Why Competitor Analysis Matters in Facebook Advertising
Running ads without checking what your competitors are doing is like entering a race blindfolded.
By analyzing competitor ads, you can:
- Discover what’s working in your niche
- Avoid costly trial-and-error
- Spot gaps and opportunities
- Improve your own ad creative and targeting
Step 1: Use Facebook Ads Library
The Facebook Ads Library is your best free weapon. It shows all active ads a Page is running.
How to access it:
- Go to facebook.com/ads/library
- Type in your competitor’s Page name
- Filter by country and ad category
What you’ll see:
- All current ad creatives (images, videos, carousels)
- Ad copy
- Launch dates
🧠 Tip: Use tools like adscheck to review the structure and clarity of their ad text or landing pages.
Step 2: Evaluate Their Creatives
Ask yourself:
- What visuals are they using? (Lifestyle shots, product close-ups, UGC?)
- What’s the main message in the ad?
- Do they use urgency or social proof?
- Are they using video or static images more?
Use adsspeed to test similar creative styles on your own campaigns and see what drives better engagement.
Step 3: Review Offers and CTAs
Competitor ads reveal how brands position their value. Look at:
- Discounts (e.g., “20% off” or “Free trial”)
- CTAs (e.g., “Shop now,” “Get your free quote”)
- Seasonal or limited-time offers
💡 Steal inspiration—but don’t copy. Instead, find ways to make your offer more unique or more relevant to your audience.
Step 4: Identify Targeting Clues
While Facebook doesn’t show exact targeting, the ad creative gives hints:
- Language and tone (formal vs. casual)
- Demographics in the images
- Product focus (entry-level vs. premium)
You can then refine your own Custom Audiences or Lookalike Audiences based on what seems to resonate.
Step 5: Watch Their Ad Patterns Over Time
Keep a log of your competitors’ ad changes. For example:
- Are they running ads consistently?
- Do they promote different products each month?
- Are they testing different formats?
You can track this manually or use paid tracking tools to monitor changes automatically.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Just Look at Big Brands
Analyzing smaller or mid-tier competitors can be even more valuable:
- They often have limited budgets—just like you
- Their tactics may be more innovative or niche-specific
- Their mistakes are easier to learn from
Conclusion
Competitive analysis is not about copying—it’s about learning. When you analyze your competitors’ Facebook Ads wisely, you gain insight into:
- What your audience already sees
- What’s trending in your industry
- How to position your brand more effectively
Using tools like adscheck, adsspeed, and the Facebook Ads Library, you can build smarter ads that outperform—not just outspend—your competition.
