How to find a competitor's Facebook ads (2026 guide)

Meta runs the only fully public ad library of the major networks. Every ad an advertiser is currently running on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and the Audience Network is searchable by page name, with no login required.

1. Open the Meta Ad Library

Go to facebook.com/ads/library and set the country filter to the market you care about. Set the ad category to "All ads".

2. Search by the publisher's page name, not the app name

Apps usually advertise from a brand page whose name matches the developer, not the App Store title. Check the developer name on the app's App Store listing first.

3. Read the launch dates

Each ad card shows the date it started running. A cluster of ads with the same start date is a campaign launch; ads running for months are proven winners the advertiser keeps funding.

4. Count the creative variants

Meta shows how many ads share one creative. High variant counts mean the advertiser is testing aggressively, which signals real budget behind the channel.

5. Check the landing destination

The CTA on each ad reveals whether traffic goes to the App Store, a web funnel, or a quiz-style pre-lander — a strong hint about the acquisition model.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Meta Ad Library free?

Yes. It is a public transparency tool and requires no account for most ad categories.

Does it show ad spend?

Only for political and social-issue ads. For app advertisers you see the creatives and run dates, not the spend.

Why can't I find an app's ads?

The most common reason is searching the app name instead of the publisher's page name. It can also mean the app is not currently running Meta ads in the country you selected.

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Facebook & Instagram Ads referenceAll guides