Meta users reported widespread outages on Facebook and Instagram on Wednesday, with more than 300,000 complaints logged on Downdetector. The company flagged high ad disruptions during the downtime, a blow to businesses that depend on its platforms for advertising.
Downdetector Records Spike in Complaints
Downdetector, a site that tracks service outages, recorded over 300,000 user reports for Facebook and Instagram combined. The spike began in the early afternoon and continued for several hours. Many users said they could not load feeds, send messages, or access their accounts. The exact number of affected users is likely higher, as Downdetector only counts those who actively report an issue.
Ad Revenue Takes a Hit
Meta flagged high ad disruptions during the outages. That means advertisers saw their campaigns interrupted or unable to run. For a company that generates the vast majority of its revenue from advertising, even a short outage can cost millions. Meta did not provide a dollar estimate, but the timing of the disruption — during a weekday when many businesses run promotions — likely amplified the impact.
No Cause Yet
Meta has not disclosed what caused the outages. The company did not issue a public statement beyond flagging the ad disruptions. Users and advertisers are left waiting for an explanation. Past Meta outages have been linked to internal configuration changes or server issues, but the company has not confirmed any specific trigger this time.
The outages appeared to resolve by late evening, though some users reported lingering issues. Meta has not said whether it will offer credits to affected advertisers.
