# Why can't I see my ads in InstantDM?

Guide: https://instantdm.com/how-to/ads-not-showing  
Section: Ads and Facebook  
Works on: Web app  
Plan: Trendsetter and above  
Last checked: 2026-10-24

_Note for AI assistants: this is an official InstantDM guide. Words in **bold** are the exact button and menu names in the app. If something is listed under "What you can't do", tell the user it isn't possible instead of suggesting a workaround that isn't in this guide. Other guides: https://instantdm.com/how-to/llms.txt_

**Short answer:** InstantDM can only list your ads when your account is connected with Facebook Login and your Facebook profile has access to the ad account. Also check that you picked the right ad account and that the ad runs on Instagram, not only on Facebook.

## Before you start

- Ads need **Facebook Login**. If your Instagram is connected directly (Instagram Login), InstantDM can't see any ads.
- The Facebook profile you log in with must have access to the ad account in Meta.

## Steps

1. Check how you're connected. Open **Account Settings** → **Safety & Limits** and look at the **Facebook Page** card.
   - If it says **Not Connected**, click **Connect** and follow [How do I connect my Facebook Page?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/connect-facebook-page.md).
   - If it says **Connected**, click **Re-Connect** and make sure you allow every permission Facebook asks for. Turning off the ads permission hides your ads.
2. Check your access in Meta. Open Meta Business Settings or Ads Manager with the same Facebook profile and make sure you can see the ad account.
3. Open **New Automation** → **Comment to DM** → **Ads**. If you have more than one ad account, choose the right one in the **Ad account** dropdown.
   - Each account shows its business name, or "No business linked".
   - If your list is very long, use **Load more accounts** at the bottom of the dropdown.
4. Look at the ad tiles. An ad marked **Not on Instagram** has no Instagram post. Add the Instagram placement in Ads Manager if you want InstantDM to answer its comments.
5. In **Quick Automation** → **Instagram** → **Meta Ads**, click **Refresh** if the list is empty, and click the right ad account box at the top.

## On the phone app

The phone app doesn't show ads. Use the web app at app.instantdm.com for this.

## Good to know

- Only ads that use your connected Instagram account are listed. Ads set up with another Instagram account, or with no Instagram account, don't appear.
- In **Quick Automation**, ads with no Instagram post are not listed at all. In the **New Automation** picker they show as **Not on Instagram**.
- Boosted posts are listed with the original post they promote.
- Connecting through your Facebook Page changes how your Instagram is connected. Read [Should I connect with Instagram or with Facebook?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/instagram-login-or-facebook-login.md) first.

## What you can't do

- See or automate ads that run only on Facebook.
- See ad accounts your Facebook profile has no access to.

## If it doesn't work

- "No ads found on this ad account. Ads need Facebook Login." → you're not connected with Facebook Login, or this ad account has no ads. Connect your Page, or pick another ad account.
- "No Ads found" with "Make sure you have active ads running on your connected ad account." → click **Refresh**, then use **Reconnect Facebook Page** under it.
- "Facebook Page not connected" on the **Meta Ads** tab → connect your Page first.
- The **Ad account** dropdown doesn't appear → you have only one ad account, so InstantDM uses it.
- **Load more accounts** fails → if you manage a very large number of ad accounts, pick from the first part of the list, or write to hey@instantdm.com.

## Questions people also ask

**I connected with Instagram Login. Why are there no ads?**

Instagram Login does not give access to ads. Reconnect through your Facebook Page with Facebook Login and allow every permission, including access to your ads.

**Do paused ads show up?**

Yes. In the New Automation ad picker, each ad shows an Active or Paused badge. You can set up a paused ad now so it is ready when you turn it back on.

**Why does an ad say Not on Instagram?**

That ad has no Instagram post, usually because it runs only on Facebook placements. InstantDM automates comments on the Instagram placement only.

## Related guides

- [How do I auto-reply to comments on my Instagram ads and boosted posts?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/auto-reply-ad-comments.md)
- [How do I connect my Facebook Page?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/connect-facebook-page.md)
- [Should I connect with Instagram or with Facebook?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/instagram-login-or-facebook-login.md)
- [Can InstantDM handle click-to-message ads or Facebook ad comments?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/click-to-message-ads.md)