What is a product set in Meta catalog ads?
A product set is a group of products from your catalog that you pick for an ad or a shop collection. You build it with filters, which update as products change, or by choosing products by hand. Every catalog starts with a default set called All products, and you can create as many more as you want.
A catalog holds everything you sell; a product set narrows that down for one job. When you create an Advantage+ catalog ad, or show products alongside your ad creative, you choose a product set to promote. You can also feature a set as a collection in a shop, such as new arrivals or a seasonal edit. Sets are built in the Sets area of the Catalog tab in Commerce Manager.
How do filter sets and manual sets differ?
| Type | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Filter set | Products join or leave as they match rules, such as women’s shoes under $100 | Can match all filters or at least one |
| Manual set | You tick products or bulk add by content ID or group ID | Not available for travel, automotive, real estate or local products catalogs |
If you switch a filter set to manual selection, Meta says the filters you added are lost. Switch back, and Meta creates filters to keep the products you added by hand. Selecting a product that has variants adds all of its variants.
Should you use All products or a smaller set?
Meta’s guidance leans broad. It says a broad product set gives the delivery system more options to show each person the most relevant products, and for the best overall ad performance it recommends the default All products set. When you create or edit a set in Commerce Manager, a product selection indicator shows the set’s size; this isn’t shown when you create a set from Ads Manager.
If you want to curate, Meta suggests two options:
- Add recommended products, a Commerce Manager switch that adds bestsellers or items with conversions in the last 14 days, even if they don’t match your filters.
- Include other products from catalog, a checkbox in Ads Manager that lets delivery show relevant products beyond your set when it’s likely to improve performance.
When can you use the include other products option?
Meta says it works for Advantage+ catalog ads and shops ads, but not when you show catalog products with your own ad creative. The set must contain less than 60% of the products in your catalog, so the All products set isn’t eligible. Products from your set will appear more often, so avoid creative that only fits those products.
If the set grows past 60% of the catalog during a campaign, running ads continue, but you can’t use the option in new ads with that set.
What can’t you do with a product set?
- You can’t edit, duplicate or delete the default All products set.
- You can’t delete a set that an active campaign is using.
- A duplicated set can’t be exactly the same as the original.
FAQ
Can I edit a product set while my ads are running?
You can, but Meta doesn’t recommend it. It says editing a product set during a live campaign may affect ad performance while your audience is updated. Filter sets also change on their own: Meta says products may be added or removed over time as they meet or stop meeting the criteria.
How do I find a product set’s ID?
In Commerce Manager, open the Catalog tab, go to Sets and click More next to the set. Select Copy set ID. Meta says the ID helps you pick the right set in your ads or troubleshoot issues.
Can I start a campaign straight from a product set?
Yes. In the Sets list, click More next to the set and select Advertise set. Meta says this starts creating a sales campaign from that product set in Ads Manager.
Sources
- Create and edit product sets in your catalog (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- Include other products when advertising your product set (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- Tips for product recommendations in Advantage+ catalog ads (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
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