Why Do Facebook Ads Get Rejected? (And How to Fix Them in 2025)

Introduction: The Frustration of Ad Disapprovals

You’ve created what you think is the perfect ad, hit publish, and waited for results. Instead, you get the dreaded message: “Your ad was not approved.” If this has happened to you, you’re not alone. In 2025, Facebook (Meta) enforces strict advertising policies, and even small slip-ups can trigger rejection. Knowing why ads get rejected — and how to fix them — will save you wasted time and budget.

The Main Reasons Facebook Ads Get Rejected

 

1. Violating Facebook’s Advertising Policies

The most common reason for rejection is simply breaking the rules. Meta has a long list of prohibited content, including:

  • Adult content or suggestive imagery.

  • Tobacco, vaping, or illegal substances.

  • Weapons or explosives.

  • Misleading or false claims.

Even if your ad is innocent, wording that implies unrealistic results (“Lose 10 pounds in one week!”) can trigger disapproval.

2. Too Much Text in the Image

Although the old “20% text rule” is gone, Facebook still penalises ads with heavy text overlays. If your image looks cluttered or spammy, it may be rejected.

Fix: Keep text minimal and use captions in the ad copy instead of cramming words onto your creative.

3. Personal Attributes in Copy

Meta’s system flags ads that call out personal characteristics. For example:
❌ “Are you struggling with debt?”
✅ “Many people struggle with debt — here’s a solution.”

The difference is subtle, but using “you” in a way that targets personal traits (age, health, financial status) is against policy.

4. Destination Issues

If your ad links to a broken page, an irrelevant site, or a landing page with misleading content, it will be rejected. Facebook checks that your destination matches the promise in the ad.

Fix: Always double-check links, and make sure your landing page is professional, mobile-friendly, and aligned with your ad.

5. Restricted Content Without Approval

Some industries are allowed to advertise but require special approval — like financial services, housing, or employment. If you’re in one of these categories and don’t set up your ads correctly, expect rejections.

Fix: Make sure you enable Special Ad Categories in Ads Manager if your campaign falls under these areas.

How to Fix a Rejected Facebook Ad

  1. Check the notification in Ads Manager to see the rejection reason.

  2. Review Meta’s Advertising Policies to understand the violation.

  3. Edit your ad — change the copy, image, or link as needed.

  4. Resubmit for review. Most ads are reviewed within 24 hours.

  5. If you believe the rejection was a mistake, request a manual review. Sometimes automated systems make errors, and a human reviewer can overturn it.

Quick Wins to Avoid Rejection in the Future

  • Read Meta’s Advertising Policies before launching new campaigns.

  • Avoid exaggerated claims or before-and-after style promises.

  • Use clean, professional imagery without spammy text overlays.

  • Test your landing page on mobile to ensure it matches your ad copy.

  • Keep backup creative ready so you don’t lose momentum if one ad is disapproved.

Bringing It All Together

Having Facebook ads rejected is frustrating, but it’s usually fixable. By understanding Meta’s rules and tightening up your ad creative, you can keep your campaigns running smoothly. In 2025, compliance isn’t just about avoiding rejection — it’s about building trust with your audience.

At My Media Agency, we combine creative strategy with policy compliance to ensure ads not only run successfully but also deliver results.

Outbound Link: Meta Advertising Policies