How to Get Authorized to Run Social Issue or Political Facebook Ads
Running Facebook or Instagram advertising about politics, elections, or social problems requires more than just clicking "publish" and crossing your fingers. A special authorization process must be completed by Meta (previously Facebook) to ensure transparency, prevent against misconduct, and provide users with clear information about who is funding and managing these advertisements.
Skipping the authorization process is not an option. Your advertising will be rejected, which delays your campaign. Here is a detailed breakdown of the four steps required to obtain authorization.
1. Verify Your Identity
The first and most crucial step is proving that you are who you say you are.
You must be at least 18 years old and live in the same country where you plan to run ads.
Enable two-factor authentication on your Facebook account for security.
Upload a clear scan or photo of a government-issued ID (passport, driver’s license, or national ID card). Your name and details must match exactly with your Facebook profile.
In certain countries, you might also be asked to confirm your physical address by uploading an official document or receiving a mailed verification code.
To begin this process, navigate to Settings → Identity Confirmation in your Facebook account. The action makes it possible to guarantee that only people who have been authenticated can have an impact on public discussions.
2. Create a Disclaimer
Every political or social issue ad must include a visible “Paid for by” label. This is called a disclaimer, and it tells people who is funding the ad.
Open your Facebook Page Settings and find the Authorizations section.
Click Create Disclaimer and enter your full legal name (if running as an individual) or your organization’s registered name.
If you’re representing an organization, you may need to submit business documents for additional verification (e.g., articles of incorporation, business license).
This disclaimer, if accepted, will be displayed automatically on your advertisements, allowing visitors to identify who is ultimately responsible for them.
3. Link an Ad Account
Authorization doesn’t apply to your whole Facebook presence—it must be linked to a specific ad account.
In your Page’s Authorizations settings, select Link an Ad Account.
Choose the account you’ll use for running your political or social issue campaigns.
Make sure that the ad account has a valid payment method and is in good standing (no unresolved policy violations).
This step guarantees that every one of your advertisements is directly linked to your verified identity and disclaimer, allowing for transparency by tracing them in Facebook's Ad Library.
4. Assign Who Is Responsible for the Page
Meta requires that you clearly identify who is accountable for the Page when running ads about social issues or politics.
In your Page Settings, go to Page Transparency or Authorizations.
Add the person(s) who will be responsible for the Page and the ads.
Anyone you assign must have completed their own identity verification before they can be listed.
Because of this additional level of accountability, audiences and authorities can quickly identify the people or groups responsible for the messaging.
Additional Advice for an Easy Approval Process
Although it's not difficult to get permission to run political or social issue advertisements, there are techniques to streamline the procedure and prevent annoying hold-ups. The following are essential suggestions to bear in mind:
Start Early
Don't wait until the authorization procedure until your campaign is ready to go live. Even though Meta usually evaluates submissions fast, it’s best to be prepared. Starting at least one to two weeks prior to the scheduled ad launch allows you to manage unforeseen problems without delaying the campaign's debut date.
Understand Meta’s Advertising Policies
Facebook has rigorous guidelines for ads that discuss social topics or politics. These include restrictions on the kind of claims you can make, language, images, and targeting. The chance of ad disapprovals after your campaign goes live is decreased by being familiar with Meta's Ad Policies, which guarantees that you provide compliant material from the start.
Keep Your Disclaimer Updated
The disclosure that reads "Paid for by" is an essential part of the transparency of your advertisement. Ensure that you promptly update the disclaimer if your organization's name, contact details, or leadership changes. Until the problem is fixed, outdated information may result in ad rejections or a pause in your authorization status. For companies that undergo rebranding or leadership changes, this is particularly crucial.
Use the Ad Library for Research and Inspiration
The Meta Ad Library is a valuable resource for learning how other marketers handle political and social issue campaigns. By looking for related causes, finding out how disclaimers are written, examining innovative formats, and analyzing the design of effective ads. This can help you create more effective and engaging ads that resonate with your audience.
Maintain a Good Ad Account Standing
Your advertising may be refused or flagged even after authorization if your ad account is in a bad status. Prior to launching a new campaign, make sure that any unresolved payment difficulties, previous policy breaches, or disapproved advertisements are resolved. Faster reviews can also result from Meta favoring accounts with a history of compliant advertising.
Final Thoughts
Getting authorized to run political or social issue ads on Facebook is more than just a box to tick—it’s about building trust with your audience and ensuring your campaigns are compliant with transparency laws.
By following these four steps, you’ll be ready to launch ads that meet Meta’s strict requirements and still reach your intended audience effectively.
