What is Meta Ads Integration?
Meta Ads integration connects your Facebook and Instagram advertising accounts to Flyweel for unified campaign analysis. Import data from all Meta placements including Feed, Stories, Reels, and Audience Network to analyze performance alongside your other advertising platforms.
Read-Only Access: Flyweel only requests read permissions. We cannot modify your campaigns, change budgets, or make purchases on your behalf.
Prerequisites
Before connecting Meta Ads to Flyweel, ensure you have:
- A Meta Business Manager account with admin access
- Active ad accounts with campaign data
- A Facebook profile with business permissions
How Do I Connect Meta Ads to Flyweel?
Connecting Meta Ads takes under 5 minutes using OAuth authentication.
Navigate to Connections
Go to Settings > Connections in your Flyweel dashboard
Start Meta Ads Connection
Click the Connect Meta Ads button to begin the OAuth flow
Authorize in Facebook
You will be redirected to Facebook’s authentication system:
- Log in with your Facebook profile
- Review Flyweel’s permission requests
- Grant access to your Meta Ads accounts and campaign data
Select Ad Accounts
After authorization, select which ad accounts to import into Flyweel
Save and Sync
Click Save & Refresh to begin data synchronization
Understanding Account Structure
Meta Ads accounts are organized through Business Manager:
| Structure Level | Description |
|---|---|
| Business Manager | Top-level container for all business assets |
| Ad Accounts | Individual advertising accounts with campaigns |
| Campaigns | Groups of ad sets with specific objectives |
| Ad Sets | Targeting and budget configurations |
Multiple Accounts: You can connect all ad accounts you have access to through Business Manager. Select relevant accounts for comprehensive cross-account analysis.
Account Selection Best Practices
When choosing which accounts to connect:
- Select relevant accounts: Choose accounts you actively manage
- Consider permissions: Ensure you have appropriate access level
- Review periodically: Add new accounts as your advertising expands
- Start with priorities: Begin with highest-spending accounts for immediate value
Data Synchronization
Initial Sync
After selecting accounts:
- Click Save & Refresh to confirm your selections
- Initial data synchronization begins automatically
- Import includes historical data (up to 90 days)
- Typical sync duration is 2-15 minutes depending on account size
Ongoing Sync
- Dashboard Updates: Every 15 minutes during business hours
- Bulk Data Sync: Complete refresh every 4 hours
- Historical Data: Up to 2 years of performance history available
What Data Does Flyweel Import?
Flyweel imports comprehensive campaign data from Meta Ads:
Campaign Data
- Campaign names, status, and objectives
- Budget and scheduling information
- Campaign type and optimization goals
Performance Metrics
- Impressions, reach, and frequency
- Clicks, conversions, and actions
- Cost per result metrics
- Return on ad spend (ROAS)
Placement Data
- Performance by placement (Feed, Stories, Reels, etc.)
- Device breakdown (mobile, desktop)
- Platform breakdown (Facebook, Instagram, Audience Network)
Account Information
- Account structure and hierarchy
- Currency and timezone settings
- Account status indicators
What Flyweel Cannot Access
For your security, Flyweel cannot:
- Modify campaigns or ad sets
- Change budgets or bids
- Create or delete ads
- Access billing or payment information
- Post content to your pages
Supported Placements
Meta Ads integration supports all placements:
- Facebook Feed: In-feed ads on Facebook
- Instagram Feed: In-feed ads on Instagram
- Stories: Full-screen vertical ads on Facebook and Instagram Stories
- Reels: Short-form video ads on Facebook and Instagram Reels
- Messenger: Ads in Messenger inbox and conversations
- Audience Network: Ads on partner apps and websites
Xero Invoice Sync
Meta Ads accounts can also sync invoices to Xero for automated accounting. This Premium Feature:
- Creates invoices in Xero for Meta Ads spend
- Allows per-account sync control
- Eliminates manual invoice entry
Premium Feature: Xero Invoice Sync requires a paid Flyweel plan. See the Xero Invoice Sync Guide for setup instructions.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Authentication Failures
If you cannot connect:
- Use the Facebook profile with Business Manager access
- Ensure you are not using a personal account without business permissions
- Check if your Facebook account is restricted
- Clear browser cache and try reconnecting
Permission Errors
If you see permission errors:
- Verify admin access in Meta Business Manager
- Check ad account ownership or permissions
- Contact your agency if using managed accounts
- Request appropriate access from account owners
Missing Accounts
If accounts do not appear:
- Confirm the ad account is active and has recent spend
- Check Business Manager account assignments
- Verify the account is not suspended or restricted
- Wait a few minutes and refresh the page
Data Sync Delays
If data is not syncing as expected:
- Check the last sync time in your dashboard
- Verify the account is active in Business Manager
- Large accounts may take longer for initial sync
- Contact support if sync exceeds expected timeframe
Disconnecting Meta Ads
To disconnect Meta Ads from Flyweel:
- Navigate to Settings > Connections
- Find Meta Ads in your connected accounts
- Click Disconnect
- Confirm the disconnection
Data Retention: Historical performance data remains in Flyweel after disconnecting. Only new data synchronization stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I connect Meta Ads to Flyweel?
Navigate to Settings > Connections in Flyweel, click Connect Meta Ads, and complete the OAuth authorization through Facebook. The process takes under 5 minutes.
What is the difference between Meta Ads, Facebook Ads, and Instagram Ads?
Meta Ads is the unified platform that includes both Facebook Ads and Instagram Ads. When you connect Meta Ads, you get data from all Meta placements including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Audience Network.
What permissions does Flyweel require?
Flyweel only requests read-only access to view campaign performance data. We cannot modify campaigns, change budgets, or post content.
How often does data sync from Meta Ads?
Dashboard updates occur every 15 minutes during business hours. Complete data refreshes happen every 4 hours. Historical data is available for up to 2 years.
Can I connect multiple Meta ad accounts?
Yes. You can connect all ad accounts you have access to through Business Manager.
Can I sync Meta Ads invoices to Xero?
Yes. Flyweel offers Xero Invoice Sync as a Premium Feature. This automatically creates invoices in Xero for your Meta Ads spend. See the Xero Invoice Sync Guide for details.
What happens if I disconnect Meta Ads?
Disconnecting stops future data synchronization. Your historical performance data remains in Flyweel for reporting and analysis.
Next Steps
Once Meta Ads is connected:
- Connect Google Ads: Add Google Ads integration for cross-platform analysis
- Set Up Xero Sync: Configure Xero Invoice Sync for automated accounting
- Explore AdGrid: Use the AdGrid Campaign Manager to analyze campaigns
- Set Up Reports: Configure Reports & Analytics for automated monitoring
Need Help? Contact our support team at team@flyweel.co for assistance with Meta Ads integration.
