How to See If a Facebook Page Is Running Ads

How to Tell If a Facebook Page Is Actively Running Ads?

It’s easy to assume that any visible ad is active, but that’s not the case with Facebook ads. Facebook does show ads that are no longer active, confusing viewers into thinking they’re still running.

Current status of ad matters more than how many ads you see. An active ad means that the brand/page is actively spending money on it right now, and that decision means something. 

Why would a brand spend on ads if it’s not getting the desired result? Think about it.

They won’t! Ads that stay live usually exist because they serve a purpose, whether that is testing, scaling, or maintaining steady sales.  

Inactive ads tell a different story. These are leftovers from earlier campaigns. They might show strong creative ideas or failed experiments, but they do not represent current investment. Facebook keeps them visible for transparency only. 

If you want real insights, ignore volume and focus on labels. Active means money is moving today. Inactive means it already stopped.

Advanced Signals That a Facebook Page Is Spending Seriously

Once you know a Page is running ads, the next step is figuring out whether it is testing lightly or spending with intent. These signals help separate the two. 

• Ads live for 14 to 30 days or longer, often indicating stable performance or evergreen campaigns. Short-lived ads usually disappear quickly when results are weak.

• The same creative appearing again after a pause often signals scaling or an audience reset. Advertisers rarely relaunch ads that did not perform well earlier.

• Small variations in copy or visuals point to structured A/B testing. Changing one element at a time usually means the advertiser is optimizing.

• Multiple formats running together, such as video, carousel, image ads, often suggest funnel-based advertising rather than a single test campaign.

• Ads running on both Facebook and Instagram typically reflect budget confidence. Instagram placements cost more and are rarely added unless the advertiser expects returns.

These insights help you with your research, and you get the idea of how to spend your money wisely to get the best results. You don’t have to waste your money on testing when you can learn from your competitor. 

What Facebook Shows vs What It Hides?

Facebook gives you just enough information to know that ads exist, but not enough to explain what is really happening behind them, or what is actually working. 

Data You Can See

When you view ads through Facebook’s native tools, you get access to surface-level details that describe what is being shown, not how it performs. This includes:

• The ad creatives themselves, such as videos, images, and written copy

• The formats being used, including single image, video, or carousel

• Where the ads are running, like Facebook or Instagram

• The date an ad was launched

• Different creative variations used within the same campaign

Data You Cannot See

What Facebook does not show is where the real decision-making happens. You will not see:

• The audiences being targeted or excluded

• The exact amount of money being spent

• Whether the ads are driving sales or leads or nothing at all

• Any indication of profitability or return

Finding Facebook Ads Is Only the Beginning

Checking whether a Facebook Page is running ads is easy once you know where to look. You can use Facebook’s own tools to confirm activity in a few clicks, and for quick checks, that is often enough.

The problem starts when confirmation turns into analysis. Native tools show ads in isolation. One Page at a time. No context. No way to tell which ads are being pushed seriously and which ones were short experiments.

That is where WinningHunter fits in. It does not just show you ads. It shows you patterns. You move from spotting individual creatives to understanding how brands are advertising across products and time.

So the difference is not about access. It is about usefulness. Manual tools answer the question, “Is this Page running ads?” WinningHunter answers the next one, which is the one that actually matters: “What can I do with this information?” 

FAQs

Can I See the Actual Ads a Facebook Page Is Running?

Yes. You can see the creatives a Page is using, including images, videos and ad copy. What you cannot see is who those ads are targeting or how much money is being spent. Facebook shows what is visible on the surface, not the strategy behind it.

Do I Need a Facebook Account to Check Ads?

You do not always need a Facebook account to view ads. The Meta Ad Library can be accessed publicly in most cases without logging in. However, checking ads directly from a Facebook Page or using Page Transparency typically requires a Facebook account. A login is also required to manage ads, access ad preferences, or use Business Manager features.

Can I See Past Ads a Facebook Page Has Run?

Yes. Facebook keeps inactive ads visible even after campaigns end. These ads come from paused or completed campaigns and remain accessible for transparency. They are useful for understanding what a Page tested in the past, but they do not reflect current spending.

Is There a Way to Automate Facebook Ad Research?

Facebook does not offer any automation for ad research. Everything has to be checked manually, one Page at a time. Tools like WinningHunter are built specifically to solve this problem by collecting live ads, updating them continuously, and making large scale research possible without tiresome manual work.