Congrats on launching your first Meta ad!
If your ad is stuck on “Preparing” for several hours, don’t worry — this doesn’t always mean something is wrong. It usually just means Meta is still processing your ad before it moves into “In Review.” This stage can take a bit longer than usual if:
It’s your first-ever ad (new accounts often go through extra checks)
There’s heavy platform traffic (e.g. during holidays or sales)
Your ad includes new creatives, links, or domains that Meta hasn’t seen before
That said, if it’s been more than 24 hours with no movement, you can:
Try duplicating the ad and republishing it
Check if your payment method and business info are verified
Or contact Meta Support via the Help Center
So for now, give it a bit more time — “Preparing” doesn’t mean rejected, it just means Meta’s still getting things in place!
