Understanding and Resolving Merged Creatives in Meta Ads Campaigns: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Meta Ads Manager is an invaluable tool for marketers looking to promote their events and offerings efficiently across platforms like Facebook and Instagram. However, even experienced advertisers can encounter unexpected issues—such as creatives from separate campaigns merging, leading to confusing ad displays and miscommunication. If you’re facing a similar challenge with Meta’s auto-creation of ad posts and creative merging, this article will explore potential causes and solutions to help you regain control over your campaign assets.

Scenario Overview

Imagine managing nationwide movie theater campaigns, each running for approximately two weeks. Your setup involves creating multiple ad sets, each featuring a consistent structure: three images and two videos, with only certain variables like theater name, date/time, and landing page URL changing per location. Targeting is accurately defined within a 15-mile radius around each theater.

The Issue

Despite your meticulous setup, Meta’s system begins auto-generating ad posts on your Facebook page that combine creatives from different campaigns. For example, an image from one city’s campaign might be paired with copy from another, resulting in incorrect event details and confusing your audience. Such merging undermines campaign integrity and can diminish your ad effectiveness.

Steps Taken and Ongoing Challenges

A Meta representative suggested disabling the “Test new creative enhancements” option within Advantage+ Creative settings, which was implemented. However, the problem persists, suggesting that the source of the issue might be elsewhere.

Potential Causes and Recommended Solutions

1. Verify Campaign and Ad Set Settings

2. Creative Ownership: Ensure that each ad set is configured to use unique creatives rather than sharing assets inadvertently. Multiple campaigns should have distinct creative assets unless intentionally shared.

3. Creative Source: Confirm that you’re not using shared libraries or templates that could cause creative blending across campaigns.

4. Check Auto-Generation and Optimization Features

5. Advantage+ Creative: If you’re not actively using Advantage+ Creative, verify its status in your ad set settings. Sometimes, automation features can override manual controls.

6. Test and Disable Unnecessary Features: Fully disable any automation or testing options that might influence creative assembly.

7. Examine Page and Business Manager Settings

8. Asset Linking: Ensure that the assets (images, videos, copies) are correctly assigned to their respective campaigns and aren’t linked through shared libraries.

9. Page Role and Permissions: Confirm that your administrative permissions are appropriate, and no third-party tools are altering your ad setup.

10. Audience and Targeting Configuration