What Is Instagram Ad Credit & How To Use It? [2025]

An Instagram ad credit is a form of payment for ads that can help businesses optimize their expenses. So, what it is, where to get it, and how to use ad credits on Instagram. Let’s join GDT Agency in this article to explore ad credits on Instagram and see how they can benefit your business.

What Are Ad Credits On Instagram?

Instagram ad credits are coupons you can get and use to advertise on Instagram (and Facebook). 

You can get Instagram ad credits in several ways, though they are not easy to achieve. 

Where To Get Instagram Ad Credit?

You can receive Instagram ad credits in 2 ways:

Through periodic Instagram in-app promotions or Facebook.mail.com

Instagram and Meta sometimes give away one-time promotions where you can get an ad coupon and try promoting on the platform.

This often applies to those with an existing Instagram ad account.

Through partnerships between Meta and other companies

Some Meta official partners (such as Shutterstock, WooCommerce, Shopify, Mailchimp, etc.) give free ad coupons for their new subscribers.

How Does Instagram Ad Credit Work?

Once you get ad credits, you can redeem them to pay for ads on Instagram or Facebook.

After you redeem an ad credit, it will apply to all campaigns currently running on your ad account. 

However, you cannot use ad credits to pay for ad costs incurred before you add the credit to your account.

As you run Instagram ads, the ad credit will pay for your advertising daily until it runs out or expires.

When it expires, Instagram will charge you through the primary payment method in the ad account.

>>> Might you like: How To Use Instagram Ads For Real Estate

How To Use Instagram Ad Credit (2025)

Using Instagram ad credits can reduce advertising expenses for your business. 

You can redeem them via the Instagram app or the Ads Manager. 

How to use ad credit on Instagram app

You can easily find and use your Instagram ad credit inside the app. 

Follow these steps:

1. On the Instagram app, go to your profile page.
2. Select Professional dashboard > Ad tools.
3. Scroll down and select Boost a post.
4. Choose a post that you want to boost > Claim your ad credit > Next.
5. Select a goal for your ad
6. Select your target audience
7. Set budget and duration.
8. Review your ad and hit Boost post.

Once you’ve finished these steps, the ad credit will apply to your ad account.

How to redeem Instagram ad credit in Ads Manager

You can redeem a Meta ad credit code in Ads Manager and run Instagram ads from there. 

Here’s how:

1. Go to Ads Manager > Payment Settings.
2. In the Payment Methods section, select Add Payment Method.
3. Select Ad Credit > Next
4. Enter your 16-digit alphanumeric ad credit code > Claim.

The ad credit will be added to your ad account and shown in the Payment method section. 

>>> Learn more: How To Pay For Ads On Instagram

Do Instagram Ad Credits Get Expired?

Like other vouchers and coupons, ad credits do have expiration dates. 

Whether you use them or not, they will expire when the dates are reached, and you cannot reactivate them by any means.

Therefore, make sure you check your ad credit’s expiration date and use it in full before that day.

Troubleshoot Instagram Ad Credit Not Working

When redeeming Instagram ad credits, you may encounter Instagram ad credit not working errors.

In such cases, keep calm and check whether you enter the code correctly or not.

If it still doesn’t work, you’re having trouble redeeming your ad credit. 

Here are some reasons behind this issue and how to fix it.

Reason #1: Error with applying ad credit to account

Ensure your Instagram ad account has at least one valid payment method. If it doesn’t, add a new one.

Then, cancel the ad and wait for several days or hours to redeem the ad credit again.

Reason #2: Ad credit expired

Check if the ad credit is still valid or not. 

To view your ad credit expiration date, go to Business Tools and Controls > Ad payments > Payment Methods.

Reason #3: Ad credit used

Check if the ad credit code is already used on your account or another account that you share the same credit card with.

Reason #4: Free promotional uses reached

Some ad credits only apply to new ad accounts. 

Therefore, if you’ve reached the number of free promotional uses or you are using an old account, you may not be able to use coupons.

Reason #5: Inactive ad account

You must make sure your ad account is active and not disabled before redeeming Instagram ad credit codes.

Conclusion

To summarize, Instagram ad credits can benefit businesses looking to minimize their advertising costs on Instagram. This article has all the basics you need to know about ad credits on Instagram. Leverage these insights and apply them to your campaigns today!

Let us know if you find this guide helpful. Follow GDT Agency for more useful and up-to-date Instagram ad knowledge.

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