Agent FAQ

AdBuilder — Frequently Asked Questions

Go straight to your topic

Getting started Cost and duration Ad setup and preview Choose your priority Targeting and reach Ads on Google and Bing Ads on Meta (Facebook and Instagram)

After you purchase Sold listings and ad lifecycle Performance, reporting, and seller updates Platforms, destinations, and traffic flow Listing data issues and support Still have questions? Contact AdBuilder support

Getting started

What is AdBuilder?

AdBuilder is an advertising platform built specifically for real estate agents. It lets you create and run digital ad campaigns for your listings across Facebook, Instagram, Google, and Bing without needing marketing experience.

The goal is simple: get your listing in front of the right people, build attention fast, and give your seller a clear view of how their home is being marketed.

What are my ad campaign options?

AdBuilder offers two campaign types:

• AdTarget – You can write your own ad copy (the text, headline, and description that appears in your ad). Runs on Facebook and Instagram. Duration is 3–30 days. Minimum spend $100.
• AdIntelligence – Ad copy is generated automatically from your MLS listing data and updates itself based on triggers when your listing status changes. Runs on Facebook, Instagram, Google, and Bing. 15–21 days for Active listings; up to 28 days if started in Coming Soon status, as allowed by your MLS. Minimum spend $150.

If you still have questions about campaign types, see the full guide: AdBuilder Campaign Guide

Which campaign type is right for me?

Use AdTarget if you want to write your own ad text, control exactly how long the ad runs, or your listing has already been Active on the market for a while.

Use AdIntelligence if it is a brand new Active or Coming Soon listing, you want reach on Google and Bing in addition to Facebook and Instagram, or you prefer the ad to manage itself automatically. If you are not sure which option is best for your listing, contact an AdBuilder Guide and we can help you decide.

Can I run ads on more than one listing at the same time?

Yes. Each listing gets its own separate ad campaign. Running an ad on one listing has no impact on any other campaigns you have active.

Can I run more than one for the same listing at the same time?

Yes, but you can only have one active AdIntelligence campaign active at a time. Many agents increase their listings reach by also running an AdTarget ad to bring additional attention to important status updates, such as Open House, Price Reduction or Under Contract.

Cost and duration

How much does an AdBuilder ad cost?

• AdTarget: minimum $100
• AdIntelligence: minimum $150
• Maximum spend for any ad: $1,000

You set your own budget when you build the campaign. In general, the more you spend, the more people your ad can reach.

How long does my ad run?

• AdTarget: You choose, anywhere from 3 to 30 days.

• AdIntelligence: 15–21 days for Active listings; up to 28 days if started in Coming Soon status, as allowed by your MLS.

  Important: AdBuilder has safe guards against ineffective ad spend and duration. For example, though AdTarget ads have a minimum requirement of $100, the system will not all that for a 30-day campaign, as the daily spend will be too low to reach expected performance metrics. 

Ad setup and preview

Can I see what my ad will look like before I purchase?

Yes. As you go through the ad setup process, a preview of your ad appears on the right-hand side of the screen. This preview is generated once and is intended to show the general style and basic formatting of your ad. It is not an exact replica of how the final ad will appear and will not reflect changes made after it is generated.

What information does AdBuilder pull from my MLS listing?

AdBuilder uses the following fields from your MLS listing to build your ad:

• Full property address, city, state, and zip code
• Bedroom and bathroom count
• Square footage

Important: The first 8 listing photos will be used in your ad, in the exact same order as they appear in your MLS. If you have fewer than 8 photos, all available photos will be used. Must have at least one photo. 
The listing must be publicly visible with the full address and price displayed. 

AdBuilder also uses various data points to create your ad campaigns. It's important to make sure all fields are complete and accurate in your MLS before purchasing. Missing or incomplete information can prevent your campaign from running. Contact our AdBuilder Guide team if you need assistance

Can I customize what my ad says?

• AdTarget – Yes. You can edit the primary text, headline, and description. You have full control over your ad’s message before purchasing.
• AdIntelligence – No. The ad text is generated automatically from your MLS listing. The benefit is that it updates on its own when your listing status changes.

Can I edit my ad after it is live?

Once your ad is live, it cannot be manually edited without contacting AdBuilder support. It's important to minimize edits, if possible, because making changes mid-campaign can negatively affect performance.

For AdIntelligence, your ad will automatically update when your MLS listing status changes. For example, if you add an open house, change the price, or go under contract, the ad reflects that change. Each type of status event only triggers an update once per campaign. For example, if your price drops twice, the ad updates for the first price change but not the second.

If you believe an update or correction is needed, contact support: AdBuilder Support

Choose your priority

What does the Priority setting mean, and which one should I choose?

When you set up your campaign, you choose one priority goal. This tells the platforms how to optimize delivery.

• Views – Views are how many times your ad is shown on someone’s screen while they are scrolling. A Views priority has fewer restrictions on who will see your ad, resulting in the broadest reach and the most total impressions.
• Clicks – Clicks are how many times people tap or click your ad to see more. A Clicks priority is more targeted than Views, focusing on users who are more likely to interact with and click through to your listing.
• Leads – Leads are people who submit their contact information after clicking your ad. A Leads priority is the most targeted of the three, narrowing the audience to high-intent users. This often means fewer overall views but a higher number of direct lead submissions.

Important: When you choose the Leads priority on social platforms like Facebook, clicking your ad sends people to a form that is auto-filled with their saved contact details, which they can quickly confirm and submit. These Leads are sent directly to you and are not pre-screened by AdBuilder, so the quality and accuracy of contact details can vary. Always follow up promptly to confirm interest.

Targeting and reach

Who will see my ad?

You set the geographic range when building your campaign: 15, 25, or 50 miles from your listing. 

AdBuilder then targets likely buyers, not just anyone within the radius. It uses Meta’s, Google’s, and Bing's advertising networks and algorithms to identify users based on location, and AdBuilder builds in housing-compliant targeting you would otherwise have to set up manually, so your budget can work harder.

This is more targeted and effective than boosting a post manually. Rather than showing your ad to everyone in your area, it prioritizes people who are more likely to engage with your listing. For AdIntelligence campaigns, Google and Bing extend that reach further to people actively searching for homes online. 

Can I run an ad for a listing that has been on the market for a while?

Yes. Both AdTarget and AdIntelligence can be useful regardless of how long your listing has been Active.

AdIntelligence is designed with new Active or Coming Soon listings in mind and offers auto-updating features that are most valuable early in the listing life cycle, but promoting a listing across Facebook, Instagram, Google, and Bing can help at any stage. If you are unsure which option is right for a specific listing, reach out to our team and we will help you choose.

Can I run ads if I do not have any active listings?

Yes. AdBuilder can use recently sold listings, usually from about the last six months, so you can keep promoting your results even when you do not have an active listing.

Can I run an ad for another agent’s listing in my brokerage?

Only if the MLS shows you as the listing agent or co-listing agent on that property.

Does AdBuilder support new construction, land, and commercial listings?

AdBuilder supports listings that are entered as residential for sale or residential for lease. It does not currently support land-only or commercial listings.

Ads on Google and Bing

Why is my ad not on Google and Bing?

Only AdIntelligence ads are published to Google and Bing. If you created an AdTarget campaign, it will run on Facebook and Instagram but not on Google or Bing.

How long will it take for my paid ad campaign to go live on Google and Bing?

Ads typically take 2–3 hours to publish, but it can take up to 24 hours for full approval by the platforms.

Where will my paid ad be posted on Google and Bing?

• Google – Once your ad is approved, it appears where sponsored content is shown. Your ad can appear at the top or bottom of Google search results when people search for related keywords, labeled as “Ad” or “Sponsored.” It can also show on Google partner sites, such as non-Google websites and Google-owned properties like YouTube, Gmail, and Google Maps.
• Bing – Approved ads can appear wherever Bing shows sponsored content, including at the top, bottom, or alongside search results, labeled as “Ad” or “Sponsored.” Ads may also appear on Microsoft’s partner network, including other search engines and portals like Yahoo and AOL, and in content feeds such as the Microsoft Edge new tab page.

Why do I not see my ad on Google or Bing?

It is normal not to see your own ads 'in the wild'. They are designed to reach specific audiences based on targeting such as geolocation and behavior. If you do not match that audience, you will not see the ad yourself, which keeps your budget focused on the right people instead of accidental self-clicks.

Ads on Meta (Facebook and Instagram)

How long will it take for my paid ad campaign to go live on Meta?

Once you purchase, your ad is sent to Facebook and Instagram for approval. Meta’s review process can take up to 24 hours, but in most cases ads are live within 2–3 hours.

Where will my paid ad be posted on Meta?

After approval, your ad appears on Facebook and Instagram anywhere sponsored content is shown, such as news feeds, stories, and other ad placements.

How is my ad shown between Facebook and Instagram?

Meta’s algorithms decide where your ad performs best. If it is getting more traction on one platform, impressions will shift there during your campaign. 

Why do I not see my ad on Meta?

It is common not to see your own ads. They are designed to reach targeted audiences based on location, interests, and behavior. If you do not fit that audience, the ad will not appear for you, which keeps your budget focused on potential buyers rather than on your own account or friends list.

After you purchase

What happens right after I purchase my ad?

Here is what to expect:

• Your ad is submitted for platform review by Facebook and Instagram (and Google and Bing for AdIntelligence). This usually takes a few hours.
• Your ad typically goes live within 2–3 hours, though it can take up to 24 hours in some cases.
• You receive a confirmation email with a direct link to your AdBuilder campaign dashboard.
• The learning phase begins as the platforms start identifying the right audience for your ad.

Important: After your ad is purchased, you receive a confirmation email from [e-mail]. This email contains a direct link to your campaign dashboard. Add this address to your safe senders or trusted contacts so it does not end up in spam or junk. If you do not see it, check filtered folders or search your inbox for the sender address.

Full walkthrough: What happens when you purchase an AdBuilder ad

What is the learning phase and why is my ad slow at first?

When your ad first goes live, it enters a learning phase. During this time, the platforms gather data to figure out who is most likely to engage with your listing. Every ad goes through this.

You may see some fluctuation in performance while the system learns. Ads with strong early engagement tend to exit the learning phase faster, while slower-starting ads may stay in learning longer. If you see “learning limited,” it means there is not yet enough data to fully optimize delivery. It does not mean the ad is broken. Most campaigns stabilize within the first few days, so we recommend to give the campaign a little time before you evaluate the results.

Where do my leads go and what information will I receive?

All leads generated by your ad are emailed to you from [e-mail]. Each lead email includes the contact information submitted by the interested buyer.

Add this address to your contacts or safe sender list before your ad launches. If you do not see leads, check spam or junk folders and search for the sender address. You can also view and track leads from your AdBuilder dashboard.

How do I monitor my campaign performance?

Return to where you originally purchased the ad within your MLS and click “Manage Campaign” or “Edit Campaign” (the exact label varies by MLS). You will also receive a direct link to your dashboard via email shortly after purchase.

From your dashboard you can:

• View campaign analytics such as views, clicks, and leads
• Access the seller report link for insights and recommendations
• Start a new campaign for another listing

What happens when my ad ends?

When your ad reaches the end of its run, it stops delivering. You are not charged beyond the budget you set.

Your campaign data and performance history remain available in your AdBuilder dashboard so you can review results at any time. If you want to run another ad for the same listing or a different one, you can start a new campaign at any time from your dashboard or through your MLS. Many agents are also able to connect using the MLS Touch® app.

Sold listings and ad lifecycle

Should I advertise a sold listing?

Yes, in many cases it is a smart move. Advertising a sold listing can:

• Showcase your success and the outcomes you deliver
• Build credibility and demonstrate a strong track record
• Create buzz around your brand and keep you in front of potential clients
• Keep you visible and active across channels
• Open networking opportunities with past clients, referrals, and other agents

Including sold listings in your marketing strategy helps people see that you are active, reliable, and results-driven, which can encourage them to choose you for their next move.

Can I pause my ad?

Ads generally perform best when they run without interruption. A steady campaign builds momentum, delivers your message more effectively, and helps you reach more potential buyers. Pausing mid-campaign can break that progress and reduce the overall impact.

However, there are times when pausing is the right move, such as:

• The property is no longer on the market
• A Coming Soon, Just Listed, or Open House ad still has time left, but the listing has sold
• An open house is canceled or rescheduled

What happens if a property goes under contract before the ad spend is done?

This is always the goal! With AdIntelligence, the ad automatically updates to reflect listing status changes, including pending and sold when applicable. With AdTarget ads, the ad continues to run as long as the listing is still on the market.

If your status changes and you are unsure whether to let a campaign finish or pause it, contact our AdBuilder Guide team. and we can review your options.

Performance, reporting, and seller updates

Do AdBuilder ads reduce days on market?

In a study done by a large MLS that has partnered with us for more than two years, listings that used AdBuilder had an average of 46% fewer days on market than similar listings that did not use AdBuilder. Results vary by market and listing, but this strongly points to the effectiveness of AdBuilder campaigns.

How does the seller report work and how often does it update?

The Seller Report is a live link you can share with your client. It updates about every 15 minutes with the latest campaign performance data so sellers can see how their home is being marketed online. Since this report is intended for your clients, the metrics will show all performance for the listing, not just a singular campaign, providing convenience as well as value. 

Where can I see performance for my active campaigns?

You can view performance in your AdBuilder dashboard, including views, clicks, and leads, as well as budget progress. Any contact information submitted as a lead is also available there, in addition to the lead emails you receive.

Platforms, destinations, and traffic flow

Where do AdBuilder ads run?

• AdTarget campaigns run on Facebook and Instagram
• AdIntelligence campaigns run on Facebook, Instagram, Google, and Bing

What happens when someone clicks my ad on Facebook or Instagram?

For views or clicks campaigns, people are sent to the single-property website AdBuilder creates, where they can submit a contact form. Leads submitted there are emailed to you.

For lead-generation campaigns, Facebook’s native lead form auto-fills viewer contact information upon approval and AdBuilder emails you the lead details that were submitted.

Can I run my ads in a different state or area?

Yes. AdBuilder supports geographic targeting within the United States using fair-housing-compliant radius options.

Can I market listings outside the U.S. with AdBuilder?

No. AdBuilder currently supports U.S. markets and some U.S. territories, but not non-U.S. countries.

Can I send ad traffic to my own listing-specific website?

Not at this time. Ad traffic goes to the single-property website that AdBuilder creates.

Listing data issues and support

What should I do if an AdIntelligence ad shows the wrong status?

If a campaign is showing an unexpected status, contact the AdBuilder support team so we can review the listing data and correct the issue if needed.

What should I do if something looks wrong in my ad or listing data?

If anything in your ad looks incorrect, contact the AdBuilder support team by phone, email, or in-app chat. We will review the listing and help correct the issue. All listing data must be accurate in your MLS, since AdBuilder cannot change MLS data directly.

Still have questions? Contact AdBuilder support

Support phone: [phone]
Support email: [e-mail]
Help center: ad-builder.zendesk.com