How to set up Instagram catalog ads

Quick Answer

To set up Instagram catalog ads, create a product catalog in Meta Commerce Manager, upload your products via CSV, Shopify, or WooCommerce, then create a Sales campaign with Catalogue Sales at the campaign level. Meta will dynamically pull product images, names, and prices into the ads.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Create a product catalog

Go to business.facebook.com/commerce. Click Add catalogue > Ecommerce. Name it and select your Business Manager.

2. Upload products

Choose a method:

Shopify/WooCommerce: Plug-and-play integration
Manual CSV: Upload a file with columns for id, title, description, price, image_link, and link
Data feed URL: Daily automatic updates from your backend

3. Set up a product set (optional)

Product sets let you target subsets of your catalog — e.g. "Summer Dresses Under GBP 50". Create them under Catalogue > Product sets.

4. Create a Sales campaign

In adsmanager.facebook.com click Create > Sales. At the campaign level tick Catalogue and pick your catalog.

5. Configure the ad set

Conversion location: Website
Performance goal: Maximise conversion value
Product set: Pick the relevant set or use All products
Audience: Broad or retargeting (e.g. product viewers)
Placements: Manual, Instagram only

6. Choose a creative format

At the ad level pick Carousel (most common for catalog ads) or Single image/video. Meta auto-overlays product details.

7. Publish and test

Click Publish. Meta will dynamically generate variations across your catalog. Watch for out-of-stock products that may still show up — maintain catalog hygiene.

FAQs

How many products do I need? At least 4 to run Carousel catalog ads.

Do I need Instagram Shop? Only if you want shoppable tags — catalog ads work without it.

Can I run a catalog ad for a single product? Yes, but you lose the dynamic advantage.

Why are products missing from the ad? Check catalog diagnostics — usually missing images or invalid URLs.

How often does Meta refresh catalog data? Every 1–24 hours depending on feed type.

Skip the Manual Work with Pix-Vu

Building, testing, and optimising Instagram ads by hand is exhausting. Pix-Vu automates the entire process — creative generation, audience testing, budget reallocation, and reporting — for a flat monthly fee. No agencies, no media buyers, no spreadsheets. Start your campaign in under five minutes at https://pix-vu.com.