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Instagram advertising credit: how does it work?
Temps de lecture : 4 minutes
Advertising credits on Instagram have become a real lever for getting started with Meta Ads campaigns without taking any financial risk. In 2025, more and more advertisers are receiving free credits or promo codes to try out advertising on Instagram. But you still need to understand how they work, how to activate them and, above all, how to use them intelligently to generate sales or traffic. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of these advertising credits and boost your visibility from the very first campaigns.
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What is an Instagram ad credit?
Before you start looking for one, you need to know exactly what it is. Here are the basics.
Definition and operation in the Meta system
Un Instagram advertising credit (also known as "Meta Ad Credit") is an amount of money virtual offered by Meta (Facebook/Instagram) to certain advertisers for pay for all or part of their advertising campaigns .
It is directly linked to your Meta advertising account and is used automatically as soon as a campaign is launched, as long as the credit is active.
For example, if Meta offers you 30 € credit this amount will be deducted from your first expenses in Instagram or Facebook advertising until the balance is used up or expires.
Where do I see my credit and how do I use it?
Once activated, the credit is displayed in the interface Meta Ads Manager in the "Invoicing > Payment methods with an "advertising credit" label and a expiration date (often 30 days after activation).
The credit is used automatically by Meta before billing your credit card. No special settings are required, but you must have a registered valid means of payment so that everything runs smoothly.
How do I get advertising credit on Instagram?
Meta regularly distributes credits to encourage new advertisers to test its advertising platform. Here are the main ways to benefit.
Credits offered by Meta (new accounts, promotions, etc.)
Meta often offers welcome credits ranging from 20 à 100 € for new advertising accounts. They are usually offered via :
a notification in your Business Manager ,
un official promotional email ,
or directly in the Instagram app after boosting a post for the first time.
These offers are one-off and valid only once per account. It is often necessary spend a minimum amount (e.g. "spend €25 and receive €100 credit").
Are there any promo codes or discount coupons?
Yes, Meta sometimes tests promotional codes single-use, distributed via :
from partenariats (Shopify, Wix, etc.),
from online events (Meta webinars),
or automatic e-mails sent to inactive customers.
These codes are never public and must be entered in the "payment" section of your advertising account. Please note: the "free €100 on Facebook Ads" offers visible on the web are often scams .
Under what conditions are you entitled to these credits?
To qualify for an Instagram ad credit:
you must have a active, audited advertising account ,
have never used credit before on this account,
and often boost a post or create a first campaign with minimum expense.
The credits are related to the account not the user. Creating several accounts to circumvent the rule is detected by Meta and may cause a blockage.
How do I use an Instagram ad credit?
Once you've received your credit, you need to know how to activate it and avoid the usual mistakes.
4 steps to activate a credit in the ad manager
Here's the classic procedure:
Login to Meta Ads Manager
Click on "Billing parameters
Add a valid means of payment
Click on "Add a credit if you have a code, or let Meta apply it automatically if it has been assigned
The credit is then automatically deducts campaigns to exhaustion.
Restrictions and limits on use (duration, amount, eligible accounts)
The credits have often valid for 30 days
They are valid only for an advertising account
Credit is non-transferable and non cumulable
Certain types of campaigns (traffic to WhatsApp, mobile applications) can be exclus
Always read the specific conditions indicated by Meta.
4 common activation mistakes to avoid
Do not have registered means of payment
Try to use the credit on a already active or old account
Thinking credit is valid on several accounts or users
Misgrasping a expired or invalid promotional code
Do credits really help you get started?
Yes, but their impact depends on your strategy. Here's what to keep in mind.
The advantages of low-cost campaign testing
Credits are ideal for :
test different visuals or hearings,
valider un tunnel de vente without risk,
ou take your first steps on Ads Manager .
It's a pressure-free budgeting to observe what works.
Limits to be aware of before taking the plunge
The amount is often limited to €30-50 which is not enough for complete conversion campaigns
Credit expires rapidly which can lead to throw too fast
Not always compatible with the most profitable objectives (e.g. purchasing)
This means prepare your creatives and targets in advance .
When to switch to a real budget for scaling
Once you have :
Found at one or two profitable audiences
Validate your visuals and landing page
Understood your cost per acquisition (CPA) .
you can investing real money for scaling, keeping an eye on the ROAS (return on advertising expenditure) .
Heropay finances your Instagram Ads campaigns, even without free credit
The credits offered by Meta are often no more than a a helping hand . For go further you'll need a budget stable and scalable .
With Heropay you can :
Fund your own Instagram campaigns without cash advance
Unlock more advertising volume quickly
Scaling your sales with a flexible payment model based on your results .
Whether or not you have a Meta credit, Heropay can help you to growth of your Instagram Ads campaigns .
Open a free account