How to research a prospect's Meta Ads before a pitch
Checklist · 2 min read · Updated 2026-10-06 · By the Cofoundr team
Look at what they run in the Meta Ad Library, what their landing page asks of visitors, whether tracking seems to be in place, who currently manages them and how competitors advertise. Turn it into three observations and one idea, and keep claims modest.
A generic pitch gets ignored. A pitch that shows you have looked at the prospect's actual ads and pages gets a reply. The research below uses only public information and takes under an hour once you have a routine.
1. See what they are running
- Search the brand in the Meta Ad Library and note how many ads are active, the formats and how long the oldest have run.
- Check Google's Ads Transparency Center for the brand's domain.
- Look for variety: one tired creative running for months is an opening.
2. Read the landing pages
- Click through from an ad and see what the page asks the visitor to do.
- Is the offer in the ad the same as the offer on the page?
- How fast and clear is it on a phone?
- Is there one obvious next step?
3. Check the basics from the outside
- Does the page appear to load tracking? A free browser extension can show whether common pixels are present.
- Do the ads and page agree with the brand's current promotions?
- Is the social presence active and consistent with the ads?
4. Find who manages it today
The ads rarely say. Check the brand's own case-study mentions, agency case studies, job posts and a source-linked directory. See how to find which agency runs a brand's marketing. Treat what you find as a lead to confirm. If they have an agency, your pitch is about the gap, not the person.
5. Look at the competition
- Search two or three competitors in the Ad Library and note how they position and what offers they run.
- Note what the prospect is not doing that competitors are.
6. Turn it into a pitch
- Three specific observations, each with a screenshot.
- One idea you would test first, and why.
- No promises about results. Say what you would measure.
- A single clear ask, such as a 20-minute call.
A note on tone
Be respectful about the current work. You do not know the constraints the team works under. Lead with curiosity and evidence, not criticism.
Frequently asked questions
Is it fine to use the Meta Ad Library for prospecting?
Yes, it is a public transparency tool for exactly this kind of research. Respect its terms and the prospect's privacy.
What if I find nothing about who manages them?
That is useful too. It may mean in-house or an unlisted agency. Ask in your first conversation.
How long should this research take?
Under an hour per prospect once you have a routine. Spend more only on high-value targets.