How to Sign Into Ads Manager on Instagram

Ready to level up your Instagram strategy with paid ads but feeling a bit lost on how to even find the Ads Manager? You're in the right place. This guide will show you exactly how to sign into the Instagram Ads Manager, clear up the confusion around its connection to Facebook, and get you ready to launch your first campaign with confidence.

The Meta Connection: Why Facebook’s Ads Manager is Your Instagram Command Center

Here’s the first thing you need to know: Instagram’s Ads Manager is actually Meta’s Ads Manager. Years ago, Facebook (now Meta) acquired Instagram. Since then, they’ve integrated their advertising platforms into one powerful, unified system. This means you don't log into a separate "Instagram Ads Manager." Instead, you manage your Instagram ads, Facebook ads, and Messenger ads all from the same place: the Meta Ads Manager, which is part of the larger Meta Business Suite.

While this might seem confusing at first, it's actually great news. It gives you access to an incredibly robust set of tools, advanced targeting options, and detailed analytics that a standalone app just couldn't offer. You only need one ad account to run campaigns across the entire Meta family of apps. Think of it as your central mission control for social advertising.

Before You Begin: The Two Must-Haves

To access and use Ads Manager for Instagram, you need two things set up correctly. Skipping these steps is the source of 90% of login and setup headaches, so let's get them out of the way first.

1. An Instagram Business or Creator Account

A personal Instagram profile can't run ads or access professional tools. You need to switch to either a Business or a Creator account. It’s free, quick, and unlocks features like Insights, contact buttons, and, most importantly, the ability to advertise.

How to switch your Instagram account:

• Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
• Tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top-right corner, then select Settings and privacy.
• Scroll down to For professionals and tap on Account type and tools.
• Tap Switch to professional account and follow the on-screen prompts. You’ll choose a category that best describes your brand and select whether you’re a "Business" or a "Creator."

2. A Linked Facebook Page

Because ads are managed through Meta's system, your Instagram professional account must be connected to a Facebook Page. This page acts as the business identity that officially "runs" and pays for the ads.

How to link your Instagram to a Facebook Page:

• From your Instagram profile, tap Edit profile.
• Under Public business information, tap Page.
• You can either Create a New Facebook Page or tap Connect an Existing Page.
• Log into your Facebook account and select the Page you want to connect. Once you've chosen it, you’re all set.

With these two prerequisites handled, you're ready to sign in.

How to Sign Into Ads Manager on Instagram: The Main Method

This is the primary way to access the full-featured Ads Manager, where you can create detailed campaigns with specific objectives, A/B test creatives, and drill down into performance data. You will do this from a web browser on your desktop or laptop, not from the mobile app.

Step 1: Go to the Meta Ads Manager Website

Open your preferred web browser and navigate to facebook.com/adsmanager or business.facebook.com/adsmanager. Both URLs will take you to the same place.

Step 2: Log In With Your Facebook Credentials

You’ll be prompted to log in. Use the login information for the personal Facebook account that has admin access to the Facebook Page you linked to your Instagram profile. Even though you’re running Instagram ads, the login gatekeeper is your personal Facebook profile. Meta uses this to verify your identity and confirm you have permission to manage the business assets.

Step 3: Select Your Ad Account

If you manage multiple ad accounts (for example, for different clients or business ventures), you will see a list of them after logging in. Choose the ad account that is associated with the Instagram and Facebook Page you want to run ads for.

If you've never run ads before, you'll be guided through setting one up. This usually involves confirming your business name, time zone, and currency. From there, you'll need to add a payment method by going to the Billing section.

Step 4: You’re In! Welcome to Ads Manager

Once you’ve selected your ad account, you’ll land on the main Ads Manager dashboard. This is your command center. From here, you can click the green “+ Create” button to start building your first campaign, monitor ongoing ads, and analyze your results.

Remember, when you create an ad, you'll be able to choose where it runs. In the "Placements" section of your ad set, you can select Manual Placements and choose to run your ad *only* on Instagram Feeds, Stories, Reels, or the Explore page. You have complete control.

Accessing Ads Through the Instagram App: Boosting Posts

You might be thinking, "But I've seen an option to run ads directly from the Instagram app." You're right! This is known as "boosting" a post and it serves a different purpose. It's a highly simplified version of ad creation, designed for convenience.

What Boosting a Post Does

When you have a post that’s performing well organically, you can tap the Boost Post button on that post within the Instagram app. This opens up a simplified ad creation flow where you can:

• Choose a goal (e.g., more profile visits, website visits, or messages).
• Define a target audience (you can create a simple one or let Instagram target a "lookalike" audience).
• Set a budget and duration.

After you submit, your boosted post becomes an ad. You can view basic performance stats right in the app under "Ad Tools" or "Promotions."

The Difference Between Boosting and Using Ads Manager

Boosting is great for beginners or for giving a high-performing piece of content an extra push. However, it lacks the surgical precision of the full Ads Manager.

Think of it like this:

• Boosting a Post (in the app) is like using the "auto" mode on a camera. It’s quick, easy, and gets a decent result without much effort.
• Using Ads Manager (on desktop) is like using the "manual" mode. You have full control over every setting: campaign objectives (from brand awareness to conversions), detailed audience targeting (layering demographics, interests, and behaviors), ad placements, creative A/B testing, and much more.

Most serious marketers graduate from boosting posts to using the full Ads Manager to achieve better results and a higher return on ad spend (ROAS).

Troubleshooting Common Sign-In Problems

Even with the steps laid out, you might hit a snag. Here are a few common issues and how to solve them.

Problem: "I logged in, but I can't find my Instagram account."

Solution: This almost always means your Instagram account isn't properly linked to your Facebook Page and Ad Account. Double-check the connection in Meta Business Suite. Go to Business Settings > Accounts > Instagram Accounts to make sure it's connected. If it's not, you'll see an "Add" button to connect it.

Problem: "My ad account is disabled."

Solution: This can happen for several reasons, from a failed payment to an accidental violation of Meta's ad policies. Ads Manager will display a notification with a link to resolve the issue. You’ll usually need to go to the "Account Quality" section of Business Suite to either verify your identity, update your payment method, or request a review of the decision.

Problem: "It says I don't have permission to access the ads account."

Solution: You're likely logged into a personal Facebook profile that hasn't been granted admin rights to the Facebook Page or the Ad Account. Ensure you’re logging in with the correct Facebook account. If you're working with a team, an existing administrator needs to go into Business Settings > People and add you, granting "Admin access."

Final Thoughts

Signing into the Instagram Ads Manager is really about logging in through the Meta ecosystem. Once you understand that your Instagram and Facebook advertising efforts are managed from one central hub - the Meta Ads Manager - the process becomes much clearer. With this access, you unlock the full suite of powerful advertising tools designed to help you reach the right audience and grow your brand effectively.

While mastering paid ads is a fantastic way to reach new audiences, remember a strong organic social media presence is the bedrock of any successful strategy. At my company, we built Postbase because we found too many tools were complicated and stuck in the past, without a true focus on today’s B2B content marketing needs (video, stories, content calendar) - the platforms you actually use on the day-to-day. We focused on making scheduling content, specifically short-form video, as smooth as possible, along with centralizing all your comments and DMs in one inbox. By taking the headache out of consistency, you can build an engaging community that turns followers into true fans and customers.