‍

‍

Over the past eight years, I’ve been deeply involved in the design and creative management industry, working alongside talented professionals and renowned mentors. These experiences shaped my path, allowing me not only to grow as a designer and leader but also to guide others, some of whom have become celebrated names in the design world. I’ve had the chance to lead meaningful panel discussions and manage large-scale projects that left their mark on top companies. Today, I want to share something practical and accessible for marketers, analysts, and creatives alike — a free way to connect Meta Ads data to Looker Studio, without using paid tools.

‍

‍

‍

‍

A Smarter, Simpler Alternative

Most people rely on paid connectors like Supermetrics or Funnel to bring Facebook Ads data into Looker Studio. But what if you could bypass all that?

Here’s a step-by-step method I’ve used in real projects:

‍

1. Pull Meta Ads performance data using the Meta Marketing API

2. Send it to Google Sheets via a custom Apps Script

3. Visualize it in Looker Studio (formerly Data Studio)

‍

No extra subscriptions. No hidden fees. Just a clear, working solution.

‍

Why This Approach Works

Looker Studio doesn’t have a free native connector for Meta Ads. Most users end up using third-party connectors that often come at a cost. To keep things cost-effective and maintain full control of your data, Google Sheets can act as a bridge. You’ll connect:

‍

• Meta Ads API → Google Sheets
• Google Sheets → Looker Studio

With this method, you can build and automate your campaign reports — completely free.

‍

Step-by-Step Overview

Step 1: Create a Facebook App

• Log in to the Facebook Developer Portal
• Create a new app (e.g., “YourBrand Dashboard”)
• Set up Marketing API access and request ads_read permission

‍

Step 2: Get a Long-Lived Token

• Use the Facebook Graph API URL to convert your short-lived token
• Store your long-lived token safely

‍

Step 3: Find Your Ad Account ID

• Open Meta Ads Manager and copy the ID (starts with act_)

‍

Step 4: Set Up Google Sheet

• Create a new sheet and rename it to Campaign_Report

‍

Step 5: Use Google Apps Script

• Go to Extensions > Apps Script in your Google Sheet
• Paste your custom script to fetch campaign data
• Run it once to authorize

You can also set up another tab and script for ad set–level reporting.

‍

Real-World Benefits

This isn’t just a tutorial — this is the actual workflow I’ve used while leading data-driven projects for major campaigns. It’s simple, it’s practical, and it allows you to dig into performance metrics without losing creative freedom. Over the years, I’ve taken pride in blending creativity with data. Whether I was mentoring, managing, or speaking on panels, I’ve always aimed to bring clarity to complexity.

This guide reflects that same mindset.

‍

The Road Ahead

Writing this piece was more than just sharing a tip — it’s part of my journey as a creative leader moving into smarter, tech-savvy strategies. From working with top-tier professionals to helping shape bold brand stories, my path has always revolved around creating impact. Tools and platforms change, but the mindset stays the same: keep learning, keep solving, and share what works.

Thank you for reading, whether you’re here to learn the workflow or to explore the way creativity and data can intersect in meaningful ways.

‍

‍

Aram Andreasyan
Industry Leader, Design Expert

‍