Steal the Spotlight: How to Discover What Ads Your Competitors Are Running

Ever scrolled through your newsfeed and thought, “How does this brand keep nailing it? What’s their secret sauce?” Or wondered, “What’s my competition really up to?” Let me tell you—those answers are just a few clicks away.

You don’t need to hire a detective or hack into someone’s system (seriously, don’t do that). The world’s most powerful advertising platforms—Meta and Google—offer free tools to see exactly what your competitors are promoting. Yes, you read that right. The curtains are pulled back, and you get to see their playbook.

This is your chance to take the guesswork out of your ad strategy, level up your marketing game, and maybe even leave your competitors wondering, “How did they get so good?” Let’s break it down.

The Treasure Trove: Why Meta and Google Ad Libraries Are Gold

Imagine walking into a room filled with every ad your competitors are running—every word, every image, every call to action (CTA). That’s exactly what Meta Ad Library and Google Ads Transparency Center offer.

These platforms don’t just make ad tracking possible; they make it easy, ethical, and accessible. No shady tactics, no gray areas—just pure, actionable insights into what’s working in your industry.

Step 1: Meta Ad Library—Your Window into Social Ads

What it is:
The Meta Ad Library is a public repository of ads currently running across Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. It doesn’t matter where you’re located—you can spy on ads running in any region, any niche, any industry.

How to use it:

Go to Meta Ad Library (adlibrary.facebook.com).
Search for a competitor by their brand name or keywords related to your industry.
Filter the results by location, platform, or ad type.

What to look for:

Creative Strategy: Notice recurring themes, visuals, or styles in their ads.
Messages That Resonate: Pay attention to the tone and wording of their CTAs.
Targeting Clues: While you won’t see their audience data, you can infer who they’re targeting based on the messaging and placements.

Pro Tip: Look for trends. Are they focusing on seasonal offers, new product launches, or building brand awareness? This can help you anticipate their next move.

Step 2: Google Ads Transparency Center—Crack Their PPC Code

What it is:
Google’s Ads Transparency Center gives you access to all the ads your competitors are running on Google Search, YouTube, and Display Networks. It’s like having a front-row seat to their PPC campaigns.

How to use it:

Visit the Ads Transparency Center (ads.google.com/transparency).
Search for your competitor’s domain or keywords.
Browse their ads across different platforms and formats.

What to look for:

Keyword Focus: What words or phrases keep showing up? These are likely their top-performing keywords.
Ad Placements: Spot patterns in where their ads appear—search results, YouTube videos, or third-party websites.
Video Strategies: If they’re using video ads, analyze the structure—what grabs attention, how they pitch their offer, and how they close.

Pro Tip: Use this information to create better ad copy, design more engaging visuals, or bid strategically on overlooked keywords.

Taking It Further: How to Turn Insights into Action

So, you’ve uncovered your competitors’ ad playbooks—now what? This is where the magic happens.

Adapt, Don’t Copy: Use their strengths as inspiration, but make your campaigns uniquely yours.
Find Gaps: Spot areas where they’re underperforming or ignoring entirely. Is there a target audience they’ve overlooked? A message they’re not pushing? Go there.
Test Fearlessly: Use what you’ve learned to run A/B tests on your own ads. Borrow ideas, refine them, and see what sticks.

Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture

Here’s the deal: Success in advertising isn’t about following trends—it’s about setting them. By understanding what’s working for your competitors, you get a shortcut to the strategies that drive results. More importantly, you get the insights to do it better, smarter, and faster.

No more second-guessing. No more “What ifs.” This is your call to action: Start digging into those ad libraries and get ready to revolutionize your ad game.

Conclusion: Outshine, Don’t Outspend

The truth is, the best marketers don’t always have the biggest budgets—they have the sharpest insights. Tools like Meta Ad Library and Google Ads Transparency Center give you exactly that: clarity, inspiration, and a competitive edge.

So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead, open those tools, and start exploring. Your next big campaign is waiting to be unleashed—and trust me, it’s going to blow the competition out of the water.

by Martin Pino