How to Find Instagram Ads in the Meta Ad Library
To find ads running on Instagram, open the Meta Ad Library at facebook.com/ads/library, choose a country and All ads, search a brand or keyword, and filter the platform to Instagram.
To find ads running on Instagram, open the Meta Ad Library at facebook.com/ads/library, choose a country and All ads, search a brand or keyword, and filter the platform to Instagram. It shows active ads from every advertiser, free and without logging in. Ads about social issues, elections or politics stay searchable for 7 years, and ads shown in the EU and UK for a year, with extra details such as reach. Every official option is compared in the Instagram API guide.
The Ad Library is the official, public way to see what a brand is advertising, including ads you were never shown. This guide covers searching it, what it shows, and the API. Organic posts are a different source, covered in how to track competitors on Instagram. Organic posts are a different matter, covered in Instagram Graph API limits and Instagram API vs Instagram scraper.
How Do You Search the Meta Ad Library for Instagram Ads?
You search by country, ad category and advertiser or keyword. Listed below are the 5 steps.
- Open facebook.com/ads/library in a browser.
- Choose a country, or all countries.
- Choose All ads, or Issues, elections or politics.
- Search an advertiser’s name or a keyword.
- Filter the platform to Instagram, and the status to active or all.
On a brand’s Facebook Page, the Page transparency section also links straight to its ads.
What Does the Ad Library Show?
Every active ad shows its creative, start date and the platforms it runs on; regulated categories show more. The table sums up what’s available and for how long.
| Ad type | What you see | Kept for |
|---|---|---|
| Any active ad | Creative, text, start date, platforms, advertiser | While active |
| Social issue, election and political ads | Plus spend, reach and audience details | 7 years |
| Ads shown in the EU and UK | Plus reach and targeting details | 1 year after the last impression |
How Do You Find an Instagram Ad You Saw?
Note the advertiser’s name on the ad, then search it in the Ad Library and filter to Instagram. You can also find past ads you clicked or interacted with in your Instagram activity and ad settings, where your app shows them.
Is There an API for the Meta Ad Library?
Yes, Meta’s Ad Library API allows programmatic searches, but it covers political and social issue ads, and ads delivered in the EU and UK, rather than all commercial ads worldwide. Access needs a Meta developer account and identity confirmation. It’s separate from the Instagram Platform API covered in Instagram API in 2026.
| Point | Ad Library website | Ad Library API |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Anyone, no login | Developer account and identity confirmation |
| Commercial ads outside the EU and UK | Yes, while active | No |
| Political and issue ads | Yes | Yes |
| EU and UK ads | Yes | Yes |
How Do Brands Use the Ad Library?
Brands use it for competitor research: which offers, creatives and formats rivals are running, and for how long. Ads that have run for a long time are often the ones that perform, because advertisers stop ads that don’t. Pair it with organic data, such as competitors’ posts and engagement, for the full picture.
Questions people ask
Is the Meta Ad Library free?
Yes, anyone can search it without an account.
Does the Ad Library show ad spend?
Only for social issue, election and political ads.
Can you see old Instagram ads?
Commercial ads appear while active; political ads are kept for 7 years, and EU and UK ads for a year.
Does the Ad Library show ad performance?
It doesn't show clicks or sales; reach appears for EU and UK ads and regulated categories.