How to See Competitor Ads on LinkedIn: A Complete Guide

Want to know how your competitors are winning on LinkedIn? 

Their ads hold the secret. Whether you're looking to refine your LinkedIn marketing strategy, boost conversions, or stay ahead, analyzing competitor ads is the key to unlocking new opportunities. 

The good news? 

LinkedIn makes it easier to see what's working for them—so you can craft even better campaigns.

Why Should You Monitor Competitor Ads on LinkedIn?

Before diving into the "how," let's first understand why analyzing competitor ads is crucial for your business:

• Benchmarking Performance: See how your ads compare to industry leaders.

• Ad Creative Inspiration: Discover trending visuals, copy, and messaging styles.

• Targeting Insights: Learn how competitors are reaching their Audience.

• Content Strategy Optimization: Identify what kind of offers and CTAs resonate.

• Competitive Advantage: Stay ahead by improving your LinkedIn ad strategy.

Now, let's explore how to see competitor ads on LinkedIn using different methods.

1. Using LinkedIn Company Pages to Find Ads

The easiest way to check a competitor's ads is directly through their LinkedIn Company Page. Here's how you can do it:

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Search for the Competitor - Use the LinkedIn search bar to find your competitor's company page.

2. Open Their Page - Click on their official LinkedIn business profile.

3. Go to the 'Posts' tab. This section displays all of their published content, including ads.

4. Click on 'Ads' - LinkedIn provides a dedicated tab that showcases all active and recent LinkedIn advertisements.

What to Look For?

• Ad Messaging: Identify key pain points they address.

• Visual Style: Analyze how they design their creatives.

• Call-to-Action (CTA): See what actions they encourage.

• Frequency of Ads: Understand how often they refresh campaigns.

This method is completely free and does not require any external tools.

2. Exploring the LinkedIn Ad Library

The LinkedIn Ad Library is an excellent resource for a broader view of multiple competitors. This tool allows users to search and filter competitor ads efficiently.

How to Use LinkedIn Ad Library?

1. Go to LinkedIn Ad Library - This is LinkedIn's official ad transparency tool.

2. Search by Competitor Name or Keyword - Find ads related to a company or industry-specific terms.

3. Apply Filters - Narrow results based on location, date, or industry.

4. Analyze the Ads - Study the ad copy, creatives, formats, and engagement.

Advantages of LinkedIn Ad Library:

• Comprehensive View: See all ads from multiple competitors.

• Keyword-Based Search: Find industry-wide advertising trends.

• Filtering Options: Refine searches based on specific parameters.

This tool is a must-use if you want to monitor LinkedIn ad trends consistently.

3. Using Third-Party Tools for Advanced Insights

Beyond LinkedIn's built-in features, several competitor analysis tools provide advanced ad intelligence. These tools often require a subscription but offer deeper insights into LinkedIn advertising strategies.

Popular Third-Party Tools:

• SEMrush - Tracks competitor PPC campaigns, keywords, and ad performance.

• SpyFu - Unveils historical ad data and bidding strategies.

• AdSpy helps identify high-performing ad creatives.

• PhantomBuster - Automates LinkedIn ad scraping for analysis.

What Insights Can You Gain?

• Target Audience Demographics - Understand whom competitors are targeting.

• Budget Estimations - Get an idea of their advertising spend.

• Engagement Metrics - See which ads perform best.

Using LinkedIn competitor analysis tools can be a game-changer for businesses looking to enhance their B2B marketing campaigns.

4. How to Reverse Engineer Competitor Ads

To get the most out of competitor ad tracking, you need to go beyond just observing and start analyzing their strategies.

Key Steps to Reverse Engineer Competitor Ads:

• Analyze Ad Messaging - Identify recurring themes, tones, and CTAs used.

• Dissect Visual Elements - See what colors, fonts, and design styles are dominant.

• Study Audience Targeting - Look at the industries and job titles they appeal to.

• A/B Test Your Own Ads - Use insights from competitors to test variations of ad copy and creativity.

By applying this framework, you can refine your own LinkedIn-sponsored content strategy and maximize ad performance.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Analyzing Competitor Ads

While tracking competitor ads is beneficial, marketers often fall into common pitfalls. Here's what to watch out for:

? Copying Instead of Innovating - Using insights as inspiration is good, but outright copying will backfire.

? Ignoring Targeting Differences - What works for your competitors may not suit your Audience.

? Focusing Only on Creatives - Analyzing ad messaging and CTAs is just as important as visuals.

? Not Checking Ads Regularly - Competitor strategies evolve, so continuous tracking is essential.

Avoid these mistakes to ensure your LinkedIn ad intelligence efforts yield the best results.

6. Key Questions Marketers Ask About Competitor Ads on LinkedIn

Marketers often have several questions when analyzing LinkedIn ad competitors. Here are some common ones:

How Can I Use Competitor Ads for Inspiration?

• Identify high-performing ad formats and replicate their structure.

• Use similar ad copy styles while maintaining originality.

• Spot trending ad creatives and adapt them to your brand.

Are There Tools Beyond LinkedIn to Spy on Competitor Ads?

• Yes, SEMrush, AdSpy, and SpyFu are excellent tools for LinkedIn ad research.

How Often Do Competitors Update Their LinkedIn Ads?

• This depends on their marketing budget and strategy.

• Regularly check their company page ads and ad library for updates.

Can I See Engagement Metrics for My Competitors' LinkedIn Ads?

• Unlike Facebook's Ad Library, LinkedIn does not publicly display engagement metrics.

• However, you can infer engagement based on ad frequency and consistency.

What Are the Best Practices for Analyzing Competitor Ads on LinkedIn?

1. Track Competitor Ads Regularly - Stay updated on new campaigns.

2. Compare Across Multiple Competitors - Get a broader industry perspective.

3. Identify Common Themes - Spot messaging trends and successful ad creatives.

4. Implement and Test Strategies - Apply insights to your own LinkedIn ad campaigns.

Turn Insights into Action

Keeping an eye on competitor ads on LinkedIn is a strategic move that helps businesses refine their advertising approach. Whether you use LinkedIn's built-in tools or invest in third-party analytics, the key is to analyze, adapt, and execute effectively.

Take Action Now! 

Start monitoring competitor ads and for expert help consult Uniworld Studios today to create high-performing LinkedIn ad campaigns that drive real business growth.