How to use the Facebook Ad Library, step by step
The Ad Library is a public Meta website that gathers active ads from Facebook, Instagram and the company's other platforms. It's a way to study the market before you invest.
How to search
- Open the Ad Library.
- Select the country where you want to sell.
- Under category, choose All ads.
- Search a niche keyword, a sales phrase or an advertiser's name.
The most useful filters
- Status: keep it on active to see what's running now.
- Platform: separate Facebook and Instagram if the difference matters to you.
- Media type: videos, images or all.
- Date: ads that started longer ago are usually the most tested.
What to search to find offers
Instead of just your niche name, use words common in sales ads, such as free shipping, shop now, money-back guarantee, limited time and instant access, along with your topic.
How to read an ad
Each card shows when the ad started and whether it has several versions. A long running time is a good sign, because few people keep a money-losing ad live for months. Still, it's a signal, not proof of sales.
How to save time
Comparing hundreds of cards by hand is tiring. Prospect Spy works on top of the Library itself: it shows days running and copies on each ad, filters results, searches automatically and downloads the videos and images.
Read next
- How to find out what products are selling online
- What is a low-ticket offer and how to choose one
- How to choose good affiliate products to promote
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ad Library free?
Yes. Anyone can search it without paying.
Does it show how much an advertiser spent?
Generally not for commercial ads. Spend appears on ads about politics and social issues.
Why does an ad disappear from the list?
When the advertiser pauses it, it stops showing among active ads.