How to Get Meta Ads Access From Clients: 2024 Guide

The Hidden Time Drain Killing Agency Efficiency

You've been there. A new client signs on, excited to scale their advertising. You're ready to launch campaigns, optimize creatives, and drive results. But first, you need access to their Meta Ads account.

What should take 5 minutes inevitably turns into a 3-day back-and-forth email thread:

*"Hey, can you grant me access?"*

*"I don't see your request."*

*"Can you try this link instead?"*

*"Which email should I use?"*

*"It says you already have access?"*

This isn't just annoying—it's expensive. The average agency loses 8-12 hours per month chasing client access across all platforms. That's lost billable time, delayed launches, and frustrated clients on both sides.

Why Meta Ads Access Is So Challenging

Meta's Business Manager system (now Meta Business Suite) is powerful but complex. Clients often:

Don't understand the difference between personal profiles and Business Managers

Have multiple ad accounts across different Business Managers

Are unsure which permission level to grant

Use outdated authorization workflows

Have previous agency connections that need removal

The Manual Way: Step-by-Step Instructions for Clients

Step 1: Navigate to Meta Business Suite

Have your client go to [business.facebook.com](https://business.facebook.com) and log in with their Facebook account.

Step 2: Open Business Settings

In the left sidebar, click Business Settings (under the gear icon).

Step 3: Add Your Agency as a Partner

On the left sidebar, click **Accounts** → **Ad Accounts**

Select the ad account(s) they want to grant access to

Click **Add People** → **Add a Partner**

Enter your agency's **Business ID** (you can find this in your own Business Settings)

Step 4: Select Permission Level

Choose the appropriate access level:

**Admin Access**: Full control (create, edit, delete campaigns)

**Advertiser Access**: Create and edit campaigns (recommended for most agencies)

**Analyst Access**: View-only access for reporting

**Campaign Analyst**: View specific campaigns only

Step 5: Confirm and Wait for Acceptance

The client clicks Confirm, and you'll receive a notification in your Meta Business Suite to accept the invitation.

Common Issues (And How to Fix Them)

Issue 1: "I Don't See the Request"

Solution: Make sure the client is looking in the right place. Requests appear in:

Meta Business Suite → Notifications

Business Settings → Users → Partner Requests

Issue 2: Multiple Business Managers

Solution: Clients often have ad accounts spread across multiple Business Managers. Have them grant access from each one, or consolidate accounts first.

Issue 3: Previous Agency Still Has Access

Solution: The client must remove the old agency partner before adding you. Go to Business Settings → Users → Partner Accounts, select the old partner, and click Remove.

Issue 4: "Which Permission Level Should I Choose?"

Solution: Most agencies need Ad Account Advertiser access. This lets you manage campaigns without accessing billing information. Only request Admin access if you need to manage payment methods.

A Better Way: The Single-Link Solution

What if you could skip all this back-and-forth? With Agency Access Platform, you simply:

Create an access request with the platforms you need (Meta Ads, Google Ads, GA4, etc.)

Send your client a single branded link

Your client clicks through, authorizes each platform with OAuth, and you're done

47 email threads → 1 link. 3 days → 5 minutes.

The platform handles:

Guided OAuth flows for each platform

Automatic permission requests

Token storage (encrypted with Infisical)

Asset selection (ad accounts, pages, catalogs)

Audit logging for compliance

Meta Ads Access Permissions Explained

Understanding the different access levels helps you request the right permissions:

Permission Level

Can Create Campaigns

Can Edit Campaigns

Can Delete

Can View Billing

Use Case

-----------------

---------------------

-------------------

-----------

-----------------

-----------

| Admin | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Full account management |

| Advertiser | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Campaign management (most common) |

| Analyst | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Reporting and insights only |

| Campaign Analyst | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | View specific campaigns only |

Pro Tips for Smoother Access Requests

1. Create a Template

Save your standard access request as a template. Include:

Platforms needed (Meta Ads, Google Ads, GA4)

Permission level (Advertiser is standard)

Ad account IDs (if known)

Timeline expectation ("Please complete within 24 hours")

2. Provide Screenshots

Send your client annotated screenshots showing exactly where to click. Many clients are visual learners and appreciate the guidance.

3. Use a Dedicated Agency Email

Always use the same email address for access requests (e.g., agency@youragency.com). This prevents confusion and makes it easier to track connections.

4. Document Everything

Once you have access, screenshot the ad account overview showing:

Account ID

Account name

Your permission level

Timezone

Store this in your client onboarding folder for future reference.

Security Best Practices

When handling client Meta Ads access:

✅ Do:

Use OAuth authentication when possible

Enable two-factor authentication on your agency Business Manager

Document access levels and asset assignments

Regularly audit active connections

❌ Don't:

Never ask clients for their Facebook password

Don't share your agency login credentials

Avoid requesting unnecessary permissions

Don't keep access for past clients active

Scaling Your Agency: Beyond Manual Access

As your agency grows from 10 to 100 clients, manual access management becomes a bottleneck. Consider:

**Templates**: Create standardized access request templates for different client types (e-commerce, lead gen, local business)

**Automated Workflows**: Use platforms that send automated reminders for pending access requests

**Centralized Dashboard**: Track all client connections in one place

**Audit Logs**: Maintain records of who granted access and when (required for SOC2 compliance)

Key Takeaways

Meta Ads access shouldn't take 3 days—it should take 5 minutes

Clear instructions and screenshots reduce back-and-forth

Standard templates scale your onboarding process

Automation platforms eliminate manual access requests entirely

Ready to transform your client onboarding? [Start your free trial](/pricing) and see how 50+ agencies have reduced onboarding time by 90%.

*Need help with other platforms? Check out our guides for [Google Ads access](/blog/google-ads-access-agency), [GA4 access](/blog/ga4-access-agencies), and [LinkedIn Ads access](/blog/linkedin-ads-access-guide).*

How to Get Meta Ads Access From Clients: The Complete 2024 Guide