There’s nothing more frustrating than crafting an advertising campaign and receiving the Facebook ad rejected notification email. You're not alone! Many advertisers face this issue and struggle to understand why their Facebook ads are not being delivered.
The rejection of a Facebook ad comes from various factors, according to Facebook's advertising policies and community standards. The nuances of unacceptable, deceptive, and dangerous content can trip up even the most well-intentioned advertisers.
In this article, we will explore the 9 reasons behind Facebook ad rejections and provide you with some valuable tips to avoid this hassle.
When it comes to advertising on Facebook, there's a rulebook you should be aware of to avoid ad rejection.
Facebook's advertising policies are grounded in their core values and principles. Ignoring these rules can lead to your ad being shown the red warning. Let's break down these principles and why sticking to them matters.
Protecting People From Unsafe And Discriminatory Practices: Facebook wants all advertisers to follow their local laws, be fair, and not promote illegal or harmful stuff.
Protecting People From Fraud Or Scams: Tricking people or scamming them through ads is a big no-no.
Promoting Positive User Experiences: Facebook wants ads to be pleasant and not shocking, violent, or inappropriate.
Promoting Transparency: Transparency is key. Facebook lets you peek at all active ads and also shows who's behind ads about important stuff like politics. The Ad Library and Info and Ads sections keep things open.
Facebook’s community standard sets a clear rule to content that is either prohibited or restricted. Understanding what you can or can’t advertise is crucial for getting your ads approved.
Prohibited content is absolutely not allowed on the platform, and this can be as a post or as an ad.
Restricted content can be posted and advertised, but it has a strict set of rules that need to be followed and comes with a warning for adult content.
This causes a common confusion since each standard can be both prohibited and restricted depending on the use and how it’s depicted.
One example is Adult Nudity and Sexual Activity. If the post or ad has explicit sexual content it will be prohibited and thus, rejected.
On the other hand, real world art that depicts implied or explicit sexual activity can fall in the restricted category and be allowed.
The line between the two is very thin, so be really careful when posting an ad.
3. Unacceptable content
Facebook has unacceptable content rules to ensure a safe and respectful environment for everyone. The list of items that will automatically make your facebook ads rejected is:
Illegal Products and Services
Misinformation
Vaccine Discouragement
Discriminatory Practices
Inflammatory Content
Militarized Social Movements and Violence-Inducing Conspiracy Networks
The bottom line is, Facebook wants ads that play by the rules and keep things respectful.
4. Deceptive content
Genuine content is king for Facebook. They try to maintain a space where everyone can trust what they see.
Ads can't be about products or services that often come with misleading or deceptive practices. From promising outcomes that sound too good to be true in the fields of health, weight loss, or economic opportunities, to finances, the ads can’t deceive the viewer. The goal is to keep things straightforward and trustworthy.
5. Dangerous content
Facebook prohibits the promotion of certain substances and products that are deemed unsafe. This includes illicit or recreational drugs, as well as other hazardous substances and supplements. The intention behind this policy is to prevent the endorsement of items that could potentially harm individuals or encourage illegal activities.
Another category of content that falls under the umbrella of dangerous material is weapons, ammunition, and explosives. This policy extends to cover accessories for weapon modification as well.
Tobacco and related products are also on the list of restricted content. This includes tobacco, nicotine products, and associated paraphernalia.
6. Objectionable content
Objectionable content includes a long list of items that will lead to ad rejection:
Adult content with nudity and sexually suggestive material
Ads with incorrect grammar, profanity, or attempts to circumvent review processes
Unexpected or disruptive landing pages, featuring misleading headlines or irrelevant content Personal attributes that can spread offensive or discriminatory content
Disturbing, sensational, or violent content
Exploitation of crises for commercial gain
Promoting negative self-perception in order to sell health-related products that could harm self-esteem
Human body parts or fluids
7. Content-specific restrictions
Certain kinds of industries or products are governed by specific laws and regulations. For these you should check the specific laws to promote ads. A few examples are:
Alcohol advertising: Ads promoting or referencing alcohol must adhere to local laws, industry codes, guidelines, licenses, and approvals. They also require age and country targeting criteria in line with both Meta's requirements and applicable local laws.
Similarly, ads for adult products or services need to be carefully targeted. While sexual and reproductive health products can be advertised, they must avoid focusing solely on sexual pleasure and be directed at audiences aged 18 or older.
Dating services also come under scrutiny, with prior written permission required for such ads, and strict adherence to dating targeting requirements and guidelines.
Prescription drugs can only be promoted with prior written permission, as well, granted to specific entities like online pharmacies and telehealth providers in certain jurisdictions.
8. Intellectual property infringement
Intellectual property infringement is a key reason behind the rejection of Facebook ads, as the platform upholds the rights of both third parties and its own brand.
The policy prevents the promotion or sale of counterfeit goods that imitate the trademarks of other companies, safeguarding intellectual property and ensuring authenticity.
Facebook, also, enforces clear guidelines to prevent misleading brand endorsements, restricts the use of its trademarks without permission, and ensures accurate representation of user interface elements in ads.
9. Social issue, electoral or political advertising
Facebook ads relating to social issues, elections, or politics are permitted on the platform, if they follow all relevant legal requirements and the authorization process stipulated by Meta.
Certain content related to elections may be prohibited or temporarily removed in specific regions leading up to voting to prevent undue influence; these measures are in place to preserve the integrity of the democratic process.
What do I do if I have a Facebook ad rejected?
If you had rejected Facebook ads, you have 2 options:
You can edit or create a new ad to align with the policy you've violated
You can Request another review of your ad
Remember that just duplicating the ad won’t resolve the issues with it and it may be rejected again.
Keep in mind to review the copy, the image and the Landing page it redirects to, making sure it’s aligned with Facebook's Advertising Policy.
How to submit a review after Facebook Ads are rejected
If your ad is rejected you’ll receive an email with the notification of the rejection. Initiating a review for a disputed ad involves questioning the validity of the automated rejection, especially if you suspect an unjust outcome.
On this page, you’ll see the Ad Accounts owned by the business and will be able to check the Status of your rejected ads.
By clicking the account name you’ll be redirected to a new page where you’ll have all the information regarding the rejection.
Then simply click the Request Review button. You can then track the status on the Home of the Business Support Page.
How does the ad review process work?
The road to ad approval on Facebook involves a meticulous review process. When you submit an ad, it undergoes an evaluation by Facebook's team. This process typically takes around 24 hours, although occasionally it might extend a bit. But what exactly happens during this review?
Facebook's team of reviewers, composed of real people, examines various aspects of your ad. They assess the content, visuals, targeting, and adherence to Facebook's advertising rules.
Their aim is to ensure that your ad meets the platform's standards and doesn't contain any misleading claims, prohibited content, or privacy concerns. It's like an in-depth health check for your ad.
Once the review concludes, you'll receive a notification indicating the status of your ad. If your ad aligns with Facebook's guidelines, it's a green light for you. If issues are identified, you'll receive feedback explaining why your ad didn't make the cut.
How to contact support after your ad gets rejected
If after the review you still believe your ad was wrongfully rejected, you can always try contacting the Facebook Support team.
On the Business Support home, expand the menu on the left.
On the bottom, you’ll find “Help”.
Click on it and on the right will appear the help menu, which has a button to contact the support team.
When contacting support, make sure to provide relevant details, such as the ad ID, reason for rejection, and any additional information you think is necessary. Facebook support can provide further clarification on their ad policies and guidelines, helping you avoid similar issues in the future.
View the status of your ad review request
After submitting a review request for your rejected ad, you may wonder how to track its progress. To view the status of your ad review request, go to the page Business Support Home. There you can see the status for all your review requests and if there are any new rejected ads.
It's important to note that the review process can take some time, so be patient. If you believe it's taking longer than usual, you can always contact Facebook support for an update on the status of your review request.
What to do if your Facebook advertising account is restricted
On the new page, click on “What you can do” and then follow the onscreen steps to request a review.
Be ready with an ID to confirm your identity, complete the verification and secure your account.
If you still need support, you can follow the same steps to contact the support team we explained for the review rejected ad.
When submitting the appeal, be sure to provide a clear and concise explanation as to why your account should be reactivated. Admit any mistakes if applicable and highlight the steps you'll take to ensure compliance moving forward.
How do you prevent Facebook from rejecting your ads?
To avoid repeating the frustrating cycle of ad rejections, here are some tips to help you stay on the right side of Facebook's policies:
Review Facebook's advertising policies and guidelines regularly to stay up to date.
Avoid using prohibited content, restricted products/services, or offensive material in your ads.
Check your copy, image and landing page and make sure everything is in order and in terms with the advertising policies.
Be transparent and avoid making misleading claims or false promises in your ad content.
By following these tips and being mindful of Facebook's policies, you can increase the chances of your ads being approved and reaching your target audience effectively.
Wrap up
Understanding why Facebook rejects your ads and taking the necessary precautions can save you time and frustration. By following Facebook's policies and guidelines, you can create compliant and engaging ads that successfully drive your marketing objectives.
Remember, Facebook is continually updating its policies, so staying informed and adapting your strategies accordingly is a key aspect of successful advertising on the platform.
Key takeaways
Facebook's ad approval process involves various aspects of the ad, including content, visuals, targeting, and adherence to advertising rules.
There are several common reasons for Facebook ad rejection, including the use of banned words, violation of Facebook's advertising policies, non-compliance with community standards, unacceptable content, deceptive content, dangerous content, and more.
If an ad gets rejected, advertisers have the option to modify the ad to comply with policies or challenge the decision through a manual review.
You can take proactive steps to prevent ad rejections by thoroughly knowing Facebook's Advertising Standards
Facebook Rejected ad - FAQ
Why are my Facebook ads rejected?
There are many reasons why a Facebook ad might be rejected. Some of the most common reasons include:
The ad violates Facebook's advertising policies
The ad is not aligned with Facebook's Community guidelines
The ad includes prohibited or restricted content, using misleading or deceptive language, or targeting people in a discriminatory way.
The ad is poorly made. This could include having low-quality images or videos, using too much text, or having grammatical errors.
How can I prevent my Facebook ads from being rejected?
To prevent your Facebook ads from being rejected, read and understand Facebook's advertising policies. This will help you avoid violating any of the rules.
Make sure your ad is well-made. Use high-quality images and videos, and avoid using too much text.
What can I do if my Facebook ad is rejected?
If your Facebook ad is rejected, you'll receive an email notification with the reason for the rejection. You can then review the notification and make the necessary changes to your ad and request a new review on the Business Support page. If you're still not sure why your ad was rejected, you can contact Facebook support for help.
