4 Facebook Ad Library Scrapers for Competitor Research [2025]

Manual copy-pasting from the Meta ad library wastes time. A Facebook Ad Library scraper pulls headlines, creatives, and run dates from thousands of ads instantly.

Tools like Apify, PhantomBuster, and Stevesie help marketers track trends, build swipe files, and catch new launches fast. This guide shows what these tools do, what they miss, and how to pick the right one.

In this article, we’ll cover: 

• What a Facebook Ad Library scraper is
• What you can scrape from the Ad Library
• 4 top tools in 2025
• What scrapers can’t do
• Scrapers vs performance tools

What is a Facebook Ad Library scraper?

A Facebook Ad Library scraper is a tool that automatically pulls public ad data from Meta’s Ad Library. It collects things like headlines, creative assets, and page names without manual copying.

Advertisers use Facebook ad scrapers because Meta doesn’t offer a way to export or track ad history in bulk. If you want to see which ads a competitor runs and when they run them, scraping saves a lot of time.

Some common use cases include competitor research, ad trend analysis, and building creative inspiration boards. Some marketers use this data to spot seasonal patterns or prepare for upcoming sales cycles.

Is it legal to scrape the Meta Ad Library?

Scraping the Meta Ad Library isn’t usually illegal, but it can go against Meta’s terms of service and lead to IP blocks or account restrictions. Laws vary by location, so it’s smart to review local regulations and Meta’s rules before using any scraper.

Some tools stay compliant by using Meta’s official API, while others rely on browser automation, which carries more risk. If you’re scraping at scale, it’s safer to use platforms that respect rate limits and mimic human behavior.

To stay out of trouble, review each tool’s method and make sure you’re not violating Meta’s policies through aggressive scraping.

What data can you scrape from the Facebook Ad Library?

You can scrape several types of public data from the Meta Ad Library. Most scrapers pull:

• Headline: The main text of the ad
  
  
• Primary text: Any supporting copy above the creative
  
  
• Creative asset URL: Direct links to images or videos
  
  
• Page name: The name of the advertiser running the ad
  
  
• Run date: When the ad started showing
  
  
• Platform: Whether the ad runs on Facebook, Instagram, or both

Types of scrapers

There are two main types of Facebook Ad Library scrapers: API-based and visual. 

API scrapers offer more stability and follow Meta’s official framework, which helps with compliance. Visual scrapers, like browser-based tools, give you more flexibility but break more easily when Meta updates its layout. They also face higher chances of detection and rate limits.

What can’t scrapers do? 

Facebook Ad Library scrapers only collect static, public-facing data. They don’t show how ads perform or who sees them.

Here’s what you won’t get from a scraper:

• No performance metrics: You won’t see click-through rate (CTR), return on ad spend (ROAS), cost per mille (CPM), or ad spend. You also won’t see anything about your creative performance.
  
  
• No ad testing history: There’s no way to track changes, fatigue, or past iterations
  
  
• No audience insights: Scrapers can’t show targeting, demographics, or lookalikes.
  
  
• No funnel context: You can’t see where the ad fits in a broader campaign.
  
  
• No improvement tools: Scrapers don’t offer feedback or creative suggestions.

4 Top Facebook Ad Library scraper tools in 2025

These Facebook Ad Library scrapers all pull public ad data, but they use different methods and come with tradeoffs. Some are better for automation. Others do well with creative research or API access. This table breaks down how each one works, along with pros, cons, and ideal use cases:

Scraper vs. performance tools: What’s the better choice?

Scrapers show what competitors have already done. They’re reactive tools that help you collect ad examples and track trends, but they don’t help you improve your own ads.

Creative performance platforms like Bestever take a more active approach. They analyze your ad data after launch and look at your creative frame-by-frame to highlight what’s working and suggest changes to fix what isn’t.

Use a Facebook Ad Library scraper to gather ideas. Then use Bestever to turn those ideas into better-performing creatives.

How Bestever works alongside a Facebook Ad Library scraper

A Facebook Ad Library scraper helps you collect ad examples, but it doesn’t show you what actually performs. You won’t see which elements drive results or how to improve your own ads.

Bestever picks up where scrapers stop. It integrates directly with Facebook Ad Manager and ad accounts. It also analyzes your actual ad performance data after launch, highlights what works, and gives you clear suggestions to improve performance.

Here’s how: 

• Analyze your ads' effectiveness: Bestever’s Ad Analysis Dashboard gives you instant feedback on each ad’s visual impact, brand fit, adherence to ad sizes, and engagement potential. It’ll even break down each element in detail. 
  ‍
• Get suggestions to improve every frame: If an ad isn’t hitting the mark, ask Bestever to tell you what’s wrong and get instant, actionable suggestions on what to do to fix it. No more guessing or wasting time, your team can start fixing those issues asap. 
  ‍
• Understand your audience: Bestever analyzes your website, ad account, and creative history to identify the people most likely to engage. It also helps you shape messaging that aligns with Facebook advertising rules and resonates with the right segments.
  ‍
• Rapid asset generation: Fetch AI-generated images, stock photos, and video clips that all fit your brand voice. Then you can share the creatives with your team to create multiple ad variations more quickly.‍
• Instant feedback loop: Know immediately why an ad variant underperforms, then pivot before wasting your budget.

Ready to cut wasted spend and launch stronger ads faster? Let our team show you how you can use Bestever to test creatives, track performance, and improve results.

Try a demo of Bestever for free. 

Frequently asked questions

What’s the best tool to scrape Facebook ads?

The best tool to scrape Facebook ads is Apify if you want scheduled browser-based scraping with no code. This approach works well but carries more risk of breakage or account flagging. For more stability, Stevesie uses the official Facebook Ad Library API and avoids layout issues. Foreplay is better if you’re focused on creative inspiration and organizing visual swipe files.

Can I export data from the Facebook Ad Library?

You can’t export data directly from the Facebook Ad Library using Meta’s interface. You’ll need to use a scraper or API-based tool to pull ad text, creative URLs, and run dates.

Is there an API for the Facebook Ad Library?

Yes, there is a Facebook Ad Library API. Meta provides official access to public ad data, though it comes with limitations and strict rate caps.

What’s the difference between scraping and using Meta’s API?

The difference between scraping and using Meta’s API is how data gets collected. Scraping pulls what’s shown on the screen, while the API delivers data in a structured, rule-based format. Scraping offers more flexibility, but APIs are more stable and compliant.

Can I get performance data from scraped ads?

No, you can’t get performance data from scraped ads. The Facebook Ad Library only includes creative elements, advertiser names, and start dates. It doesn’t show engagement metrics, spend, CTR, or targeting details.

What are the risks of using a scraper?

The risks of using a scraper include potential IP blocks or account restrictions from Meta. These actions are more likely if your scraping is aggressive, frequent, or violates Meta’s automated access policies.

Are ad scrapers worth using in 2025?

Yes, ad scrapers are worth using in 2025 if you want to speed up research and build a creative swipe file. Just know they don’t help with performance or testing.

Is there a better alternative to scraping competitor ads?

Yes, creative analysis tools are a better alternative to scraping if you want to improve performance. Tools like Bestever analyze your actual ad results and help you test creative variations.

Can I use a design tool to generate ads instead?

Yes, you can use a design tool to generate ads. Platforms like AdCreative let you build image and text ads quickly, but they don’t show what works after launch.

What’s the difference between a Facebook ads finder and a scraper?

The difference between a Facebook ads finder and a scraper is scale. An ads finder helps you search and view individual ads, while a scraper pulls data in bulk for deeper analysis.

Where can I find old Facebook ads in the archive?

You can browse active and recently inactive Facebook ads using Meta’s Ad Library. To track older ads or monitor changes over time, you’ll need a scraper or regular API exports.