How to See What Ads Your Competitors Are Running on Meta

Ever wondered what ads your competitors are running on Meta? Whether you are a business owner or a marketer like me, there is a free tool from Meta that gives you full transparency into active ads from any brand.

It is called the Meta Ads Library, and it is one of the simplest ways to gain insights into your competitors’ advertising strategies.

What Is the Meta Ads Library?

The Meta Ads Library is a free public database that shows all the ads currently running across Meta platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Audience Network. It was created to promote transparency, but smart marketers use it as a research tool.

You can see creative assets, ad copy, placements, and even track how long ads have been running. This makes it incredibly useful for spotting trends and understanding how competitors structure their campaigns.

Step-By-Step: How to Check Competitor Ads on Meta

Here is how to do it:

1. Go to the Meta Ads Library
   Simply search “Meta Ads Library” in Google and click the official site.

2. Select “All Ads”
   This gives you the complete view of every ad a brand is currently running, not just political or issue-based campaigns.

3. Search Your Competitor’s Name
   Enter the business name in the search bar. Let’s use Nike as an example.

4. View Active Ads
   You will instantly see all the active ads Nike is running. In this example, Nike might be running 19 ads at once.

5. Click Each Ad
   You can preview the creative, see the copy, and identify which Meta platforms the ad is running on.

6. Check the Call-to-Action (CTA)
   Click on the CTA button to see exactly where the ad directs traffic. This can reveal which landing pages, offers, or funnels your competitor is using.

Pro Tip: Track Trends Over Time

The Meta Ads Library is not just for one-off checks. If you really want to understand your competitors, revisit their profile every couple of weeks. By doing this you can:

• Spot seasonal offers and promotions

• Identify which creatives they are testing

• Notice messaging shifts that align with product launches or campaigns

Keeping a simple log of these changes helps you anticipate competitor strategies and adapt your own campaigns accordingly.

Why This Matters

Studying competitor ads does not mean copying them. Instead, it helps you:

• Benchmark your creative quality against industry leaders

• Discover new messaging angles or offers

• Understand how aggressive competitors are with ad volume

• Stay alert to trends before they reach your market

The Meta Ads Library levels the playing field. Whether you are Nike or a small local business, you can use the same insights for free.

Final Thoughts

If you are asking yourself “how do I see competitor ads on Meta?”, the answer is simple. Use the Meta Ads Library.

In a few clicks you can see every ad a competitor is running, study their creative, track their messaging, and even follow their traffic flow. The best part is that it costs nothing.

So instead of guessing what your competitors are doing, take advantage of this tool. Check it regularly, learn from what you see, and use those insights to sharpen your own advertising strategy.