How to check your Competitpr’s campaigns on Facebook?
Want to see what your competitors are advertising on Facebook and Instagram?
You can do it for free using the Facebook Ads Library, Meta’s public library of ads. Search for a competitor’s Facebook Page, select the country, and you can see the ads they are currently running—including their creatives, ad copy, formats and other available information.
But the real value isn’t simply seeing your competitor’s ads. It’s learning what they are saying, which offers they are promoting, what creative formats they are using and how their advertising changes over time.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to use Facebook Ads Library for competitor research—and how to turn what you find into better ideas for your own Facebook and Instagram campaigns.
But is it OK to spy on the Facebook Ad targeting of your competitors?
Yes it is. It is a natural first step to creating your own marketing campaign – there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Your competitor has already figured out which strategy to follow in the market, which creatives to use, and you can study that to figure out your own success parameters.
What Is Facebook Ads Library?
Launched by Facebook to increase political ad transparency, this tool lets YOU see all currently running (and recently run) ads across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and their Audience Network. It’s your spyglass to scan competitors’ campaigns, spot market trends, and find inspiration for your own ads.
How to Check Competitor’s Campaigns?
First, just search “Facebook Ads Library” on Google and go to the dedicated site. Enter your competitor’s business name or page, select the country, and browse their active ads.
What You’ll See: The Goldmine of Info
The tool shows everything:
- Active and inactive ads, including videos and images
- Start and end dates of campaigns
- Ad spend estimates (like ₹36,000 to ₹350,000)
- Estimated audience size
- Locations targeted (down to state/region)
- Demographics such as age and gender breakdown
- Campaign objectives and messaging details, including primary text, headlines, and CTAs
Each inactive ad is especially valuable because you get access to complete reporting data that’s hidden for active ads. This lets you analyze what worked and what didn’t.
Real-Life Example: Honda Cars
Looking up Honda Cars in India, you can see multiple ads running simultaneously. You’ll notice which creative formats they use—carousel, single image, or video—and understand their campaign’s geographic reach. Inactive ads reveal spending patterns and targeting strategies.
From this, you might discover Honda investing heavily in certain states like Gujarat and Rajasthan, and learn how they adapt messaging for younger audiences or eco-conscious buyers. This kind of insider view helps you refine your targeting and creative without the guesswork.
Pro Tips to Spy Smarter
- Not every brand will pop up easily—try specific names or add “cars,” “dealers,” or “motorcycles” for better results.
- Use filters to email ads by platform, language, or status (active vs inactive).
- Watch for repeated ads running for months—that’s a signal of a successful campaign you might want to learn from.
Why This Matters for Your Ads
Understanding competitor campaigns means you can:
- Quickly identify winning messaging and creatives to adapt or innovate
- Avoid costly mistakes by learning what audiences and placements work best
- Stay agile by spotting emerging trends before others do
- Plan your ad budget more intelligently based on competitor spend
Wrapping Up: No More Guessing—Market Like a Pro
Facebook Ads Library puts competitive intelligence at your fingertips. It’s like having a cheat sheet for digital marketing, making your campaigns sharper, smarter, and more effective.
Unlock insights, gain that competitive edge, and watch your marketing campaigns soar!
If you prefer watching a video – enjoy.
Ready to transform your growth trajectory?
Maneesh Konkar is the Founder of Direction One Digital. Contact us for digital marketing agency services, corporate training & FMCG, B2B & digital marketing online courses. Email us at directiononeonline7@gmail.com