Who This Is For / When to Use
Businesses advertising on Meta (Facebook) through Kyrios
Advertisers in credit, employment, or housing-related industries
Anyone whose ads may be subject to fair lending, hiring, or housing laws
Use this setup before launching Meta ads to avoid ad rejection or pausing.
What Are Special Ad Categories?
Special Ad Categories are required by Meta for ads involving sensitive or regulated topics.
When enabled, Meta automatically applies restrictions to prevent discriminatory targeting.
The Three Special Ad Categories
Credit
Ads for loans, credit cards, mortgages, or debt-related servicesEmployment
Ads for jobs, internships, recruiting, or career placementHousing
Ads for rentals, home sales, real estate services, or housing finance
Selecting the correct category is mandatory if your ad qualifies.
What Changes When a Special Ad Category Is Enabled
To comply with Meta policies, certain targeting options are limited or unavailable.
Targeting Restrictions Applied
Age
Fixed to 18–65+
Exception: Some European credit ads may allow different ranges
Gender
Fixed to all genders
Cannot be edited
Detailed Targeting
Many demographic, interest, and behavior options are unavailable
Exclusions are not allowed
Location
ZIP/postal code targeting is unavailable
Must include all areas within a 15-mile radius of a selected city, address, or pin
Custom Audiences
Allowed, but must not discriminate
Advertisers are responsible for compliance
Lookalike Audiences
Not available
Saved Audiences
Cannot be used or saved
Which Businesses Fall Under Each Category
Credit (Included)
Credit cards (including brand ads)
Auto, personal, or business loans
Mortgage loans
Long-term financing
Debt consolidation, relief, or recovery
Not Included
Gift cards
Store rewards
Debit, checking, or savings accounts
Employment (Included)
Full-time or part-time jobs
Internships and apprenticeships
Job boards or job fairs
Career placement or guaranteed interviews
Employment perks tied to job opportunities
Not Included
General career advice
Workplace tips not tied to a specific role
Company brand content without job promotion
Housing (Included)
Property sales or rentals
Temporary housing listings
Real estate services
Mortgage and financing options
Homeowners or renters insurance
Home appraisal or equity services
Not Included
Hotels, resorts, or retreats
Educational content on housing rights
Homeownership tips not tied to listings or offers
Important: These lists are not exhaustive.
If unsure, always enable the appropriate Special Ad Category.
Step-by-Step: Enable Special Ad Categories in Kyrios
Step 1: Open Connect Platforms
Navigate to Connect Platforms
Step 2: Open the Facebook Connector
Select the Facebook connector
Expand its settings
Step 3: Enable Special Ad Categories
Locate the question:
“Do you advertise Credit, Employment or Housing?”Toggle this option ON
Step 4: Select the Correct Category
Choose Credit, Employment, or Housing
Select the countries where your ads will run
Your selection applies to all relevant Meta campaigns.
Recommendations for Businesses in Special Ad Categories
Best Practices
Understand the restrictions before building targeting
Plan broader audiences instead of narrow filters
Ensure transparency in ad content and claims
Monitor performance and adjust creative instead of targeting
Double-check category selection before launch
Compliance Warning (Critical)
Selecting the wrong category — or failing to select one — can result in:
Ads being paused or rejected
Account review or enforcement actions
Campaign delays
Compliance is mandatory.
Always categorize ads accurately.
Common Issues and Fixes
My Ad Was Paused by Facebook
Confirm the correct Special Ad Category is enabled
Review targeting for restricted options
I Can’t Edit Targeting Options
This is expected behavior for Special Ad Categories
Use creative and messaging to optimize instead
I’m Unsure If My Ad Qualifies
When in doubt, enable the category
Meta favors over-compliance over omission