipper of ready-to-make meal kits. With a price point that sits nicely between a week’s grocery shopping and several nights of takeout, HelloFresh boxes attempt to offer flavor, variety, and value. So what’s it really like? I tried the service for two weeks. Here’s my HelloFresh review.

Image may contain: Food, Meal, Food Presentation, Dish, Stew, Plate, Meat, and Pork

Hello Fresh

The recipes

You can filter the weekly options into categories like Fit & Wholesome (these tend to be lower calorie and lower carb), Veggie, Quick & Easy, Breakfast & Lunch, and Pescatarian. There’s also New recipes, which is a nice option. Similar to other meal kit delivery services, HelloFresh does rely on repeats if you use it long enough. If you’re looking for regular delivery of narrower dietary focused options, like paleo or gluten-free or Mediterranean, look elsewhere.

What I liked:

This is not the first time I’ve used HelloFresh meal kits. I ordered them years ago and my overwhelming feeling about the meals was that they were…fine. Recipes were basic and felt repetitive. Now it’s the biggest player in the meal kit game ( as of 2023, it had over 75% of the market and owns a number of other companies like Green Chef and Factor ), and HelloFresh has improved new recipes. Each one I tried delivered on flavor and added a few fancy flairs to what could otherwise have been simple, boring meat and veggie dishes. Would I make an apricot glaze for my chicken? Quite possibly. But would I make prosciutto-wrapped chicken with an apricot glaze, chive mashed potatoes, and a Dijon vinaigrette–dressed salad all on a weeknight after work? Probably not.

I also appreciated the dishes that offered swappable proteins, meaning a meal could be made with turkey, beef, pork sausage or, in some cases, vegetarian, so your week can be more balanced.

What I didn’t like:

While you can choose from a fairly wide variety of dishes, it’s easy to tell what produce is in high supply. The two weeks I tested HelloFresh, it was apparently trying to move some zucchini , which featured heavily as a stand-alone side dish or as a feature of grain bowls and pastas. I have two small, not particularly zucchini-interested children, and so I passed on a few recipes I might have otherwise liked to avoid it being Zucchini Week in my house.

The ingredients

All of the ingredients were of a similar quality to what I’d expect at a supermarket (not always the case in other meal kit tests here at Epicurious). Produce stayed fresh for several days in the fridge and arrived, for the most part, unbruised or broken. The meats and fish are vacuum-sealed , so you can wait a few days longer to prepare them than protein straight from the butcher or fish counter. In my experience with them, one of the main selling points of meal delivery services is that they allow you some flexibility in your meal planning, so having ingredients that last is a plus.

One recipe was missing a key ingredient. That’s not shocking—it’s a periodic complaint from lots of weekly meal kit users, and in the case of HelloFresh, the mistake may be related to its massive scale. But when you’re making a Spinach Orange Salad and there are no oranges, that’s a problem. Some of the HelloFresh recipes I received also came with some minor swaps that I didn’t ask for. I chose a recipe with a mixed greens salad, which arrived with an all-spinach salad. As mentioned, I have two small kids who have some…opinions about what they eat. They’ll eat a mixed green salad. They wouldn’t eat the spinach. I don’t consider this an error (if the spinach is what’s fresh, I’d rather have the fresh ingredients), but it’s just something anyone who uses the service should be aware of, especially if they need particularly family-friendly recipes or have particularly picky eaters.

There were also a couple issues with portion sizes. Like most meal delivery services, HelloFresh offers preportioned ingredients. One dinner included four precut portions of chuck steak, but each one had a different thickness. That meant they all needed different cook times and temperatures to get to the same doneness. If you didn’t have much experience checking a meat’s doneness (or don’t have a meat thermometer , an indispensable tool every home cook should own), and you just relied on the cook times on the recipe card, you’d end up with some meat that’s raw and some that’s overcooked.

The cooking process and logistics

The promise of meal kits is that they make home-cooked meals faster and meal prep less of a hassle, but with the exception of the options labeled “Fast & Fresh” or “20-Minute Dinners,” all the recipes took over 40 minutes, and some took over an hour between prep and cook time. These are somewhat more complicated meals than some other meal kits, so I wasn’t shocked by cook time, but it is something any HelloFresh user should prepare for.

Some of the recipes featured flourishes I wouldn’t have used on my own. The scallion-infused oil for sticky rice , for example, which the recipe called for prepping in the microwave (actually a useful, easy hack), was a nice touch.

For the sake of this test, I cooked everything exactly as the cards instructed to get an idea of what the cook time would actually be for most people. Nearly every recipe I received took more time to prepare than the recipe card suggested.

HelloFresh meals also require more equipment and pantry staples (oils, butter, sugar, etc.) than some competitors. If you cook regularly and view HelloFresh as more of an add-on to your weekly meal planning, this won’t be a big deal; you’ll almost certainly have everything on hand. But if you rely on meal kits for most of your weeknight dinners, you may need to make a quick shopping trip once your recipes for the week arrive.

The pricing

HelloFresh charges $9.99 per portion, per meal for most plans, and you can choose the number of people you want to serve: two or four. (Note that the minimum plan of two portions and two meals per week costs $11.49 per portion. The $9.99 price point kicks in at three meals per week.) Shipping is $10.99 per box. So if, for example, you order three meals for two people it will be about $71 a week. Some meals are considered Premium Picks and feature more expensive ingredients like scallops. They carry an additional charge between $2.99 to $9.99 per serving.

I could easily reheat almost every dinner I made and they worked well as leftovers. So if you’re a single person doing a two-portion plan, you can stretch them into multiple meals.

If you’re doing meals for four you get a full double order of the two person option. So if you’re feeding a family with younger kids who don’t eat all that much, you may end up with some food waste. In my house with a kindergartner and a toddler, I found it to be too much food for dinner, but not enough to provide a full portion for leftovers.

One issue with the initial sign-up: You can’t browse options without ordering. Once you create an account and enter your address and payment info, you’re immediately on the hook for the first box. The day I signed up was within five days of my assigned delivery date. There was no option to skip, postpone, or otherwise cancel my order without reaching out to a customer service agent. So while HelloFresh does allow you to peruse its upcoming menus before you sign up, if you want to filter those menus to look at different offerings for dietary restrictions or get a better idea of how you’ll be building your weekly box, beware the automatic subscription.

The packaging (and environmental impacts):

One of the most convenient differences between meal kit companies and many grocery stores is that all your food ships to your door. But before getting into the details of HelloFresh’s packaging, I want to acknowledge here that shipping these weighty boxes—made weightier by ice packs—does come with some environmental impact. Exactly how that impact compares to the other ways we get our food every week is complicated . For its part HelloFresh details its sustainability practices on its website here.

However, the point of this review is to look at the experience of actually using HelloFresh, so I’m going to stick to the practical impacts of the company’s shipping.

The cardboard box was easy enough to recycle in my curbside fiber bin as was the paper-based insulation layer inside the box. The freezer packs are drainable, and recyclable (just make sure your city can recycle #4 plastic). The meal kits are each sealed in brown paper bags. This is nice because it means there are not a bunch of loose ingredients rolling around the fridge, but the paper bags do take up more shelf space than the ingredients would on their own. Proteins come packaged separately and are often hiding under the ice packs (so make sure you check the box thoroughly!).

Draining the freezer packs was a pain. Even if it’s safe, which HelloFresh claims it is , I didn’t love the idea of pouring gels and liquid packs down my drain. Also, the heavy ice packs, can smoosh the food if the box gets jostled in transit.

Is HelloFresh worth it?

HelloFresh delivers on value and offers dishes that felt fancier than what I might cook on a weeknight. The recipes are a nice challenge for a novice cook looking to learn some new techniques and offer enough interesting elements to keep more experienced cooks interested. If you’re looking to enter into the world of meal kits, this is a safe and tasty way in.

20 Best Meal Delivery Services and Kits of 2024

TikTok employees fret over harsher reviews, PIPs, and smaller bonuses

  • TikTok adjusted its annual review process to better differentiate high and low performers.
  • The change means more employees will receive a lower bonus and face a performance-improvement plan.
  • Some staffers fear the harsher annual reviews will lead to more employee departures. 

It's annual review season at TikTok, and the company is putting the squeeze on some employees by doling out harsher performance ratings.

Some staffers who were previously told their work met expectations at their mid-year review, referred to internally as an "M" rating, are now receiving lower ratings of "M-" and "I," suggesting their work isn't up to par, two current TikTok employees told Business Insider.

At TikTok, a rating below "M" can mean a reduction in one's annual bonus, or losing a bonus entirely. Some may also be placed on a performance-improvement plan, commonly referred to as a PIP.

The company told staff in January that it wanted to differentiate employees more in assessments so it could reward strong performers and give under-performers timely feedback and the opportunity to improve. This meant fewer "M" ratings, the score that a staffer needs to earn in order to get their full annual bonus.

TikTok also told staff in January that managers would be encouraged to give more employees a higher rating of "E," for exceeds expectations, which comes with a bigger annual bonus. The Wall Street Journal earlier reported on the company's plans to give out more low ratings.

"Our procedures encourage individual leaders to use their judgment, and they have responsibility for their team's performance distribution," a TikTok spokesperson told BI.

Related stories

Now that reviews are starting to roll in, some staffers are feeling frustrated that they saw drops in ratings from their mid-year assessments. Lower ratings can directly impact take-home pay, and being placed on a PIP is a bad indicator of job security no matter where you work.

One TikTok staffer, who requested anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly about the topic, said they feared the company's decision to dock employees' bonuses and put some on PIPs could drive more employees to leave the company. The employee, whose identity is known to BI, said they hadn't heard of anyone who saw their score rise since they received their mid-year rating in September or October.

TikTok's stricter reviews arrive at a moment when employees are already facing a reduction in their annual bonuses due to a scheduling change. TikTok previously rated employees across calendar years between March 1 and February 28, but changed the timing for its 2023 annual reviews so they would instead line up with the calendar year ending in December. This one-time adjustment means staff will receive around 83% of their annual bonuses for 2023 work, prorated to 10 months instead of 12 months.

This 83% proration means that many aren't feeling particularly satisfied with their annual bonuses this year, a second TikTok staffer, who also requested anonymity to discuss internal matters, told BI.

TikTok isn't the only tech company to adjust its performance reviews in recent months. Facebook-owner Meta Platforms began doling out lower ratings to staffers this year as it continued its efficiency push , offering some under-performers the opportunity to take three months' severance instead of going on a PIP. The company did opt to pump up annual bonuses for high performers after it reported strong Q4 earnings.

And other tech workers have learned the hard way that a strong performance review does not equal job security. For example, last year, Reddit began letting go of employees across departments who had received high ratings in their most recent performance reviews.

Are you a TikTok or ByteDance employee with insight to share? Contact reporter Dan Whateley at [email protected] or on Signal using a non-work device.

Watch: TikTok could be banned in US after House vote

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