How to Find a Facebook Ad Post ID: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re running Facebook ads, you may need to locate the Post ID of an ad at some point. This ID is essential for tracking the performance of specific ads, using the same post in multiple ad sets, or referencing a particular ad post in a support request or report. While it might seem tricky if you’re new to Facebook’s ad management tools, finding the Post ID is straightforward. This guide will walk you through the steps to locate your Facebook Ad Post ID efficiently, including a special note for video ads with dynamic elements.

What Is a Facebook Ad Post ID?

Before diving into the steps, let’s clarify what a Post ID is. Each post on Facebook, whether organic or part of a paid campaign, has a unique identifier known as a Post ID. This ID is crucial for tracking, reporting, and duplicating posts across different campaigns or ad sets.

Step 1: Access Facebook Ads Manager

First, you need to be logged into your Facebook account that manages the ads. Head over to the Facebook Ads Manager. This tool is your central hub for managing and analyzing all your Facebook advertising campaigns. You can find it by clicking the downward arrow in the top-right corner of your Facebook page and selecting “Ads Manager” from the dropdown menu.

Step 2: Locate the Ad Campaign

Once in Ads Manager, you’ll see a dashboard listing all your ad campaigns. Select the campaign that contains the ad whose Post ID you’re trying to find. Click on the campaign name to expand and view the ad sets within it.

Step 3: Find the Specific Ad

After selecting the campaign, you’ll see a list of ad sets. Click on the ad set to expand it and view the individual ads. Locate the specific ad for which you need the Post ID. Click on the ad name to open the ad details.

Step 4: Preview the Ad

With the ad details open, find the “Preview” option. This option is usually located in the top-right section of the ad details page. Click on “Preview” to see a live version of your ad as it appears on Facebook.

Step 5: View the Post on Facebook

In the preview window, you’ll see several options, including a link that says “View Post Permalink with Comments” or just “Facebook Post with Comments.” Click this link to open the actual post on Facebook. This link takes you to the ad as it appears on a user’s feed, complete with any comments and engagements.

Step 6: Find the Post ID

Now that you’re viewing the ad post on Facebook, the Post ID can be found in the URL. Look at the address bar in your browser. The URL should look something like this: https://www.facebook.com/{PageID}/posts/{PostID}

The sequence of numbers at the end of the URL after /posts/ is the Post ID. For example, if the URL is: https://www.facebook.com/1234567890/posts/0987654321

The Post ID is 0987654321.

Special Note for Video Ads with Dynamic Elements

If your ad is a video that includes dynamic elements, the above method may not work as smoothly. Facebook sometimes renders these posts differently, and the Post ID might not be immediately visible in the URL.

In such cases, you’ll need to take an additional step to find the Post ID:

1. View the Post Source Code: While viewing the ad post on Facebook, right-click anywhere on the page and select “View Page Source” (or press Ctrl+U on Windows or Cmd+Option+U on macOS). This will open the page’s HTML source code in a new tab.
2. Search for the Post ID: In the source code tab, press Ctrl+F (or Cmd+F on macOS) to open the search function. Type post_id into the search box. The search will highlight instances of post_id in the code.
3. Locate the Correct Post ID: There might be multiple post_id entries in the code. Look for the one that matches the structure of an ID number (usually a long string of digits). This will be the Post ID for your video ad.

Alternative Method: Using the Facebook Page

If you’ve boosted a post directly from your Facebook page (as opposed to creating an ad from scratch in Ads Manager), you can also find the Post ID through your Facebook page.

1. Go to Your Facebook Page: Visit the page that posted the content.
2. Find the Post: Scroll through the timeline to locate the specific post you boosted.
3. Click on the Timestamp: Each Facebook post has a timestamp (e.g., “2 hours ago,” “Yesterday at 4:00 PM”). Click on this timestamp to open the post in a new window.
4. Check the URL: The Post ID will be in the URL, just like in the previous steps.

Why Is the Post ID Important?

Understanding where to find and how to use the Post ID can simplify many tasks in Facebook advertising:

• Tracking Performance: Easily reference specific ads in your reporting tools.
• Duplicating Ads: Use the same post across multiple ad sets without creating a new one.
• Customer Support: Provide the exact Post ID when communicating with Facebook Support for any issues related to the specific ad.

Locating your Facebook Ad Post ID is an essential skill for anyone managing Facebook ads, whether you’re tracking performance, dealing with customer support, or managing large campaigns. By following these simple steps, you can quickly find the Post ID and use it effectively in your marketing efforts. And if you’re working with video ads that have dynamic elements, remember to check the source code to locate the Post ID.

If you’re working with Facebook ads frequently, this process will become second nature, saving you time and ensuring you have all the details you need at your fingertips.