This ad creative could not be created because one with the same content already exists for this ad account.
In short
Meta refuses to create a new ad creative because the ad account already has one with the same content. Reuse the existing creative for the new ad, or change one element (text, headline, link or media) if you really need a second creative.
By Mathieu Malige, founder of Apogee
· Checked on 8 October 2026
Exact message
| Field | English | French |
|---|---|---|
| Message (Marketing API response) | This ad creative could not be created because one with the same content already exists for this ad account. | Impossible de créer ce contenu publicitaire, car un contenu identique existe déjà pour ce compte publicitaire. |
Where it shows up: in the response of Meta’s Marketing API when an ad or ad creative is created, for example by a tool that launches ads for you.
Why it happens
- The same creative already exists in the ad account. The message itself gives the cause: an ad creative with the same content is already stored for this ad account. Meta does not document which fields are compared.
- When it happens. The message shows up when a request sends a creative identical to one already stored, for example when a launch is retried after a partial failure and sends the same elements again.
- A related documented behavior. Meta’s Marketing API reference says that if an existing post (
object_story_id) is already used by a creative, the API returns that creative’s ID instead of creating a new one.
How to fix it
- In Ads Manager, check whether the ad you wanted already exists: open the Ads tab and search for it.
- If it exists, keep it, or select it and click Duplicate to copy it into the campaign or ad set you need, instead of creating it again.
- If you really need a second creative, change one of its elements (text, headline, link or media), then create it.
- If you use the API, create the new ad by passing the existing creative’s
creative_idin thecreativeparameter, instead of creating a new creative.
How to avoid it next time
- Before retrying a launch that partly failed, check what was already created.
- Give each variant a real difference (text, headline, link or media) when you test several ads.
Frequently asked questions
Is my ad rejected?
No. This is not a policy rejection: the message only says a creative with the same content already exists in the ad account.
Can a new ad use an existing creative?
Yes. In the Marketing API, an ad is created from a creative ID (creative_id), so you can pass the existing creative’s ID instead of creating a new one.
Which fields does Meta compare?
Meta does not say. The message only states that a creative with the same content already exists.
Related errors
Launch your creatives in 47 seconds
Bulk upload on Meta Ads, TikTok Ads and Snapchat Ads, with your naming convention detected and Advantage+ off by default. Try the plan of your choice for 7 days for €1, and cancel anytime before day 7, from the app.