I Spy: How to See (and Beat) Your Competitors’ Ads

Meta Ads (Facebook & Instagram) 

Meta (Facebook & Instagram) allows anyone to see a brand’s active ads through its Ad Library. Here’s how: 

Option 1: From Their Facebook Page 

1. Go to your competitor’s Facebook page 
2. Click About > Page Transparency 
3. If they’re running ads, you’ll see “This page is currently running ads.” 
4. Click See All > Go to Ad Library 

Option 2: Directly in Meta’s Ad Library 

1. Visit Meta Ad Library 
2. Select your country 
3. Search for your competitor’s business name 

What to Look For: 

• Are they running video, carousel, or single-image ads? 
• Do their ads focus on discounts, experience, or exclusivity? 
• Have they been running the same ad for a long time? (If so, it’s likely performing well.) 

Google Ads (Search & Display Ads) 

Google makes its search and display ads publicly viewable through the Google Ads Transparency Center. 

To see your competitor’s ads: 

1. Go to adstransparency.google.com 
2. Enter your competitor’s website URL 

What to Look For: 

• Are they running only search ads, or also display ads? 
• Is their messaging consistent across platforms, or different for Google? 
• If they’re running display ads, their search ad strategy is probably strong too. 

LinkedIn Ads 

LinkedIn also has an Ad Library where you can see competitor ads. 

• Visit linkedin.com/ad-library 
• Enter your competitor’s business name 

What to Look For: 

• Are they targeting business professionals in your industry? 
• What kind of content are they promoting—thought leadership or sales-driven ads? 

Sign Up for Their Emails 

If you’re not on your competitor’s email list, you’re missing out on key insights. 

What to Watch For: 

• Do they put you into an automated email sequence after you sign up? 
• How often are they sending promotions vs. educational content? 
• Are they running seasonal or limited-time offers? 

Pro Tip: Use a generic Gmail account (not your business email) so they don’t filter you out. 

How to Use This Info to Get Ahead 

Now that you’ve done your competitive research, here’s how to put it to work: 

1. Spot the Trends Before They Take Off: If multiple competitors are running similar ads, it means that message is working. Jump on the trend while it’s hot, OR take a different approach to stand out. 
2. Find Their Weaknesses and Position Against Them: Are they only talking about price? Position your brand as premium, high-quality, and exclusive. Or are they using one-size-fits-all messaging? Tailor your ads for seasonality or local market trends. 
3. Test Smarter, Not Harder: Instead of starting from scratch, model your messaging off of what’s already working—but refine it for your brand. 

Example: 

If their ad says “Save $5,000 on an outdoor kitchen,” create an ad with messaging like:
“Upgrade your outdoor kitchen with luxury touches—without the hassle.” 

Final Thoughts: Out-Market, Out-Smart, Out-Last 

Great brands don’t follow trends—they set them. 

Competitive research isn’t about copying. It’s about: 

• Understanding what works in your market 
• Finding gaps where you can stand out 
• Positioning your brand as the better alternative 

So if you’re not tracking what your competitors are doing, you’re falling behind. 

Get Our Free Competitive Research Guide!

Want a step-by-step breakdown? Download our I Spy: Competitive Research Guide  to start tracking your competitors today!