Advertisers are aware of how difficult online competition can be. When it comes to Facebook Ads, even the slightest edge might make all the difference. Sure, you may have the expertise, strategy, and sharp intellect to create compelling ads, but what happens when those ads begin to plateau? So, what steps can you take to boost ROI? Enter: the Facebook Ad Library (or, as everyone can also refer to, Meta Ads Library).
The Facebook Ads Library is a data lover’s dream. You can access information on every current Facebook ad, including who created it, what it looks like, and when it appeared.
Facebook (Meta) created the tool to improve transparency and provide users with access to information about the ads they see daily. The Facebook Ads Library is a resource for marketers trying to improve their own ads. By researching successful Facebook ads, you may learn how to make your own ads more effective.
Let’s take a deeper look at the Facebook Ads Library and how you can use it to boost your Facebook ads.
What is the Facebook Ad Library?
The Facebook Ad Library is a searchable database belonging to every active ad on Facebook. The library contains information on who created the ad, when it was released, and what type of creativity was used to accompany it.
Especially, any published Facebook ad will be shown in the ad library for up to 7 years.
Why is this significant?
Well, the ad library provides a method for consumers to see what Facebook is up to. The library was originally founded in response to Facebook’s 2016 political ad controversy to enhance transparency.
The Facebook Ads Library is a gold mine of information for marketers. In detail, you can use it to discover what your rivals are up to, acquire marketing ideas, and track your progress over time.
The following are some of the best features of the Facebook Ad Library:
- Ability to view ads from all across the world
- Access to competitor ads for research purposes
- Transparency for political advertisements and lobbying
- Creative ideas for future advertising
How to Use the Facebook Ad Library to Improve Your Ads
The Facebook Ads Library is user-friendly and accessible to everyone, from first-time Facebook advertisers to experienced experts.
First, to access the Facebook Ads Library, go to facebook.com/ads/library/ and enter your location, category, and keywords.
In the keywords field, you can also enter brand names to find ads from your competitors.
As an example, consider Hootsuite.
For instance, if I’m a marketer who wants to know the types of ads Hootsuite is running in Canada, I’ll use the keywords Canada, All Ads, and Hootsuite.
When I press Enter, I’ll be able to view every ad Hootsuite has run in Canada over the previous 7 years, as well as the date it was published, the ad type used, and other information.
So you’ve got the data, but what does it mean? Let’s look at some of the ways you may use this information to better your Facebook ads.
Look up your competitors’ ads
Looking at what your competitors are doing is one of the best ways to figure out what you should be doing. This is referred to as competitive analysis, and it is an excellent way to learn from others in your industry.
Furthermore, the Facebook Ad Library simplifies the competitive analysis by displaying all of your competitors’ ads. You can also see when and where they’re running them, as well as how they approached their messaging.
Taking note of this content will allow you to modify your Facebook ad strategy to use your competitor’s best tactics (and avoid their worst ones). This can comprise adjusting your budget, changing your targeting, or experimenting with new ad types like video or carousel ads.
Even if you disagree with your competitor’s advertising strategy, there is always something to learn. Competitor data can show you what to do, and what not to do, or provide inspiration for an entirely new strategy.
Use the report feature
Try the report feature if you want even more granular data points.
The Facebook Ad Library report feature allows you to change your general search to filter for ads focusing on politics, elections, or significant social issues.
Also, we can sort data by advertisers, spending amount, or even geographical location.
This shows Facebook’s effort to boost marketing transparency and lets users hold the platform accountable.
For marketers, the report feature can be a goldmine of data for assessing how they are using Facebook ads. Plus, what’s working, what isn’t, and where you need to pivot your strategy.
