How to View Your Competitor’s Facebook Ads Using Facebook Ad Library the Right Way

If you're wondering how to view your competitor’s Facebook ads without wasting hours or money, you're in the right place. This guide is short, sharp, and built to help you take action fast. Stick with me till the end to learn the simplest way to spy on your competitors' ads like a pro.

Why It Matters to View Your Competitor’s Facebook Ads

Knowing what your competitors are advertising gives you a huge edge. You get to see their best-performing creatives, how often they change ads, and what offers they’re pushing. This helps you:

• Save time testing what already works.

• Avoid creative blind spots.

• Improve your own ad strategies based on data, not guessing.

When you view competitor ads, you’re not copying—you’re decoding. You’re understanding what makes ads succeed in your market. You’re also learning how your competitors position themselves, what language they use, and what visuals they believe convert.

It’s not about stealing ideas. It’s about finding opportunities.

Step-by-Step Guide: Using Facebook Ad Library

Here’s the fastest, free way to view your competitor’s Facebook ads—the Facebook Ad Library. No downloads, no setup, no paid tools. Just a few clicks.

Step 1: Open the Facebook Ad Library

Go to Facebook Ad Library at https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/

This tool was launched by Facebook to create ad transparency. Anyone can use it—no account needed.

Step 2: Choose Your Country and Ad Category

You’ll see a dropdown for country. Choose where your audience lives. Then, select the ad category. For most users, “All Ads” works best.

Step 3: Type Your Competitor’s Brand Name

Use the search bar and enter the name of a brand or Facebook Page. For example: "Nike" or "Blue Apron." You must use the official page name—not just a keyword.

Step 4: Browse Their Active Ads

You’ll now see all their active Facebook and Instagram ads. Each ad will show:

• The creative (video or image)

• The copy

• The platforms it runs on (FB, IG, Messenger)

• The ad’s start date

Step 5: Filter and Analyze

Use filters like:

• Platform: Facebook, Instagram, Audience Network

• Media type: Image, Video

• Country: View region-specific campaigns

• Active status: See what’s running now

Look at frequency. If an ad has been running for months, it’s likely performing well. Watch for seasonal patterns, retargeting funnels, and the type of offers used.

How to Analyze and Use What You Find

Now that you see your competitor’s ads, don’t just scroll past them. You’ve got to make that data work for you.

1. Build a Swipe File

Save the best ads in a swipe file. Use a tool like Notion, Google Sheets, or even just screenshots. Organize by:

• Headline style

• Offer type (free trial, discount, free shipping)

• Image or video format

• Funnel stage (awareness, consideration, conversion)

This makes it easier to draw inspiration later when writing or designing your own ads.

2. Reverse Engineer Their Funnel

Ask: What happens after someone clicks this ad?

• Are they sent to a product page? A quiz? A lead form?

• What does the landing page say?

• Is it consistent with the ad’s promise?

Click through a few competitor ads to see the whole experience. This gives you ideas for improving your own customer journey.

3. Spot Weaknesses and Gaps

Some ads look great but send people to a generic homepage. Some have killer offers but boring visuals. Some run with low engagement for too long.

This is your edge. If you see gaps, fill them. Create a better version. Not copied—refined.

In this guide, I showed you exactly how to view your competitor’s Facebook ads using Facebook’s own free tool. You now know how to access the ad library, search for your competitors, and analyze their strategies for your own gain. For more smart strategies like this, make sure to check out more guides from KTM Ads Agency.

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