Reporting in Ads Manager works in two places: the results table in Ads Manager for daily checks, and Meta Ads Reporting for building custom reports that you save, export, share and schedule. Both show Meta's own view of your campaigns, so they do not include your store or other ad channels.
TL;DR
- The Ads Manager table is for live checks: pick columns, a date range and a breakdown.
- Meta Ads Reporting is for reports you keep: custom metrics, breakdowns, exports and sharing.
- Reports can be exported as a file, shared as a link, or emailed on a schedule for a single account.
- The numbers follow Meta's attribution setting and its own counting.
- Other channels and your store sit outside it, so add those in another view.
- Compare with your store regularly to catch tracking gaps.
What you get and what to add
| Part | What you get | What is outside it |
|---|---|---|
| Ads Manager table | Live results by campaign, ad set and ad, with breakdowns | Saved layouts to share, other channels |
| Meta Ads Reporting | Custom reports, custom metrics, exports, links | Store revenue, Google Ads, TikTok |
| Scheduled emails | Recurring reports for one account | Cross-account schedules |
| Attribution settings | A window you can compare, such as click-only | A view of how Meta compares with other channels |
What does the Ads Manager table give you?
The table shows your campaigns, ad sets and ads with the metrics you choose. You pick columns, set a date range, and add breakdowns such as age, country, placement or day. It updates as results arrive, so it suits daily checks. Meta groups breakdowns into six categories, and conversions that Meta cannot attribute to a breakdown value show as uncategorized.
Let Madgicx's AI do the work
Its AI marketer finds what's working and prepares the next move. You approve.
Try for Free ($0 Trial)What does Meta Ads Reporting add?
Meta Ads Reporting is where you build a report you keep. You can start from a template or a blank report, choose metrics and breakdowns, and add custom metrics, which apply a formula to existing metrics and save it under a name. An example is purchases divided by link clicks.
You can then share the result in three ways.
- Export it. Download as .xlsx or .csv, or share it as a link. People outside your business can view a link but not edit it.
- Email it. Recurring emailed reports work for single-account reports.
- Use several accounts. Cross-account reports combine accounts in one report.
What is not in Ads Manager reporting?
Ads Manager describes your Meta results, which is its job. Four things sit outside it, and you add them from elsewhere.
- Store revenue. Meta shows the value it received with the purchase event, not your net sales after refunds.
- Other channels. Google Ads, TikTok and email live in their own tools.
- Different attribution views of the same sale. You can compare settings inside Meta, but not how another tool credits the same order.
- Your own commentary. A shared report holds numbers. The explanation is yours to add.
None of this is a flaw. It marks where Meta's data ends and yours begins.
What should I do first?
- Use the table for daily checks and keep the default attribution setting for comparisons.
- Build one saved report with the metrics for your campaign goal.
- Set a weekly email if you work in a single account.
- Once a week, compare Meta's purchases with your store's orders for the same dates. Our answer on why Ads Manager results differ from revenue shows how.
- Add a view that places Meta next to your store and other channels.
If you are weighing Meta's reporting against other options, our page on Madgicx and Meta Ads Manager lays out the differences.
Where Madgicx fits
Madgicx adds the view Ads Manager does not have. One-Click Report brings Meta, Google Ads, TikTok, Shopify and Klaviyo data into one place, so you can see store results beside ad results, and share reports with clients by link or PDF. Copilot answers questions about your ad account from your own data. Your Meta data stays the source, and you choose what to share.
FAQ
Where do I find reports in Meta Ads Manager?
Open the Reports menu in Ads Manager and choose to create a custom report, or open Ads Reporting from the business tools menu.
Can I schedule reports in Ads Manager?
Yes, for single-account reports, which Meta emails on a recurring schedule. Cross-account reports cannot be scheduled by email.
How far back can Ads Manager report?
Meta's maximum reporting window is 37 months from the date of your request.
Can I share an Ads Manager report with a client?
Yes, you can export it or share a link. People outside your business can view the link, but not edit it.
Does Ads Manager reporting include my store sales?
No, it shows the purchases Meta received and credited. Compare it with your store to see the whole picture.
Related
- Answers: Why Ads Manager results differ from revenue
- Answers: Reports vs dashboards
- Comparison: Madgicx vs Meta Ads Manager
Go deeper
The Facebook ads reporting guide gives the step-by-step build of a report in Ads Reporting.
Sources
- About Meta Ads Reporting, Meta Business Help Center
- About breakdowns, metrics and filtering, Meta Business Help Center
- Create custom metrics in Meta Ads Reporting, Meta Business Help Center
- Export and share reports in Meta Ads Reporting, Meta Business Help Center
- Run a recurring report in Meta Ads Reporting, Meta Business Help Center
- Create cross-account reports in Ads Reporting, Meta Business Help Center
