> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/features/creative-intelligence/competitor-ads-meta.md).

# Competitor Ads Monitor (Meta)

The Competitor Ads Monitor scans the **Meta Ad Library** (Meta's public ads transparency archive) for ads currently running by competitor Pages you specify. SMAQ pulls the creative, copy, and platforms each ad runs on; the AI surfaces themes, new launches, and shifts in messaging.

### What you need

* A Meta Ads connection isn't required — the Ad Library is public.
* The exact Facebook Page URL or Page name for each competitor (e.g. `https://facebook.com/nike` or just `nike`).
* The country whose Ad Library to scan (Meta partitions by country).

### Configuration

> **\[Screenshot needed]** Competitor Ads Monitor configuration form with three competitor Page URLs entered and country set to "United States".

#### Competitor Pages

Add one or more competitor Pages. Each entry includes:

* **Page name or URL**
* **Label** (optional — how you want to refer to them in the email)

You can monitor up to 10 competitor Pages per automation. For more, create multiple automations.

#### Country

Pick the country whose Ad Library to scan. Meta partitions ads geographically — a brand running ads in the US and Germany shows different sets of ads in each.

#### Schedule

Weekly is the standard cadence. Creative trends don't move fast enough to need daily.

### Output

Every run produces:

* **An email** with grouped ad creatives per competitor, themes the AI extracted, and any "new this week" callouts.
* **A snapshot** with the full creative grid — viewable in-app under the automation's Snapshots tab.

> **\[Screenshot needed]** Example email output showing three competitor sections, each with 4–6 ad thumbnails and one-paragraph theme summaries.

### Tips

* **Pick true competitors, not aspirational ones.** Tracking a Nike-sized brand is interesting but rarely actionable.
* **Track 2–5 competitors per monitor.** Beyond 5, the email gets too long to read.
* **Use the labels.** "Direct competitor — local SEO" beats "competitor #3" when you're scanning the email.
* **Watch for new copy angles**, not just new visuals. A competitor shifting from product-led to lifestyle-led copy is signal.

### Limitations

* **Only ads currently running.** Past ads are visible in the Ad Library but SMAQ focuses on live ones.
* **Spend isn't visible.** The Ad Library doesn't share spend (with rare political-ads exceptions).
* **Audience info isn't visible.** You see the ad, not who it's targeted at.

### Tier availability

* **Scale & Agency** — fully available.
* **Starter, Growth** — not available.

### Related

* [Google Competitor Ads Monitor](/documentation/features/creative-intelligence/google-competitor-ads.md) — the equivalent for Google Ads.
* [Ad Fatigue Detector](/documentation/features/creative-intelligence/ad-fatigue-detector.md) — for your own ads, not competitors'.