Ad Manager Run As Ad & Create Engagement Ad

Modified on: Tue, 21 Oct, 2025 at 6:36 PM

New buttons bring one-click ad creation links (“breadcrumbs”) straight into two of HighLevel’s most-used tools—WhatsApp and Social Planner—so you can turn conversations and social posts into paid ads without ever hunting for Ad Manager.


TABLE OF CONTENTS


What are the New Buttons (breadcrumbs) for Ad Manager in WhatsApp & Social Planner?


There are now buttons in WhatsApp and Social Planner that open Ad Manager in one-click preconfigured to run an ad. These context-aware “Create Engagement Ad” (WhatsApp) and “Run as Ad” (Social Planner) buttons deep-link to Ad Manager. Each link pre-loads the relevant campaign objective and post content, trimming several manual steps from the usual ad-creation flow.


Key Benefits of Breadcrumbing


• Accelerates campaign setup—pre-selected objective, destination, media, and copy cut down form-filling time.


• Boosts Ad Manager adoption by surfacing upgrade prompts exactly where non-Ad-Manager users work.


• Improves workflow continuity—marketers move from organic content to paid promotion in a single click.


• Reduces user error; the correct objective (Engagement) and channel (WhatsApp/Facebook/Instagram) are automatically applied.


WhatsApp > Create Engagement Ad


Quickly convert a WhatsApp phone number into an Engagement campaign.


• Button location: Settings > WhatsApp > Numbers tab, next to “Add Number”.


• Auto-filled in Ad Manager:

    – Objective: Engagement

    – Destination: WhatsApp

    – Budget, audience, and creative remain editable.


• Users without Ad Manager see a subscription-benefits modal with “Connect Ad Manager” CTA.


• Users with Ad Manager but without a connected Ad Account see a button "Connect Account".



Social Planner > Run As Ad


Promote published or scheduled Facebook/Instagram posts without re-uploading assets.


• Where you’ll see “Run as Ad”:

   - Marketing > Social Planner > Planner tab > 3-dot action menu on list row

   - Marketing > Social Planner > Content tab > Approval tab > 3-dot action menu on list row

    - Marketing > Social Planner > post detail sidebar


• Supported post statuses: Published, Scheduled, In Review (not Draft or Recurring).


• Redirect flow: click > confirm modal > Ad Manager opens → choose Google or Meta → campaign pre-filled with media & caption (text-only posts remain editable).





Frequently Asked Questions


Q. Does breadcrumbing cost extra?

A. No. The feature is free, but the sub-account must have an active Ad Manager subscription or pay-as-you-go plan.


Q. Can I use “Run as Ad” for TikTok or LinkedIn posts?

A. Not yet. Breadcrumbing currently supports Facebook and Instagram posts only.


Q. What happens if I edit a post after turning it into an ad?

A. Changes made in Social Planner will not sync to the live ad; edit the creative directly inside Ad Manager instead.


Q. Why don’t I see the “Create Engagement Ad” button in WhatsApp?

A. Confirm you’re on the Numbers tab and that your location has WhatsApp enabled. Standard user permissions also apply.


Q. Can I bypass the confirmation modal?

A. No. The modal prevents accidental navigation and clarifies you’re entering the Ad Manager flow.



How to Create a Meta Click-to-Direct (CTX) Ad for Engagement

Overview of Ad Manager Settings

Getting Started – Setup Social Planner

How to Resell Ad Manager with Your SaaS Plan

HighLevel Pricing Guide

WhatsApp – 30-Day Free Subscription Trial

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