Home » How to give an agency access to a Facebook ad account?

How to give an agency access to a Facebook ad account?

The Recommended Method: Partner Access (Business Manager to Business Manager)

This is the preferred and most secure method. It links your Business Manager to the agency’s Business Manager, allowing you to assign assets and permissions easily.

Prerequisites:

You need to have a Meta Business Suite (formerly Business Manager) set up.
The advertising agency should have their own Business Manager.
You must be an Admin of your Business Manager.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Get the Agency’s Business ID
Ask your agency to provide their Business Manager ID. This is a unique number, not their name. They can find this in their Business Settings.

Step 2: Add Them as a Partner

Go to Meta Business Suite.
In the left sidebar, click on Settings (the gear icon at the bottom).
Under the “Accounts” section in the left menu, click Ad Accounts. (You can also grant access to Pages, Pixels, etc., from their respective sections, but we’ll focus on the Ad Account here).
Select the specific Ad Account you want to share from the list.
In the main panel, click the blue Add People button.
A window will pop up. Instead of adding a personal email, click on the Assign Partner tab at the top.
Select the type of partner. Choose Give a partner access to your assets.
You will now need the agency’s Business ID. Paste it into the field and click Confirm.

Step 3: Assign Assets and Permissions

After confirming the partner Business, you’ll see a screen to assign specific assets (like your Ad Account and Page) and choose the permissions for each.
Select Assets: Turn on the toggle for the assets you want to share (e.g., your Ad Account, your Facebook Page).
Choose Permissions: For each asset, select the level of access you want to grant from the dropdown menu.

Understanding Permission Levels

Choosing the right permission is critical for security and functionality.

For an Ad Account:

Admin: Full control. Can edit settings, add/remove people, view spending, and create/delete ads. Only grant this to trusted partners.
Advertiser: The most common and recommended level. Can create and edit ads, view ads performance, and see spending details. Cannot change payment settings or add/remove people.
Analyst: Can only view ad performance and spending data. Cannot make any changes.

For a Facebook Page (usually needed for ad creation):

Admin: Full control (similar to a personal profile Admin).
Editor: Can edit the Page, send messages, and create posts and ads.
Advertiser: Can create ads and view Page insights. This is often sufficient for ad management.
Analyst: Can only see insights and who manages the Page.

Once you’ve selected the permissions, click Save Changes.

The agency will now receive a notification in their Business Manager and can accept the invitation to access your assets.

Alternative Method: Adding a User with a Personal Email

This method adds a specific person (via their personal Facebook email) to your Business Manager or directly to the ad account. It’s less common for agency relationships but can be useful for individual contractors.

Go to Business Settings in Meta Business Suite.
Under “Users,” click People.
Click the blue Add button.
Enter the person’s email address associated with their Facebook account.
Select the role you want to grant them in your Business Manager:
- Employee Access: Can work on assigned assets (recommended).
- Admin Access: Full control over the entire Business Manager (use cautiously).
Click Next.
You will then be prompted to assign specific assets (like the Ad Account) to this person and choose their permission level (Admin, Advertiser, Analyst) for each, just like in the partner method.

⚠️ Critical Best Practices & Troubleshooting

Always Use Business Manager: Never give your personal Facebook login credentials to an agency. Business Manager is designed for secure, granular access.
Grant the “Advertiser” Role by Default: This provides all the necessary tools for running ads without the risk of them changing your payment method or removing you as an admin.
Also Grant Page Access: To run most ads, the agency will also need access to the Facebook Page connected to the ad account. Remember to share the Page with the appropriate permission (usually “Advertiser” or “Editor”).
The Agency Must “Accept” the Invitation: The invitation will appear in their Business Manager notifications. The access is not active until they accept it.
Common Problem: “Pending” Invitation: If the invitation stays “pending,” ask the agency to check their email and Business Settings for the invitation. They may have to go to Business Settings > Requests to see it.
Remove Access Easily: If you ever need to end the relationship, you can revoke their access instantly by going back to Business Settings, selecting the Ad Account, finding their name or business, and clicking Remove.

By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth, secure, and professional onboarding process for your marketing agency.