Meta Business Manager Tutorial 2026: Step by Step Setup for Facebook and Instagram Ads

Introduction

If you want to run Facebook or Instagram ads in 2026, there is one setup step you cannot skip: Meta Business Manager.

Most ad account bans, missing access issues, broken pixels, and payment problems come from a bad Business Manager setup. Not from bad ads.

In this guide, you will learn how to set up Meta Business Manager step by step, exactly the way it should be done if you plan to run ads seriously.

This article is based on the full video tutorial here:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaL63eyacnY

If you prefer watching instead of reading, bookmark this article and follow along with the video.

What Is Meta Business Manager and Why It Matters

Meta Business Manager is the control center for everything related to Facebook and Instagram marketing.

Inside one Business Manager, you manage:

• Facebook Pages

• Instagram accounts

• Ad accounts

• Meta Pixels

• Payment methods

• Users and permissions

Think of it as the operating system for Meta Ads. If this is set up wrong, everything built on top of it becomes unstable.

If you plan to:

• Run ads for your own business

• Generate leads

• Sell products online

• Manage ads for clients

You need this done properly from day one.

Step 1: Check If You Already Have a Meta Business Manager

Before creating a new Business Manager, you must check if one already exists.

Go to:
business.facebook.com/select

Many people already have access to a Business Manager without realizing it. This usually happens if:

• You worked with an agency before

• You helped manage ads for someone else

• You created one years ago and forgot

If you already have one, use it. Creating unnecessary Business Managers can cause problems later.

Step 2: Create a New Meta Business Manager

If you do not have one, create it.

Click on Create a business and fill in:

• Business name

• Your name

• Business email address

The business name does not have to be perfect. You can change it later.

Once you submit, confirm your email address. After that, your Business Manager is active.

Step 3: Access Business Settings Correctly

After creating your Business Manager, go to Business Settings. This is where all important setup happens.

Before doing anything else, check the top left dropdown and confirm you are inside the correct business portfolio.

If you are in the wrong portfolio, you will not be able to add pages, ad accounts, or pixels.

This step alone saves hours of confusion.

Step 4: Add a Facebook Page

Inside Business Settings:

• Go to Accounts

• Select Pages

• Click Add

You have three options:

• Create a new Facebook Page

• Add an existing Page you own

• Request access to a Page you do not own

If this is your business, add the existing Page connected to your personal Facebook profile.

Once added, assign people to the Page and choose the permission level. Only give full control to people you trust.

Step 5: Connect an Instagram Account

Next, connect Instagram.

Go to:

• Accounts

• Instagram accounts

• Click Add

Log into the Instagram account you want to connect.

After connecting, assign users and choose their permissions. Content only for VAs. Full control only for partners.

Step 6: Create a New Ad Account

Now it is time to create an ad account.

Inside Business Settings:

• Go to Ad accounts

• Click Add

• Create a new ad account

Choose:

• Ad account name

• Time zone

• Currency

Be careful here. You cannot change time zone or currency later.

Many advertisers prefer USD even if they are not in the US, because performance benchmarks are easier to understand.

Assign the ad account to your business and give yourself full control.

Step 7: Add Payment Methods and Tax Information

Without payment details, you cannot run ads.

Inside the ad account:

• Go to Billing

• Click View payment methods

• Add your card or PayPal

If you are in the EU, also add:

• Business name

• Business address

• VAT number

This is important for tax compliance. If you are unsure, talk to your accountant.

Step 8: Add Users and Assign Permissions

Now add people to your Business Manager.

Go to:

• Users

• People

• Invite people

Enter their email address and choose access level:

• Partial access for assistants

• Full control for partners

After that, assign assets:

• Facebook Pages

• Instagram accounts

• Ad accounts

Double check permissions. Most access issues come from rushed user setup.

Step 9: Create and Connect Meta Pixel

The Meta Pixel is required for tracking, retargeting, and optimization.

Inside Business Settings:

• Go to Data sources

• Select Pixels

• Click Add

• Create a new pixel

Name it clearly, for example: Your Business Meta Pixel.

After creating it:

• Assign users

• Connect the pixel to your ad account

Pixel installation depends on your platform:

• Shopify setup is different

• Funnel tools like HighLevel are different

• Websites need manual setup

Pixel setup deserves its own tutorial, and it is critical not to rush this part.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the mistakes that cause most problems later:

• Creating multiple Business Managers for no reason

• Giving full control to too many users

• Choosing the wrong time zone or currency

• Forgetting to add payment and tax info

• Not connecting pixel to the ad account

Fixing these later is painful. Do it right once.

Final Thoughts

Meta Ads can work extremely well in 2026. But only if your foundation is solid.

This setup is not exciting. It does not feel like progress. But it determines whether your ads scale or break.

Watch the full step by step video here and follow along carefully:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaL63eyacnY

If you want help running Meta Ads, learning faster, and avoiding expensive mistakes, join my free Meta Ads Skool community here:
👉 https://www.wupscale.com/free