Marketing data · 10 min · reviewed 2026-09-06

How do I get a Meta Ads system-user token for a CRM?

Create a system user in Meta Business Settings, give it access to the ad account, and generate a token with ads_read. System-user tokens do not expire, which is why they are used for reporting.

What you will need

  • Admin on the Business Manager that owns the ad account.
  • A Meta app (any app in https://developers.facebook.com works for a system user).

Steps

  1. 1

    Step 1

    Open https://business.facebook.com/settings → Users → System users → Add. Role Admin.

  2. 2

    Step 2

    Add assets: choose the ad account, grant View performance.

  3. 3

    Step 3

    Generate new token: pick the app, tick ads_read (and read_insights), choose Never expire. Copy it.

  4. 4

    Step 4

    Note the ad account id (act_1234567890).

  5. 5

    Step 5

    In SalesCrew: Settings → Other keys → Meta Ads → Set key. Paste {"access_token": "…", "ad_account_id": "act_1234567890"}. Save. Test.

Common errors

(#200) permissions error
the system user is not assigned to the ad account.
Token invalid after a password change
a personal token was used. Use a system-user token.

How you know it worked

Test connection returns yesterday's spend.

Where this goes in SalesCrew

Settings → Other keys → Meta Ads → Test connection. In your own workspace the same how-to opens beside the field, with your callback URLs filled in.