Running a Facebook ad campaign can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you discover your ad has been rejected and you’re unsure of the reason. Facebook (now Meta) has strict advertising policies designed to protect users and maintain ad quality, which can lead to the disapproval of even honest advertisers.
This blog will explain why your Facebook ads may not be approved. We’ll cover the most common mistakes marketers make and guide on how to fix these issues and prevent ad rejections in the future. Whether you are a business owner or an agency managing multiple clients, this guide will help you troubleshoot and ensure your ads run smoothly.
In 2024, Meta rejected over 2.5 billion ads globally for violating advertising policies.
How Facebook Reviews Your Ads?
Before diving into the reasons behind disapproval, it’s essential to understand how Facebook reviews your ad:
- Automated Systems: Large portion of ads are first examined by automated AI algorithms.
- Human Review (if flagged): Human reviewers step in in case of issues or appeals.
- Review Time: It usually takes a few minutes to 24 hours.
Your ad, including text, images, videos, links, and landing page, is evaluated to ensure it complies with Meta’s Advertising Policies.
Major Reasons Your Facebook Ads Aren’t Approved
If your first Facebook ad gets rejected, it may be due to policy violations, poor targeting, low-quality content, or issues with your landing page. Check the notification you received, review Facebook’s ad policies, and revise your ad accordingly. Focus on creating compliant ads and try different approaches to enhance your chances of success in the future.
Violation of Facebook’s Ad Policies
Facebook has detailed policies around content, conduct, and user protection. Violations may include:
- Prohibited content: Adult products, tobacco, weapons, unsafe supplements, surveillance equipment.
- Misleading or exaggerated claims: “Get rich overnight,” “Guaranteed weight loss,” etc.
- Before-and-after images: Especially in health or fitness products.
- Political, religious, or sensitive issues: Without proper verification, ads related to these topics may be rejected for violating Meta's advertising policies.
Fix:
Always read and understand Facebook’s Ad Policies. Keep your ad honest, respectful, and free from false promises.
Promoting Restricted Products Without Permission
Some products and services are not banned but restricted, meaning you need prior approval:
- Cryptocurrency
- Alcohol
- Online gambling
- Subscription services
- Healthcare services
Fix:
Request permission through your Meta Business Manager if you’re advertising restricted content.
Poor or Misleading Landing Page
If your ad directs users to a spammy, slow, or misleading landing page, your ad will be rejected.
Common mistakes include:
- Auto-play audio/video
- Popups or forced actions
- Inconsistent messaging (e.g., the ad says 50% off, but the landing page doesn’t)
Fix:
Ensure your landing page is user-friendly, mobile-responsive, secure (HTTPS) and consistent with your ad copy.
Too Much Text in the Image
Facebook recommends that ad images contain less than 20% text. Excessive overlay text can decrease reach or result in rejection.
Fix:
Use Facebook’s Text Overlay Tool to check your creativity before publishing.
Sensational or Clickbait Copy
Phrases like:
- “You won’t believe this…”
- “Secret hack to make $10k/month!”
- “Click here before it’s too late!”
…are red flags to Facebook’s algorithm.
Fix:
Ad copy should be professional, specific, and honest. Instead of “Lose weight fast,” try “Our fitness plan helps you stay on track with your goals.”
How to Fix a Rejected Facebook Ad?
Check the rejection reason in Ads Manager, review your ad against Facebook’s policies, make necessary edits, and resubmit. If you believe it was an error, request a manual review.
If your ad has been disapproved, follow these steps to fix it:
Check the Notification in the Ads Manager
Go to your Ads Manager and find the ad that was turned down. Be sure to read the reason they gave for the rejection. It can be hard to tell sometimes, so be sure to compare your ad to Facebook’s rules. Understanding this will help you get back on track! Edit and Resubmit.
Once you understand the issue:
- Change the image/video or remove problematic text.
- Fix the destination URL or landing page.
- Click “Edit” → Make changes → “Resubmit for Review”
Request a Manual Review
If you believe your ad follows all policies but was wrongly rejected:
- Click “Request Review” in Ads Manager.
- Add a short, professional explanation.
- Meta may take up to 24–48 hours to review it again.
💡 Tip: Don’t repeatedly resubmit the same rejected ad without changing it. Doing so can result in a disabled ad account.
How to Prevent Facebook Ad Rejections in the Future
Save time and money by getting off on the right foot. Here are some professional tips to help you reduce the chances of Facebook ads being rejected in the future:
- Avoid banned words like “cure,” “guarantee,” or “miracle.”
- Use original, high-quality creatives
- Write honest ad copy with realistic claims
- Test your ads using Facebook's Creative Hub
- Ensure your landing page is secure and relevant
- Maintain a clean ad history (frequent rejections can lead to a flagged account)
These minor differences can make or break your ad approval status.
When to Contact Facebook Support
If your ads get rejected after edits or your ad account is disabled, contact Meta support directly. Follow the below path:
- Visit: https://www.facebook.com/business/help
- Use live chat or email to open a support case.
Quick Summary
📌 Main Reasons for Facebook Ad Rejection:
Violating Facebook’s Ad Policies (e.g., false claims, prohibited content)
Promoting restricted products without Meta approval
Sending users to spammy or misleading landing pages
Using ad images with too much text
Writing clickbait or exaggerated copy
🛠 Fixes & Best Practices:
Review Meta’s Advertising Policies regularly
Edit disapproved ads with honest, specific, and policy-compliant content
Use Facebook’s “Request Review” if you think rejection was a mistake
Test ads in Facebook’s Creative Hub before launching
Optimize your landing page for clarity, trust, and mobile usability
Why does Facebook reject my ad even if it looks fine?
Facebook uses strict automated filters and policies that might misinterpret honest ads. Common reasons include unclear copy, too much text in the image, or misleading claims.
How long does it take for Meta to approve a resubmitted ad?
Typically, the review takes a few minutes to 24 hours. Manual reviews (if requested) may take up to 48 hours.
What happens if I ignore a rejected ad?
Ignoring repeated rejections can hurt your ad account’s credibility. In some cases, your account could be disabled or flagged.
Can Facebook permanently disable my ad account?
Yes. Continuous violations or suspicious activity can lead to account disabling. Always follow Meta’s policies and appeal rejections properly.
What’s the difference between restricted and prohibited content on Facebook?
Restricted content (like alcohol and crypto) requires permission to be advertised. Prohibited content (like weapons or tobacco) is not permitted under any circumstances.
Wrap Up
When ads on Facebook are blocked, it can be irritating, but there are ways to fix the problem. It’s important to know Meta’s regulations, avoid common mistakes, and do what you need to do to fix any issues. This will help run the FB Ads campaign smoothly.
Whether you are running Facebook ads in Pakistan or managing international campaigns, consistency, transparency, and knowledge of the policies are your most valuable tools.
Are you tired of wasting your ad budget and dealing with constant Facebook ad rejections? A professional social media agency can help you navigate Meta’s complex policies and run high-performing, fully compliant campaigns. Partner with experts who know how to get your ads approved—and deliver real results.
