How to Spy on Your Competitors’ Facebook Ads

How to spy on your competitors' facebook ads

Facebook ads are a powerful tool for businesses, but getting ahead of the competition can be challenging without knowing what they’re up to. Spying on your competitors’ Facebook ads gives you valuable insights into their marketing strategies and helps you stay one step ahead. By analyzing their ads, you can uncover creative tactics, spot promotional trends, and understand how they target their audience. This guide will show you the best ways to track competitors’ ads, what to look for, and how to use this data to enhance your own campaigns.

Why Should You Spy on Competitors' Facebook Ads?

Spying on competitors’ Facebook ads provides several benefits that can enhance your own advertising strategy:

  • Improve your own ad campaigns: Learn what works and what doesn’t by observing competitor strategies.
  • Discover creative ideas and offers: Uncover new promotional concepts and creative approaches to engage your audience.
  • Gain insights into competitor budgets and audience targeting: Estimate their ad spend and see who they’re targeting, giving you an idea of how to allocate your own resources.
  • Benchmark your performance: Compare your ad campaigns to theirs to ensure you’re staying competitive and making the right adjustments.

 

Where to Find Competitors' Facebook Ads

To effectively spy on competitors’ Facebook ads, it’s important to know where to look. Facebook provides transparent tools that allow you to easily track the ads your competitors are running. These tools give you direct access to the ads they’ve launched, helping you monitor their strategies in real time.

Facebook Ad Library

The Facebook Ad Library is the most comprehensive tool for finding competitors’ ads. It’s a free, public resource that offers insight into all active ads on Facebook and Instagram. Here’s what you can do with it:

  • View active ads: See every ad currently running on a competitor’s page, across Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger.
  • Explore media types: Determine whether your competitors are using images, videos, or carousel formats.
  • Analyze ad copy: Review the messaging, calls-to-action (CTAs), and promotional language they use.
  • Search by keyword or page: Easily find ads by searching for specific competitors or keywords related to your industry.

However, there are some limitations to the Facebook Ad Library. It doesn’t allow you to see ads that are no longer active, and it doesn’t provide performance data, such as engagement rates, clicks,r conversions. Despite these drawbacks, it’s still one of the best tools for analyzing competitors’ Facebook ads.

What to Look for in Competitors' Facebook Ads

When analyzing your competitors’ Facebook ads, it’s essential to know what specific elements to focus on. Understanding these key components can give you insights into their strategy, helping you make informed adjustments to your own campaigns.

Media Type

One of the first things to notice is the media type your competitors are using. Facebook offers multiple ad formats, including:

  • Image ads: Simple and straightforward, often used to promote a product or service with a strong visual.
  • Video ads: Effective for storytelling and engaging viewers, allowing brands to share more in-depth content.
  • Carousel ads: These ads allow multiple images or videos within a single ad, great for showcasing a range of products or telling a sequence-based story.

Paying attention to the types of media used will help you understand what is resonating with your shared audience.

Messaging and Copy

Ad copy plays a crucial role in engaging audiences. When spying on competitors‘ ads, look at:

  • Key phrases and tone: Are they using persuasive language, humor, or emotional appeals?
  • Call-to-action (CTA): Notice the specific CTAs they employ (e.g., “Shop Now,” “Learn More”) and how they guide the audience towards taking action.

Understanding the messaging can help you refine your own copy to better speak to your audience’s needs.

Landing Pages

The destination where a Facebook ad leads is just as important as the ad itself. By clicking on your competitors’ ads, you can analyze their landing pages and evaluate how well the ad and the page are aligned. Key things to look for include:

  • Design and layout: Is the landing page visually appealing and easy to navigate?
  • Message consistency: Does the messaging on the landing page match the ad’s promises, or does it create any disconnect?
  • Call-to-action (CTA): Are they using a clear and compelling CTA? Look at the placement and design of buttons like “Buy Now” or “Sign Up.”
  • Offers and incentives: Pay attention to any special offers or discounts they mention on the landing page, as this is often where they sweeten the deal for potential customers.

Evaluating the effectiveness of your competitors’ landing pages can provide ideas on how to optimize your own for better conversion rates.

Offered Deals and Promotions

Competitors often use Facebook ads to promote special deals or discounts. When spying on their ads, pay close attention to the kinds of promotions they offer, as these can give insights into their marketing strategy. Key points to focus on include:

  • Types of offers: Are they promoting limited-time discounts, buy-one-get-one deals, or free shipping?
  • Timing of promotions: Do their promotions align with certain holidays, seasons, or events?
  • Urgency in messaging: Notice if they use urgency-based language like “Limited Time Offer” or “Only a Few Left,” which can drive conversions.

By observing these tactics, you can decide how to structure your own offers to remain competitive or even provide better value.

Audience Targeting

While Facebook doesn’t provide direct insights into audience targeting, you can still infer key details from the ad content and creative choices. Look at the following:

  • Geographic hints: Do the ads mention specific locations, cities, or regions? This could indicate local or regional targeting.
  • Demographic focus: Examine the ad’s imagery and language. Are they targeting a specific age group, gender, or lifestyle? The tone and visuals often reflect the target demographic.

Understanding your competitors’ audience can help you refine your own targeting and potentially tap into segments they’re focusing on or overlooking.

Creative Testing

It’s common for businesses to run A/B tests on their Facebook ads to determine which version performs better. As you monitor competitors, look for variations in their ads, such as:

  • Creative elements: Are they testing different images, videos, or ad copy?
  • Recurring themes: If you notice certain visuals or messaging being reused across ads, it may indicate those are the winning creatives.

By identifying patterns in their creative testing, you can implement similar strategies to fine-tune your own campaigns and optimize ad performance.

What to Look for in Competitors' Facebook Ads

Facebook Ads Competitor Analysis Tools

Facebook Ads Library

The Facebook Ads Library is a free and official tool from Facebook that provides access to active ads.

  • Key Features: Searchable database of all active ads, filters by location, keyword, or platform.
  • Benefits: Offers insights into ad creative and copy, free to use.
  • Advantages: Free, easy to navigate.
  • Disadvantages: No performance metrics or historical ads.
  • Price: Free.

Competitors App

Competitors App is a versatile tool that tracks all of your competitors’ online activities, including their Facebook ads, SEO strategies, website changes, and even email marketing campaigns.

  • Key Features: Real-time monitoring of Facebook ads, website changes, SEO rankings, email campaigns, and social media activities.
  • Benefits: Get notified about new ads, track competitors’ digital marketing strategies, and stay updated on their content changes.
  • Advantages: Comprehensive digital tracking across various channels, from ads to SEO to email marketing, 14-day free trial.
  • Disadvantages: Pricing may be higher compared to some tools with more limited features.
  • Price: Starts at $19.90 per month with a 14-day free trial.

Step-by-Step Tutorial for Competitors App

After signing up and adding your competitors, you will land on the dashboard page where you can start monitoring their activities. Follow these steps to check their Facebook ads:

Step 1: Access the Dashboard

Once you've signed up in and added your competitors (as shown in the first screenshot below in the second step), the Dashboard will display key metrics such as social engagement, rankings, organic traffic, and followers for each of your competitors.

Step 2: Navigate to the "Activity" Tab

On the left-hand sidebar, click on the Activity tab. This will take you to a more detailed overview of what your competitors are doing across various digital channels.

Dashboard
Step 3: Filter for Ads
  • Once you’re in the Activity tab, locate the top bar where various activities (Posts, Mentions, Ads, etc.) are shown.
  • Hover over the “Ads” section (as indicated by the red arrow in the screenshot below) to see a dropdown menu.
Step 4: Select "Facebook" Ads
  • From the dropdown menu under Ads, check only the “Facebook Ads” box to filter for Facebook ads specifically. This will show you all active Facebook ads that your competitors are running.
  • You can now see the content of their ads, the messaging they use, and how often they update their campaigns, helping you gather key insights for your own advertising strategy.

By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to track and analyze your competitors’ Facebook ads using Competitors App.

PowerAdSpy

poweradspy

PowerAdSpy is a powerful tool designed for ad analysis with access to a massive database of ads across various niches.

  • Key Features: Large database of ads, audience insights, niche-specific filtering, landing page analysis.
  • Benefits: Great for analyzing competitors’ ad strategies, understanding audience targeting, and exploring creative trends.
  • Advantages: Detailed audience targeting insights, niche filtering.
  • Disadvantages: Can be expensive, no performance metrics provided.
  • Price: Starts at $69 per month.

AdSpy

AdSpy

AdSpy is another advanced tool for Facebook ad competitor analysis, offering insights into demographic targeting and ad trends.

  • Key Features: Extensive ad database, demographic targeting, ad copy analysis, estimated ad spend.
  • Benefits: Discover top-performing ads, analyze creative trends, and track competitor spending.
  • Advantages: Comprehensive demographic data, ad spend estimates.
  • Disadvantages: High pricing, advanced features may require a learning curve.
  • Price: Starts at $149 per month.

Dropispy

Dropispy

Dropispy is tailored for e-commerce businesses, providing insights into product-based ads and creative trends.

  • Key Features: E-commerce-focused ad insights, filters for specific niches, access to ad copy, and landing pages.
  • Benefits: Track competitors’ promotions, product launches, and seasonal ad campaigns.
  • Advantages: Ideal for e-commerce, detailed ad analysis.
  • Disadvantages: Limited outside of e-commerce, no performance metrics.
  • Price: Starts at €29 per month.

Anstrex

Anstrex

Anstrex is a highly versatile ad intelligence tool that primarily focuses on native and push ads but also supports Facebook ad analysis. It provides detailed insights into ad creatives, targeting strategies, and landing page setups.

  • Key Features: Extensive ad database, advanced search filters, ad copy analysis, competitor insights, landing page analysis.
  • Benefits: Anstrex allows you to discover high-performing native ads, analyze creative trends, and track competitors’ landing pages. It’s ideal for businesses looking to improve their ad creatives and optimize conversions.
  • Advantages: Comprehensive ad tracking, landing page insights, excellent filtering options.
  • Disadvantages: Primarily focused on native ads, requires some learning for first-time users.
  • Price: Starts at $69.99 per month for native ad tracking, with additional features available for push ads and other formats.

Tool

Key Features

Advantages

Disadvantages

Price

Facebook Ads Library

Searchable database of all active ads, filters by location and platform, view ad creative.

Free, easy to use, no login required.

No performance metrics, no historical data.

Free

Competitors App

Real-time tracking of ads, SEO, website changes, email marketing, and more.

Comprehensive digital tracking, alerts for changes.

Can be pricey compared to other tools.

Starts at $19.90/month, 14-day free trial

PowerAdSpy

Large ad database, niche filtering, audience insights, landing page analysis.

Detailed targeting insights, niche-specific search.

No performance metrics, relatively expensive.

Starts at $69/month

AdSpy

Extensive ad database, demographic targeting, estimated ad spend, ad copy analysis.

Demographic insights, ad spend estimates.

High pricing, steep learning curve for beginners.

Starts at $149/month

Dropispy

E-commerce-focused, niche-specific filters, ad copy and landing page insights.

Great for e-commerce brands, affordable pricing.

Limited outside of e-commerce, no performance data.

Starts at €29/month

Anstrex

Ad copy analysis, landing page tracking, advanced filters, focuses on native ads.

Excellent filtering, landing page insights.

Primarily focused on native ads, complex for beginners.

Starts at $69.99/month

How to Use Competitor Ads Data to Optimize Your Own Strategy

Once you’ve gathered insights from your competitors’ Facebook ads, the next step is to use this data to improve your own campaigns. Here’s how you can leverage competitor ads to refine your advertising strategy:

Ad Copy and Messaging

Analyze the language, tone, and calls-to-action (CTAs) used by competitors in their ads. Adapt successful messaging styles to fit your brand’s voice. For example, if you see competitors using a particular phrase or CTA that seems effective, you can incorporate similar strategies while ensuring it aligns with your brand identity.

Creative Ideas

Take inspiration from the creative formats your competitors are using, whether it’s video, carousel, or image ads. If a competitor is relying heavily on video, consider testing out video content yourself. Similarly, observe how they structure carousel ads to showcase products or services, and adapt similar ideas to your own ads.

Promotions and Offers

If your competitors frequently offer discounts or bundle deals in their ads, consider adjusting your promotions to remain competitive. You might offer similar deals or even improve upon them by adding additional value, such as free shipping or extended guarantees.

Audience Targeting

While Facebook doesn’t reveal exact targeting details, you can infer targeting strategies based on ad content. If you notice competitors using specific language or images that appeal to a certain demographic, tweak your own targeting to capture that same audience. Look for geographic or lifestyle cues that may reveal untapped markets.

Budgeting and Scheduling

Tracking the frequency of your competitors’ ads gives clues about their budgeting and scheduling patterns. If you see more ads during specific times (e.g., holidays or product launches), it might suggest that they increase their ad spend during key moments. Use these insights to plan your own ad budget and campaign schedules more effectively.

Advanced Tactics for Spying on Competitors' Facebook Ads

For a deeper understanding of your competitors’ strategies, there are more advanced tactics you can use to analyze their Facebook ads. These techniques go beyond basic observation and allow you to gain more actionable insights.

Monitor Ad Variations and A/B Testing

Many brands run A/B tests to find the most effective ad creatives. By keeping an eye on slight differences in their ads, such as variations in headlines, images, or calls-to-action, you can detect which creatives are being tested. If you notice recurring themes or consistently used visuals, it’s likely that these elements are performing well. Use these insights to conduct similar A/B tests in your own campaigns to optimize creative performance.

Track Ad Frequency and Engagement

Frequent ad exposure can indicate a competitor’s ad budget and strategy. Pay attention to how often their ads appear and the engagement they receive (likes, comments, shares). High engagement suggests that an ad resonates with their audience. Tracking this over time can give you clues about which ads are getting the best results, helping you refine your own ads to drive similar engagement.

Investigate Competitor’s Ad Spend (Estimate)

While Facebook doesn’t provide direct data on how much competitors are spending, tools like AdSpy and Competitors App offer estimated ad spend based on the frequency and reach of ads. By analyzing the reach and number of variations of a competitor’s ads, you can estimate their ad spend and compare it with your own to gauge how competitive your budget is.

Compare Ad Strategies Over Time

Tracking competitors’ ads over an extended period can reveal shifts in their strategy. Whether they’re focusing on a new product, changing their messaging, or adjusting their targeting during a specific season, these changes can offer insights into their long-term goals. You can use this information to anticipate trends in your industry and adjust your campaigns accordingly.

Identify Competitors’ Retargeting Ads

Competitors often use retargeting ads to re-engage users who have interacted with their brand. By comparing initial ads to retargeting campaigns, you can understand how they funnel potential customers through the buyer’s journey. Look for differences in messaging or offers in retargeting ads, which can reveal their approach to converting leads.

5 Things You Can Discover About Your Competitors’ Facebook Ad Strategies Using Competitors App

1. Ad Budget Distribution

Competitors App gives you insights into how your competitors are allocating their ad budgets. By tracking the frequency and reach of their ads, you can get a rough estimate of how much they’re spending on Facebook advertising. This can help you gauge their financial commitment to certain campaigns or product promotions, giving you an edge when planning your own ad budget.

2. Live Ads

One of the key features of Competitors App is the ability to see all the live ads your competitors are currently running. This provides real-time data on their active campaigns, allowing you to stay updated on the latest messaging, promotions, and ad formats they’re using. You’ll always have up-to-date information on their advertising strategies.

Here’s how you can filter to see the active or live ads only:

Live Ads Competitors App

3. Best Performing Ads

The platform also allows you to identify the best-performing ads by analyzing the creatives that have been used most consistently or those receiving the highest engagement. This helps you understand which ad designs, messaging, and formats are resonating with their audience, so you can adapt similar techniques for your own campaigns.

4. Competitor Landing Pages

Competitors App gives you access to the landing pages that your competitors are using for their ads. By studying these pages, you can see how they align their ad messaging with their website content and offers, which is crucial for improving conversion rates. This insight can help you optimize your own landing pages to ensure they’re as effective as possible.

Here’s how you can check your competitors’ landing pages:

Competitors Landing Pages

5. Timeline View

With the timeline view, you can track your competitors’ ad strategies over time. This feature lets you observe when they’re launching specific campaigns, whether they align their efforts with seasonal trends, and how long they keep ads active. It’s an excellent tool for understanding their long-term strategy and planning your campaigns accordingly.

Timeline View Facebook Competitors Ads

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Spying on Competitors' Ads

While spying on competitors’ Facebook ads can provide valuable insights, there are several pitfalls to avoid. Focusing too much on what your competitors are doing can sometimes lead to missed opportunities or mistakes in your own campaigns. Here are some common errors to watch out for:

1. Copying Ads Directly Without Differentiation

One of the biggest mistakes is directly copying your competitors’ ads without adding your unique touch. While it’s tempting to emulate successful campaigns, simply duplicating their content will make your brand blend in rather than stand out. Instead, use competitor insights to inspire your own creative ideas and enhance your messaging in a way that reflects your brand’s unique identity.

2. Over-focusing on Competitors’ Weaknesses

It’s important to recognize areas where your competitors are falling short, but don’t make the mistake of over-focusing on their weaknesses at the expense of highlighting your strengths. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to outperform them on every front, but instead, you should play to your own strengths and emphasize what sets your business apart.

3. Ignoring A/B Tests or Creative Variations

When spying on competitors, many businesses overlook the importance of tracking the variations in their ads. Competitors often run A/B tests to optimize their ads, and identifying these creative differences can give you valuable insights into what works. Ignoring this can cause you to miss trends or themes that are driving successful results for them, which could be applicable to your own campaigns.

4. Obsessing Over Competitor Ads Without Considering Your Audience

While it’s important to analyze what your competitors are doing, focusing too much on their ads can lead to losing sight of your own audience. Not every strategy that works for your competitor will work for you, especially if your target audiences differ. Always prioritize your audience’s needs and preferences when refining your ad strategy, and avoid implementing competitor tactics that don’t align with your brand or customer base.

5. Failing to Track Your Own Progress

Spying on competitors can be valuable, but it’s equally important to measure the performance of your own ads. If you’re too focused on monitoring others, you might neglect critical data that could improve your campaigns. Regularly assess your own ad performance, run A/B tests, and adapt strategies based on your unique results rather than relying solely on competitor actions.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll be able to strike the right balance between learning from competitors and staying true to your brand’s vision and audience.

FAQs on Spying on Competitors’ Facebook Ads

How can you tell if a competitor's ad is successful?

While Facebook doesn’t offer direct performance metrics like conversions or engagement rates, you can look for signs of a successful ad by observing its frequency and engagement. Ads that run for longer periods or appear frequently may indicate that they’re performing well, as businesses tend to continue ads that deliver good results. Additionally, high levels of likes, comments, and shares are clear indicators of audience engagement.

Can you see historical ads that are no longer running?

No, the Facebook Ads Library only allows you to view ads that are currently active. It does not provide access to historical ads or past campaigns that have already concluded. However, some third-party tools offer features that track ads over time, allowing you to monitor when ads were live.

How do you know who competitors are targeting with their Facebook ads?

While Facebook doesn’t explicitly show detailed targeting information, you can infer some aspects of targeting from the ad’s creative elements. Pay attention to the imagery, messaging, and geographic details within the ad. These can give clues about the target audience’s demographics, interests, or location. Some competitor analysis tools also estimate targeting information based on trends.

Are there tools that show the performance of Facebook ads?

No tools directly show Facebook ad performance metrics such as conversions or click-through rates, as this data is private to the advertiser. However, third-party tools like PowerAdSpy or AdSpy provide estimations of ad spend, audience reach, and other indirect indicators that can give you a sense of how well the ads may be performing.

Is it legal to spy on competitors’ Facebook ads?

Yes, it is completely legal to spy on competitors' Facebook ads using tools like the Facebook Ads Library or third-party platforms. Facebook has made these ads public to ensure transparency. You’re simply observing public information that any user can access.

Can I see the exact budget competitors spend on Facebook ads?

No, Facebook doesn’t disclose specific budget details for ads. However, some third-party tools, like AdSpy and Competitors App, provide rough estimates of ad spend based on reach, frequency, and engagement data.