# Ads Library Scraper for Facebook Meta (`nocodeventure/ads-library-scraper-for-facebook-meta`) Actor A production-ready Apify Actor that extracts ad data from the Meta (Facebook) Ads Library with advanced bot-detection bypass, deep data extraction via GraphQL, and human-behaviour simulation. Bypasses bot detection — advanced fingerprint evasion, TLS randomisation, and geo-aligned browser profiles. - **URL**: https://apify.com/nocodeventure/ads-library-scraper-for-facebook-meta.md - **Developed by:** [No-Code Venture](https://apify.com/nocodeventure) (community) - **Categories:** Social media, Automation - **Stats:** 3 total users, 2 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $2.25 / 1,000 single results This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## Meta Ads Library Scraper A production-ready Apify Actor that extracts ad data from the [Meta (Facebook) Ads Library](https://www.facebook.com/ads/library) with advanced bot-detection bypass, deep data extraction via GraphQL, and human-behaviour simulation. --- ### Features - **Bypasses bot detection** — advanced fingerprint evasion, TLS randomisation, and geo-aligned browser profiles keep the scraper undetected - **Deep data extraction** — captures Facebook's internal API responses for richer, more complete ad data than DOM scraping alone - **Behaves like a real user** — randomised scrolling, mouse movement, and timing patterns avoid triggering rate limits - **Optional proxy** — Apify residential or datacenter proxy when you need geo-specific egress or to recover from HTTP 403 - **Infinite-scroll handling** — automatically loads more ads as you scroll - **Flexible output** — basic, detailed, or full ad data formats --- ### Input Provide **either** `startUrls` (direct Ads Library URLs) **or** a `searchQuery` (and optional filters). Defaults below match `INPUT_SCHEMA.json`. | Parameter | Type | Default | Description | |---|---|---|---| | `startUrls` | array | — | Optional. List of `https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/...` URLs; when set, `searchQuery` and filter fields are ignored | | `searchQuery` | string | `Nike` | Search term (e.g. company name, keyword). Ignored when `startUrls` is provided | | `country` | string | `ALL` | Country code for ad targeting (e.g. `US`, `IT`, `GB`) | | `adType` | string | `ALL` | Ad type filter: `ALL`, `POLITICAL_AND_ISSUE_ADS`, `HOUSING_ADS`, `EMPLOYMENT_ADS`, `CREDIT_ADS` | | `maxAds` | integer | `5` | Maximum number of ads to scrape (1–10 000) | | `includeInactive` | boolean | `false` | Include inactive (ended) ads | | `proxyConfiguration` | object | Apify proxy **off** (`useApifyProxy: false`) | Optional. Turn on Apify Proxy and e.g. `apifyProxyGroups: ["RESIDENTIAL"]` if you see HTTP 403 or need geo-specific egress | | `outputFormat` | string | `detailed` | Output format: `basic`, `detailed`, or `full` | | `delayBetweenRequests` | integer | `3000` | Delay between scroll iterations in ms (1 000–10 000) | | `pageId` | string | — | Optional Facebook Page ID to scope the search | | `enableGraphQLInterception` | boolean | `true` | Intercept Meta's GraphQL API for richer ad data. **Must be `true` to populate `platforms`** — disabling this leaves `platforms` as `null` on every record | | `fetchAdDetails` | boolean | `true` | Open the details panel per ad (richer fields; slower, ~1–3 s extra per ad) | | `debugScreenshots` | boolean | `false` | Save debug screenshots to the key-value store when no ads are found | --- ### Output Each item in the default dataset represents one ad and includes: - `adId` — Facebook Library ID - `pageName` — advertiser page name - `adContent` — ad body text - `startDate` / `endDate` — ad flight dates - `impressions` / `spend` / `reach` — performance ranges - `platforms` — Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Audience Network, Threads (requires `enableGraphQLInterception: true`) - `adCreative` — image/video URLs - `landingPageUrl` / `ctaText` — call-to-action - `isActive` — whether the ad is currently running - `source` — `graphql_interception` or `dom_extraction` --- ### Pricing Model — Pay Per Event This Actor uses the **Pay Per Event** pricing model. You are charged for the specific operations performed during a run, not a flat rental fee. Prices are set in [Apify Console](https://console.apify.com) and are not listed here. Event names and triggers are documented in [`docs/PPE_BILLING_EVENTS.md`](docs/PPE_BILLING_EVENTS.md). #### What is charged automatically Apify charges these events without any action required from you: | Event | When | |---|---| | Actor start | Once per run | | Dataset item | Once per ad record saved | #### What is charged in code | Event | When | Frequency | |---|---|---| | Residential proxy (run fee) | `proxyConfiguration` uses a proxy group (e.g. `RESIDENTIAL`) | Once per run | | Datacenter proxy (run fee) | Apify Proxy without groups, or custom `proxyUrls` | Once per run | | Proxy record surcharge | Any proxy is enabled for the run | Once per ad record saved | | GraphQL record surcharge | `enableGraphQLInterception` is `true` | Once per ad record saved | | Ad details fetch | `fetchAdDetails` is `true` and details are returned for an ad | Per successful details fetch | | Debug screenshot | `debugScreenshots` is `true` and a screenshot is saved | Per screenshot saved | | Memory surcharge | Run is allocated more than 2 GB RAM | 1 event per GB above 2 GB baseline, once per run | #### Memory surcharge examples | Memory | Memory surcharge events | |---|---| | 2 GB | 0 | | 3 GB | 1 | | 4 GB | 2 | | 8 GB | 6 | | 16 GB | 14 | Runs of this Actor on Apify use **at least 2 GB** RAM (`actor.json`). #### Spending limits You can set a maximum cost per run in Apify Console. The Actor respects this limit: - If the limit is reached during startup charges, the run exits gracefully before scraping begins. - If the limit is reached mid-scrape, the current batch is completed and the run exits — all data already collected is preserved. #### Proxy **Default:** Apify Proxy is **off** in the input schema — many runs work without it. If Meta returns **HTTP 403** or you need traffic from a specific region, enable **Apify Proxy** and use a **RESIDENTIAL** group (`apifyProxyGroups: ["RESIDENTIAL"]`) in `proxyConfiguration`. --- ### Memory Requirements This Actor runs a full browser session. **`actor.json` sets `minMemoryMbytes` to 2048**, so Apify runs use **at least 2 GB (2048 MB)** of RAM; you cannot allocate below that for this Actor. Increase memory in Apify Console for very large `maxAds` or if you see out-of-memory warnings. - **Minimum and default:** 2 GB (2048 MB) — `minMemoryMbytes` / `defaultRunOptions.memoryMbytes` in `actor.json` - **Maximum (Actor cap):** 32 GB # Actor input Schema ## `startUrls` (type: `array`): List of Facebook Ad Library URLs to scrape directly. When provided, the Search Query and other filter fields are ignored. Each URL should point to https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/... ## `searchQuery` (type: `string`): Search term for ads (e.g., company name, keyword). Ignored when Start URLs are provided. ## `country` (type: `string`): Country code for ad targeting (e.g., US, IT, GB) ## `adType` (type: `string`): Type of ads to search ## `maxAds` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of ads to scrape. Leave at the default or set a high value to scrape as many as available. ## `includeInactive` (type: `boolean`): Include ads that are no longer active ## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`): Apify RESIDENTIAL proxy is enabled by default. Meta reliably blocks requests without a residential proxy. ## `outputFormat` (type: `string`): Format for the output data ## `delayBetweenRequests` (type: `integer`): Delay between requests to avoid rate limiting ## `pageId` (type: `string`): Specific Facebook Page ID to search ads for ## `enableGraphQLInterception` (type: `boolean`): Intercept GraphQL requests for more comprehensive data (2025 feature) ## `fetchAdDetails` (type: `boolean`): Click 'See ad details' for each scraped ad to extract the full details panel: advertiser and payer names, page handle and follower counts, page category and verification status, landing page URL, and (for EU-targeted ads) age/gender/location targeting and reach by demographics. Produces much richer output but takes longer — roughly 1-3 extra seconds per ad. ## `debugScreenshots` (type: `boolean`): Save screenshots to key-value store when no ads are found, to help diagnose bot-detection or page-load issues. ## Actor input object example ```json { "startUrls": [ { "url": "https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?q=Nike&country=US&ad_type=all&active_status=all" } ], "searchQuery": "Nike", "country": "US", "adType": "ALL", "maxAds": 5, "includeInactive": false, "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": false, "apifyProxyGroups": [ "RESIDENTIAL" ] }, "outputFormat": "detailed", "delayBetweenRequests": 3000, "pageId": "123456789", "enableGraphQLInterception": true, "fetchAdDetails": true, "debugScreenshots": false } ```` # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = {}; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("nocodeventure/ads-library-scraper-for-facebook-meta").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = {} # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("nocodeventure/ads-library-scraper-for-facebook-meta").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{}' | apify call nocodeventure/ads-library-scraper-for-facebook-meta --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=nocodeventure/ads-library-scraper-for-facebook-meta", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Ads Library Scraper for Facebook Meta", "description": "A production-ready Apify Actor that extracts ad data from the Meta (Facebook) Ads Library with advanced bot-detection bypass, deep data extraction via GraphQL, and human-behaviour simulation.\n\nBypasses bot detection — advanced fingerprint evasion, TLS randomisation, and geo-aligned browser profiles.", "version": "0.0", "x-build-id": "KPQpSchWzjWfNYK2q" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/nocodeventure~ads-library-scraper-for-facebook-meta/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-nocodeventure-ads-library-scraper-for-facebook-meta", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/nocodeventure~ads-library-scraper-for-facebook-meta/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-nocodeventure-ads-library-scraper-for-facebook-meta", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/nocodeventure~ads-library-scraper-for-facebook-meta/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-nocodeventure-ads-library-scraper-for-facebook-meta", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "startUrls": { "title": "Start URLs", "type": "array", "description": "List of Facebook Ad Library URLs to scrape directly. When provided, the Search Query and other filter fields are ignored. Each URL should point to https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/...", "items": { "type": "object", "required": [ "url" ], "properties": { "url": { "type": "string", "title": "URL of a web page", "format": "uri" } } } }, "searchQuery": { "title": "Search Query", "type": "string", "description": "Search term for ads (e.g., company name, keyword). Ignored when Start URLs are provided.", "default": "Nike" }, "country": { "title": "Country", "type": "string", "description": "Country code for ad targeting (e.g., US, IT, GB)", "default": "ALL" }, "adType": { "title": "Ad Type", "enum": [ "ALL", "POLITICAL_AND_ISSUE_ADS", "HOUSING_ADS", "EMPLOYMENT_ADS", "CREDIT_ADS" ], "type": "string", "description": "Type of ads to search", "default": "ALL" }, "maxAds": { "title": "Maximum Ads", "minimum": 1, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of ads to scrape. Leave at the default or set a high value to scrape as many as available.", "default": 5 }, "includeInactive": { "title": "Include Inactive Ads", "type": "boolean", "description": "Include ads that are no longer active", "default": false }, "proxyConfiguration": { "title": "Proxy Configuration", "type": "object", "description": "Apify RESIDENTIAL proxy is enabled by default. Meta reliably blocks requests without a residential proxy.", "default": { "useApifyProxy": false, "apifyProxyGroups": [ "RESIDENTIAL" ] } }, "outputFormat": { "title": "Output Format", "enum": [ "basic", "detailed", "full" ], "type": "string", "description": "Format for the output data", "default": "detailed" }, "delayBetweenRequests": { "title": "Delay Between Requests (ms)", "minimum": 1000, "maximum": 10000, "type": "integer", "description": "Delay between requests to avoid rate limiting", "default": 3000 }, "pageId": { "title": "Page ID (Optional)", "type": "string", "description": "Specific Facebook Page ID to search ads for" }, "enableGraphQLInterception": { "title": "Enable GraphQL Interception", "type": "boolean", "description": "Intercept GraphQL requests for more comprehensive data (2025 feature)", "default": true }, "fetchAdDetails": { "title": "Fetch Ad Details", "type": "boolean", "description": "Click 'See ad details' for each scraped ad to extract the full details panel: advertiser and payer names, page handle and follower counts, page category and verification status, landing page URL, and (for EU-targeted ads) age/gender/location targeting and reach by demographics. Produces much richer output but takes longer — roughly 1-3 extra seconds per ad.", "default": true }, "debugScreenshots": { "title": "Debug Screenshots", "type": "boolean", "description": "Save screenshots to key-value store when no ads are found, to help diagnose bot-detection or page-load issues.", "default": false } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```