# LinkedIn Ads API HTTP 400 creating a paused creative? Create it as DRAFT

Problem 17. Solved May 21. Last checked May 21. Tags: linkedin.
Page: https://bluhook.com/log/linkedin-ads-creative-paused-400-draft

## What happened

Our ads agent built LinkedIn ads through the Marketing API and wanted them parked until a person approved them, so it created each creative with intendedStatus PAUSED. Every call came back HTTP 400.

## What we did

1. Created the creatives with intendedStatus DRAFT instead. LinkedIn's docs describe DRAFT as development still in progress, and their creation examples use it.
2. Left them in DRAFT while a person reviewed the ads.
3. Moved approved ones to ACTIVE, which starts LinkedIn's own ad review. Pause only after that review is done; LinkedIn returns 400 if you try to pause a creative that's still in review.

## How we know it worked

The second run, with DRAFT, created every creative with no errors, and the creatives sat unserved until they were approved.

## What you can take from it

On LinkedIn, "built but not live yet" is DRAFT, not PAUSED.