Sooner or later you need a link to a specific Facebook ad: to show a client before launch, to share it with a colleague, to save it for a report, or to point a tool at it. There is more than one way to get the URL of a Facebook ad, and they are not interchangeable. This guide explains the three that work, what each link is good for and why a link sometimes will not open.
The short version
- A preview link is for showing a draft or a running ad to people outside your account. It is a temporary link to a preview, not the ad itself.
- The ad’s post link is the permanent address of the ad as a post. Use it for engagement, sharing and records.
- The Meta Ad Library gives every active ad a public page you can link to, with no ad account needed.
- Menu names change. Meta renames buttons often, so look for the same idea under a different label if yours looks different.
First, decide which kind of link you need
Facebook uses the word “link” for several different things, which is why advice online often contradicts itself. Pick the one that fits your purpose before you start.
| You want to | Use | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Show a client or colleague how an ad looks | Ads Manager preview link | It is a preview, can be temporary, and may not match the live post exactly |
| Share, save or point a tool at the live ad | The link to the ad’s post | Needs the ad to exist as a post; some links open only for people with access |
| Look at a public ad or a competitor’s ad | Meta Ad Library | Public, but shows only ads that are currently active or in the archive for some categories |
| Use an ad that came from an existing Page post | The post’s own link on the Page | Open the post on the Page and copy its link |
Way 1: get the URL of a Facebook ad from the Ads Manager preview
This is the quickest way to get the URL of a Facebook ad when you only need someone else to see it. It works for ads that are still drafts.
- Open Ads Manager and go to the ad level, where individual ads are listed.
- Select the ad and open its preview. Look for a button labelled “Preview”, an eye icon, or a preview pane beside the ad.
- Open the share options in the preview. In most versions this is a button labelled Share, or an arrow icon.
- Choose the option that creates a link (it is usually worded like “Share a link”). Copy the link and send it.
A preview link opens a preview of the ad, not the live post. Some preview links expire, and some require the person to be signed in or to have access to your business account. Open the link in a private window before you send it, and check what Meta says about expiry in its own help pages.
Way 2: the link to the ad’s post
Every ad that runs on Facebook or Instagram is built on a post. If you want the permanent address of that post, for sharing, for records or for using with other tools, get the post link.
- Find the ad in Ads Manager at the ad level.
- Open its preview and look for an option that opens the ad as a post. In some versions it is worded like “Facebook Post with Comments” or “View post”.
- Let the post open in a new tab. It shows the ad the way people see it, with reactions and comments.
- Copy the address from the browser bar. That is the link to the post.
If the address begins with the business.facebook.com domain, a person without access to your business account may get an error. In that case try copying the link from the post itself, using the post’s timestamp or the share menu, and test it in a private window.
If you created the ad from an existing Page post, you can skip Ads Manager entirely. Open the post on your Page, click its date or the share option and copy the link. That link is the same post the ad uses.
Way 3: find the ad in the Meta Ad Library
The Ad Library is Meta’s public archive of ads. Anyone can search it without an account on the advertiser’s side, which makes it a good source of a link you can share freely.
- Open the Meta Ad Library in your browser.
- Choose a country and an ad category. For ordinary commercial ads, the “All ads” option is usually the one you want.
- Search for your Page name or a keyword. Pick your Page from the suggestions.
- Open the ad you want. Each ad has its own page or detail view and a Library ID.
- Copy the address from the browser bar, or use the Library ID to find the ad again.
The Ad Library shows ads that are currently running and, for some categories, past ads too. A paused or finished ad may not appear, so it is a source for live ads rather than for your own records.
When the link will not open
A link that works for you but fails for someone else is the most common complaint. These are the usual reasons.
| What happens | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| “This content isn’t available” | The ad is paused, deleted or limited to a certain audience | Check the ad status in Ads Manager and test in a private window |
| It asks the visitor to log in | The link is for people with access to the ad account or Page | Use the Ad Library or the Page post link instead |
| It opens a different ad | Several ads share one creative or post | Open the exact ad in Ads Manager and copy from there |
| The preview looks different from the live ad | Previews are approximate and placements vary | Check the live post for the final look |
| The link has stopped working | A preview link has expired | Create a new preview link |
Why advertisers need the link
People ask for the URL of a Facebook ad for a handful of reasons, and knowing yours helps you choose the right link.
- Approvals. Agencies share a preview link so a client can sign off before the ad runs.
- Reporting. A link to the live post is a clean reference to put in a report or a spreadsheet.
- Social proof checks. Looking at the comments and reactions on the live post tells you how people are responding.
- Tools and services. Some services, including ours, ask for the link to the post you want to work with.
If you manage ad creative and want to look at what is working, the habits in our guide to getting more comments on Facebook apply to ads as well: a clear question, a fast reply and moderation of spam.
Working with views on a post or ad?
Our Facebook views service asks for the link to the post or ad you want to work with. Read Meta’s rules on buying engagement first.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an ad URL and a preview link?
A preview link opens a preview of how the ad looks, often with limited lifespan. The ad’s post link is the address of the live post that people see. Choose the one that matches your purpose.
Can I get the URL of a paused ad?
You can still get a preview link in Ads Manager. The live post may not be visible while the ad is paused or limited, so the post link may not open for other people.
Can anyone open the link I copied?
Not always. Links from Ads Manager can require access to your account, and an ad limited to a certain audience may not open for everyone. Test in a private window.
Where do I find an ad’s ID?
In the Ad Library every ad has a Library ID. In Ads Manager each ad also has its own ID, which you can show by choosing the relevant column in your reporting view.
Does Facebook rename these menus?
Yes, often. If a button name here does not match your screen, look for the same idea under a different label, or use the search box in Ads Manager and the Meta Business Help Center.
