Meta Ads

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Meta Ads API

Meta Ads MCP

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for interacting with Meta Ads API. This tool enables AI models to access, analyze, and manage Meta advertising campaigns through a standardized interface, allowing LLMs to retrieve performance data, visualize ad creatives, and provide strategic insights for Facebook, Instagram, and other Meta platforms.

DISCLAIMER: This is an unofficial third-party tool and is not associated with, endorsed by, or affiliated with Meta in any way. This project is maintained independently and uses Meta's public APIs according to their terms of service. Meta, Facebook, Instagram, and other Meta brand names are trademarks of their respective owners.

Screenhot: using an LLM to understand your ad performance.

Meta Ads MCP in action: Visualize ad performance metrics and creative details directly in Claude or your favorite MCP client, with rich insights about campaign reach, engagement, and costs

Features

  • AI-Powered Campaign Analysis: Let your favorite LLM analyze your campaigns and provide actionable insights on performance
  • Strategic Recommendations: Receive data-backed suggestions for optimizing ad spend, targeting, and creative content
  • Automated Monitoring: Ask any MCP-compatible LLM to track performance metrics and alert you about significant changes
  • Budget Optimization: Get recommendations for reallocating budget to better-performing ad sets
  • Creative Improvement: Receive feedback on ad copy, imagery, and calls-to-action
  • Campaign Management: Request changes to campaigns, ad sets, and ads (all changes require explicit confirmation)
  • Cross-Platform Integration: Works with Facebook, Instagram, and all Meta ad platforms
  • Universal LLM Support: Compatible with any MCP client including Claude Desktop, Cursor, Cherry Studio, and more
  • Simple Authentication: Easy setup with secure OAuth authentication
  • Cross-Platform Support: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux

Installation

Using uv (recommended)

When using uv no specific installation is needed. We can use uvx to directly run meta-ads-mcp:

## RECOMMENDED: Use with Pipeboard authentication
export PIPEBOARD_API_TOKEN=your_pipeboard_token  # Get your token at https://pipeboard.co
uvx meta-ads-mcp

## Alternative: Use with direct Meta authentication
uvx meta-ads-mcp --app-id YOUR_META_ADS_APP_ID

If you want to install the package:

uv pip install meta-ads-mcp

For development (if you've cloned the repository):

## From the repository root
uv pip install -e .

Using pip

Alternatively, you can install meta-ads-mcp via pip:

pip install meta-ads-mcp

After installation, you can run it as:

## RECOMMENDED: Use with Pipeboard authentication
export PIPEBOARD_API_TOKEN=your_pipeboard_token  # Get your token at https://pipeboard.co
python -m meta_ads_mcp

## Alternative: Use with direct Meta authentication
python -m meta_ads_mcp --app-id YOUR_META_ADS_APP_ID

Configuration

Quick Start with Pipeboard Authentication (Recommended)

The easiest way to configure Meta Ads MCP is using Pipeboard authentication:

  1. Sign up at Pipeboard.co and generate an API token - Get your free token at https://pipeboard.co
  2. Set the environment variable: 
    export PIPEBOARD_API_TOKEN=your_pipeboard_token   # Token obtainable via https://pipeboard.co
  3. Run meta-ads-mcp without needing to set up a Meta Developer App: 
    uvx meta-ads-mcp

This method provides longer-lived tokens (60 days), simplified setup, and automatic token renewal.

Usage with Claude in Cursor

Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json to integrate with Claude in Cursor:

"mcpServers": {
  "meta-ads": {
    "command": "uvx",
    "args": ["meta-ads-mcp"],
    "env": {
      "PIPEBOARD_API_TOKEN": "your_pipeboard_token"  // Token obtainable via https://pipeboard.co
    }
  }
}

Or if you prefer direct Meta authentication (using your own Facebook app):

"mcpServers": {
  "meta-ads": {
    "command": "uvx",
    "args": ["meta-ads-mcp", "--app-id", "YOUR_META_ADS_APP_ID"]
  }
}

Available MCP Tools

  1. mcp_meta_ads_get_ad_accounts

    • Get ad accounts accessible by a user
    • Inputs:
      • access_token (optional): Meta API access token (will use cached token if not provided)
      • user_id: Meta user ID or "me" for the current user
      • limit: Maximum number of accounts to return (default: 10)
    • Returns: List of accessible ad accounts with their details

  2. mcp_meta_ads_get_account_info

    • Get detailed information about a specific ad account
    • Inputs:
      • access_token (optional): Meta API access token (will use cached token if not provided)
      • account_id: Meta Ads account ID (format: act_XXXXXXXXX)
    • Returns: Detailed information about the specified account

  3. mcp_meta_ads_get_campaigns

    • Get campaigns for a Meta Ads account with optional filtering
    • Inputs:
      • access_token (optional): Meta API access token (will use cached token if not provided)
      • account_id: Meta Ads account ID (format: act_XXXXXXXXX)
      • limit: Maximum number of campaigns to return (default: 10)
      • status_filter: Filter by status (empty for all, or 'ACTIVE', 'PAUSED', etc.)
    • Returns: List of campaigns matching the criteria

  4. mcp_meta_ads_get_campaign_details

    • Get detailed information about a specific campaign
    • Inputs:
      • access_token (optional): Meta API access token (will use cached token if not provided)
      • campaign_id: Meta Ads campaign ID
    • Returns: Detailed information about the specified campaign

  5. mcp_meta_ads_create_campaign

    • Create a new campaign in a Meta Ads account
    • Inputs:
      • access_token (optional): Meta API access token (will use cached token if not provided)
      • account_id: Meta Ads account ID (format: act_XXXXXXXXX)
      • name: Campaign name
      • objective: Campaign objective (AWARENESS, TRAFFIC, ENGAGEMENT, etc.)
      • status: Initial campaign status (default: PAUSED)
      • special_ad_categories: List of special ad categories if applicable
      • daily_budget: Daily budget in account currency (in cents)
      • lifetime_budget: Lifetime budget in account currency (in cents)
    • Returns: Confirmation with new campaign details

  6. mcp_meta_ads_get_adsets

    • Get ad sets for a Meta Ads account with optional filtering by campaign
    • Inputs:
      • access_token (optional): Meta API access token (will use cached token if not provided)
      • account_id: Meta Ads account ID (format: act_XXXXXXXXX)
      • limit: Maximum number of ad sets to return (default: 10)
      • campaign_id: Optional campaign ID to filter by
    • Returns: List of ad sets matching the criteria

  7. mcp_meta_ads_get_adset_details

    • Get detailed information about a specific ad set
    • Inputs:
      • access_token (optional): Meta API access token (will use cached token if not provided)
      • adset_id: Meta Ads ad set ID
    • Returns: Detailed information about the specified ad set

  8. mcp_meta_ads_get_ads

    • Get ads for a Meta Ads account with optional filtering
    • Inputs:
      • access_token (optional): Meta API access token (will use cached token if not provided)
      • account_id: Meta Ads account ID (format: act_XXXXXXXXX)
      • limit: Maximum number of ads to return (default: 10)
      • campaign_id: Optional campaign ID to filter by
      • adset_id: Optional ad set ID to filter by
    • Returns: List of ads matching the criteria

  9. mcp_meta_ads_get_ad_details

    • Get detailed information about a specific ad
    • Inputs:
      • access_token (optional): Meta API access token (will use cached token if not provided)
      • ad_id: Meta Ads ad ID
    • Returns: Detailed information about the specified ad

  10. mcp_meta_ads_get_ad_creatives

    • Get creative details for a specific ad
    • Inputs:
      • access_token (optional): Meta API access token (will use cached token if not provided)
      • ad_id: Meta Ads ad ID
    • Returns: Creative details including text, images, and URLs

  11. mcp_meta_ads_get_ad_image

    • Get, download, and visualize a Meta ad image in one step
    • Inputs:
      • access_token (optional): Meta API access token (will use cached token if not provided)
      • ad_id: Meta Ads ad ID
    • Returns: The ad image ready for direct visual analysis

  12. mcp_meta_ads_update_ad

    • Update an ad with new settings
    • Inputs:
      • ad_id: Meta Ads ad ID
      • status: Update ad status (ACTIVE, PAUSED, etc.)
      • bid_amount: Bid amount in account currency (in cents for USD)
      • access_token (optional): Meta API access token (will use cached token if not provided)
    • Returns: Confirmation with updated ad details and a confirmation link

  13. mcp_meta_ads_update_adset

    • Update an ad set with new settings including frequency caps
    • Inputs:
      • adset_id: Meta Ads ad set ID
      • frequency_control_specs: List of frequency control specifications
      • bid_strategy: Bid strategy (e.g., 'LOWEST_COST_WITH_BID_CAP')
      • bid_amount: Bid amount in account currency (in cents for USD)
      • status: Update ad set status (ACTIVE, PAUSED, etc.)
      • targeting: Targeting specifications including targeting_automation
      • access_token (optional): Meta API access token (will use cached token if not provided)
    • Returns: Confirmation with updated ad set details and a confirmation link

  14. mcp_meta_ads_get_insights

    • Get performance insights for a campaign, ad set, ad or account
    • Inputs:
      • access_token (optional): Meta API access token (will use cached token if not provided)
      • object_id: ID of the campaign, ad set, ad or account
      • time_range: Time range for insights (default: maximum)
      • breakdown: Optional breakdown dimension (e.g., age, gender, country)
      • level: Level of aggregation (ad, adset, campaign, account)
    • Returns: Performance metrics for the specified object

  15. mcp_meta_ads_debug_image_download

    • Debug image download issues and report detailed diagnostics
    • Inputs:
      • access_token (optional): Meta API access token (will use cached token if not provided)
      • url: Direct image URL to test (optional)
      • ad_id: Meta Ads ad ID (optional, used if url is not provided)
    • Returns: Diagnostic information about image download attempts

  16. mcp_meta_ads_get_login_link

    • Get a clickable login link for Meta Ads authentication
    • NOTE: This method should only be used if you're using your own Facebook app. If using Pipeboard authentication (recommended), set the PIPEBOARD_API_TOKEN environment variable instead (token obtainable via https://pipeboard.co).
    • Inputs:
      • access_token (optional): Meta API access token (will use cached token if not provided)
    • Returns: A clickable resource link for Meta authentication

Create a Meta Developer App

Before using the MCP server, you'll need to set up a Meta Developer App:

  1. Go to Meta for Developers and create a new app
  2. Choose the "Consumer" app type
  3. In your app settings, add the "Marketing API" product
  4. Configure your app's OAuth redirect URI to include http://localhost:8888/callback
  5. Note your App ID (Client ID) for use with the MCP

Authentication

The Meta Ads MCP supports two authentication methods:

1. Pipeboard Authentication (Recommended ⭐)

This method uses Pipeboard.co to manage Meta API authentication, providing longer-lived tokens and a simplified flow:

  1. Get your Pipeboard token: Sign up at https://pipeboard.co to generate your free API token
  2. Set the PIPEBOARD_API_TOKEN environment variable with your token: 
    export PIPEBOARD_API_TOKEN=your_pipeboard_token
  3. Run the Meta Ads MCP normally - it will automatically detect and use Pipeboard authentication: 
    uvx meta-ads-mcp
  4. The first time you run a command, you'll be provided with a login URL to authorize with Meta

Benefits of Pipeboard authentication:

  • ✅ Longer-lived tokens (60 days)
  • ✅ No need to configure a Meta Developer App
  • ✅ Simpler setup with just an API token
  • ✅ Automatic token renewal

To test the Pipeboard authentication flow:

python test_pipeboard_auth.py --api-token YOUR_PIPEBOARD_TOKEN

2. Direct Meta OAuth (Legacy)

The traditional OAuth 2.0 flow designed for desktop apps. This method should only be used if you are using your own Facebook app instead of Pipeboard.

When authenticating, it will:

  1. Start a local callback server on your machine
  2. Open a browser window to authenticate with Meta
  3. Ask you to authorize the app
  4. Redirect back to the local server to extract and store the token securely

This method requires you to create a Meta Developer App first.

Troubleshooting and Logging

The Meta Ads MCP includes a comprehensive logging system to help troubleshoot issues:

Log Location

Log files are stored in a platform-specific location:

  • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/meta-ads-mcp/meta_ads_debug.log
  • Windows: %APPDATA%\meta-ads-mcp\meta_ads_debug.log
  • Linux: ~/.config/meta-ads-mcp/meta_ads_debug.log

Common Issues

Authentication Issues

If you're having authentication problems:

  1. Recommended: Use Pipeboard Authentication

    • Set export PIPEBOARD_API_TOKEN=your_token and retry
    • This provides longer-lived tokens and better reliability
    • Verify your token in the Pipeboard dashboard

  2. For App ID issues (when using direct authentication): If you encounter errors like (#200) Provide valid app ID, check the following:

    • Ensure you've set up a Meta Developer App correctly
    • Verify that you're passing the correct App ID using one of these methods:
      • Set the META_APP_ID environment variable: export META_APP_ID=your_app_id
      • Pass it as a command-line argument: meta-ads-mcp --app-id your_app_id
API Errors

If you receive errors from the Meta API:

  1. Verify your app has the Marketing API product added
  2. Ensure the user has appropriate permissions on the ad accounts
  3. Check if there are rate limits or other restrictions on your app

Debugging Command

For specific image download issues, use the built-in diagnostic tool:

## Using direct tool call
mcp_meta_ads_debug_image_download(ad_id="your_ad_id")

This will give you detailed information about the download process and potential issues.

Running with Different App IDs

If you need to use different Meta App IDs for different purposes:

## Using environment variable
export META_APP_ID=your_app_id
uvx meta-ads-mcp

## Or using command line argument
uvx meta-ads-mcp --app-id=your_app_id

Privacy and Security

The Meta Ads MCP follows security best practices:

  1. Tokens are cached in a platform-specific secure location:

    • Windows: %APPDATA%\meta-ads-mcp\token_cache.json or %APPDATA%\meta-ads-mcp\pipeboard_token_cache.json
    • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/meta-ads-mcp/token_cache.json or ~/Library/Application Support/meta-ads-mcp/pipeboard_token_cache.json
    • Linux: ~/.config/meta-ads-mcp/token_cache.json or ~/.config/meta-ads-mcp/pipeboard_token_cache.json

  2. You do not need to provide your access token for each command; it will be automatically retrieved from the cache.

  3. You can set the following environment variables instead of passing them as arguments:

    • META_APP_ID: Your Meta App ID (Client ID) - for direct OAuth method
    • PIPEBOARD_API_TOKEN: Your Pipeboard API token - for Pipeboard authentication method

Testing

CLI Testing

Run the test script to verify authentication and basic functionality:

python test_meta_ads_auth.py --app-id YOUR_APP_ID

Use the --force-login flag to force a new authentication even if a cached token exists:

python test_meta_ads_auth.py --app-id YOUR_APP_ID --force-login

LLM Interface Testing

When using the Meta Ads MCP with an LLM interface (like Claude):

  1. If using direct Meta authentication (your own Facebook app), test authentication by calling the mcp_meta_ads_get_login_link tool
  2. If using Pipeboard authentication (recommended), ensure the PIPEBOARD_API_TOKEN environment variable is set (token obtainable via https://pipeboard.co)
  3. Verify account access by calling mcp_meta_ads_get_ad_accounts
  4. Check specific account details with mcp_meta_ads_get_account_info

These functions will automatically handle authentication if needed and provide a clickable login link if required.

Troubleshooting

Authentication Issues

If you encounter authentication issues:

  1. When using the LLM interface:

    • If using direct Meta authentication (your own Facebook app), use the mcp_meta_ads_get_login_link tool to generate a fresh authentication link
    • If using Pipeboard authentication (recommended), ensure the PIPEBOARD_API_TOKEN environment variable is set (token obtainable via https://pipeboard.co)
    • Ensure you click the link and complete the authorization flow in your browser
    • Check that the callback server is running properly (the tool will report this)

  2. When using Pipeboard authentication:

    • Verify your PIPEBOARD_API_TOKEN is set correctly (token obtainable via https://pipeboard.co)
    • Check if you need to complete the authorization process by visiting the provided login URL
    • Try forcing a new login: python test_pipeboard_auth.py --force-login

  3. When using direct Meta OAuth:

    • Run with --force-login to get a fresh token: uvx meta-ads-mcp --login --app-id YOUR_APP_ID --force-login
    • Make sure the terminal has permissions to open a browser window

API Errors

If you receive errors from the Meta API:

  1. Verify your app has the Marketing API product added
  2. Ensure the user has appropriate permissions on the ad accounts
  3. Check if there are rate limits or other restrictions on your app

Versioning

You can check the current version of the package:

import meta_ads_mcp
print(meta_ads_mcp.__version__)