How to Ethically Spy on your Competitor’s Ads using Facebook Ads Library

How to Ethically Spy on your Competitor’s Ads using Facebook Ads Library

The first question anyone asks when I start talking about spying on your competitors is

Wait a second. Can I do that?

The answer is YES! Just be a good neighbor.

We all know it’s not okay to peek in our neighbor’s bedroom window. At the very least it’s creepy, and if you get caught, you will damage your reputation or worse, incur legal consequences for your shady behavior.

But there is absolutely nothing wrong with looking at your neighbor’s flower garden in their front yard to see what they’ve planted, and which flowers are doing well in your particular climate.

In the same way, you can’t peek behind the curtain of your competitor’s business. Their sales process and proprietary information is theirs and trying to steal it will only win you a bad reputation, or worse, a lawsuit. But looking at their ads is like looking at the flowers – they’ve been purposely placed there for public consumption, and as a part of the public, you are welcome to the view.

But why would I want to do that? I’m creative, can’t I just do my own thing?

Of course! If you are doing your own thing, and that’s working for you, by all means, keep trucking! Sometimes, though, it can be difficult to start from scratch. Unless you’re working with someone like me, who has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs build funnels, and optimize their ads, you might spend hundreds or thousands of dollars and months trying to figure out what works best in your particular niche before seeing a return on your investment.

Businesses are not built in a vacuum, and it can be helpful to see what is working for other successful people. Facebook Ad Library is an awesome FREE resource that will give you a ton of information. It’s a great place to start, and you can check it out here: www.facebook.com/ads/library

Before you get overwhelmed by all the data that Facebook is generously providing, here are my top three reasons why I recommend spying on your competitors:

1. You can draw inspiration for your own ads

Now, just like it’s illegal to steal proprietary information, it is ALSO illegal to plagiarize copyrighted content. You can’t just copy paste the exact words, images, or videos that your competitor is using, but you CAN use their ideas to see what is working for them and create something similar that will work for your brand.

Maybe your competitor is running a bunch of video ads, or you notice that their content is in story form. You may notice particular pop-culture references in several of their ads, or their active ads all seem to have smiling people in the photos.

The helpful thing to look for here are ideas that are showing up over and over – if it’s been used for a long time and they’re still paying for it to run, it’s probably working.

2. You can see how much they are spending on ads about political or social issues

I like to keep an eye on my competitors’ ad spend in political ads. Facebook only shares ad spend when it comes to politics and social issues, so while you can’t get the exact numbers on what they’re spending on their other ads, you can get a feel for what matters to them, and how much they’re probably spending overall.

Political and Social Issues also tend to be pretty divisive, so you can catch a glimpse of the audience they’re trying to reach, by seeing what they’re choosing to spend money promoting.

3. You can see other important ad metrics

As I said above, Facebook won’t tell you exactly how much your competitors are spending, or what their audience looks like, but they WILL let you see other helpful information like:

• What countries the ad is running in,
• The placement of the ad (newsfeed, messenger, Instagram, etc.)
• Which ads are currently active
• Which ads are inactive (and it will even tell you if it was taken down by Facebook)
• When the ads started.

If you look at the data closely, it can give you a springboard to start experimenting with for your own ads. Maybe you hadn’t considered also running your ad to Instagram, or they’re advertising to a country that you didn’t think would be interested. Seeing what others in your niche are doing can open your eyes to ideas you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise!

So if you’re struggling to figure out where to start with your ads, look up a few of the people in your niche that you admire. Check out their flowers, and see what’s working, then add your own special twist to make it totally unique to you.

And if you hate “gardening”? Click here to schedule a call with me, your favorite funnel strategist, and let’s talk about how I can help you grow your empire!

Comments

142 responses to “How to Ethically Spy on your Competitor’s Ads using Facebook Ads Library”

  1. AffiliateLabz Avatar

    Great content! Super high-quality! Keep it up! 🙂

  2. cbd Avatar

    Hurrah! In the end I got a blog from where I be able to in fact take valuable information regarding my study
    and knowledge.

  3. Carisa Galper Avatar

    Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to say that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing in your augment and even I achievement you get right of entry to persistently fast.|

  4. Van Ehrismann Avatar

    You’re so cool! I don’t believe I have read a single thing like that before. So nice to find someone with a few genuine thoughts on this subject matter. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This site is something that is needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality!|

  5. Marchelle Lobell Avatar

    Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they just don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks|

  6. Lourdes Shetler Avatar

    This article gives clear idea in support of the new people of blogging, that truly how to do running a blog.|

  7. Paul Wemple Avatar

    Hello there, I discovered your website by means of Google while looking for a comparable matter, your site came up, it appears good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

  8. Adan Borgen Avatar

    You actually make it appear so easy together with your presentation however I find this matter to be really one thing which I think I’d by no means understand. It kind of feels too complicated and extremely large for me. I’m having a look forward in your next put up, I will attempt to get the grasp of it!|

  9. Garrett Lendor Avatar

    whoah this weblog is magnificent i like studying your posts. Keep up the great work! You realize, many persons are hunting around for this information, you could aid them greatly. |

  10. Mariano Martine Avatar

    My brother suggested I may like this website. He was entirely right. This publish actually made my day. You can not consider simply how a lot time I had spent for this info! Thanks!|

  11. Donald Salvatierra Avatar

    I am actually happy to glance at this blog posts which consists of plenty of valuable facts, thanks for providing such data.|

  12. Elmo Holtsclaw Avatar

    I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Excellent work!|

  13. Perry Crosland Avatar

    I am not sure where you’re getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this info for my mission.|

  14. Tawanna Ulcena Avatar

    I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I am quite certain I’ll learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!|

  15. Nickolas Brakhage Avatar

    Hello to all, because I am really eager of reading this webpage’s post to be updated daily. It contains good material.|

  16. Gerardo Falling Avatar

    Hi, after reading this awesome piece of writing i am also glad to share my familiarity here with friends.|

  17. Digna Lasaint Avatar

    Hello there, I found your website by means of Google whilst looking for a related topic, your site got here up, it seems great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

  18. Cyril Droegmiller Avatar

    This is my first time go to see at here and i am truly happy to read everthing at one place.|

  19. Catrice Velasquez Avatar

    Great article! That is the type of information that should be shared across the net. Disgrace on the seek engines for no longer positioning this put up higher! Come on over and visit my website . Thanks =)|

  20. Lewis Kotow Avatar

    Hello it’s me, I am also visiting this web site regularly, this web site is really fastidious and the viewers are in fact sharing fastidious thoughts.|

  21. Carlotta Kackley Avatar

    I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Excellent work!|

  22. Wilfred Lannen Avatar

    I used to be able to find good information from your articles.|

  23. David Marmolejo Avatar

    Hi i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere, when i read this paragraph i thought i could also create comment due to this brilliant post.|

  24. Nettie Mullendore Avatar

    This design is spectacular! You most certainly know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!|

  25. Renay Glaeser Avatar

    Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is fantastic, let alone the content!|

  26. Noelle Lacki Avatar

    Hi there, just wanted to say, I enjoyed this post. It was helpful. Keep on posting!|

  27. Santo Mitchler Avatar

    Excellent blog here! Also your website loads up very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol|

  28. Randy Bellinghausen Avatar

    I blog quite often and I seriously appreciate your information. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I will bookmark your site and keep checking for new details about once per week. I subscribed to your Feed as well.|

  29. Alona Sandven Avatar

    Very nice article, just what I was looking for.|

  30. Beryl Shammo Avatar

    Hi, this weekend is fastidious in support of me, as this time i am reading this great educational article here at my house.|

  31. Kareem Rowan Avatar

    great issues altogether, you just gained a new reader. What would you suggest in regards to your put up that you made a few days in the past? Any sure?|

  32. Lulu Noethiger Avatar

    Good day! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!|

  33. Tori Hazelwood Avatar

    Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels. I will be grateful if you continue this in future. Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!|

  34. Mark Cafagno Avatar

    Hi there, I log on to your blog on a regular basis. Your writing style is awesome, keep up the good work!|

  35. Ellena Shuhi Avatar

    Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this website. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very hard to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual appearance. I must say you’ve done a superb job with this. In addition, the blog loads very quick for me on Opera. Excellent Blog!|

  36. Luther Mees Avatar

    Excellent pieces. Keep writing such kind of info on your blog. Im really impressed by your site.

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      It’s our pleasure to provide the best possible service to our readers.

  37. Georgette Ingargiola Avatar

    This is a great tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere. Simple but very precise info… Appreciate your sharing this one. A must read article!|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you so much for your amazing feedback!

  38. Ellan Colesar Avatar

    Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful article. Many thanks for providing this info.|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us!

  39. Felipe Chenevey Avatar

    Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept|

  40. Mildred Ferrone Avatar

    It’s amazing to pay a quick visit this web page and reading the views of all friends about this piece of writing, while I am also zealous of getting experience.|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for your feedback!

  41. Douglas Cepas Avatar

    Your method of describing everything in this article is truly pleasant, all be able to easily be aware of it, Thanks a lot.|

  42. Skye Fons Avatar

    This post offers clear idea in support of the new people of blogging, that really how to do blogging and site-building.|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you so much for your amazing feedback!

  43. Cristy Sanmarco Avatar

    I am genuinely grateful to the owner of this site who has shared this fantastic piece of writing at here.|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      We really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with us.

  44. Morgan Georgiana Avatar

    What’s up to all, for the reason that I am genuinely eager of reading this webpage’s post to be updated on a regular basis. It contains fastidious data.|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you so much for your amazing feedback!

  45. Pearly Huckabaa Avatar

    Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is wonderful, let alone the content!|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      It’s our pleasure to provide the best possible service to our readers.

  46. Kenny Heyen Avatar

    I am really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a great blog like this one today.|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      We really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with us.

    2. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us!

  47. Golden Bleile Avatar

    You’re so interesting! I don’t suppose I’ve read anything like that before. So nice to discover another person with a few genuine thoughts on this issue. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This site is one thing that’s needed on the internet, someone with some originality!|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us!

    2. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for sharing your kind words with us. It means a lot to us and our entire team!

  48. Denna Tschoepe Avatar

    This article gives clear idea in favor of the new users of blogging, that genuinely how to do running a blog.|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you so much for your amazing feedback!

  49. Gilberte Effner Avatar

    My brother suggested I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us!

  50. Denna Arriazola Avatar

    Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      We’re grateful for your feedback!

  51. Reyna Yerby Avatar

    It’s very effortless to find out any topic on web as compared to textbooks, as I found this post at this website.|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for your feedback!

  52. Julissa Krewson Avatar

    It’s in point of fact a nice and helpful piece of information. I am satisfied that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      It’s our pleasure to provide the best possible service to our readers.

  53. Augustus Sim Avatar

    Hello my loved one! I want to say that this post is amazing, great written and come with almost all important infos. I’d like to peer extra posts like this .|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      We’re grateful for your feedback!

  54. Emil Falkner Avatar

    Howdy I am so grateful I found your webpage, I really found you by accident, while I was searching on Askjeeve for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a incredible post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the superb work.|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for sharing your kind words with us. It means a lot to us and our entire team!

  55. Elinore Haile Avatar

    Everyone loves what you guys are usually up too. This kind of clever work and coverage! Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve included you guys to our blogroll.|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us!

  56. Ezekiel Aldrich Avatar

    Your style is so unique compared to other folks I’ve read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this page.|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for your feedback!

  57. Cari Teachout Avatar

    These are genuinely fantastic ideas in concerning blogging. You have touched some pleasant points here. Any way keep up wrinting.|

  58. Miranda Fusik Avatar

    Hey! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came to take a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Wonderful blog and wonderful design.|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      We really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with us.

  59. Monserrate Breau Avatar

    you’re in point of fact a excellent webmaster. The website loading pace is incredible. It kind of feels that you are doing any unique trick. Furthermore, The contents are masterpiece. you have performed a magnificent activity on this matter!|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us!

  60. Ulrike Bosma Avatar

    Hello, yes this article is really nice and I have learned lot of things from it on the topic of blogging. thanks.|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you so much for your amazing feedback!

    2. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      We’re delighted to hear about your recent experience with us!

  61. Cody Beermann Avatar

    When someone writes an post he/she retains the thought of a user in his/her mind that how a user can understand it. Thus that’s why this piece of writing is perfect. Thanks!|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      It’s our pleasure to provide the best possible service to our readers.

  62. Christopher Achord Avatar

    Just wish to say your article is as surprising. The clarity in your post is just nice and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      We’re grateful for your feedback!

  63. rama Avatar

    I have read so many posts about the blogger lovers however this post is really a good piece of writing, keep it up

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      We’re delighted to hear about your recent experience with us!

  64. Lenita Spake Avatar

    This design is incredible! You most certainly know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      We’re grateful for your feedback!

  65. Cynthia Bosold Avatar

    Hi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      We’re delighted to hear about your recent experience with us!

  66. Quintin Felsher Avatar

    You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us!

  67. Meagan Hickernell Avatar

    What i do not understood is in truth how you are no longer really much more neatly-liked than you might be now. You are very intelligent. You recognize therefore considerably on the subject of this subject, made me in my opinion consider it from numerous various angles. Its like men and women don’t seem to be interested unless it’s one thing to do with Girl gaga! Your personal stuffs nice. At all times deal with it up!|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for your feedback!

  68. Shelba Zaki Avatar

    It’s very trouble-free to find out any matter on net as compared to books, as I found this piece of writing at this website.|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for your feedback!

    2. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      It’s our pleasure to provide the best possible service to our readers.

  69. Jenna Thoroughgood Avatar

    Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will come back down the road. I want to encourage one to continue your great work, have a nice afternoon!|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us!

    2. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for your feedback!

  70. Veteriner Tekirdağ Avatar

    There’s definately a lot to find out about this topic. I like all of the points you made. Great blog here, Also your site loads up fast.

  71. samsun hayvan hastanesi telefon numarası Avatar

    I feel that is one of the such a lot significant info for me. And i am happy studying your article. But wanna observation on some common issues, The web site taste is ideal, the articles is in reality great. Good process, cheers

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      It’s our pleasure to provide the best possible service to our readers.

  72. veteriner numarası Avatar

    Your style is so unique compared to other people I have read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity. Guess I will just bookmark this web site.

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      We’re grateful for your feedback!

  73. Damien Camero Avatar

    Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again very soon!|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you so much for your amazing feedback!

  74. veteriner malzemeleri Avatar

    Your style is so unique compared to other people I have read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity. Guess I will just bookmark this web site.

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      We appreciate your awesome feedback!

  75. Keneth Sieben Avatar

    Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate?|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thanks for your feedback!

  76. Lorenzo Joncas Avatar

    Greetings from California! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your site on my iphone during lunch break. I love the knowledge you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m surprised at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, fantastic blog!|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for sharing your kind words with us. It means a lot to us and our entire team!

  77. Gerri Padiong Avatar

    Hi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      We really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with us.

  78. Elias Moncion Avatar

    Thanks for sharing such a pleasant thinking, piece of writing is nice, thats why i have read it entirely|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      It’s our pleasure to provide the best possible service to our readers.

  79. Marion Roberge Avatar

    Everything is very open with a precise description of the challenges. It was really informative. Your site is useful. Many thanks for sharing!|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      We value your feedback, thank you so much!

  80. Cyndi Devoto Avatar

    I think this is among the most vital information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on few general things, The website style is great, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      We value your feedback, thank you so much!

  81. Marc Boesenhofer Avatar

    I know this web page presents quality based posts and extra material, is there any other web site which presents these information in quality?|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for your feedback!

  82. Shawnta Cipcic Avatar

    Magnificent items from you, man. I’ve be mindful your stuff prior to and you are just too great. I actually like what you’ve obtained right here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way in which wherein you are saying it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to stay it wise. I can’t wait to read much more from you. That is actually a terrific site.|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for your wonderful feedback@

  83. Lucien Dulle Avatar

    I used to be recommended this blog through my cousin. I am not positive whether this submit is written by means of him as no one else recognize such unique approximately my problem. You are incredible! Thanks!|

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for your feedback!

  84. https://movieswood.one/ Avatar

    I read this page daily

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      We’re grateful for your feedback!

  85. movies wood Avatar

    Very good post.

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you so much for your amazing feedback!

    2. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      We’re grateful for your feedback!

  86. houston junk Avatar

    This is very attention-grabbing, You’re a very professional blogger.
    I have joined your rss feed and look ahead to
    in the hunt for extra of your fantastic post.
    Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks

    1. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      We really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with us.

    2. Roxanne Avatar
      Roxanne

      Thank you for sharing your kind words with us. It means a lot to us and our entire team!

  87. lina Avatar

    I have read so many posts about the blogger lovers however this post is really a good piece of writing, keep it up

Leave a Reply to Kareem Rowan Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *