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Question

Can't connect automation to Meta ad

  • January 30, 2026
  • 4 replies
  • 34 views

lsatqueens

Hey!

  I am connected to Meta and am currently linked correctly to my insta account, but I am struggling to get my ads running with an Engagement ad. I created the automation it is it live, but I for some reason I’m getting an error message on Meta. 

Thanks!

 

4 replies

SumGeniusAI
  • Up-and-Comer
  • January 30, 2026

That error means Meta requires your Message Template (the first message in your flow) to include actual text content before any buttons or quick replies.

Fix:

1. Go to your ManyChat automation

2. Make sure the first message block has text - something like "Hey! Thanks for reaching out" - not just buttons or carousels alone

3. The first message should be a single content block (text or image) with buttons/quick replies attached to it

4. Important: Remove any variables (like First Name, etc.) from that first message - Meta doesn't allow them in ad opt-in messages

5. Save the flow, then reconnect to your ad in Ads Manager

If it still doesn't work, try accessing Ads Manager in Incognito mode and reconnecting.


lsatqueens
  • Author
  • Up-and-Comer
  • January 30, 2026

Hey ​@SumGeniusAI, I had already done all of those steps.  I had another ad account active and for some reason MC connected to that one, not to the one I had built the campaign in.  So I just rebuilt it in the new campaign.  

Thanks!


cata_rendon
Forum|alt.badge.img+4
  • Manychat Community Moderator
  • February 3, 2026

Hey ​@SumGeniusAI, I had already done all of those steps.  I had another ad account active and for some reason MC connected to that one, not to the one I had built the campaign in.  So I just rebuilt it in the new campaign.  

Thanks!

Hi ​@lsatqueens , in that case a simple solution could be to  refreshing your Instagram permissions in ManyChat.
You can do this by going to your ManyChat account and clicking Help → Refresh Permissions

Also for Ads, is better to set it up a IG Ads Trigger for you campaing. This a guide on how to it.https://help.manychat.com/hc/en-us/articles/14281321942428-Instagram-Ads-Trigger

Hope this helps!

Catalina Rendon


lsatqueens
  • Author
  • Up-and-Comer
  • February 3, 2026

Hey ​@SumGeniusAI, I had already done all of those steps.  I had another ad account active and for some reason MC connected to that one, not to the one I had built the campaign in.  So I just rebuilt it in the new campaign.  

Thanks!

Hi ​@lsatqueens , in that case a simple solution could be to  refreshing your Instagram permissions in ManyChat.
You can do this by going to your ManyChat account and clicking Help → Refresh Permissions

Also for Ads, is better to set it up a IG Ads Trigger for you campaing. This a guide on how to it.https://help.manychat.com/hc/en-us/articles/14281321942428-Instagram-Ads-Trigger

Hope this helps!

Catalina Rendon

O sorry, it is resolved now. Changing the ad account fixed it. 

Thanks!