Why is the "Generate token" button grayed out?

Almost always because your Meta app isn’t linked to your Business Manager yet. Go to Business Settings → Accounts → Apps → Add → Connect an app ID, paste your App ID, then try again.

Meta support said they’ll prepare a "different Business Manager" — what do I do?

When your ad account/pixel is held in another Business Manager, Meta links it to a new BM for you. Create the System User and generate the token on THAT new BM — not your original one — and assign the assets there.

Do I need to enable 2FA?

Yes. Meta blocks developer tools and System User token generation on accounts without two-factor authentication. Turn it on first on your personal Facebook account.

What permissions does the token need?

For server-side Conversions API: ads_management and business_management (ads_read helps too). Set the token expiration to "Never".

OnlyFans Meta Ads Setup — Part 1: Create the App, Pixel & Access Token

Step One

Create Meta Pixel & Access Token

Important: Create 1 separate pixel for each creator. Do NOT share pixels between creators.

Before you start: your personal Facebook account needs two-factor authentication enabled — Meta blocks developer tools & System User tokens without it. You'll also need a Business Manager (business.facebook.com).

1.A Create the Pixel — Events Manager

Go to Meta Events Manager
Click "Connect Data Sources" → "Web" → "Meta Pixel"
Enter pixel name: Your Model - OnlyFans
Copy your Pixel ID (example: 1881842942413828) — keep it for Step 3

1.B Create the App & link it to your BM — developers.facebook.com

Go to developers.facebook.com → "Get Started" → register as a developer (verify email/phone, accept terms). Your account is now in developer mode.
My Apps → "Create App" → pick the first two options offered (wording changes often; the default business path is fine). The name doesn't matter — go to the end.
Copy your App ID (top of the app dashboard).
Link it to your BM: Business Settings → Accounts → Apps → "Add" → "Connect an app ID" → paste the App ID.

If the "Generate token" button is grayed out later, it's almost always because the app isn't linked to your BM here.

The app is what the System User token will be issued against.

1.C Create a System User

Go to Business Settings → Users → System Users
Click "Add" → name it Conversions API System User → role: Employee

If Meta support says they'll "prepare a different Business Manager" (common when your ad account/pixel lives in another BM): switch to that new BM and create the System User + generate the token there, then assign the assets on it. Generating the token on the old BM will silently fail or produce a token that can't write.

System Users list — The System User shows up in *Business Settings → Users → System Users*.

1.D Assign assets to the System User

Open the System User and click the ··· menu → "Add Assets" (FR: Affecter des éléments).

Assign the following three asset types:

Asset 1

Ad Accounts Comptes publicitaires

Pick the ad account you'll run ads from → Partial access → "Manage Campaigns" (FR: Gérer les campagnes).

Asset 2

Apps Applications

Pick the app from 1.B → Full control → "Manage app" (FR: Gérer l'app).

Asset 3

Datasets Ensembles de données (formerly "Pixels")

Pick the Pixel from 1.A → Full control → "Manage the event dataset" (FR: Gérer l'ensemble de données d'évènements).

Note: Meta merged Pixels into "Datasets" — same thing, new name.

Pixel owned by an agency or another BM? You can't assign it until they grant access. Ask them: "Please give me (or my system user) access to the ad account that has the pixel, so I can write to it with my system user for the Conversions API."

1.E Generate the Access Token

Back on the System User page, click "Generate New Token" (FR: Générer un token) and walk through the 3 steps:

Step 1

Select the App

Pick the app from 1.B (e.g. OnlyFans Pixel).

Step 2

Token expiration

Choose "Never" (FR: Jamais) — recommended for server-to-server CAPI.

Step 3

Permissions (3 scopes)

ads_management
ads_read
business_management

Click "Generate Token" and copy it (starts with EAA...) — keep it for Step 3 of this guide. The token is shown only once. Store it safely.

Why both? Conversions API sends events from the server (not blocked by ad blockers or iOS). Meta Pixel sends from browser. Together = 95%+ tracking accuracy vs 50–70% with pixel alone.

Next: verify your domain & connect

Got your Pixel ID and token? Part 2 verifies your domain, allow-lists it, and connects the credentials to OnlyFans Pixel.

Continue to Part 2 → Start Now

Next: verify your domain & connect

Related