How to Set Up a Facebook Ad Account: Checklist 2026

Question: How to set up a Facebook ad account in 2026 so it passes verification, avoids restrictions, and is ready to launch campaigns right away?

Answer: Setting up a Facebook ad account is more than filling out basic info. In 2026, Facebook tightened anti-fraud and verification policies, so each setup step matters. Below is a practical checklist showing how to set up a Facebook ad account safely and effectively.

1. Payment Methods

Facebook pays close attention to your payment method. Always attach warmed-up cards with BIN-geo matching your account’s GEO. This reduces the risk of “Payment mismatch” errors.

Avoid using unverified virtual cards or those previously banned in other ad accounts. If you run multiple accounts, use separate cards to prevent cross-account bans. Learn more in our guide how to warm up cards for Facebook Ads.

2. Pixel

The Facebook Pixel is your main analytics tool. Install it right after creating your ad account — this allows the algorithm to collect data and optimize faster.

Go to Events Manager → “Add new Pixel” → enter your domain → paste the Pixel code into your website. For affiliate marketers, the Pixel is crucial for Aggregated Events Measurement, especially after iOS privacy updates.

If you manage multiple domains, use one Pixel per domain and connect each to a separate BM — this builds account trust and data stability.

3. Event Setup Tool

After installing your Pixel, configure events through the Event Setup Tool. Choose only the actions that matter — “Purchase”, “Add to Cart”, “Complete Registration”, etc. Avoid cluttering your account with dozens of unnecessary events.

Set event priorities carefully. Facebook allows up to 8 events per domain, and as of 2025, the system penalizes inactive ones. Remove unused events to maintain optimization quality and ad stability.

Conclusion: Proper setup means correct payments, an active Pixel, and well-prioritized events. Follow this checklist, and your ad account will stay healthy, scalable, and compliant in 2025.