Ad Library · Guide

How to run a Ad Library facebook search

TL;DR

To run a Ad Library facebook search, sign up for a free Captapi key, then send one GET request to /v1/ad-library/facebook/search with your input. You get clean JSON back in seconds for 2 credits per call — no OAuth, scraping or platform SDKs. Run a Ad Library facebook search and get structured, ranked results as clean JSON.

Get your free API key API reference

How to run a Ad Library facebook search (step by step)

1
Get a free API key
Create a free Captapi account (100 credits, no card) and generate an API key from the dashboard.
2
Call the Facebook Ad Library Search API
Send an authenticated GET request to /v1/ad-library/facebook/search with your input. No OAuth, no scraping setup.
3
Read the JSON response
Parse the clean JSON response. Pass cache=true for a free 24h cache hit; default is always fresh.

Code example

curl "https://api.captapi.com/v1/ad-library/facebook/search?q=election" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer capt_live_..."
# or: -H "x-api-key: capt_live_..."

What the response looks like

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "query": "election",
    "country": "US",
    "totalReturned": 5,
    "ads": [
      {
        "platform": "facebook_ad_library",
        "id": "317161109571794",
        "url": "https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=317161109571794",
        "text": "The Voting Information Center—one-tap voting registration information from election experts and authorities in one place.",
        "headline": "Voting Information Center",
        "cta": "Learn more",
        "landingUrl": "http://facebook.com/votinginformationcenter",
        "adFormat": "VIDEO",
        "firstShown": "2020-09-22T07:00:00.000Z",
        "lastShown": "2020-10-05T07:00:00.000Z",
        "impressions": ">1M",
        "spend": ">$1M",
        "country": "US",
        "advertiser": {
          "id": "108824017345866",
          "name": "Meta",
          "url": "https://www.facebook.com/Meta/",
          "logo": "https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/119568341_200337161527884_7846459746434232698_n.png?stp=dst-png_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qaRlosGC9wUQ7kNvwHuGOSN&_nc_oc=AdpUTiQHP0F2DQWlJJsFhLjPwiKgiTaMBS9Gf3J_Ogy1Z6nYv2kt_BhKXvw8jPupOMg&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&_nc_gid=kjSzmNhJvOQPmxnVKKr0xg&_nc_ss=72289&oh=00_AQCbS0Qc_-2kHNJh8Yysq78dbBXaaJS4Osw3-xA3_SHVlw&oe=6A89438E"
        },
        "media": [
          "https://video-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/o1/v/t2/f2/m412/AQNN757NtitUcJnpv0ODeMH6fXo-yFM-X90P2W82Zsrc70oOzST9lrKgscKf21SHBUtZ9pdKMclY8s32B0eRJ7o.mp4?_nc_cat=106&_nc_sid=ef5aa3&_nc_ht=video-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net&_nc_ohc=VIhm6QH6QpYQ7kNvwEGz32Z&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6Inhwdl9wcm9ncmVzc2l2ZS5WSV9VU0VDQVNFX1BST0RVQ1RfVFlQRS4uQzMuMzQwLmFzaWNfaHExX3NkX3Byb2dyZXNzaXZlIiwieHB2X2Fzc2V0X2lkIjo4MzE0MTAwMzMxNDk2MzYsImFzc2V0X2FnZV9kYXlzIjoyMzcsInZpX3VzZWNhc2VfaWQiOjEwNjgwLCJkdXJhdGlvbl9zIjoxNSwidXJsZ2VuX3NvdXJjZSI6Ind3dyJ9&ccb=17-1&_nc_gid=kjSzmNhJvOQPmxnVKKr0xg&_nc_ss=72289&_nc_zt=28&oh=00_AQBmg1RWfbVvJ3MUBSfprUeNw4A1j1otLN5iP3DoZ8RxIw&oe=6A677448",
          "https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/120065387_2711663819108220_8472417301728012411_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XJsOGtccv7UQ7kNvwFOmuvH&_nc_oc=AdqJh0Avn_pYIk_hzhEW3QS1dyOrrTJn4nBpQ38NLoUvb1OE8Kwj7qy75S7f1QbV1cs&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&_nc_gid=kjSzmNhJvOQPmxnVKKr0xg&_nc_ss=72289&oh=00_AQBESYOW184a4FJWDENcSYwQSBzwkH5yonZh3U5v6ZZEgA&oe=6A67964A"
        ]
      },
      {
        "platform": "facebook_ad_library",
        "id": "372804137235499",
        "url": "https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=372804137235499",
        "text": "The Voting Information Center on Facebook—one-tap voting info from election experts and authorities in one place.",
        "headline": "Voting Information Center",
        "cta": "Learn more",
        "landingUrl": "http://facebook.com/votinginformationcenter",
        "adFormat": "VIDEO",
        "firstShown": "2020-10-05T07:00:00.000Z",
        "lastShown": "2020-10-13T07:00:00.000Z",
        "impressions": ">1M",
        "spend": ">$1M",
        "country": "US",
        "advertiser": {
          "id": "108824017345866",
          "name": "Meta",
          "url": "https://www.facebook.com/Meta/",
          "logo": "https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/119568341_200337161527884_7846459746434232698_n.png?stp=dst-png_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qaRlosGC9wUQ7kNvwHuGOSN&_nc_oc=AdpUTiQHP0F2DQWlJJsFhLjPwiKgiTaMBS9Gf3J_Ogy1Z6nYv2kt_BhKXvw8jPupOMg&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&_nc_gid=kjSzmNhJvOQPmxnVKKr0xg&_nc_ss=72289&oh=00_AQCbS0Qc_-2kHNJh8Yysq78dbBXaaJS4Osw3-xA3_SHVlw&oe=6A89438E"
        },
        "media": [
          "https://video-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/o1/v/t2/f2/m412/AQPYrtdWcXYzwK9kZxgDiAgoU_IImyeS9Q8adbGcircR7RR1dDdUBrAQ0LiHO2OJoauE5pf8F4GyEcPVDLQ94uo.mp4?_nc_cat=100&_nc_sid=ef5aa3&_nc_ht=video-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net&_nc_ohc=TJVBi21FSYoQ7kNvwGc3J8g&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6Inhwdl9wcm9ncmVzc2l2ZS5WSV9VU0VDQVNFX1BST0RVQ1RfVFlQRS4uQzMuMzQwLmFzaWNfaHExX3NkX3Byb2dyZXNzaXZlIiwieHB2X2Fzc2V0X2lkIjo4OTE2MjkwMDA0NTQwNDEsImFzc2V0X2FnZV9kYXlzIjoxNTcsInZpX3VzZWNhc2VfaWQiOjEwNjgwLCJkdXJhdGlvbl9zIjoxNCwidXJsZ2VuX3NvdXJjZSI6Ind3dyJ9&ccb=17-1&_nc_gid=kjSzmNhJvOQPmxnVKKr0xg&_nc_ss=72289&_nc_zt=28&oh=00_AQCMG2KnWhkyJxkleqImsnYBBqDKo2-gU04sjFZY6UOemA&oe=6A678682",
          "https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/120439450_1980569842077757_2547343747583380554_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ghBwQrPN7IYQ7kNvwEK1Ioe&_nc_oc=Adq-eL0xdnXQzWG8i4nmzYYnwcV_Aa55yUcMBwzE5_rk0sejWdtPX_5QJKW6xounlWk&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&_nc_gid=kjSzmNhJvOQPmxnVKKr0xg&_nc_ss=72289&oh=00_AQB1w19aEluVfs5pAiHsky2u5dZ4bgAW_AohS8QzRc8Wkg&oe=6A678BF4"
        ]
      },
      {
        "platform": "facebook_ad_library",
        "id": "352695862528588",
        "url": "https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=352695862528588",
        "text": "Queen Latifah hosts a series of candid conversations honoring the 57th anniversary of the #MarchOnWashington and this new era of the civil rights movement. Change Together features notable civil rights leaders such as Patrisse Cullors, Reverend Al Sharpton, and Kendrick Sampson, as well as social justice advocates Amanda Seales, Common and musical guest, CHIKA. Let’s come together to #LiftBlackVoices, learn and move as one toward equality and freedom.",
        "headline": "Change Together: From the March on Washington to Today",
        "cta": null,
        "landingUrl": null,
        "adFormat": "VIDEO",
        "firstShown": "2020-08-27T07:00:00.000Z",
        "lastShown": "2020-08-30T07:00:00.000Z",
        "impressions": ">1M",
        "spend": ">$1M",
        "country": "US",
        "advertiser": {
          "id": "20531316728",
          "name": "Facebook",
          "url": "https://www.facebook.com/facebook/",
          "logo": "https://scontent-atl3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/123254501_376431443560946_8642123156381274111_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uPcoVSVedoQQ7kNvwHgmWWe&_nc_oc=AdqwXTjc5hWqxKmTPliHRnVkbtl62MNcyuFRVtYt5e11rm_kKl_7cbhn2U6FxOqfz_4&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-3.xx&_nc_gid=kjSzmNhJvOQPmxnVKKr0xg&_nc_ss=72289&oh=00_AQAwgOXSH-Za4uSlnK2E_DN8SP8iELP-mBG2Fa6sq_k6fA&oe=6A678FB0"
        },
        "media": [
          "https://video-atl3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/o1/v/t2/f2/m412/AQOhKuKthAVVa0rFEi41ggsiGpIjueM36xj6WP_vqqtBOe-ys_sa5nUBYG9fKBArU14yCLHp-zR-F0aBPcYRtpg.mp4?_nc_cat=107&_nc_sid=ef5aa3&_nc_ht=video-atl3-3.xx.fbcdn.net&_nc_ohc=_t6jTcvDRokQ7kNvwGEF3JZ&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6Inhwdl9wcm9ncmVzc2l2ZS5WSV9VU0VDQVNFX1BST0RVQ1RfVFlQRS4uQzMuNDAwLmFzaWNfaHExX3NkX3Byb2dyZXNzaXZlIiwieHB2X2Fzc2V0X2lkIjoxMDUzMzI1NDAzNjA2NjM5LCJhc3NldF9hZ2VfZGF5cyI6Mzg1LCJ2aV91c2VjYXNlX2lkIjoxMDY4MCwiZHVyYXRpb25fcyI6MzY5OSwidXJsZ2VuX3NvdXJjZSI6Ind3dyJ9&ccb=17-1&_nc_gid=kjSzmNhJvOQPmxnVKKr0xg&_nc_ss=72289&_nc_zt=28&oh=00_AQB-yxRDZCNErGWI1fXJCz3c7uPPshjVivWZcuMY_fXKRg&oe=6A6795FF",
          "https://scontent-atl3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/123131854_3586232378268717_4745383357747290556_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CBujsK3_RAYQ7kNvwGLIslX&_nc_oc=AdqugE8L4r1IjoIQfZPloPL5zYCw9T2PvW36W--FM6EwKE0s97CMYl5vHS5uvgucOB8&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-3.xx&_nc_gid=kjSzmNhJvOQPmxnVKKr0xg&_nc_ss=72289&oh=00_AQCdtQbYirMkwB6MPN1xoagoP9ljGYKRFTeMNVXwrXJFng&oe=6A678230"
        ]
      },
      {
        "platform": "facebook_ad_library",
        "id": "661142788113430",
        "url": "https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=661142788113430",
        "text": "Get ready to vote and make your voice heard! Liza Koshy hosts Will Smith, Matthew McConaughey, Alicia Keys and more in Vote-A-Thon 2020, a #NationalVoterRegistrationDay celebration. \n\nFor information from election authorities, visit fb.com/votinginfocenter #Vote2020",
        "headline": "Vote-A-Thon 2020: Get Ready to Vote!",
        "cta": null,
        "landingUrl": null,
        "adFormat": "VIDEO",
        "firstShown": "2020-09-23T07:00:00.000Z",
        "lastShown": "2020-09-29T07:00:00.000Z",
        "impressions": ">1M",
        "spend": "$600K - $700K",
        "country": "US",
        "advertiser": {
          "id": "20531316728",
          "name": "Facebook App",
          "url": "https://www.facebook.com/facebook/",
          "logo": "https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/58818464_10158354585756729_7126855515920924672_n.png?stp=dst-png_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cYlKOt4-GcUQ7kNvwEj2rPB&_nc_oc=AdoHGqorRQuAh1NodHbHYx2T0SKwlVlZZE9WmznEqmn2uvvLFB0aMuR8fLJef7D2itA&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&_nc_gid=kjSzmNhJvOQPmxnVKKr0xg&_nc_ss=72289&oh=00_AQDFaJlAcj-4tia3IQ417oX2bxs7hepULywCIcQUtORkmQ&oe=6A893E2F"
        },
        "media": [
          "https://video-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/o1/v/t2/f2/m560/AQPTgFuknRcBF4Lc_DtMcH-qlZGFfCQi83pEJd1S2Rx7uirTcJhniVVQrX29KTbwpbmeEofg6qllV-Nw4oOwynbGFVZfEUoYqWo.mp4?_nc_cat=104&_nc_sid=ef5aa3&_nc_ht=video-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net&_nc_ohc=LAgfvy6KENoQ7kNvwG84FTD&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6Inhwdl9wcm9ncmVzc2l2ZS5WSV9VU0VDQVNFX1BST0RVQ1RfVFlQRS4uQzMuNDI0LmFzaWNfaHExX3NkX3Byb2dyZXNzaXZlIiwieHB2X2Fzc2V0X2lkIjo5ODIzODk2MDc3OTIzNDQsImFzc2V0X2FnZV9kYXlzIjo5NiwidmlfdXNlY2FzZV9pZCI6MTA2ODAsImR1cmF0aW9uX3MiOjE5MzAsInVybGdlbl9zb3VyY2UiOiJ3d3cifQ%3D%3D&ccb=17-1&_nc_gid=kjSzmNhJvOQPmxnVKKr0xg&_nc_ss=72289&_nc_zt=28&oh=00_AQBP9B0O5L1XPrYbIA2nQ2YSQw58tY1oD2VaGk-pgOling&oe=6A63B26A",
          "https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/125381272_280240523411642_8369623856772259236_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XyRK_lkth9MQ7kNvwGlTTfu&_nc_oc=AdpyKVXDhj9Y251dtE2MPybdoOcTQgK5aQOVfVoqrYjtlDDpADiKgCuUxnHKDgfCHj4&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&_nc_gid=kjSzmNhJvOQPmxnVKKr0xg&_nc_ss=72289&oh=00_AQAo0Nzhu6femzVim7KW66JDEQAcuBXpTFdCPmF5uUi0RQ&oe=6A677FEC"
        ]
      },
      {
        "platform": "facebook_ad_library",
        "id": "475114446742483",
        "url": "https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=475114446742483",
        "text": "Have you reviewed your ballot? Get to know what's on your ballot before Election Day through the Voting Information Center.",
        "headline": "Double-Check Your Ballot",
        "cta": "Learn more",
        "landingUrl": "http://facebook.com/votinginfocenter/ballot?entry_point=Qmx1ZV9PTlA=",
        "adFormat": "VIDEO",
        "firstShown": "2020-10-23T07:00:00.000Z",
        "lastShown": "2020-11-03T08:00:00.000Z",
        "impressions": ">1M",
        "spend": "$600K - $700K",
        "country": "US",
        "advertiser": {
          "id": "20531316728",
          "name": "Facebook App",
          "url": "https://www.facebook.com/facebook/",
          "logo": "https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/58818464_10158354585756729_7126855515920924672_n.png?stp=dst-png_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cYlKOt4-GcUQ7kNvwEj2rPB&_nc_oc=AdoHGqorRQuAh1NodHbHYx2T0SKwlVlZZE9WmznEqmn2uvvLFB0aMuR8fLJef7D2itA&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&_nc_gid=kjSzmNhJvOQPmxnVKKr0xg&_nc_ss=72289&oh=00_AQDFaJlAcj-4tia3IQ417oX2bxs7hepULywCIcQUtORkmQ&oe=6A893E2F"
        },
        "media": [
          "https://video-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/o1/v/t2/f2/m412/AQODMEZl7iplcGXJPBxXGuuh-WjlAPqsPLHH9EB0i7PARypul43ZBvenVloxoYkD-IUaEdBSmyDbTc5-kHBNxECY.mp4?_nc_cat=103&_nc_sid=ef5aa3&_nc_ht=video-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net&_nc_ohc=aQxYnWw9DrwQ7kNvwFxGOa7&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6Inhwdl9wcm9ncmVzc2l2ZS5WSV9VU0VDQVNFX1BST0RVQ1RfVFlQRS4uQzMuMzQwLmFzaWNfaHExX3NkX3Byb2dyZXNzaXZlIiwieHB2X2Fzc2V0X2lkIjozNjE0ODg2NTI1MzE5NjczLCJhc3NldF9hZ2VfZGF5cyI6MjQwLCJ2aV91c2VjYXNlX2lkIjoxMDY4MCwiZHVyYXRpb25fcyI6MTUsInVybGdlbl9zb3VyY2UiOiJ3d3cifQ%3D%3D&ccb=17-1&_nc_gid=kjSzmNhJvOQPmxnVKKr0xg&_nc_ss=72289&_nc_zt=28&oh=00_AQDqlY-6Yt6F59kxtTMPrLsinAzaSpmAW9wChSkDXKdL_w&oe=6A67715C",
          "https://scontent-atl3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/122569736_390651732307808_5011321040623151549_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=s0Jpfvn4SlgQ7kNvwFI6q5l&_nc_oc=Adq5xXs14dBn6M1y89p-mhFN_7LDpRUUYu4kxAyvKoR9GkLwN7rCAW9i2mxTNW3UcqE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-3.xx&_nc_gid=kjSzmNhJvOQPmxnVKKr0xg&_nc_ss=72289&oh=00_AQAgInYoqIeK9Jq1kfsK47MfkfCHaI7EtgSg_lCE8MlVuQ&oe=6A6773AC"
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Billing metadata (credits charged, cache hit/miss) is returned in the X-Captapi-Credits and X-Captapi-Cache response headers.

Request parameters

Name	Type	Required	Description
q	string	Yes	Keyword, brand, or advertiser to search Meta Ad Library (min 2 characters).
country	string	No	Two-letter ISO country code. Default US.
limit	integer	No	Max items to return (default 20, max 200). Billed per result.
cache	boolean	No	Set true to serve from the 24h response cache. Default false — always fetch fresh data.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Facebook Ad Library Search API do?

The Facebook Ad Library Search API lets you search and return matching results from a public Ad Library query using one GET request to /v1/ad-library/facebook/search. It returns clean JSON — no OAuth or infrastructure setup required.

How many credits does the Facebook Ad Library Search API cost?

Each successful call costs 2 credits. Pass cache=true to serve from the 24h shared cache (0 credits on hit); default is always fresh. Failed or empty results are never charged.

Do I need a Ad Library API key or OAuth?

No. A single Captapi key works across every platform Captapi supports — YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, Reddit, Threads, Bluesky, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Rumble, Spotify, Kwai, and more. We handle proxies, rate limits, retries, and authentication for you.

Is the Facebook Ad Library Search API suitable for production use?

Yes. It is a stable REST endpoint with predictable JSON and automatic retries. Pass cache=true to serve from the 24h shared cache (0 credits on hit); default is always fresh. Use it for analytics, monitoring, and content automation.

Ready to run a Ad Library facebook search?

Start free with 100 credits — no credit card required.

Get your free API key