Facebook (Meta) Ad Library Scraper

🤖 What does Facebook Ad Library Scraper do?

Facebook Ad Library Scraper enables you to extract data from the Meta Ad Library effortlessly. It collects detailed ad information, helping you analyze and monitor ad campaigns running on Facebook. This tool is especially useful for gathering insights on ad creatives and targeting details.

The scraper collects key ad details such as:

• Ad Archive ID – Unique identifier of the ad in the library
• Ad Text – The body copy of the advertisement
• Caption and CTA – Captions and call-to-action text used in the ad
• Images – Visual assets of the ad
• Link URLs and Descriptions – Destination URLs and accompanying text
• Ad Title – Title or headline of the ad
• Page Information – Page name, profile link, and picture URL
• Run Dates – Start and end dates for the ad campaign

💡 Why scrape the Facebook Ad Library?

Facebook's Ad Library is a comprehensive resource for understanding how advertisers reach audiences on social media. Scraping the Ad Library allows you to:

• Conduct Competitive Analysis: Monitor your competitors' ad strategies and creative trends.
• Perform Market Research: Identify popular ad themes, messaging styles, and creative approaches.
• Analyze Political or Issue-Based Advertising: Gain insights into ad spending and targeting in political or socially relevant campaigns.
• Track Ad Performance: Collect data over time to understand shifts in messaging or creative elements.
• Enhance Digital Marketing Strategies: Learn from successful ad examples and refine your own advertising campaigns.

🚀 How to scrape the Facebook Ad Library

Getting started with Facebook Ad Library Scraper is straightforward:

1. Configure Your Input:
   • Max Items: Set the maximum number of ads to scrape.
   • Search Query: Define a keyword to filter ads (e.g., "pizza").
   • Proxy Configuration: Enable Apify Proxy with the provided residential proxy settings for improved reliability.
2. Run the Scraper:
   • Click on Run to start the scraping process.
3. Access Your Data:
   • Once complete, preview or download the data from the Dataset tab for further analysis.

📝 Input Parameters

The scraper supports the following input parameters to tailor your data collection:

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
maxItems	Integer	Yes	Maximum number of ads to scrape. Must be at least 1. Default is 10.
query	String	Yes	Search query to filter ads in the library. E.g., "pizza".
proxyConfiguration	Object	No	Proxy settings to control how requests are routed. Default is set to use Apify's residential proxy group.

Example input:

1{
2  "maxItems": 10,
3  "query": "pizza",
4  "proxyConfiguration": {
5    "useApifyProxy": true,
6    "apifyProxyGroups": ["RESIDENTIAL"]
7  }
8}

📊 Results

The scraper outputs a comprehensive dataset containing ad details. The overview dataset includes key fields such as:

• ID: ad_archive_id
• Ad Body: snapshot.body.text
• Caption: snapshot.caption
• Call-to-Action: snapshot.cta_text
• Images: snapshot.images
• Link URL and Description: snapshot.link_url, snapshot.link_description
• Ad Title: snapshot.title
• Page Information: snapshot.page_name, snapshot.page_picture_url, snapshot.page_profile_uri
• Campaign Dates: start_date and end_date

Example output snippet:

1[
2  {
3    "ad_archive_id": "574945338232404",
4    "ad_id": null,
5    "archive_types": [],
6    "categories": ["UNKNOWN"],
7    "collation_count": 1,
8    "collation_id": "958408599520543",
9    "contains_digital_created_media": false,
10    "contains_sensitive_content": false,
11    "currency": "",
12    "end_date": 1741334400,
13    "entity_type": "PERSON_PROFILE",
14    "fev_info": null,
15    "finserv_ad_data": {
16      "is_deemed_finserv": false,
17      "is_limited_delivery": false
18    },
19    "gated_type": "ELIGIBLE",
20    "has_user_reported": false,
21    "hidden_safety_data": false,
22    "hide_data_status": "NONE",
23    "impressions_with_index": {
24      "impressions_text": null,
25      "impressions_index": -1
26    },
27    "is_aaa_eligible": false,
28    "is_active": true,
29    "is_profile_page": false,
30    "menu_items": [],
31    "page_id": "194210777106441",
32    "page_is_deleted": false,
33    "page_name": "Muppet Mania",
34    "political_countries": [],
35    "publisher_platform": ["FACEBOOK"],
36    "reach_estimate": null,
37    "regional_regulation_data": {
38      "finserv": {
39        "is_deemed_finserv": false,
40        "is_limited_delivery": false
41      },
42      "tw_anti_scam": {
43        "is_limited_delivery": false
44      }
45    },
46    "report_count": null,
47    "snapshot": {
48      "body": {
49        "text": "Limited Edition - The Muppets. Order here https://instock.click/uFO7UYBo Store here https://instock.click/6ONATBB3"
50      },
51      "branded_content": null,
52      "brazil_tax_id": null,
53      "byline": null,
54      "caption": "https://instock.click/uFO7UYBo",
55      "cards": [],
56      "cta_text": "Shop now",
57      "cta_type": "SHOP_NOW",
58      "country_iso_code": null,
59      "current_page_name": "Muppet Mania",
60      "disclaimer_label": null,
61      "display_format": "IMAGE",
62      "event": null,
63      "images": [
64        {
65          "original_image_url": "https://scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466796040_966955675270816_7713969994976429478_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MwuKQ9q2dqQQ7kNvgEQWv67&_nc_oc=AdiSj7lwZTQSIBGo_6s0sJbdZir2w_YLjvTL63GYBenPP7vhEUYnhgjRmRwopVt1LE4&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&_nc_gid=AMaDjxNM8hqmHDixF9hivU_&oh=00_AYGGq6E8bLhbY_m-ShVQ5k4Ln-3OoTSWBNY7xkoUM7XTbw&oe=67D3D3F4",
66          "resized_image_url": "https://scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/467006778_3951980601753306_1553261810657438408_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s600x600_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=F2DWoA0iQ6UQ7kNvgHADUQS&_nc_oc=AdgU6xpffxVcMl5fZhkDvu4tak0JOdxGBazObDSNAg3GkCuMdNuKGZPckOC4BbknE40&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&_nc_gid=AMaDjxNM8hqmHDixF9hivU_&oh=00_AYETWc9v481I5S_eg1Khiswx8WbcbxqBWg0mXkjBUZ8WiA&oe=67D3B1A6",
67          "watermarked_resized_image_url": "",
68          "image_crops": []
69        }
70      ],
71      "is_reshared": false,
72      "link_description": "Made In USA - Shipping WORLDWIDE !!!",
73      "link_url": "https://instock.click/uFO7UYBo",
74      "page_categories": ["Clothing (Brand)", "Clothing"],
75      "page_entity_type": "PERSON_PROFILE",
76      "page_id": "194210777106441",
77      "page_is_deleted": false,
78      "page_is_profile_page": false,
79      "page_like_count": 284,
80      "page_name": "Muppet Mania",
81      "page_profile_picture_url": "https://scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/467123654_2384554008553482_852696039130416010_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=a2qRTTbNZ4IQ7kNvgHLRoUM&_nc_oc=AdhxfytiSwoXqIgz237JULf2JgCjp6B6vs8N_ZYud9lEcLd-Rsdz82gwhDs5rckOEi4&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&_nc_gid=AMaDjxNM8hqmHDixF9hivU_&oh=00_AYGVjYJiWsnSXiBK1bwxDxCNi7JIWwIaEPDOwEMRG7TtFA&oe=67D3AACD",
82      "page_profile_uri": "https://www.facebook.com/61554673251967/",
83      "root_reshared_post": null,
84      "title": "Only available for a limited time!",
85      "videos": [],
86      "additional_info": null,
87      "ec_certificates": [],
88      "extra_images": [],
89      "extra_links": [],
90      "extra_texts": [],
91      "extra_videos": []
92    },
93    "spend": null,
94    "start_date": 1732089600,
95    "state_media_run_label": null,
96    "targeted_or_reached_countries": [],
97    "total_active_time": null
98  },
99  {
100    "ad_archive_id": "1301653854216941",
101    "ad_id": null,
102    "archive_types": [],
103    "categories": ["UNKNOWN"],
104    "collation_count": 1,
105    "collation_id": "1314177176526490",
106    "contains_digital_created_media": false,
107    "contains_sensitive_content": false,
108    "currency": "",
109    "end_date": 1741507200,
110    "entity_type": "PERSON_PROFILE",
111    "fev_info": null,
112    "finserv_ad_data": {
113      "is_deemed_finserv": false,
114      "is_limited_delivery": false
115    },
116    "gated_type": "ELIGIBLE",
117    "has_user_reported": false,
118    "hidden_safety_data": false,
119    "hide_data_status": "NONE",
120    "impressions_with_index": {
121      "impressions_text": null,
122      "impressions_index": -1
123    },
124    "is_aaa_eligible": false,
125    "is_active": true,
126    "is_profile_page": false,
127    "menu_items": [],
128    "page_id": "113580465338014",
129    "page_is_deleted": false,
130    "page_name": "MetroHealth",
131    "political_countries": [],
132    "publisher_platform": [
133      "FACEBOOK",
134      "INSTAGRAM",
135      "AUDIENCE_NETWORK",
136      "MESSENGER"
137    ],
138    "reach_estimate": null,
139    "regional_regulation_data": {
140      "finserv": {
141        "is_deemed_finserv": false,
142        "is_limited_delivery": false
143      },
144      "tw_anti_scam": {
145        "is_limited_delivery": false
146      }
147    },
148    "report_count": null,
149    "snapshot": {
150      "body": {
151        "text": "Be seen. Be heard. Be well. Be close to home. Find a primary care provider near you at Brooklyn Health Center."
152      },
153      "branded_content": null,
154      "brazil_tax_id": null,
155      "byline": null,
156      "caption": "metrohealth.org",
157      "cards": [
158        {
159          "body": "Primary Care Near You",
160          "caption": "metrohealth.org",
161          "cta_text": "Book Now",
162          "cta_type": "BOOK_TRAVEL",
163          "image_crops": [],
164          "link_description": "Primary Care Near You",
165          "link_url": "https://www.metrohealth.org/physician?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=sr_brooklyn_25&utm_term={{ad.id}}&utm_content=5219096-e32-n-m-c{{campaign.id}}-g{{adset.id}}-a{{ad.id}}-u-cat-k-mod#sort=@providersortname ascending&f:_locations=[Brooklyn Health Center]&f:_acceptingnewpatients=[New Patients]&dq=Primary Care",
166          "original_image_url": "https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/477031806_794050673179535_4488087468182736763_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Crpv-toSO5oQ7kNvgES4PYj&_nc_oc=AdjrIOfT9GsOFlUGgJvFXBC_ynw7HU7xER8FLZFYlIV6HJNDzK-AvQn0yEAnqacLVtc&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad6vkHBiuMXMM-NWkXLrm4N&oh=00_AYGUEQdZ_-xSOZbScd6pbLVq6jyZK8ZgeTKihWc84tyyNw&oe=67D3B404",
167          "resized_image_url": "https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/476640968_1131891544921725_4575722954592771427_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s600x600_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=b8nqZ6HpU78Q7kNvgFiPifO&_nc_oc=Adhfq7J_nV_3Fzp2rq7Bzwo5-vXNhFyNPXHu0bUeFLm3OAfqQiW2qmN9LIqLU0VPnEU&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad6vkHBiuMXMM-NWkXLrm4N&oh=00_AYFGYXfWTJNTqcO7u6hTN7kQyYXc4JJ8-06XvTQxvVdv5g&oe=67D3BB46",
168          "watermarked_resized_image_url": "",
169          "title": "MetroHealth Brooklyn Health Center",
170          "video_hd_url": null,
171          "video_preview_image_url": null,
172          "video_sd_url": null,
173          "watermarked_video_hd_url": null,
174          "watermarked_video_sd_url": null
175        },
176        {
177          "body": "Primary Care Near You",
178          "caption": "metrohealth.org",
179          "cta_text": "Book Now",
180          "cta_type": "BOOK_TRAVEL",
181          "image_crops": [],
182          "link_description": "Primary Care Near You",
183          "link_url": "https://www.metrohealth.org/physician?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=sr_brooklyn_25&utm_term={{ad.id}}&utm_content=5219096-e32-n-m-c{{campaign.id}}-g{{adset.id}}-a{{ad.id}}-u-cat-k-mod#sort=@providersortname ascending&f:_locations=[Brooklyn Health Center]&f:_acceptingnewpatients=[New Patients]&dq=Primary Care",
184          "original_image_url": "https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/477784167_605872365394439_6503609582302738994_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_fCcutciYEIQ7kNvgEE_4Ie&_nc_oc=AdhkvvEdz9KM3xzpUgSFNUZSCXMTXaVJJxVaBVS16EtolHQG_Q-smZTDLELROyCBFmc&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad6vkHBiuMXMM-NWkXLrm4N&oh=00_AYFOW7A3fMGb84TSYgCeO3vLlA9HpSwkujMveRCxq7S3VA&oe=67D3D72D",
185          "resized_image_url": "https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/477308427_3944113485877256_1788753183015552393_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s600x600_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=r_2g_8P6Z-MQ7kNvgGdCsFi&_nc_oc=Adg5GPWZ0r0_jvbDm8CJ0xVFOrVHsM-j9ztlTsUjAOdFi1xFZ8_92AXp-uxAz4uJOf0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad6vkHBiuMXMM-NWkXLrm4N&oh=00_AYEFKN8Pqgm45SJ7p5EXwQLD9LQP_-9QAXPIjacwEoVkGQ&oe=67D3AE90",
186          "watermarked_resized_image_url": "",
187          "title": "MetroHealth Brooklyn Health Center",
188          "video_hd_url": null,
189          "video_preview_image_url": null,
190          "video_sd_url": null,
191          "watermarked_video_hd_url": null,
192          "watermarked_video_sd_url": null
193        }
194      ],
195      "cta_text": null,
196      "cta_type": null,
197      "country_iso_code": null,
198      "current_page_name": "MetroHealth",
199      "disclaimer_label": null,
200      "display_format": "CAROUSEL",
201      "event": null,
202      "images": [],
203      "is_reshared": false,
204      "link_description": null,
205      "link_url": "https://www.metrohealth.org/",
206      "page_categories": ["Hospital"],
207      "page_entity_type": "PERSON_PROFILE",
208      "page_id": "113580465338014",
209      "page_is_deleted": false,
210      "page_is_profile_page": false,
211      "page_like_count": 16153,
212      "page_name": "MetroHealth",
213      "page_profile_picture_url": "https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/476609870_909946101016355_8282851577385213530_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QrOSUqV76JYQ7kNvgGxi22U&_nc_oc=AdgAdjRtkHmtsnGc9Jsdw3ER65Mh3gwZALwiZ_CSD7AJA_8oJJMHOm4rS9QSTAaYwG4&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad6vkHBiuMXMM-NWkXLrm4N&oh=00_AYGdtOP3ykUYLZbE7TRr0DZrh2xBmKHdpk5jqaKE4Zoh2Q&oe=67D3ADAC",
214      "page_profile_uri": "https://www.facebook.com/metrohealthCLE/",
215      "root_reshared_post": null,
216      "title": "MetroHealth",
217      "videos": [],
218      "additional_info": null,
219      "ec_certificates": [],
220      "extra_images": [],
221      "extra_links": [],
222      "extra_texts": [],
223      "extra_videos": []
224    },
225    "spend": null,
226    "start_date": 1739433600,
227    "state_media_run_label": null,
228    "targeted_or_reached_countries": [],
229    "total_active_time": null
230  }
231]

🌍 Proxy Usage

To ensure high success rates and minimize detection risks, Facebook Ad Library Scraper utilizes Apify's proxy infrastructure. Benefits include:

• Enhanced reliability and consistent access to Facebook's Ad Library.
• Ability to scrape data from different geographic locations.
• Protection against IP blocking during high-frequency data collection.

⚖️ Legal Considerations

When using Facebook Ad Library Scraper, please consider the following:

• Respect the Platform's Terms: Ensure your use case complies with Facebook's terms of service and policies.
• Avoid Overloading Servers: Implement reasonable request rates to avoid overwhelming the website.
• Data Privacy Regulations: Be aware of and comply with personal data protection laws like GDPR.
• Legal Advice: If uncertain about the legal implications, consult with a legal professional.

For more insights on web scraping legality, please refer to our blog post: is web scraping legal?