// Extracts and analyzes competitors' ads from ad libraries (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) to understand what messaging, problems, and creative approaches are working. Helps inspire and improve your own ad campaigns.
[HINT] Download the complete skill directory including SKILL.md and all related files
| name | competitive-ads-extractor |
| description | Extracts and analyzes competitors' ads from ad libraries (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) to understand what messaging, problems, and creative approaches are working. Helps inspire and improve your own ad campaigns. |
This skill extracts your competitors' ads from ad libraries and analyzes what's working—the problems they're highlighting, use cases they're targeting, and copy/creative that's resonating.
Extract all current ads from [Competitor Name] on Facebook Ad Library
Scrape ads from [Company] and analyze their messaging
Get all ads from [Competitor] focusing on their messaging
about [specific problem]. What pain points are they highlighting?
Extract ads from these 5 competitors: [list].
Compare their approaches and tell me what's working.
Get LinkedIn ads from [Competitor] and analyze their
B2B positioning strategy
User: "Extract ads from Notion on Facebook Ad Library and tell me what messaging is working for them."
Process:
Accessing Facebook Ad Library...
Searching for: Notion
Found: 23 active ads
Extracting screenshots...
[████████████████████] 100%
Saved to: competitor-ads/notion/
- ad-001-collaboration.png
- ad-002-productivity.png
- ad-003-templates.png
...
Analyzing messaging...
Output:
# Notion Ad Analysis
## Overview
- Total Ads: 23 active
- Primary Themes: Productivity (35%), Collaboration (30%),
Templates (20%), AI Features (15%)
- Ad Formats: Static images (60%), Video (40%)
- CTA Patterns: "Try for free", "Get started"
## Key Problems They're Highlighting
1. **Scattered Information** (8 ads)
Copy: "Stop switching between 10 different tools"
Why it works: Direct pain point many teams face
2. **Meeting Overload** (5 ads)
Copy: "Replace unnecessary meetings with async updates"
Why it works: Post-COVID remote work pain point
3. **Lost Documentation** (4 ads)
Copy: "Never ask 'where is that doc?' again"
Why it works: Universal workplace frustration
## Successful Creative Patterns
### Pattern 1: Before/After Split
- Shows chaotic tool landscape → Clean Notion workspace
- Used in 6 high-performing ads
- Visual metaphor is immediately clear
### Pattern 2: Feature Showcase
- GIF of actual product usage
- Shows specific feature in 5 seconds
- Used for new features (AI, templates)
### Pattern 3: Social Proof
- "Join 20M users" messaging
- Customer logos
- Used in 4 ads targeting enterprise
## Copy That's Working
Best Headlines:
1. "Your team's knowledge, finally in one place"
→ Benefit-focused, addresses pain directly
2. "The all-in-one workspace"
→ Clear positioning, broad appeal
3. "AI that actually helps you work"
→ Addresses AI skepticism, practical angle
Best Body Copy Patterns:
- Short sentences (under 10 words)
- Focus on outcomes not features
- Include specific numbers ("Cut meetings by 50%")
## Audience Targeting Insights
Based on ad variations:
- Startup founders: Solo productivity angle
- Team leads: Collaboration and alignment
- Enterprise: Security and compliance mentions
- Students: Free plan, templates, organization
## Recommendations for Your Ads
1. **Test the "tool sprawl" pain point**
→ Strong resonance based on their ad frequency
2. **Use product screenshots over abstract visuals**
→ All their top ads show actual UI
3. **Lead with the problem, not the solution**
→ "Tired of X?" performs better than "Introducing Y"
4. **Keep copy under 100 characters**
→ Their shortest ads seem most frequent
5. **Test before/after visual formats**
→ Proven pattern in their creative
## Files Saved
- All ads: ~/competitor-ads/notion/
- Analysis: ~/competitor-ads/notion/analysis.md
- Best performers: ~/competitor-ads/notion/top-10/
Inspired by: Sumant Subrahmanya's use case from Lenny's Newsletter
✓ Only use for research and inspiration ✓ Don't copy ads directly ✓ Respect intellectual property ✓ Use insights to inform original creative ✗ Don't plagiarize copy or steal designs
Compare [Competitor]'s ads from Q1 vs Q2.
What messaging has changed?
Extract ads from [Company A], [Company B], [Company C].
What are the common patterns? Where do they differ?
Show me ad patterns across the top 10 project management
tools. What problems do they all focus on?
Analyze video ads vs static image ads from [Competitor].
Which gets more engagement? (if data available)