Swipe Inspo Like a Pro: How I Use Meta’s Ad Library to Build Better Social Ads
Sometimes the best ideas for your next ad don’t come from your own brand, they come from the competition. And thanks to Meta’s Ad Library, you don’t have to guess what your competitors might be running. You can literally go see it.
This isn’t some shady backdoor trick. I actually have a post about how to navigate to this tool within the Meta platform, just to get you started!
Why I Use Meta’s Ad Library
Let’s be real: social ad creative can be a grind. It’s not just about writing copy and picking a photo, it’s about finding the right combo of message, visuals, and format that makes people stop scrolling. Like most people who are managing paid social campaigns, I’m very aware of the stack of hats on top of my head and graphic designer being one of them. It’s not just delivering ideas but ideas that I could then produce.
It helps me:
- See trends across the industry
- Identify gaps in tone, offer, or positioning
- Get visual direction for ad layouts and CTAs
- Confirm if a competitor is pushing heavy into ads (or laying low)
What to Look For
Here’s what I zero in on:
- Creative layout: Are they using photos, carousels, Reels-style video?
- Messaging: What kind of hook are they using in the first line?
- Format: Are they testing long-form copy or punchy one-liners?
- Design themes: Colors, typography, image style.
A Word of Caution Re: Copying
Don’t just steal. Be smarter than that. Use these ads as your starting point, not your final draft. Ask: “What is this ad doing well? How would I make it feel more like my brand?”
Great creative doesn’t come from a vacuum. It’s built on context, curiosity, and yes, a little light competitor spying.
Final Thoughts
Meta’s Ad Library isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a tool I use regularly to stay ahead of the curve, especially when working with limited creative resources or helping brands reposition their messaging. It sparks ideas, shows what’s working (and what’s tired), and most importantly, it can shortcut your brainstorming process in a big way.
Need help turning your inspiration into action? I’m your girl. From strategy to execution, I know how to turn swipe-worthy ideas into scroll-stopping ads.
