Tutorial · Facebook Ad Library
📊 R Step-by-stepExtract ads data from Facebook Ad Library. Real code, real responses, real production patterns — paste it into your project and ship.
Learn how to scrape Facebook Ad Library ads using R. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, from setup to implementation.
First, you'll need a ScrapeCreators API key to authenticate your requests.
Sign up at app.scrapecreators.com to get your free API key with 100 requests.
Make sure you have the following installed:
httr is a user-friendly HTTP client for R
install.packages("httr")Now let's make a request to the Facebook Ad Library API using R. Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your actual API key.
library(httr)
library(jsonlite)
API_KEY <- "YOUR_API_KEY"
BASE_URL <- "https://api.scrapecreators.com"
ENDPOINT_PATH <- "/v1/facebook/adLibrary/search/ads"
scrape <- function() {
# Build query parameters
params <- list(
"query" = "running",
"sort_by" = "total_impressions",
"search_type" = "keyword_unordered",
"ad_type" = "all",
"country" = "ALL",
"language" = "EN",
"status" = "ACTIVE",
"media_type" = "ALL",
"start_date" = "2025-01-05",
"end_date" = "2025-02-16",
"cursor" = "AQHRYLVDkoMkvGv7yK1rcce-vJmKiKv330R4v3j9KHSOaYvmF1bq1QkotG0rgW8Fkrj-",
"trim" = "false"
)
tryCatch({
response <- GET(
url = paste0(BASE_URL, ENDPOINT_PATH),
add_headers(
"x-api-key" = API_KEY,
"Content-Type" = "application/json"
),
query = params
)
if (status_code(response) == 200) {
data <- fromJSON(rawToChar(response$content))
cat("Response:
")
print(data)
return(data)
} else {
stop(paste("HTTP", status_code(response), ":", rawToChar(response$content)))
}
}, error = function(e) {
cat("Error:", e$message, "
")
return(NULL)
})
}
# Usage
result <- scrape()This endpoint accepts the following parameters:
queryRequired(string)Keyword to search for
Example: running
sort_byOptional(select)Sort by impressions (high to low), or Most Recent (relevancy_monthly_grouped). Defaults to impressions.
Example: total_impressions
search_typeOptional(select)If you want to search by exact phrase or not
Example: keyword_unordered
ad_typeOptional(select)Search for all ads or only political and issue ads
Example: all
countryOptional(string)This can only be one country. It has to be the 2 letter code for the country. It defaults to ALL.
Example: ALL
languageOptional(string)Language to filter ads on. Needs to be a 2 letter language code, such as EN, ES, or FR.
Example: EN
statusOptional(select)Status of the ad. Defaults to ACTIVE.
Example: ACTIVE
media_typeOptional(select)Media type of the ad. Defaults to ALL. Meme just means the ad has text and an image. No clue why they call it meme.
Example: ALL
start_dateOptional(string)Impressions start date. Needs to be in YYYY-MM-DD format.
Example: 2025-01-05
end_dateOptional(string)Impressions end date. Needs to be in YYYY-MM-DD format.
Example: 2025-02-16
cursorOptional(string)Cursor to paginate through results
Example: AQHRYLVDkoMkvGv7yK1rcce-vJmKiKv330R4v3j9KHSOaYvmF1bq1QkotG0rgW8Fkrj-
trimOptional(boolean)Set to true for a trimmed down version of the response
Example: false
Execute your script to test the API connection. You should see a JSON response with Facebook Ad Library ads data.
✅ Success: You should receive a structured JSON response containing the requested data.
Here's an example of the JSON response you'll receive:
{
"success": true,
"credits_remaining": 1000000,
"credits_charged": 1,
"searchResults": [
{
"ad_archive_id": "615470338018648",
"ad_id": null,
"archive_types": [],
"categories": [
"UNKNOWN"
],
"collation_count": 1,
"collation_id": "888075953335279",
"contains_digital_created_media": false,
"contains_sensitive_content": false,
"currency": "",
"end_date": 1740729600,
"entity_type": "PERSON_PROFILE",
"fev_info": null,
"finserv_ad_data": {
"is_deemed_finserv": false,
"is_limited_delivery": false
},
"gated_type": "ELIGIBLE",
"has_user_reported": false,
"hidden_safety_data": false,
"hide_data_status": "NONE",
"impressions_with_index": {
"impressions_text": null,
"impressions_index": -1
},
"is_aaa_eligible": false,
"is_active": true,
"is_profile_page": false,
"menu_items": [],
"page_id": "115531458627129",
"page_is_deleted": false,
"page_name": "JNB Stables Labradoodles",
"political_countries": [],
"publisher_platform": [
"FACEBOOK",
"INSTAGRAM"
],
"reach_estimate": null,
"regional_regulation_data": {
"finserv": {
"is_deemed_finserv": false,
"is_limited_delivery": false
},
"tw_anti_scam": {
"is_limited_delivery": false
}
},
"report_count": null,
"snapshot": {
"body": {
"text": "Discover the unmatched joy of having Cedar in your life—a playful and intelligent labradoodle who’s eager to please and full of enthusiasm! Cedar boasts a confident demeanor and a moderate energy level, making him the perfect companion for any active household. His inquisitive nature and exceptional problem-solving skills will keep you entertained as he explores the world around him, ensuring that there’s never a dull moment.\n\nCedar’s independent spirit also presents a fantastic opportunity for bonding through obedience training. This experience not only strengthens your connection but also enhances his impressive skills—after all, with evaluation scores mostly in the 4's, Cedar shows remarkable potential for dog sports, hiking, running, and any stimulating activity you can think of!\n\nIdeal for an experienced dog family ready to embrace an active lifestyle, Cedar is more than just a pet; he’s a loyal companion waiting to share exciting adventures with you. Don’t let the chance to welcome this incredible pup into your home slip away. By choosing Cedar, you’re opening the door to a lifetime of joy, love, and unforgettable experiences. Make Cedar a cherished member of your family today!"
},
"branded_content": null,
"brazil_tax_id": null,
"byline": null,
"caption": null,
"cards": [],
"cta_text": "No button",
"cta_type": "NO_BUTTON",
"country_iso_code": null,
"current_page_name": "JNB Stables Labradoodles",
"disclaimer_label": null,
"display_format": "MULTI_IMAGES",
"event": null,
"images": [
{
"original_image_url": "https://scontent.ford4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481661162_990940825757018_8913176685534608816_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_eui2=AeFh8i-Z5kuJ16lqUxcUXs-ZDyrJuz4iKPUPKsm7PiIo9dMNkqCaPt8liPPGabEi8-gibi-WZTylOSlQQNRnxjTT&_nc_ohc=J_6SeTivTasQ7kNvgGEJ5D5&_nc_oc=AdiVcqOuQdywnrpvb75866Udx7xPfkUDT6ikNbmuIxTvcXWDy5hLn81fSf4M1zJD54w&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.ford4-1.fna&_nc_gid=AZxpM4HubQsLPUC0gB46zAp&oh=00_AYD2APYZJejn4srpHfr9dWiivmYDVF3BBE4GZ39fhKpe_w&oe=67C83B69",
"resized_image_url": "https://scontent.ford4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480837265_659371736650913_3605385323286208049_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s600x600_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_eui2=AeHtmv91qbrhP_gBGdhH1sIeg9xKoAkcVGWD3EqgCRxUZel-aAIRonjSGXPj6LnUtMqdlcaX06Jz1tg8m_xMxpYD&_nc_ohc=tlfzH5L3yjgQ7kNvgFePtMF&_nc_oc=AdgiUmZhlwcNdDCj2UOoaF5i-kcJMbSk27A3C50uA6moXJvGdAk5AWivF7jBFDan8PE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.ford4-1.fna&_nc_gid=AZxpM4HubQsLPUC0gB46zAp&oh=00_AYB0_2vXVBDY6wjCOSCYm9xKKAIIzPW8lPuhHTUwpBCsXg&oe=67C84C71",
"watermarked_resized_image_url": "",
"image_crops": []
},
{
"original_image_url": "https://scontent.ford4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481038231_1533584647309311_8225992803054299716_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_eui2=AeEk48U-ggbJVecRRom9upWrbwPaFVVtxVJvA9oVVW3FUkZoTmosNIlqCws7ikIwxTLzWzuguBE-lGwUTA0wSQhv&_nc_ohc=Q4yuGm3oU_sQ7kNvgEs7U_8&_nc_oc=Adita4blTpdRVqMULeWXTutl0t48b9P7rQLYt-rEkODOUoI8tGrOx5SG_4Od8hl6gBE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.ford4-1.fna&_nc_gid=AZxpM4HubQsLPUC0gB46zAp&oh=00_AYA2SZef7jhVsb0ftzLe8IslP8JXBaBWIz--B7mBAGUXXw&oe=67C8468F",
"resized_image_url": "https://scontent.ford4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480984651_1901120184038676_3525416492527391090_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s600x600_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_eui2=AeF6cqWvjNfWWNYRnrnXRJ1jlw7pErdLc0qXDukSt0tzSuZIrJlUX9rpiLo4GbrlQt1ELeeMA-4V2-nX9spVJk0z&_nc_ohc=bJrX5LjtSX4Q7kNvgFFZe7h&_nc_oc=AdjlZHoW7ejFM_Q8wH2GVy4LXh2tC6M1p93Y0RcICzZmhA-ptrWxFoWha6sluCwcyDw&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.ford4-1.fna&_nc_gid=AZxpM4HubQsLPUC0gB46zAp&oh=00_AYBn9-TIlzBweSWTynunrOqusbSXVTnHpq_Q59emD_bRpg&oe=67C82ED3",
"watermarked_resized_image_url": "",
"image_crops": []
}
],
"is_reshared": false,
"link_description": null,
"link_url": null,
"page_categories": [
"Pet Service"
],
"page_entity_type": "PERSON_PROFILE",
"page_id": "115531458627129",
"page_is_deleted": false,
"page_is_profile_page": false,
"page_like_count": 3823,
"page_name": "JNB Stables Labradoodles",
"page_profile_picture_url": "https://scontent.ford4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481168271_2343627956022656_4475842746106730961_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_eui2=AeE5xuNZ8fz9pPPsJ7v7aD7en3tT5Wuv_kWfe1Pla6_-RXLb66aiQh3AfhlYqBQFisu5C4F-3Qy-BGnOVz1LzY-y&_nc_ohc=GDBS2WaBig8Q7kNvgFfDxKG&_nc_oc=AdiQjedPz36I9ZxzwBa-EwmwZ-KsV2YjJQGq3LDBYAJCg4BIeweEFvOL6nb_LS8rhKo&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.ford4-1.fna&_nc_gid=AZxpM4HubQsLPUC0gB46zAp&oh=00_AYB_cfoKnM_tT8JJQpLyNCTlP0af4KDJlXp6_zJb88ZC_A&oe=67C83A50",
"page_profile_uri": "https://www.facebook.com/JNBStables/",
"root_reshared_post": null,
"title": null,
"videos": [],
"additional_info": null,
"ec_certificates": [],
"extra_images": [],
"extra_links": [],
"extra_texts": [],
"extra_videos": []
},
"spend": null,
"start_date": 1740729600,
"state_media_run_label": null,
"targeted_or_reached_countries": [],
"total_active_time": 5519
}
],
"searchResultsCount": 50001,
"cursor": "AQHRYLVDkoMkvGv7yK1rcce-vJmKiKv330R4v3j9KHSOaYvmF1bq1QkotG0rgW8Fkrj-"
}Check that your response includes the expected fields:
success(boolean)credits_remaining(number)credits_charged(number)searchResults(object)searchResultsCount(number)Implement comprehensive error handling and retry logic for failed requests. Log errors properly for debugging.
Cache responses when possible to reduce API calls and improve performance. Consider data freshness requirements.
Never expose your API key in client-side code. Use environment variables and secure key management practices.
When scraping multiple ads, consider batching requests to maximize throughput while staying within rate limits.
Use asynchronous processing in R to handle multiple requests concurrently and improve overall performance.
Analyze Facebook Ad Library ads to understand market trends, competitor analysis, and audience insights.
Track performance metrics, engagement rates, and content trends across Facebook Ad Library ads.
Identify potential customers and business opportunities throughFacebook Ad Library data analysis.
Check your API key is correct and properly formatted in the x-api-key header.
You ran out of credits and need to buy more.
The resource might not exist or be private.
Temporary server issue. Implement retry logic with exponential backoff.
ScrapeCreators offers 100 free API calls to get started. After that, pricing starts at $10 for 5k requests with volume discounts available.
Scraping publicly available data is fair game, and we only collect public data. So anything that you can see in an incognito browser is what we collect.
There is no rate limit! So you can scrape as fast as you want!
All API responses are returned in JSON format, making it easy to integrate with any programming language or application.
Yes! This tutorial focuses on core R HTTP concepts that work with any framework. The API calls remain the same regardless of your specific R setup.
For large datasets, implement pagination, use streaming responses where available, and consider storing data in a database for efficient querying.
Ready to ship?
100 free API calls. No credit card. Same endpoint, same response shape.
Same endpoint, different language