What Your Competitors' Failed Ads Can Teach You

We obsess over winning ads. But looking at the ads that failed (ran for < 3 days) saves you money. It tells you what not to do.

Identifying the "Flops"

Look for ads in the library that were launched and immediately paused. Look for tests that were never scaled.

Common Reasons for Failure

1. Compliance Issues: Did they make a claim that got flagged? (e.g., "Lose 10lbs in 2 days"). If you see a competitor try this and fail, don't try it yourself.
2. Wrong Format: Did they try a TV-style polished commercial on TikTok? If it died instantly, it confirms that "Lo-Fi" is the way to go.
3. Weak Hooks: Did the video start with a logo reveal? (Rookie mistake).

The "Negative Persona"

Failed ads often target the wrong angle. Maybe they tried to sell a luxury product with a "Discount" angle, and it devalued the brand. Seeing this failure helps you refine your own positioning without spending the unified budget to learn the lesson.

Conclusion

Your competitor's ad budget is your R&D lab. innovative. Let them pay to find out what doesn't work, so you can focus entirely on what does.