How to know if your competitors are running Facebook (Meta) Ads – And should you be too?
Let’s start by clearing something up: they’re not just Facebook ads anymore. Meta Ads now include both Facebook and Instagram, so when you hear someone talk about running Meta campaigns, they’re (hopefully) referring to a cohesive presence across both platforms.
For a lot of businesses, Meta Ads have become a bit of a default. They’re accessible, relatively cheap to get started with, and offer granular targeting. But like most things in marketing, just because it’s easy to start doesn’t mean it’s easy to do well.
So, how do you know if your competitors are running Meta Ads?
First and simplest – have you seen them?
If you’re being served ads from a competing brand, they’re probably targeting your demographic or interests. That’s one sign. But if you want to go looking, Meta makes it relatively easy.
- Head to their Facebook page and hit ‘About’.
- Scroll down to Page Transparency (on the left sidebar)
- Click “See all”
- Then scroll to the ‘Ad Library’.
If they’re running ads, you should see them there.
How do you know if the ads are any good?
Now this is where it gets a bit murky. Without seeing their performance data, you can’t say with certainty if the campaign is working. But you can make educated guesses.
Ask yourself:
- Are the creatives high quality and engaging?
- Is the copy clear, persuasive, and well-targeted?
- What’s the call to action? Does it match the intent of the message?
- Does the landing page experience align with the ad, or does it feel out of place and scattered?
- Would you take action if you saw it?
All of these components matter. A Meta campaign is a sequence of micro-decisions that need to flow together to create one cohesive user journey, and when just one part is off results can suffer.
Should you be running Meta Ads?
Maybe. Maybe not. This isn’t one of those “always yes” moments. We tend to recommend Meta ads as part of a broader digital strategy, not a one-off tactic. The platform is powerful, no doubt, but if you’re just boosting posts in the hope something sticks, you’re probably not going to see a meaningful return.
Here’s a better way to think about it (and also a few things you’ll get asked by us upon engagement):
- What are you actually trying to achieve?
Leads? Sales? Event sign ups? Each goal needs a different approach.
- What’s your margin?
If you’re spending $20 to sell a $25 product with $10 in margin, you’re not building a business, you’re burning cash.
- Is your audience on Meta?
Chances are yes, most demographics are. But are they in the right frame of mind to engage? If you’re trying to sell high-ticket B2B services, maybe not.
- Are you targeting cold, warm, or hot traffic?
There’s a world of difference between a brand awareness ad and a remarketing campaign. Meta gives you the tools to build both – but you need to know which lever to pull, and when.
- What happens after the click?
If the post-ad experience isn’t strong, whether that’s your landing page, your sales funnel, or your email follow up, your ads are doing all the heavy lifting with no support.
So, where does that leave you?
The truth is, Meta Ads can be a game-changer, that’s if they’re relevant to your business. Success comes from clarity, consistency, and a strategic framework that ties everything together.
If you’re unsure where to start, or if your current setup could be sharper, let’s talk. We can help cut through the noise and get you moving with confidence.
Have a project in mind?
Let’s talk.
