Ad glossary
Ad spy tool
Software that collects and organises publicly visible ads so marketers can research competitors, trends and creative ideas.
An ad spy tool is software that gathers publicly visible ads and makes them searchable, so marketers can study what competitors and other brands are running. Despite the name, reputable tools work with ads that are already public, such as those in the Meta Ad Library, rather than accessing private account data.
What ad spy tools are used for
- Competitor research: see which products, offers and messages rivals are promoting.
- Creative inspiration: browse hooks, formats and ad angles across a category before briefing new ads.
- Product research: spot items many stores are advertising, which can hint at a winning product.
- Longevity signals: ads that keep running for a long time may be profitable enough to keep funding, although run time alone does not prove results.
What to look for
- The size and freshness of the ad database, and which countries it covers.
- Search and filtering that match how you actually research.
- Ways to save and organise findings, such as a swipe file or boards.
- Clear information about where the data comes from.
How PixelSpyer helps
PixelSpyer is an ad spy tool built on the public Meta Ad Library. You can search more than 3 million Facebook and Instagram ads, mostly with EU and UK delivery, in the ad library; follow competitors with the brand tracker; save ads into a swipe file; draft copy in AI Studio; and inspect Shopify stores with Store Spy. See pricing for plan details. PixelSpyer is not affiliated with Meta.
Last reviewed Oct 27, 2026