Creating ads that connect with your target audience is like breaking a code. You devote time and resources to your work before clicking the publish button in the hopes of success. However, the results may only sometimes be as expected.
Understanding your competitors’ actions is critical to remain ahead of the curve. Imagine you’re playing a high-stakes game of chess while blindfolded. How do you build successful plans if you know your opponent’s moves?
The same concept applies to advertising. By effectively monitoring your competitors’ advertisements, you acquire crucial data. You discover what types of communications resonate with your target audience, what graphics attract their interest, and what platforms they use.
This information allows you to:
- Refine your advertising approach
- Create campaigns that outperform the competition
- Reach your marketing goals
Throughout this guide, we will provide you with the tools to find your competitor’s ads. This helps us learn how to create winning ad campaigns that outperform our competitors.
Benefits of Tools to Find Your Competitor’s Ads
Here are some of the key benefits you can reap from tools to find your competitor’s ads:
- See what ad formats, visuals, and messaging your competitors use to capture attention and generate clicks.
- Discover new ad platforms or targeting options your competitors might be using.
- See what’s working for others to stay current with the latest trends in online advertising.
- Get a spark of creativity by seeing different approaches and using them to craft your own unique ad campaigns.
- Compare your ad performance metrics with those of your competitors. This will help you see where you stand and identify areas for improvement.
Now that you’re convinced of the value of competitive ad research, let’s look at the top ten tools for finding and “spying on” your competitors’ advertising.
Top 10 Tools to Find Your Competitor’s Ads
The world of ad intelligence is packed with a variety of tools, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. We’ll explore the 10 best tools to find your competitor’s ads.
1. Semrush
G2 Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
SEMrush is a sophisticated digital marketing toolbox that provides a comprehensive set of tools for competitive ad research. All you need to do is enter a competitor’s domain. This will inform you about their PPC campaigns, keyword targets, ad text variants, and landing page techniques.
Key Features of SEMrush
- Determine which keywords your rivals are targeting that you are losing out on.
- Analyze competition ad copy to uncover compelling themes and aspects.
- Monitor changes in competition ad campaigns over time to detect patterns and alterations in strategy.
- Gain information about competition advertising expenditures to help you make your own spending decisions.
Pros Vs. Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Extensive database, various match types, keyword difficulty metrics | Data accuracy might vary based on industry and location |
| In-depth ad copy and landing page analysis | Limited focus on specific ad platforms |
| Comprehensive ranking tracking, backlink analysis, domain authority metrics | Data can be overwhelming for beginners |
| Provides overview of competitor social media presence | Limited in-depth analysis compared to dedicated social media tools |
| Holistic view of competitor performance, market share analysis | Requires advanced user skills to fully utilize |
Pricing
- Pro Plan: $139.95 per month
- Guru Plan: $249.95 per month
- Business Plan: $499.95 per month (custom plans available)
2. SpyFu
G2 Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
SpyFu is a powerful intelligence tool that provides in-depth insight into your rivals’ search engine marketing efforts. You may gain valuable information by examining their keyword usage, marketing campaigns, and organic rankings. Use these findings to help you plan and optimize your own digital marketing campaigns.
Key Features of SpyFu
- Identify the terms driving your rivals’ search exposure.
- Analyze rivals’ paid advertising techniques to determine how they achieved success.
- Monitor rivals’ organic search performance over time.
- Uncover your competitors’ backlink architecture.
- Gain a comprehensive perspective of your rivals’ digital world, allowing for data-driven decision-making.
Pros Vs. Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Uncovers high-performing keywords | Data accuracy might vary based on industry |
| Reveals competitor ad strategies and landing pages | Limited insights into social media ad campaigns |
| Monitors competitor performance over time | Historical data might not be available for all domains |
| Identifies link building opportunities | Data depth might be limited compared to dedicated backlink tools |
| Provides a holistic view | Complexity might overwhelm new users |
Pricing
- Basic Plan: $39/month
- Professional Plan: $79/month
3. AdSpy
G2 Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
AdSpy is a specialist tool that analyzes Facebook and Instagram advertising campaigns in-depth. An extensive database of commercials assists marketers in discovering winning techniques and identifying patterns. Additionally, you may optimize your own campaigns.
Key Features of AdSpy
- Access millions of live advertising from Facebook and Instagram in a variety of sectors and locations.
- Refine your search using keywords, advertisers, interests, demographics, and other criteria to get relevant advertising.
- Analyze ad performance metrics like likes, comments, and shares to determine campaign efficacy.
- Compare your ad performance stats to those of rivals to uncover areas for improvement.
- Experiment with different ad forms, images, and copywriting approaches to inspire creativity.
Pros Vs. Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Access to a wealth of ad examples | Data might not be comprehensive for all regions or industries |
| Precise targeting of relevant ads | Requires some learning curve to master all filters |
| Enables comparison of ad effectiveness | Metrics might not be available for all ads |
| Identifies opportunities for improvement | Requires manual comparison of multiple ads |
| Source of inspiration for ad design and copy | Might not always align with specific campaign goals |
Pricing
- Simple & Fair Plan: $149/month
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4. Dropispy
G2 Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
Dropispy is a unique tool that provides valuable insights for drop shippers. The platform’s concentration on the e-commerce business gives it a distinct viewpoint. It provides insights about competitor advertising strategy, product trends, and successful ad creatives.
Key Features of Dropispy
- Access a collection of Facebook and Instagram advertisements aimed at dropshipping items.
- Identify popular items, categories, and suppliers based on successful advertising efforts.
- Analyze competition ad creatives, targeting, and performance information to obtain a competitive advantage.
- Discover the top-performing dropshipping shops and their best-selling items.
- To determine campaign performance, evaluate ad engagement, reach, and other data.
Pros Vs. Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Tailored to the specific needs of dropshippers | Limited to Facebook and Instagram ads |
| Helps identify winning products and niches | Relies on ad data, not actual sales figures |
| Provides insights into competitor ad strategies | Depth of competitor analysis might be limited compared to general ad spy tools |
| Enables discovery of successful dropshipping stores | Limited information about store performance |
| Offers basic ad performance metrics | Advanced analytics features might be missing |
Pricing
- Free Plan: $0/month (unlimited credits)
- Premium Plan: $29.90/month (150,000 credits/month)
- Business Plan: $249.90/month (1,800,000 credits/month)
5. Anstrex
G2 Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
Anstrex is a platform designed specifically for drop shippers. It offers important insights into product trends, competition advertising, and supplier data. Its specialization in the e-commerce market gives it a distinct advantage for organizations trying to improve their dropshipping operations.
Key Features of Anstrex
- Discovers popular items, suppliers, and successful ad creatives in the dropshipping sector.
- Analyzes competing ad campaigns, including creatives, targeting, and performance data.
- Contains specific information on items, such as price, suppliers, and prospective profit margins.
- Provides insights into ad engagement, reach, and other data for determining campaign performance.
- Connects drop shippers to possible suppliers based on product trends and competitive analysis.
Pros Vs. Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Identifies trending products and suppliers | Focuses exclusively on dropshipping niche |
| Provides insights into competitor ad strategies | Limited to Facebook and Instagram ads |
| Offers detailed product information and potential profit margins | Data accuracy might vary based on product and supplier |
| Provides basic ad performance metrics | Advanced analytics features might be missing |
| Connects with potential suppliers | Limited number of suppliers listed |
Pricing
- Plan: $39.99/month
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6. AdEspresso
G2 Rating: 3.6 stars out of 5
AdEspresso is a comprehensive tool for generating Facebook advertising campaigns. It streamlines campaign management and optimization. The platform’s ad gallery is an invaluable resource, providing broad capabilities for advertisers looking to boost campaign success.
Key Features of AdEspresso
- Easily plan, deploy, and manage Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns from a single interface.
- Conduct A/B and multivariate testing to improve ad creatives, targeting, and bidding tactics.
- Automatically optimize ads and allocate budgets based on performance criteria.
- Detailed reports and infographics provide insights into campaign performance.
- Facilitate teamwork and collaboration between team members and clients.
Pros Vs. Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Extensive Ad Library | Offers a wide range of ad examples across different industries and formats |
| Curated Ad Selection | Provides a focused selection of high-performing ads |
| Easy-to-Use Interface | Simple navigation and access to ad details |
| Free Access | Provides valuable insights without a paid subscription |
| Inspiration for Ad Creation | Sparks creativity and identifies effective ad elements |
Pricing
- Starter Plan: $49/month (Spend limit: $1,000/month)
- Plus Plan: $99/month (Unlimited ad spend)
- Enterprise Plan: Starting at $259/month
7. PowerAdSpy
G2 Rating: 3.9 stars out of 5
PowerAdSpy is a powerful tool for detailed ad analysis. It is compatible with a variety of platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Google, and YouTube. It provides a wealth of data about ad creatives. It also gives data on targeted and performance indicators. This enables marketers to make data-driven decisions.
Key Features of PowerAdSpy
- Access millions of adverts from a variety of platforms and sectors.
- Keywords, advertisers, interests, demographics, and other criteria can all be used to narrow down searches.
- Analyze ad engagement, reach, and other performance metrics.
- Identify your rivals’ advertising strategy, creatives, and targeting possibilities.
- Find fresh ad forms, images, and copywriting ideas.
Pros Vs. Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Extensive Ad Database | Access to a vast collection of ads across multiple platforms |
| Advanced Search Filters | Precise targeting of relevant ads |
| Ad Performance Metrics | Enables comparison of ad effectiveness |
| Competitor Analysis | Identifies competitor strategies and trends |
| Creative Inspiration | Source of inspiration for ad design and copy |
Pricing
- Free Plan: $0 (1 Day Trial)
- Basic Plan: $69/month
- Standard Plan: $129/month
- Premium Plan: $179/month
- Platinum Plan: $279/month
- Titanium Plan: $349/month
- Palladium Plan: $399/month
8. AdFlex
G2 Rating: 4.0 stars out of 5
AdFlex is a newcomer to the ad intelligence landscape. It offers a complete platform for assessing Facebook ad strategy. Its real-time database and user-friendly interface make it an invaluable resource for marketers.
Key Features of AdFlex
- Access millions of active Facebook advertisements that are constantly updated.
- Examine ad forms, targeting choices, ad budget, and performance indicators.
- Customize your search based on demographics, interests, ad kinds, placements, and more.
- Track ad performance using views, comments, shares, and responses.
- Navigate the platform with ease, focusing on straightforward features.
Pros Vs. Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Real-Time Data | Access to the latest Facebook ad trends |
| User-Friendly Design | Simple and intuitive navigation |
| Detailed Ad Insights | Analyze various aspects of ad campaigns |
| Advanced Search Options | Precisely target relevant ads |
| Affordable Pricing Plan (Pro) | Provides access to key features at a competitive price |
Pricing
- Basic Plan: Free Forever (AdFlex analytics page, 1 Device, Limited Filters)
- Pro Plan: $99/month (AdFlex analytics page, 3 Devices, 100,000 Ad Views, Standard Filters)
- Enterprise Plan: $1999/month (For large businesses, Contact for Details)
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9. BigSpy
G2 Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
BigSpy offers an accessible entrée into the world of advertising intelligence, making it accessible to marketers with low resources. This tool can provide significant information for those just beginning out in competition analysis, even if it lacks the feature set of commercial programs.
Key Features of BigSpy
- Access adverts from crucial social media networks.
- Refine your search based on keywords, advertisers, and ad types.
- Discover unique ad concepts and forms.
Pros Vs. Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Free Access | No upfront costs to start exploring |
| User-Friendly Interface | Easy to navigate and find relevant ads |
| Basic Ad Insights | Provides essential information about ad creatives and targeting |
| Creative Inspiration | Source of inspiration for ad design |
| Favorited Ads Feature | Allows saving ads for future reference |
Pricing
- Basic Plan: $9/month (1 Seat, Facebook & Instagram, Limited Features)
- Pro Plan: $99/month (1 Seat, More Platforms, Increased Limits)
- Group Plan: $249/month (5 Seats, More Platforms, Increased Limits per Seat)
- VIP Enterprise Plan: $3600+/year (Contact for Details)
10. Adbeat
G2 Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
Adbeat is a specialized ad intelligence tool for affiliate marketers. It focuses heavily on identifying successful ad campaigns across different affiliate sectors and provides a collection of tools for identifying successful methods.
Key Features of Adbeat
- Provides a tailored library of advertising that targets specific affiliate categories.
- Refine your searches by affiliate vertical, ad type, targeting settings, and more.
- Identifies effective e-commerce advertisements and product offerings.
- Provides basic ad engagement analytics (likes, comments, and shares).
- Provides connections to landing pages for additional analysis.
Pros Vs. Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Affiliate Vertical Focus | Tailored to affiliate marketing needs |
| Advanced Search Filters | Precise targeting of relevant ads |
| E-commerce Ad Discovery | Identifies potential product opportunities |
| Ad Performance Insights | Provides basic ad engagement metrics |
| Landing Page Access | Enables further analysis of ad campaigns |
Pricing
- Standard Plan: $249/month (Search Ads by Keyword, 29 Countries, 1000 Results, 90 Days Data)
- Advanced Plan: $399/month (All Standard Features + Filter by Country, Competitor Alerts, Unlimited Results, 1 Year Data, Direct Buys)
- Enterprise Plan: Contact for Details (All Advanced Features + More)
Additional Inbuilt Social Media Ad Tools
The tools to find your competitor’s ads mentioned above offer important functionalities. However, pay attention to the ad analytics features of major social media platforms. Here’s a quick look at some of these options:
1. Facebook Ad Library
The Facebook Ad Library allows you to view any active ad campaign currently running on Facebook, Instagram, or Messenger. This is a goldmine for learning about the advertising techniques of your rivals and firms in your sector.
- Navigating the Facebook Ads Library for Competitor Research
- Search for advertising using a keyword, advertiser name, or page URL.
- You can filter your search results based on region, ad format (picture, video), and campaign goal (brand awareness, conversions, etc.).
- Examine the creatives and language utilized in competition advertising on Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger.
- Learn about the targeting strategies that rivals use to reach their audience.
2. Twitter Ads Transparency Center
Twitter, like Facebook, has an Ads Transparency Center where you can view currently running ad campaigns on the network.
- Search for advertising using a keyword, advertiser name, or username.
- Filter your search results based on geography, campaign purpose, and creative format.
- View the ad copy and imagery used in competition ads on Twitter.
- Learn about the targeting choices used to reach specific demographics and interests.
3. LinkedIn Ads Benchmarking
LinkedIn, the professional networking platform, also provides ad campaign benchmarking tools to help you better understand your competitors’ strategies.
Using LinkedIn Ads Benchmarking Tools for Competitor Analysis:
- Access LinkedIn Campaign Explorer to view samples of ad creatives from other businesses in your sector.
- Analyze industry standards for key performance indicators (KPIs) such as click-through rates and cost-per-click (CPC) to determine how your campaigns compare.
- Learn about the targeting choices used by successful LinkedIn ad campaigns.
Strategies for Monitoring LinkedIn Advertising Campaigns
- LinkedIn’s ad benchmarking tools help identify content that resonates with professional audiences.
- Determine the average cost of advertising to your target audience on LinkedIn.
- Improve your own LinkedIn ad targeting tactics to achieve greater results.
How Do You Do a Competitor Analysis?
Ad intelligence tools provide a wealth of data, but proper marketing magic happens when you translate that data into actionable insights through competitor analysis. Here’s a structured approach to maximize the effectiveness of your tools to find your competitor’s ads:
1. Identify Your True Competitors
Don’t follow industry leaders. Size and target audience are crucial. Analyze marketing efforts from firms that are most comparable to yours. This allows you to compare tactics based on your individual market position.
For example, a small coffee business with 1,000 followers should not be compared to large conglomerates. Context is significant; focus on firms fighting for the same share of the customer pie.
2. Prioritize Data-Driven Insights
- Consider a data-driven approach before getting into the “why” of rival messaging.
- Analyze indicators that will provide a comprehensive picture of their advertising activities.
- Track posting frequency to better understand the content release cycle.
- To evaluate their content strategy, consider the promotional to non-promotional pieces ratio.
- Determine the top-performing keywords and hashtags they use to discover what connects with their target audience.
- These measurable indicators add vital background before looking into the qualitative parts of their messaging.
3. Translate Analysis into Action
Don’t let insights become dust. Use them to improve your own approach. You may have discovered a wealth of relevant keywords to target and include in your marketing campaigns. Perhaps the competition research shows you that you need to raise your content production game based on the volume and frequency of their articles.
The idea is to turn data into concrete activities that will improve your advertising efforts. Remember, the more you understand your rivals’ techniques, the more prepared you will be to generate compelling commercials and meet your marketing objectives.
Conclusion
Staying ahead in the digital advertising industry necessitates ongoing learning and adaptability. Marketers use tools to find your competitor’s ads to obtain a competitive advantage. These platforms give significant information about competition strategy, effective ad styles, and popular items.
This newly acquired information enables you to use these tools to analyze high-performing campaigns. You can detect winning ad pieces and refine your targeting with pinpoint accuracy. However, the success of any tool is highly reliant on the user.
Explore these ad intelligence platforms to find the one that best meets your needs, and think about adding Predis.ai. Combining data research with a better understanding of your target demographic allows you to create highly effective marketing campaigns that drive success. Sign up for a free account today!
