How to Request Advertiser Access on Facebook

Gaining advertiser access to a client’s Facebook and Instagram accounts is the first official step in any new social media marketing partnership. This process sets you up to run ads, track performance, and deliver results, all while keeping their accounts secure. This guide walks you through exactly how to request the access you need through Meta Business Suite and troubleshoot the common roadblocks that can slow you down.

What Exactly is "Advertiser Access"? A Quick Primer

Before you start sending requests, it’s important to understand what you’re asking for and why. Many new freelancers or agencies make the mistake of asking for full admin access or - even worse - asking for a client's personal login details. This is not only insecure but also unnecessary.

Facebook (now Meta) has granular permission levels designed for collaboration. "Advertiser access" typically refers to specific roles within a client's Ad Account and Facebook Page. Let's break down where you'll need access and what those permissions let you do.

• Access to the Facebook Page: This allows you to publish content, respond to comments, create ads that run from their Page, and view Page analytics. An "Advertiser" role here is perfect for running ads without giving you the ability to change Page settings or roles.
• Access to the Ad Account: This is the engine room for all paid campaigns. Gaining advertiser access to the ad account lets you create, edit, manage, and analyze ad campaigns. This is separate from the Page. The most common permission level you’ll need here is the "Manage campaigns" role.
• Access to the Pixel: If you're running conversion campaigns, you will also need access to their Meta Pixel to track website activity.
• Access to the Instagram Account: To run ads on Instagram, the account must be connected to the Page within their Business Suite. When you get advertiser access to the Page, this access typically extends to the connected Instagram account for advertising purposes.

The beauty of this system is that it’s done through Meta Business Suite (or Business Manager). It allows a client to grant you access without sharing any passwords. You operate from your own Business Manager account, keeping all your client work separate and secure. It’s the professional standard for agencies and freelancers.

How to Request Advertiser Access: A Step-by-Step Guide

The most professional way to gain access is to request it through your own Business Suite account. This puts the ball in the client’s court to approve your request with a simple click. Here’s how you do it.

Prerequisites: What You Need First

1. A Meta Business Suite Account: You can't professionally manage clients without one. If you don’t have one set up yet, go to business.facebook.com and create one for your own agency or freelance business.
2. Your Client's Business Asset IDs: To request access, Meta needs to know precisely which Page and Ad Account you're trying to work with. You'll need your client to send you their Facebook Page URL and their Ad Account ID.
   • Finding the Page URL: This is easy. It's just the public URL of their Facebook Business Page.
   • Finding the Ad Account ID: This can be trickier for clients. Instruct them to go to their Ads Manager. The ID (a long string of numbers) will be visible in the top-left dropdown menu, right next to their ad account name. It can also be found in their URL when logged into Ads Manager.

Ask for these IDs upfront during your onboarding process. Having this information ready makes the next steps quick and easy.

Step 1: Navigate to Your Business Settings

From your own Meta Business Suite, look for the gear icon labeled "Settings" in the bottom-left corner. If you are using the older Business Manager interface, you’ll find "Business Settings" there. This is your command center for managing all assets and partners.

Step 2: Request Access to the Client's Page

Once in Business Settings, follow this path:

1. In the left-hand navigation menu, under "Accounts," click on Pages.
2. Click the blue "Add" button. A dropdown menu will appear.
3. Select "Request Access to a Page." Do not click "Add a Page" - that option is for claiming a Page you own, which you do not.
4. A pop-up window will appear. Enter the client's Facebook Page name or URL into the search bar. Select the correct Page.
5. Now, you'll see a series of toggles for different permission levels. For running ads and managing community, you’ll typically need:
   • Content: Create, manage, or delete posts, Stories, and more.
   • Messages: Send messages from the Page in Inbox.
   • Community Activity: Review and respond to comments, remove unwanted content.
   • Ads: Create, manage, and delete ads for the Page.
   • Insights: View Page performance.
   Avoid requesting "Full Control," as most clients will (rightfully) hesitate to grant that. It gives you admin rights to control settings and permissions. Request only what you need to do your job.
6. Click "Request Access."

Step 3: Request Access to the Client's Ad Account

Next, you’ll need access to their ad account. The process is very similar.

1. In the left-hand menu, under "Accounts," click on Ad Accounts.
2. Click the blue "Add" button.
3. Select "Request Access to an Ad Account."
4. The pop-up window will ask for the Ad Account ID. This is where you paste the string of numbers your client provided. Paste it in and the correct account should appear.
5. Choose your permission level. For most campaigns, the "Manage campaigns" role is sufficient. It allows you to create and edit ads, access reports, and view ad creative. Avoid requesting "Manage Ad Account" unless you specifically need to manage billing settings or permissions.
6. Click "Confirm." The request is now sent.

Optionally, you can also request access to their Catalog or Pixel through the "Data Sources" section in Business Settings by following a nearly identical process. Use their respective IDs to send the request.

What Your Client Needs to Do: Approving the Request

Your job isn't done until the client approves the request on their end. It's a good idea to send them a follow-up email explaining what to expect, or even a brief video walkthrough.

Here are the simple steps you can send them:

How to Approve an Access Request

1. You should receive a notification on Facebook about the request. You can also approve it manually by going to your Meta Business Suite.
2. Go to your Business Settings.
3. In the left menu, search for the "Requests" section. You should see a new request from "[Your Business Name]" with a "Received" status.
4. Click on the request and review the details. If everything looks correct, click the blue "Approve" button.

Once they approve, their Page and Ad Account will immediately appear in your Business Manager, ready for you to start working.

Common Challenges and How to Solve Them

Sometimes things don't go as smoothly as planned. Here are some of the most common hiccups and what to do about them.

Challenge 1: "My client doesn't have a Business Manager account."

This is very common, especially with small businesses. Many have an Ad Account that’s tied to their personal Facebook profile instead of being housed in a Business Manager. For a professional partnership, they absolutely need one.

Solution: You will need to guide them on how to set one up at business.facebook.com/overview. Once created, they need to "claim" their own existing Page and Ad Account, bringing those assets into their new, centralized Business Manager. This not only makes granting you access possible, but it also gives them better security and organization long-term.

Challenge 2: "The client can't find my request."

First, double-check that you used the correct Page URL and Ad Account ID. A single wrong digit will send the request into the void.

Solution: If the IDs are correct, the request is most likely sitting in a folder they don't know exists. Sending them the step-by-step instructions above to navigate directly to the "Requests" tab in their Business Settings almost always solves the problem. Notifications can easily be missed, so navigating directly is the best way.

Challenge 3: "I have access to the Page but can't see the Ad Account (or vice-versa)."

Remember that the Page and the Ad Account are separate assets. You must request access to both individually.

Solution: Review the steps in the guide to see which part of the request is missing. Go back into your Business Settings, find the asset you’re missing (either Pages or Ad Accounts), and send a new request specifically for that item. It's an easy fix.

Challenge 4: "I can see the ad account but can’t create ads or edit billing."

This is a permissions issue. Your client likely granted you a "View campaigns" role instead of a "Manage campaigns" role.

Solution: You can't change your own permissions. Simply explain to your client what you need to do (e.g., “To launch the new campaign, I need permission to create ads”) and ask them to adjust your role. They can do this in their Business Settings by navigating to the "Ad Accounts" tab, clicking on your name under the correct ad account, and changing your permission level from there.

Final Thoughts

Requesting advertiser access on Facebook is a straightforward process once you understand the separation between Pages, Ad Accounts, and other assets within Meta Business Suite. Using this "partner request" method protects both you and your client by avoiding password sharing, establishing clear working boundaries, and setting a professional tone from day one.

Once you’ve gained access and are managing campaigns across multiple clients, keeping the content and strategy organized becomes the next challenge. When juggling multiple client ad campaigns, visual planning is everything. That’s why we built Postbase with a beautiful calendar view that shows all your scheduled organic and paid content in one place. It helps us avoid sending clients endless spreadsheets and instead provides a clear, bird's-eye view of a campaign’s progress at a glance.