# What is the Meta Ad Library?

> The Meta Ad Library is Meta's free public search of ads running on Facebook, Instagram and Messenger. What it shows, what it hides and how to search it.
- **Author**: Marxx
- **Published**: 2026-10-26
- **Category**: Meta
- **URL**: https://marxx.ai/library-glossary/meta-ad-library

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The Meta Ad Library is a free public website where anyone can see the ads currently running on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, Threads and Meta's Audience Network. You do not need a Facebook account or an ad account to search it.

## What it shows

- Every active ad from any page, in the country you pick
- The ad's text, image or video and its call to action
- The date it started running
- The platforms it runs on
- Whether it has several versions

## What it does not show, for most ads

- Spend, reach or results
- Who the ad targets
- Ads after they stop running
- Ads with age-restricted content, such as alcohol or gambling, unless you are logged in and old enough (checked 2026-10-20)

Two kinds of ads get more detail. Ads about social issues, elections or politics show spend and impression ranges. Ads shown in the EU and the UK show reach and targeting. Meta keeps them after they stop: 7 years for political ads, 1 year for EU and UK ads (checked 2026-10-20).

## How to search it

1. Go to [facebook.com/ads/library](https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/).
2. Pick a **country** and **All ads**.
3. Type a brand name and choose its page, or search a keyword.
4. Use **Filters** for platform, media type, language and active status.

## A worked example

Say you sell protein bars and want to see what a rival runs. You search its page in India and filter to active ads. It shows 31 ads. Five have run for more than 60 days, and four of those open with a taste test. That is the angle the rival keeps paying for, and a clue for your next test.

## Tips

- Read the **Started running on** date on each ad. Long-running ads are the ones that probably work.
- Check the same brand in other countries; it may test ideas abroad first.
- Save what you find. Outside political, EU and UK ads, the library drops ads once they stop. It can save a search, but the menu on each ad offers only **Report ad** and **Copy Ad Link**.

## FAQ

### Is the Meta Ad Library free?

Yes, for everyone.

### Can I download ads from it?

There is no download button on an ad. Meta's help page says you can download Ad Library searches if you are logged in to Facebook and accept its terms (checked 2026-10-20). Teams also use screenshots or a browser extension to save ads, for research only.

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