> ## Knowledge Base Index > Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.controlplusa.ai/sitemap.xml > Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further. > Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash). # Campaign Publishing Requirements for Meta (Facebook & Instagram) and Google Ads # Campaign Publishing Requirements for Meta (Facebook & Instagram) and Google Ads This article consolidates all requirements, constraints, and typical failure reasons that prevent campaigns from being published to Meta (Facebook and Instagram) or Google Ads (RSA, RDA, Performance Max, Demand Gen, YouTube). It includes account prerequisites, policy rules, creative specifications, and SaaS-specific constraints relevant for systems like Ctrl+A. ## 1. Meta (Facebook & Instagram) — Reasons a Campaign Cannot Be Published ### Important Note on Ad Accounts Users may choose to run ads through **your platform's Meta ad accounts** or **their own Meta ad accounts**. Only when users choose their **own** ad accounts are they responsible for ensuring the account is correctly configured (billing, payment method, verification, no restrictions). ### 1.1 Account and Access Requirements * The customer may choose to use **their own Facebook Ad Account**. If so, **the customer is fully responsible** for ensuring the ad account is correctly set up. * Required: * Valid payment method * No outstanding payments * Account not disabled or restricted * Business Manager access configured correctly * The system (your platform) must have the correct permissions to: * Facebook Page * Facebook Ad Account * Instagram Account (only needed for organic posting, NOT for ads) * Ad account spending limits not reached ### 1.2 Facebook Page and Instagram Linking * Instagram ads are always served via the **Facebook Page connection**. * **Explicit Instagram login is NOT required** for ads. * Requirements for Instagram placements: * The Facebook Page must be linked to an Instagram Business or Creator account. * A standalone Instagram login is only required for organic posting or IG insights. ### 1.3 Billing and Verification * Billing must be valid. * Payment method must not be declined. * No unpaid balance. * Business verification required for regulated verticals. ### 1.4 Policy Violations (Common Blocks) Meta prohibits ads containing or promoting: * Pornographic content, nudity, sexual acts * Drugs or drug paraphernalia * Weapons, explosives, ammunition * Hate speech, harassment, threats * Misleading claims * Counterfeit products * Surveillance equipment * Unsafe health or medical claims * Sensational, violent, or shocking content Restricted categories require compliance/declaration: * Alcohol * Gambling * Supplements * Dating * Housing, employment, credit (Special Ad Categories) * Political content ### 1.5 Creative and Format Requirements * Meta no longer enforces the historic “20% text” rule, but ads with heavy or dominant text overlays may still be rejected or receive reduced delivery. Excessive text can therefore still negatively impact approval and performance * Aspect ratio rules must be met: * Feed: 1:1 or 4:5 * Stories/Reels: 9:16 * Video rules: * Correct resolution, codec, length, and bitrate * Landing page requirements: * Must resolve without errors * No redirects to prohibited content * No broken mobile/desktop variations * Ad copy restrictions: * No clickbait * No before/after images * No unsubstantiated claims * No personal attributes (“Are you depressed?”) ## 2. Google Ads — Reasons a Campaign Cannot Be Published (RSA, RDA, PMax, Demand Gen, YouTube) ### 2.1 Google Ads Account Setup Users may run campaigns through **your platform's Google Ads accounts** or **their own Google Ads accounts**. Only when users choose their **own** account are they responsible for ensuring the account meets all requirements. #### Requirements for Customer-Owned Accounts If the customer uses **their own Google Ads account**, they must ensure: * Billing profile fully set up * Valid payment method * No unpaid invoices * No account suspension * Identity verification completed (if requested) * The platform has correct access permissions * Merchant Center valid (for PMax with feeds) ### 2.2 Policy Violations Google prohibits: * Pornography, sexual content * Drugs and drug paraphernalia * Weapons and dangerous products * Hate, harassment, discrimination * Healthcare and miracle-cure claims * Counterfeit goods * Misrepresentation * Shock/violent content * Malware or deceptive destination pages ### 2.3 Creative Requirements #### RSA (Responsive Search Ads) * Minimum 3 headlines and 2 descriptions * Valid character lengths * No disallowed phrases #### RDA (Responsive Display Ads) * Required assets: * Landscape image * Square image * Logo * Headlines and descriptions #### Performance Max * Asset group must contain required assets * Valid URL * Merchant Center feed must be error-free (if used) #### Demand Gen (YouTube) * **Demand Gen is the only YouTube campaign type supported.** * Linking a YouTube channel to the Google Ads account is **not required** for Demand Gen campaigns. * Requirements: * A valid YouTube video that is Public or Unlisted * The video must not be private, age‑restricted, region‑blocked, or monetization‑restricted * The hosting YouTube channel must permit ad use of the video (standard default for Public/Unlisted uploads) * All Demand Gen assets must meet Google’s ad specifications #### Demand Gen (Replaces Discovery) * **Does NOT require linking a YouTube channel** * Only requires: * A valid video (public or unlisted) * Video must not be private or age-restricted * All assets must meet ad specifications ### 2.4 Destination Requirements * Final URL must be: * Crawlable * Policy-compliant * Free of redirects to prohibited content * The same domain where required ## 3. Technical and Format Constraints (Cross-Platform) Publishing may fail if: * Incorrect image aspect ratio * Incorrect video format or unprocessed video * Low-resolution creative assets * Missing assets (e.g., logo for RDA, vertical image for Meta Stories) * Start date in the past * End date before start date * Budget below platform minimum * Unsupported bid strategy * Invalid or broken URL * Tracking template errors * OAuth tokens expired or missing required scopes * Async uploads (images/videos) not yet processed ## 4. Summary of Platform Requirements ### Meta (Facebook & Instagram) * Page access required * Instagram login credentials are not required for ads; however, an Instagram Business or Creator account **must be linked to the Facebook Page** if the campaign includes Instagram placements. Explicit login is only required for organic posting and insights access * Valid payment, no restriction * Policy-compliant creative and landing page * Correct creative formats (especially for Stories/Reels) ### Google Ads (RSA, RDA, PMax, DG) * Customer-owned account requires proper billing and verification * Strict policy rules * Required creative assets depending on ad type * Merchant Center (for PMax with feed) must be valid * Demand Gen does **not** require channel linking ### SaaS Context (Ctrl+A-style Platform) * Token validity must be enforced * All required assets must be collected * Proper budget and scheduling logic * Respect policy and creative rules before publishing This knowledge base article reflects all constraints and requirements discussed across the full conversation and can be used as the authoritative source for your publishing validation logic, customer documentation, or internal development guidelines.