Meta Ad Review Process Explained

Digital Marketing

Mar 3, 2025

Understand Meta's ad review process, common rejection reasons, and tips to ensure your ads comply with advertising policies for smoother approvals.

Meta's ad review process ensures ads on Facebook, Instagram, and other Meta platforms meet their Advertising Policies. The system uses automated tools and human reviewers to check ad content, targeting, and landing pages. Here's what you need to know:

  • How It Works: Ads are reviewed for compliance with Meta's rules, including images, text, videos, targeting, and URLs.

  • Review Times: Most ads are reviewed within 24 hours, but complex or flagged ads may take longer.

  • Common Rejection Reasons: Misleading claims, prohibited content, targeting based on personal attributes, or landing page issues.

  • Fixing Rejected Ads: Review rejection messages, make corrections, and resubmit. Appeals are possible for wrongly rejected ads.

  • Tips for Approval: Follow Meta’s policies, use high-quality content, ensure landing pages align with ads, and consider AI tools like AdAmigo.ai for compliance checks.

Quick Tip: Submit ads early during busy times like Black Friday to avoid delays. Staying compliant with Meta’s rules helps campaigns run smoothly and avoids disruptions.

Facebook Ads Policies Finally EXPLAINED

Review Process Steps and Time

Understanding how Meta reviews ads and the time it takes can help you plan campaigns more effectively. Meta handles a massive number of ads daily through both automated systems and human reviewers. Following their guidelines, as discussed earlier, can make the approval process smoother.

Review Times

Review Type

Timeline

Key Factors

Standard Review

Up to 24 hours

Basic policy compliance, normal ad volume

Expedited Review

Minutes to hours

Clean account history, simple ad content

Complex Review

Up to 48 hours

Special categories, complex targeting

Manual Review

48+ hours

Policy concerns, high-risk content

Note: Review times may extend during peak periods like Black Friday or holidays.



Certain situations can lead to longer review times, such as:

  • Updates to existing ads

  • Content that requires manual review due to complexity

  • Accounts with a history of policy violations

  • Ads that link to external landing pages

Checking Ad Review Status

Once your ad is under review, keeping track of its status is important for making timely adjustments. In Meta Ads Manager, the "Delivery" column shows real-time updates on your ad's progress. Clicking on an ad provides more detailed status information.

To streamline the process, tools like AdAmigo.ai can help you check for potential issues before submission. If your account is flagged as "Restricted" or "Disabled", review your notifications and email for instructions from Meta on how to resolve the issue.

Staying within Meta's policies not only speeds up the review process but also ensures your campaigns run without interruptions.

Top Reasons Ads Get Rejected

Learn what commonly causes ad rejections and how to avoid them.

Policy and Content Rules

Meta enforces strict advertising standards to maintain platform quality and protect users. Here are some common reasons ads get flagged:

Violation Type

Issues

How to Avoid It

Misleading Claims

Unrealistic promises, false testimonials

Stick to verified claims and add disclaimers

Prohibited Content

References to gambling, adult content

Review Meta's restricted content guidelines

Personal Attributes

Targeting based on age, gender, ethnicity

Use interests and behaviors for targeting

Privacy Issues

Asking for sensitive information

Follow Meta's data collection policies

For example, Maximiles faced rejection for "promoting gambling." They solved this by changing phrases like "receive prizes" to "earn rewards" and aligning their landing pages with this updated language [3].

Technical Requirements

Ad approval isn't just about content - technical issues can also lead to rejection. Here's what to check:

  • Image Quality: Use high-resolution images with minimal text overlay.

  • Video Specifications: Avoid flashing elements in your videos.

  • Text-to-Image Ratio: Keep text on images to a minimum.

  • Link Functionality: Ensure all URLs work properly and lead to relevant content.

  • Asset Optimization: Tailor your content for different Meta placements.

Landing Page Rules

Your landing page matters just as much as your ad. If it doesn't meet Meta's standards, your ad could be rejected.

Key requirements:

  • Functionality: Pages must load quickly and work on all devices.

  • Content Alignment: The landing page should reflect the claims in your ad.

  • User Experience: Avoid intrusive pop-ups or auto-downloads.

  • Compliance Elements: Include legal details and privacy policies.

  • Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure your page displays correctly on all screen sizes.

Using tools like AdAmigo.ai can help you spot potential issues before submitting your ads. The platform uses AI to review ads against Meta's rules, helping you stay compliant and improve performance.

Fixing Rejected Ads

If your ad gets rejected by Meta, don’t panic. Here's a step-by-step guide to fixing the issue or appealing the decision effectively.

Reading Rejection Messages

Start by carefully reviewing the rejection email. It will outline the specific policy your ad violated. Meta's Business Help Center suggests:

"We recommend that you review the policy-violating components, like the image, video, text, targeting or landing page and update them to comply with the Advertising Standards" [2].

Making Corrections

Once you've identified the problem, take these steps to fix it:

Step

Action

Important Notes

Review

Look closely at the violation

Focus on the specific issue flagged in the rejection.

Edit

Adjust the problematic elements

Leave any compliant parts of the ad unchanged.

Verify

Check against Meta's guidelines

Make sure every element meets their standards.

Resubmit

Submit the corrected ad

Meta will automatically review it again.

Important: Editing or deleting a rejected ad won’t erase its violation record. Repeated issues could lead to account restrictions [2].

If fixing the ad doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to file an appeal.

Filing an Appeal

Think your ad was wrongly rejected? Meta allows you to appeal through the Business Support Home. Here’s what to know:

  • Most appeals are reviewed by humans, not automated systems.

  • Meta typically processes appeals within 48 hours.

  • Filing an appeal won’t harm your account standing.

To improve your chances of success, follow these tips:

  • Document Compliance: Collect screenshots and references to show how your ad complies with the policies.

  • Submit Your Case: Write a clear explanation, citing specific guidelines to support your claim.

  • Monitor the Appeal: Use the Business Support Home to track your appeal. If approved, your ad will resume delivery automatically. If rejected again, you won’t be able to appeal the same ad a second time.

For advertisers juggling multiple campaigns, tools like AdAmigo.ai (https://adamigo.ai) can simplify the process. This platform checks your ads for compliance with Meta’s policies before you submit them, helping to minimize rejections and avoid unnecessary appeals.

Tips for Quick Ad Approval

Use these strategies to speed up the review process and get your ads approved faster.

Following Meta's Rules

Meta

Make sure your ads follow Meta's key advertising policies:

  • Content Restrictions

    • Avoid promoting illegal products or services.

    • Steer clear of references to violence or weapons.

    • Exclude adult content and unapproved supplements.

    • Do not include hate speech or discriminatory language.

    • Skip profanity and overly sensational language.

  • Data Compliance

    • Don’t share user data with external networks.

    • Avoid asking for sensitive information.

    • Keep your privacy policy up to date.

Content Quality Standards

Element

Requirement

Best Practice

Images

Clear and high resolution

Use sharp, high-quality images optimized for Meta ads.

Text

Concise and error-free

Double-check for typos and keep the message short.

Landing Pages

Fast-loading and mobile-friendly

Ensure the page aligns with your ad's promises.

Targeting

Relevant audience selection

Avoid targeting that could be seen as discriminatory.

"Understanding these standards is not just about avoiding rejections – it will help you create effective ads that deliver your message the right way." – LeadEnforce [1]

Consider using automated tools to check compliance and improve efficiency.

Using AI Review Tools

AI tools can help ensure your ads meet Meta's standards before submission. Platforms like AdAmigo.ai offer pre-submission checks, flagging potential issues and suggesting fixes to keep your ads compliant. For agencies managing multiple accounts, their bulk ad review feature is a game-changer, allowing you to check multiple ads at once and minimize rejections.

Pro Tip: During busy times like Black Friday or Christmas, ad reviews can take longer. Submit your ads early, and use AI tools to increase your chances of first-time approval.

Solving Repeat Rejections

Finding Common Issues

If your ads keep getting rejected on Meta, start by identifying patterns in the feedback. Most rejections fall into a few key areas:

Rejection Category

Common Issues

Quick Fix

Content Violations

Prohibited products, misleading claims

Check Meta's latest content policies for updates

Technical Issues

Poor image quality, excessive text overlay

Improve creative assets before resubmitting

Landing Page Problems

Broken links, missing privacy policy

Regularly maintain your website and ensure compliance

Targeting Concerns

Discriminatory settings, restricted categories

Adjust audience settings to meet guidelines

Keep a record of every rejection and create a compliance checklist tailored to your ads. This will help guide your revisions and reduce future issues.

Meta Support Options

If basic fixes don’t resolve the problem, Meta offers support channels to help:

  1. Business Help Center
    This is your go-to resource for troubleshooting ad rejections. However, only 6% of standard support inquiries are resolved here [5]. Save all rejection notifications, take screenshots of error messages, and provide detailed explanations of your compliance efforts when seeking assistance.

  2. Direct Support Contact
    For urgent issues, you can call Meta Support at 650-543-4800. That said, self-service options are often faster and more effective [5].

Automation Tools

To avoid repeat rejections, consider using automation tools like AdAmigo.ai. These tools offer features designed to streamline Meta ad management, including:

  • AI-driven compliance checks before submission

  • Bulk review of multiple ad sets

  • Automated optimization to ensure ads align with Meta’s policies

While automation can catch many common mistakes, staying informed about Meta’s policies is still crucial for long-term success.

Summary

Key Steps Review

Meta's ad review process plays a central role in successful advertising. Here's a breakdown of what matters most:

Review Area

Key Requirements

Impact on Approval

Content Quality

Use high-quality visuals and clear messaging

Leads to quicker approval and better results

Policy Compliance

Adhere to current guidelines

Avoids rejections

Technical Standards

Ensure proper image specs and working links

Guarantees a smooth review process

Landing Pages

Include a complete privacy policy and functional URLs

Mandatory for approval

This highlights the need to maintain strong standards in content, compliance, technical details, and landing pages.

Next Steps

  • Stay Updated on Policies
    Regularly review your ad content and targeting strategies to ensure they align with Meta's latest guidelines [6].

  • Leverage AI Tools

    Consider using AI platforms like AdAmigo.ai to simplify ad management. As Sherwin S. shared:

    "AI recommendations are spot-on (…) It's like having an extra set of super-smart hands helping me hit my KPIs" [4].

  • Implement A/B Testing
    Experiment with ad copy, visuals, targeting, and landing page elements to refine compliance and performance [7].

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