In the competitive world of digital advertising, staying ahead often means keeping a close eye on what others in your industry are doing. Spying on native ads competitors isn’t just about imitation—it’s about gaining insights into their strategies, audience preferences, and campaign performance.
Whether you’re looking to fine-tune your own campaigns or find gaps your competitors haven’t explored yet, learning how to spy on native ads competitors is a crucial skill. In this guide, we’ll explore how you can monitor competitor ads, both manually and using specialized tools, to boost your own advertising efforts.
What are Native Ads?
Native ads are a form of advertising designed to blend seamlessly with the content they appear alongside. Unlike traditional display ads, which can feel disruptive, native ads mimic the look, feel, and function of the platform they’re on. This makes them less intrusive and more engaging for the user.
These ads can appear in various forms such as in-feed ads, which show up directly in social media feeds or news outlets, sponsored content, which reads like an article but is paid for by a brand, and recommendation widgets, which suggest related content at the end of a blog or article. Understanding the types of native ads will help you recognize what your competitors are doing and how you can leverage similar formats to enhance your strategy.
How to Spy on Native Ads Competitors Without Tools
You don’t always need expensive tools to spy on competitors’ native ads. Manual methods can still provide valuable insights into their strategies. In this section, we’ll cover simple techniques like retargeting, manual searches, and reviewing social media ads—giving you a way to track competitors without relying on paid tools.
Retargeting Ads
A simple way to spy on competitors’ native ads is by triggering their retargeting campaigns. Visit their websites, sign up for newsletters, or engage with their social media content to get retargeted with their ads.
For example, if you frequently visit a competitor’s blog or product pages, you’ll likely see their native ads on platforms like Facebook or Google. This gives you direct insights into their ad designs and messaging without needing a native ads spy tool.
Manual Search on Google and Social Media
You can also manually find competitor ads by searching on Google or browsing social media platforms. Use branded keywords or product names related to your competitors, and you’ll likely come across their native ads within search results or in-feed ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
For example, a quick Google search of a competitor’s product might reveal sponsored content or ads at the top of the results page, giving you insights into their ad strategy without needing any native ad spy tool.
Analyze Native Ads on Content Platforms and Websites
To spot real native ads, browse content-heavy platforms like news sites or blogs that use recommendation widgets (e.g., Taboola, Outbrain).
For example, visiting popular sites like CNN often shows competitor ads embedded within articles. This manual method helps you track competitors’ ad formats and messaging without relying on native ad spy tools.
How to Spy on Native Ads Competitors Using Native Ad Spy Tools
While manual techniques can offer a glimpse into your competitors’ strategies, native ad spy tools provide detailed, real-time insights into their campaigns. These tools allow you to track ad performance, monitor changes over time, and analyze competitor strategies across multiple platforms. In this section, we’ll explore some of the best native ad spy tools
Competitors App
While Competitors App is not a native ad spy tool, it provides a robust set of features for tracking social media and Google ads. Additionally, it offers a range of tools to monitor competitors’ website changes, backlinks, SEO keyword rankings, social media posts and engagement, and email marketing efforts. These features give you a comprehensive view of your competitors’ overall digital strategy.
Key Features:
- Real-time ad tracking for social media platforms and Google ads.
- Website change monitoring to track updates on competitor sites.
- Backlink tracking and SEO keyword rankings for in-depth SEO insights.
- Social media post analysis, including tracking followers and engagement trends.
- Email marketing monitoring to gain insights into competitors’ campaigns.
Pricing: Starts at $19 per month, with a free trial available.
How to Spy on Competitors Ads Using Competitors App [Takes 3 Minutes]

1. Sign Up and Set Up Your Account
First, create an account on Competitors.app. You'll need to provide some basic information about your business and your competitors. The setup process is straightforward and user-friendly.

2. Add Your Competitors
Once your account is set up, add the competitors you want to analyze. You can usually do this by entering their website URLs. Competitors.app allows you to track multiple competitors, giving you a comprehensive view of your competitive landscape.

3. Navigate to the Activity Section
From the left sidebar, click on the "activity" section. This will take you to a page that shows all the data about your competitors, from paid ads, website changes, email marketing activities, social media activities to even their SEO performance.

4. Select Ads From the Top Bar
Hover over "Ads" to see all the platforms where your competitors run ads on.
You can then select to filter only the platforms you're interested in and even filter by a specific competitor.
Other than this, you can also filter by active/inactive ads so you can see your competitors' current and past ads.

5. Filter by Date Range
You can also filter by specific date range, such as a specific week, month or even a day. This feature allows you to see your competitors' ads overtime and how they have changed.
For example, if an ad has been running for a long period it's likely to be successful and you should try to mimic it.

6. Export Your Competitors' Ads
Competitors.app allows you to export your competitors' ads into a CSV or PDF format so that you can share them with your colleagues or do further analysis on them.
AdBeat

AdBeat is a popular native ad spy tool that provides comprehensive insights into competitors’ display and native ads across multiple platforms. It allows you to track ad creatives, publishers, and performance metrics to get a clear picture of what’s working for your competitors. AdBeat is ideal for businesses looking to analyze the competitive landscape in-depth and improve their own native ad strategy.
Key Features:
- Cross-platform ad tracking, covering both native and display ads.
- Ad creative analysis, offering insights into the design and messaging of competitor ads.
- Performance metrics, helping you understand how well competitors’ ads are performing.
- Publisher insights, showing where competitors are placing their ads for maximum exposure.
Pricing: AdBeat starts at $249 per month, with advanced plans offering more detailed analytics.
AdPlexity

AdPlexity is a powerful native ad spy tool that tracks ads across various platforms, including mobile, desktop, and even adult traffic sources. It allows you to see where competitors are running their ads, what creatives they’re using, and how their campaigns are performing globally. AdPlexity is ideal for advertisers looking for in-depth tracking and insights across multiple traffic sources.
Key Features:
Multi-platform tracking: Covers mobile, desktop, and tablet ads.
Worldwide ad coverage: Provides insights into ads running in different regions.
Creative analysis: See detailed information on ad creatives, formats, and landing pages.
Campaign tracking: Monitor how competitor ads are performing over time.
Pricing: AdPlexity starts at $199 per month for each specific platform (e.g., mobile, desktop), with discounts for bundled plans.
Anstrex

Anstrex is a well-rounded native ad spy tool that offers extensive features to track competitors’ native ads across multiple platforms and regions. It also includes tools for affiliate marketers, making it a popular choice for those in the affiliate marketing space. Anstrex provides a vast database of ads, allowing you to analyze ad creatives, landing pages, and traffic sources.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive ad database: Access to millions of native ads across 27+ networks.
- Landing page analysis: View competitors’ complete ad funnels, from the ad creative to the landing page.
- Ad creative downloader: Download competitor ad creatives for further analysis.
- Advanced filtering options: Search and filter ads by network, country, and traffic source.
Pricing: Anstrex starts at $99.99 per month for native ads, with a separate plan for push ads.
AdFlex

AdFlex is another native ad spy tool that allows users to track competitors’ ads across various platforms, with a strong focus on mobile traffic. It provides real-time data on competitors’ ad campaigns, helping you analyze their strategies, creatives, and landing pages. AdFlex is particularly useful for advertisers focused on mobile native ads and performance marketing.
Key Features:
- Real-time ad tracking: Get instant updates on competitors’ ad campaigns.
- Mobile-focused insights: Analyze mobile traffic ads to see what’s working in mobile environments.
- Landing page analysis: Access detailed information on competitor landing pages.
- Ad creative library: Explore a wide variety of competitor ad creatives for inspiration.
Pricing: AdFlex starts at $99 per month, with a focus on mobile ad tracking.
Native Ad Buzz

Native Ad Buzz is a specialized native ad spy tool that focuses on tracking native ad campaigns across various networks and publishers. It provides a historical view of competitors’ ads, allowing you to see what has worked for them over time. This tool is particularly useful for long-term ad analysis and identifying successful trends in the native advertising space.
Key Features:
- Historical ad data: View competitors’ native ads over time to identify trends.
- Ad creative analysis: Access detailed insights into ad formats, creatives, and messaging.
- Publisher tracking: See which publishers are running your competitors’ native ads.
- Competitor insights: Track competitor campaigns to spot winning strategies.
Pricing: Native Ad Buzz starts at $47 per month, offering affordable access to a wide range of native ad insights.
Native Ad Spy Tools Comparison
Tool Name | Key Features | Advantages | Disadvantages | Pricing |
Real-time ad tracking, Website change monitoring, Backlink & SEO tracking, Social media analysis, Email marketing insights | Affordable for small businesses, Includes Google & social media ads, Comprehensive digital insights | Does not track native ads | $19/month with a free trial | |
AdBeat | Cross-platform ad tracking, Ad creative analysis, Performance metrics, Publisher insights | Detailed cross-platform analysis, Great for ad creative insights | Expensive, Limited to larger budgets | $249/month |
AdPlexity | Multi-platform tracking, Worldwide ad coverage, Creative & campaign analysis | Covers multiple traffic sources, Excellent for global ad campaigns | High cost for multi-platform tracking | $199/month per platform |
Anstrex | Comprehensive ad database, Landing page analysis, Ad creative downloader, Advanced filtering options | Wide ad network coverage, Great for affiliate marketers | Separate plans for different ad types, Can get pricey | $99.99/month |
AdFlex | Real-time ad tracking, Mobile-focused insights, Landing page analysis, Ad creative library | Strong focus on mobile ads, Real-time updates | Expensive, Focuses heavily on mobile | $249/month |
Native Ad Buzz | Historical ad data, Ad creative analysis, Publisher tracking, Competitor insights | Affordable, Historical ad data provides trend insights | Limited features compared to other tools | $99/month |
Free Native Ad Spy Tools
Free native ad spy tools offer a great starting point for monitoring competitors’ ad strategies without needing a big budget. Each tool provides unique features that can help you understand how your competitors are approaching social media, Google ads, and more. Here’s a detailed look at some of the best free tools, including Competitors App, along with recommendations on how to use them effectively.
1. Competitors App Free Trial
Competitors App offers a complete free trial, providing users with full access to all features, making it one of the most comprehensive tools available. It’s perfect for those who want a well-rounded view of their competitors’ digital strategies.
Key Features:
- Social media ad tracking: See the exact ads competitors are running on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and others.
- Google ads monitoring: Track the search ads that your competitors are running, which helps you adjust your own search campaigns.
- Website change monitoring: Keep tabs on any updates your competitors make to their websites, from new content to product launches.
- Backlink tracking: Analyze the backlinks your competitors are earning to understand their SEO efforts.
- SEO keyword rankings: Track how your competitors are ranking for key search terms to improve your own SEO strategy.
- Social media post and engagement tracking: See what your competitors are posting and how their audience is responding in terms of likes, shares, and comments.
- Email marketing insights: Gain access to competitors’ email campaigns to see how they engage with their audience.
Use Case:
- Ideal for businesses looking for a comprehensive analysis of their competitors across multiple channels—social media, search, SEO, and email marketing.
- Helps users create an all-around strategy by understanding their competitors’ advertising, content, and SEO approaches.
Pricing: Free trial with full access to all features. Paid plans start at $19/month.
2. AdSpy Free Plan
AdSpy is useful for basic tracking of competitors’ social media ads. While it lacks native ad-specific tracking in its free version, it can provide insights into competitors’ activities on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
Key Features:
- Basic social media ad tracking: Allows you to view some of your competitors’ social media ads.
- Ad creative insights: Provides a limited view of the creatives used by competitors.
Use Case:
- Best for users focusing on social media ads but who don’t need deep insights or multiple ad platforms.
Limitations: Limited access to ad data and insights; fewer filtering options.
3. BigSpy Free Plan
BigSpy allows users to track ads across multiple platforms, including some native ads. Its free plan is suitable for those looking for an overview of competitors’ ad strategies without the need for in-depth analysis.
Key Features:
- Cross-platform ad tracking: Access ads from multiple platforms, including some native ads.
- Basic creative analysis: View ad creatives and messaging.
Use Case:
- Best for those seeking a broad view of ads across multiple channels but without needing highly detailed data.
Limitations: Limited functionality in ad filtering and search compared to the premium version.
4. PowerAdSpy Free Plan
PowerAdSpy offers tracking of both social media and native ads. Its free plan allows for basic ad monitoring, making it a useful tool for those looking to dip their toes into competitor ad tracking.
Key Features:
- Native and social media ad tracking: View ads across several platforms, including native ads.
- Ad insights: Basic insights into the performance and content of competitor ads.
Use Case:
- Suitable for users interested in both social media and native ad monitoring, but don’t need advanced filtering or deep analysis.
Limitations: Limited data access and fewer search filters in the free plan.
Tips for Spying on Competitors’ Native Ads Effectively
To get the most out of spying on your competitors’ native ads, it’s important to structure your approach and focus on key aspects that will give you actionable insights. Here are the top tips for maximizing your competitor analysis:
1. Choosing the Right Native Ad Format
Start by observing the native ad formats your competitors are using. Consider whether they are focusing on:
- In-feed ads (e.g., ads embedded in news feeds)
- Sponsored content (e.g., branded articles)
- Recommendation widgets (e.g., ads in “You may also like” sections)
By identifying the formats that generate the most engagement or visibility, you can determine which formats resonate most with the shared target audience. Then, test and implement similar formats in your own campaigns for better results.
2. Analyzing Ad Content and Creative
Next, dive deep into the creative aspects of your competitors’ ads. Focus on:
- Visuals: Are they using product images, lifestyle shots, or user-generated content?
- Headlines: Are they attention-grabbing or informative? Do they use emotion or facts?
- Ad copy: What kind of messaging works best? Do they highlight benefits, features, or customer testimonials?
Look for patterns in their successful ads. You can use this data to refine your ad creatives, improving your visuals, messaging, and overall brand voice to better engage your audience.
3. Analyzing Competitor Landing Pages
The effectiveness of an ad is closely tied to the quality of its landing page. When following competitor ads, take note of:
- Design: Is it clean and minimal or rich with content?
- Messaging: Is the message clear and aligned with the ad’s promise?
- Calls-to-action (CTAs): How prominent are the CTAs? Are they direct or subtle?
User experience: Is the page optimized for quick conversions, and how easy is it to navigate?
How to Measure the Success of Your Native Ads
Tracking the success of your native ads is crucial to understanding what’s working and where improvements are needed. Measuring key performance metrics allows you to optimize campaigns for better engagement and conversions. Here are the key areas to focus on when measuring native ad success.
Key Metrics to Track for Native Ad Success
To evaluate how well your native ads are performing, keep an eye on the following metrics:
- Click-through rate (CTR): This indicates how many people clicked on your ad relative to how many saw it. A higher CTR suggests your ad is engaging and relevant.
- Conversion rate: The percentage of users who completed a desired action, such as signing up or making a purchase after clicking the ad.
- Engagement metrics: Includes likes, shares, and comments on platforms where engagement is visible, which helps measure how your content resonates with the audience.
- Bounce rate: The percentage of users who leave your landing page without interacting. A high bounce rate suggests a disconnect between your ad and the landing page content.
Time spent on page: This shows how long users are staying on your landing page, giving insight into the effectiveness of your content and design.
Frequently Asked Questions
As you dive into spying on competitors’ native ads and improving your own strategies, you may have some lingering questions. Here are answers to a few common questions to help guide you through the process.
Is It Legal to Spy on Competitors’ Native Ads?
Yes, spying on competitors' native ads is completely legal as long as you’re using publicly available data or tools designed for competitive analysis. Native ad spy tools and manual methods like viewing competitor ads on content platforms or social media are widely used practices in marketing. Just be sure to follow the rules of each platform and avoid using unethical practices like hacking or misrepresentation.
Are Free Tools Enough for Effective Native Ad Spying?
Free tools can provide valuable insights, especially if you're just starting out or working on a smaller scale. Tools like Competitors App's free trial, and other tools mentioned earlier allow you to track competitors' social media and some native ads effectively. However, if you need more in-depth analysis, real-time updates, or advanced filtering, premium tools will offer a broader range of insights and data.
When Should You Upgrade to Paid Spy Tools?
You should consider upgrading to paid tools if:
- You need deeper insights, such as competitor ad performance data, detailed audience targeting, and full access to creative and landing page analysis.
- You manage a large-scale ad campaign and require constant real-time updates.
- You want to track ads across multiple networks and traffic sources for a more comprehensive competitive analysis.