# Facebook Ad Library Search API Facebook Ad Library Searches Meta's public Ad Library by keyword and returns the matching ads from Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Threads and the Audience Network. Each ad has its advertiser, the days it first and last ran, whether it's still active, where it ran and its creatives: headline, text, link, call to action, images and videos. Political and social-issue ads add the payer and Meta's impression, reach and spend ranges. Filter by country, language, status and dates. Ads come most impressions first, the Ad Library's own order. GET `/v1/facebook/search_ads` ## Example cURL: ```shell curl 'https://socialtap.dev/v1/facebook/search_ads?country=US&query=coffee' \ -H "x-api-key: $SOCIALTAP_API_KEY" ``` TypeScript SDK: ```typescript import { SocialTap } from "socialtap"; const client = new SocialTap(); // apiKey defaults to process.env.SOCIALTAP_API_KEY const res = await client.facebook.searchAds.list({ query: "coffee", country: "US" }); console.log(res.data); console.log(res.credits.charged, res.meta.request_id); ``` Node.js (fetch): ```javascript const params = new URLSearchParams({ country: "US", query: "coffee", }); const res = await fetch(`https://socialtap.dev/v1/facebook/search_ads?${params}`, { headers: { "x-api-key": process.env.SOCIALTAP_API_KEY ?? "" }, }); const body = await res.json(); if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`${body.error.code}: ${body.error.message}`); const { data, page, meta } = body; console.log(data, meta.credits_charged); ``` Python (requests): ```python import os import requests res = requests.get( "https://socialtap.dev/v1/facebook/search_ads", params={"country": "US", "query": "coffee"}, headers={"x-api-key": os.environ["SOCIALTAP_API_KEY"]}, ) body = res.json() if not res.ok: raise RuntimeError(f"{body['error']['code']}: {body['error']['message']}") data, page, meta = body["data"], body["page"], body["meta"] print(data, meta["credits_charged"]) ``` Go (net/http): ```go package main import ( "encoding/json" "fmt" "log" "net/http" "net/url" "os" ) func main() { q := url.Values{} q.Set("country", "US") q.Set("query", "coffee") req, err := http.NewRequest("GET", "https://socialtap.dev/v1/facebook/search_ads?"+q.Encode(), nil) if err != nil { log.Fatal(err) } req.Header.Set("x-api-key", os.Getenv("SOCIALTAP_API_KEY")) res, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(req) if err != nil { log.Fatal(err) } defer res.Body.Close() var body struct { Data json.RawMessage `json:"data"` Page json.RawMessage `json:"page"` Meta map[string]any `json:"meta"` Error *struct { Code string `json:"code"` Message string `json:"message"` } `json:"error"` } if err := json.NewDecoder(res.Body).Decode(&body); err != nil { log.Fatal(err) } if body.Error != nil { log.Fatalf("%s: %s", body.Error.Code, body.Error.Message) } fmt.Println(string(body.Data), body.Meta["credits_charged"]) } ``` 200 OK: ```json { "data": [ { "advertiser": { "avatar_url": "https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/739782028_1533198008291919_1079542453788497101_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&_nc_gid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ss=7b289&oh=SCRUBBED&…", "display_name": "American Health Support Community", "id": "966175593248497", "is_verified": null, "url": "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588018263996", "username": null }, "approximate_fields": [ "first_shown_at" ], "audience_size": null, "country_codes": [], "creatives": [ { "body": "My aunt called me a creep for putting a camera in Nana’s living room.\n\nNana called me practical.\n\nThen the camera caught something worse than a fall.\n\nI need to be clear about one thing before anyone decides what kind of grandson I am.\n\nNana asked for the camera.\n\nNot me.\n\nNot my…", "cta_text": "Learn more", "link_description": null, "link_url": "https://shop.pipitea.com/hbt/kd/sp-nm", "media": [ { "alt_text": null, "duration_ms": null, "expires_at": "2026-10-25T18:00:00Z", "height": null, "thumbnail_url": "https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/742001725_2100792434176297_9060645049521596104_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s600x600_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&_nc_gid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ss=7b289&oh=SCRUBBE…", "type": "image", "url": "https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/742501415_1706621370582971_4085631001896338504_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&_nc_gid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ss=7b289&oh=SCRUBBED&oe=F2A52380", "width": null } ], "title": "Natural Relief in Weeks" } ], "first_shown_at": "2026-07-18T07:00:00Z", "id": "2619351891814847", "impressions": null, "is_active": true, "is_political": false, "languages": [], "last_shown_at": null, "paid_by": null, "platform": "facebook", "platform_specific": { "facebook": { "advertiser_categories": [ "Community Center" ], "advertiser_instagram": null, "advertiser_instagram_follower_count": null, "advertiser_like_count": 4072, "beneficiary": null, "collation_count": 1, "collation_id": "2362783507580471", "cta_type": "learn_more", "impression_shares": null, "is_advertiser_deleted": false, "is_removed": null, "is_synthetic": false, "link_caption": "shop.pipitea.com", "partner": null, "removal_reasons": [], "special_ad_categories": [], "targeting": [] } }, "publisher_platforms": [ "facebook", "instagram", "audience_network" ], "reach": null, "spend": null, "type": "image", "unknown_fields": [ "country_codes", "languages", "platform_specific.facebook.removal_reasons" ], "url": "https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=2619351891814847" }, { "advertiser": { "avatar_url": "https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/712623693_1599994994434095_1320701223312676781_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&_nc_gid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ss=7b289&oh=SCRUBBED&…", "display_name": "American Health Support Community", "id": "966175593248497", "is_verified": null, "url": "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588018263996", "username": null }, "approximate_fields": [ "first_shown_at", "last_shown_at" ], "audience_size": null, "country_codes": [], "creatives": [ { "body": "I almost looked past the woman who saved my husband's life. She was seventy-nine, sitting alone at the booth next to ours at the Cracker Barrel off Highway 31. A glass of milk in front of her. She kept stirring it. She wasn't eating.\n\nIf I'd known, the night I leaned over and ask…", "cta_text": "Learn more", "link_description": "\"I've tried everything to support my kidney function naturally. Fish oil, CoQ10, cutting protein, stressing about every meal. Nothing moved the needle enough to satisfy my doctor. Hibiscus tea is the first thing that actually showed up in my numbers. It's been 3 months and my eGF…", "link_url": "https://shop.pipitea.com/hbt/kd/sp", "media": [ { "alt_text": null, "duration_ms": null, "expires_at": "2026-10-25T18:00:00Z", "height": null, "thumbnail_url": "https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/711729685_1717035472767079_186136568392095276_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s600x600_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&_nc_gid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ss=7b289&oh=SCRUBBED…", "type": "image", "url": "https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/713729791_868879862958547_7409366389733397444_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&_nc_gid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ss=7b289&oh=SCRUBBED&oe=F2A52380", "width": null } ], "title": "Natural Relief in Weeks" } ], "first_shown_at": "2026-06-01T07:00:00Z", "id": "1923645134954720", "impressions": null, "is_active": false, "is_political": false, "languages": [], "last_shown_at": "2026-10-30T07:00:00Z", "paid_by": null, "platform": "facebook", "platform_specific": { "facebook": { "advertiser_categories": [ "Community Center" ], "advertiser_instagram": null, "advertiser_instagram_follower_count": null, "advertiser_like_count": 4072, "beneficiary": null, "collation_count": 1, "collation_id": "1304791095118481", "cta_type": "learn_more", "impression_shares": null, "is_advertiser_deleted": false, "is_removed": null, "is_synthetic": false, "link_caption": "shop.pipitea.com", "partner": null, "removal_reasons": [], "special_ad_categories": [], "targeting": [] } }, "publisher_platforms": [ "facebook", "instagram", "audience_network" ], "reach": null, "spend": null, "type": "image", "unknown_fields": [ "country_codes", "languages", "platform_specific.facebook.removal_reasons" ], "url": "https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=1923645134954720" }, { "advertiser": { "avatar_url": "https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/712025330_1303417705276292_736671271727941526_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&_nc_gid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ss=7b289&oh=SCRUBBED&o…", "display_name": "American Health Support Community", "id": "966175593248497", "is_verified": null, "url": "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588018263996", "username": null }, "approximate_fields": [ "first_shown_at", "last_shown_at" ], "audience_size": null, "country_codes": [], "creatives": [ { "body": "I almost looked past the woman who saved my husband's life. She was seventy-nine, sitting alone at the booth next to ours at the Cracker Barrel off Highway 31. A glass of milk in front of her. She kept stirring it. She wasn't eating.\n\nIf I'd known, the night I leaned over and ask…", "cta_text": "Learn more", "link_description": "\"I've tried everything to support my kidney function naturally. Fish oil, CoQ10, cutting protein, stressing about every meal. Nothing moved the needle enough to satisfy my doctor. Hibiscus tea is the first thing that actually showed up in my numbers. It's been 3 months and my eGF…", "link_url": "https://shop.pipitea.com/hbt/kd/sp", "media": [ { "alt_text": null, "duration_ms": null, "expires_at": "2026-10-25T18:00:00Z", "height": null, "thumbnail_url": "https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/711737708_4485707625086258_2353150069319301753_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s600x600_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&_nc_gid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ss=7b289&oh=SCRUBBE…", "type": "image", "url": "https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/710755472_911440771966686_1736050619245168045_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&_nc_gid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ss=7b289&oh=SCRUBBED&oe=F2A52380", "width": null } ], "title": "Natural Relief in Weeks" } ], "first_shown_at": "2026-06-01T07:00:00Z", "id": "2140497416496021", "impressions": null, "is_active": false, "is_political": false, "languages": [], "last_shown_at": "2026-10-30T07:00:00Z", "paid_by": null, "platform": "facebook", "platform_specific": { "facebook": { "advertiser_categories": [ "Community Center" ], "advertiser_instagram": null, "advertiser_instagram_follower_count": null, "advertiser_like_count": 4072, "beneficiary": null, "collation_count": 1, "collation_id": "884617784669236", "cta_type": "learn_more", "impression_shares": null, "is_advertiser_deleted": false, "is_removed": null, "is_synthetic": false, "link_caption": "shop.pipitea.com", "partner": null, "removal_reasons": [], "special_ad_categories": [], "targeting": [] } }, "publisher_platforms": [ "facebook", "instagram", "audience_network" ], "reach": null, "spend": null, "type": "image", "unknown_fields": [ "country_codes", "languages", "platform_specific.facebook.removal_reasons" ], "url": "https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=2140497416496021" } ], "page": { "has_more": true, "next_cursor": "c1.EXAMPLE_CURSOR", "next_cursor_expires_at": "2026-10-26T12:00:00Z", "end_reason": null }, "meta": { "request_id": "req_3f9c2a7d1e8b4c6a9f0e2d4b6a8c0e1f", "platform": "facebook", "source": "api", "is_cached": false, "credits_charged": 1, "latency_ms": 1482, "fetched_at": "2026-10-25T12:00:00Z", "input": null, "credits_remaining": 9999, "client_request_id": null, "warnings": [] } } ``` Long arrays and strings are shortened for display; real responses are complete. > [!NOTE] > > **Good to know** > > - advertiser.id is the Page's own ID. Facebook's posts and comments name a Page by its profile ID: join them to an advertiser by username, not id. > - Payer, impressions, reach and spend are disclosed only for political and social-issue ads, and are null for other ads. > - Run dates are whole days in US Pacific time, as Meta reports them, so approximate_fields lists them. > - since and until keep the ads that ran during the window (first ran before until, and still running or last ran at or after since), in whole days as Meta reports them. A filtered page can hold fewer ads than limit without being the end of the list. > - Meta groups ads that share a creative, and each ad in a group comes back as its own item. > - Languages, targeting and EU reach by country are empty or null in search results: the Facebook Ad Library Ad API returns them for one ad. ## Authorizations `x-api-key`stringheaderrequired Your API key. [Authentication](https://socialtap.dev/docs/authentication/index.md) ## Query parameters | Name | Type | Description | Example | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `query` required | `string`
max 200 chars | Keywords matched against the ad's text, in any order. Wrap the query in double quotes ("cold brew") to match an exact phrase. | `coffee` | | `country` optional | `string`
iso3166-1-alpha-2 | Region: an ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code such as US or BR (case-insensitive). Only ads delivered in this country. All countries when omitted. | `US` | | `lang` optional | `string`
bcp47 | Preferred language: a BCP-47 tag such as en or pt-BR (case-insensitive; _ is read as -). Only ads whose text Meta detects as this language (the primary subtag counts: pt-BR searches pt). All languages when omitted. | `en` | | `status` optional | `string` | Only items that are still running (active), only items that stopped (inactive), or both (all). Default: all.
One of `active`, `inactive`, `all` | `active` | | `since` optional | `string`
date-time | Only items at or after this time: RFC 3339 (2026-10-01T12:00:00Z) or a date (2026-10-01, midnight UTC). On newest-first lists, paging stops when it is reached, so later pages are not fetched or charged. Ads count when they ran during the window: an ad that last ran (last_shown_at) before since is left out; active ads ran until today. | `2026-10-01` | | `until` optional | `string`
date-time | Only items before this time (exclusive): RFC 3339 or a date (midnight UTC). Ads count when they ran during the window: an ad that first ran (first_shown_at) at or after until is left out. | `2026-10-08` | | `limit` optional | `integer`
min 1
max 10 | Items per page, 1 to the endpoint's page size (its default and maximum; larger values are reduced to it). Omit it: every page costs the same, so a smaller limit means more pages to pay for. | `10` | | `cursor` optional | `string` | page.next_cursor from the previous response. Send the same other parameters; omit to start from the first page. | — | Unknown parameters are rejected with a suggestion, never ignored ([Requests](https://socialtap.dev/docs/requests/index.md)). `limit` and `cursor` page through the list: see Pagination. **Parameters every endpoint accepts** | Name | Type | Description | Example | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `max_age` optional | `integer`
min 0 | Accept a cached response up to this many seconds old. Cache hits cost 0 credits. Omit to always fetch fresh. The Cache-Control: max-age=N request header is equivalent; max_age wins when both are sent. | — | | `fields` optional | `string` | Return only these fields of each item: comma-separated paths in the schema's notation (id,text,metrics.view_count,segments\[\].text; a parent path keeps the whole object). Unknown paths are rejected. Applied after the cache, so it changes neither the price nor cache hits; page and meta are always returned whole. | — | ## Response ### 200 `{data, page, meta}`. `data` is an array of up to 10 [ad](https://socialtap.dev/resources/ad/index.md) objects, most impressions first; `page` says how to get the next page; `meta` describes the request ([meta](https://socialtap.dev/docs/reference/index.md#meta)). Fields only Facebook Ad Library has are under `platform_specific.facebook`. | Field | Type | Description | | --- | --- | --- | | `data[].platform` | `string` | Library owner's platform ID (facebook for Meta's library, tiktok, google, linkedin). | | `data[].id` | `string` | Library ad ID (string). | | `data[].url` | `string` (uri) | Public library page of the ad. | | `data[].advertiser` | `object` | The advertising page, business or account. | | `data[].advertiser.id` | `string` or `null` | Platform-native account ID; null when only the handle is known. | | `data[].advertiser.username` | `string` or `null` | Handle without the @; null when the account has none. | | `data[].advertiser.display_name` | `string` or `null` | Display name shown on the profile. | | `data[].advertiser.url` | `string` (uri) or `null` | Canonical profile URL. | | `data[].advertiser.avatar_url` | `string` (uri) or `null` | Profile picture URL. Platform CDN URLs can expire within hours. | | `data[].advertiser.is_verified` | `boolean` or `null` | Platform verification badge; null where the platform has no badge. | | `data[].paid_by` | `string` or `null` | Disclosed payer ("Paid for by"). | | `data[].is_active` | `boolean` or `null` | True while the ad is running. | | `data[].first_shown_at` | `string` (date-time) or `null` | First delivery, RFC 3339 UTC (often date-only: see approximate_fields). | | `data[].last_shown_at` | `string` (date-time) or `null` | Last delivery, RFC 3339 UTC; null while active. | | `data[].type` | `string` | Creative shape. New values may be added; treat unknown values as other.
One of `image`, `video`, `carousel`, `text`, `dynamic`, `other` | | `data[].publisher_platforms` | `string[]` | Where it ran, lowercase IDs (facebook, instagram, messenger, audience_network, youtube, …); \[\] if not disclosed. | | `data[].creatives` | `object[]` | The ad's creatives: one per card of a carousel and per variation of a dynamic or catalog ad, else one for the ad itself; \[\] if none are shown. | | `data[].creatives[].title` | `string` or `null` | Headline. | | `data[].creatives[].body` | `string` or `null` | Primary text. | | `data[].creatives[].link_url` | `string` (uri) or `null` | Destination URL. | | `data[].creatives[].link_description` | `string` or `null` | Link description text. | | `data[].creatives[].cta_text` | `string` or `null` | Call-to-action label (e.g. Shop now). | | `data[].creatives[].media` | `object[]` | Images and videos of this creative; \[\] if none. | | `data[].creatives[].media[].type` | `string` | Kind of file. New values may be added; treat unknown values as other.
One of `image`, `video`, `audio`, `gif` | | `data[].creatives[].media[].url` | `string` (uri) or `null` | Direct file URL; null when the platform withholds it, or when the link would only work from SocialTap's network or with a login. Often signed and expiring: see expires_at. | | `data[].creatives[].media[].expires_at` | `string` (date-time) or `null` | When url stops working, RFC 3339 UTC, read from the platform's signed URL; null when unknown or when it does not expire. | | `data[].creatives[].media[].thumbnail_url` | `string` (uri) or `null` | Poster or preview image URL. | | `data[].creatives[].media[].width` | `integer` or `null` | Width in pixels. | | `data[].creatives[].media[].height` | `integer` or `null` | Height in pixels. | | `data[].creatives[].media[].duration_ms` | `integer` or `null` | Duration in milliseconds (video and audio only). | | `data[].creatives[].media[].alt_text` | `string` or `null` | Accessibility text provided by the author or platform. | | `data[].languages` | `string[]` | BCP-47 languages of the ad; \[\] if not disclosed. | | `data[].country_codes` | `string[]` | ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 countries where it was shown; \[\] if not disclosed. | | `data[].is_political` | `boolean` or `null` | Categorized as a political or social-issue ad; false when the library files it under another category, null when it shows none. | | `data[].impressions` | `object` or `null` | Impressions or times shown range; null when not disclosed. | | `data[].impressions.lower_bound` | `integer` | Inclusive lower bound. | | `data[].impressions.upper_bound` | `integer` or `null` | Inclusive upper bound; null when open-ended (e.g. ">1M"). Equal to lower_bound when exact. | | `data[].reach` | `object` or `null` | Unique users reached range; null when not disclosed. | | `data[].reach.lower_bound` | `integer` | Inclusive lower bound. | | `data[].reach.upper_bound` | `integer` or `null` | Inclusive upper bound; null when open-ended (e.g. ">1M"). Equal to lower_bound when exact. | | `data[].audience_size` | `object` or `null` | Estimated target audience size range; null when not disclosed. | | `data[].audience_size.lower_bound` | `integer` | Inclusive lower bound. | | `data[].audience_size.upper_bound` | `integer` or `null` | Inclusive upper bound; null when open-ended (e.g. ">1M"). Equal to lower_bound when exact. | | `data[].spend` | `object` or `null` | Spend range; null when not disclosed. | | `data[].spend.lower_bound` | `integer` | Inclusive lower bound, in whole units of currency. | | `data[].spend.upper_bound` | `integer` or `null` | Inclusive upper bound in whole units of currency; null when open-ended. | | `data[].spend.currency` | `string` | ISO 4217 currency code, uppercase (USD). | | `data[].platform_specific` | `object` | Fields only this platform has, under its ID (platform_specific.\); each null when unknown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook` | `object` or `null` | A Meta Ad Library ad's own fields. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.cta_type` | `string` or `null` | The call to action's type (shop_now, learn_more), whatever language cta_text is in; null when the ad has none. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.link_caption` | `string` or `null` | The link caption shown under the creative (usually the destination's domain); null when none. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.special_ad_categories` | `string[]` | Meta's special ad categories the ad is filed under (political, housing, employment, credit); \[\] for an ordinary ad. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.collation_id` | `string` or `null` | The group of ads that share this creative and text; null when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.collation_count` | `integer` or `null` | How many ads share this creative and text; null when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.partner` | `object` or `null` | The creator whose post a branded content ad promotes for the advertiser; null for other ads. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.partner.id` | `string` or `null` | Platform-native account ID; null when only the handle is known. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.partner.username` | `string` or `null` | Handle without the @; null when the account has none. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.partner.display_name` | `string` or `null` | Display name shown on the profile. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.partner.url` | `string` (uri) or `null` | Canonical profile URL. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.partner.avatar_url` | `string` (uri) or `null` | Profile picture URL. Platform CDN URLs can expire within hours. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.partner.is_verified` | `boolean` or `null` | Platform verification badge; null where the platform has no badge. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.advertiser_like_count` | `integer` or `null` | The advertiser's page likes; null when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.advertiser_categories` | `string[]` | The advertiser page's categories (Wine/spirits); \[\] when not shown (in unknown_fields when not shown). | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.is_advertiser_deleted` | `boolean` or `null` | The advertiser's page has since been deleted; null when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.advertiser_instagram` | `object` or `null` | The advertiser's Instagram account, when Meta links one; null otherwise or outside the ad's details. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.advertiser_instagram.id` | `string` or `null` | Platform-native account ID; null when only the handle is known. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.advertiser_instagram.username` | `string` or `null` | Handle without the @; null when the account has none. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.advertiser_instagram.display_name` | `string` or `null` | Display name shown on the profile. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.advertiser_instagram.url` | `string` (uri) or `null` | Canonical profile URL. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.advertiser_instagram.avatar_url` | `string` (uri) or `null` | Profile picture URL. Platform CDN URLs can expire within hours. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.advertiser_instagram.is_verified` | `boolean` or `null` | Platform verification badge; null where the platform has no badge. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.advertiser_instagram_follower_count` | `integer` or `null` | Followers of the advertiser's Instagram account; null when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.beneficiary` | `string` or `null` | Whom the ad benefits, as disclosed for ads shown in the EU; null when not disclosed. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.is_synthetic` | `boolean` or `null` | The advertiser disclosed digitally created or altered media (an AI disclosure); null when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.is_removed` | `boolean` or `null` | Meta took the ad down for breaking its standards; null when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.removal_reasons` | `string[]` | Meta's reasons for taking it down; \[\] when none (in unknown_fields when not shown). | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.targeting` | `object[]` | Whom the advertiser targeted and whom the ad reached, per region that discloses it (the EU, the UK); \[\] when not disclosed (in unknown_fields when not shown). | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.targeting[].region` | `string` | The disclosing region. New values may be added.
One of `eu`, `uk` | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.targeting[].reach` | `integer` or `null` | Unique accounts the ad reached in the region; null when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.targeting[].genders` | `string[]` | Genders targeted (female, male); \[\] when all. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.targeting[].age_min` | `integer` or `null` | Youngest age targeted; null when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.targeting[].age_max` | `integer` or `null` | Oldest age targeted (65 means 65 and over); null when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.targeting[].locations` | `object[]` | Places the advertiser targeted or excluded; \[\] when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.targeting[].locations[].name` | `string` | The place as Meta names it (United Kingdom, Berlin). | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.targeting[].locations[].type` | `string` or `null` | The kind of place (countries, regions, cities); null when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.targeting[].locations[].is_excluded` | `boolean` | The advertiser excluded the place rather than targeting it. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.targeting[].reach_by_country` | `object[]` | Unique accounts reached per country, by age range and gender; \[\] when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.targeting[].reach_by_country[].country_code` | `string` | ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.targeting[].reach_by_country[].ages` | `object[]` | Unique accounts reached there per age range. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.targeting[].reach_by_country[].ages[].age_range` | `string` | The age range (18-24, 65+). | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.targeting[].reach_by_country[].ages[].male` | `integer` or `null` | Men reached; null when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.targeting[].reach_by_country[].ages[].female` | `integer` or `null` | Women reached; null when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.targeting[].reach_by_country[].ages[].unknown` | `integer` or `null` | Accounts of unknown gender reached; null when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.impression_shares` | `object` or `null` | A political or social-issue ad's audience: its share of impressions by age and gender and by region; null for other ads. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.impression_shares.by_age_gender` | `object[]` | Share of impressions per age range, by gender (0 to 1). | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.impression_shares.by_age_gender[].age_range` | `string` | The age range (18-24, 65+). | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.impression_shares.by_age_gender[].male` | `number` or `null` | Share among men (0 to 1); null when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.impression_shares.by_age_gender[].female` | `number` or `null` | Share among women (0 to 1); null when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.impression_shares.by_age_gender[].unknown` | `number` or `null` | Share among people of unknown gender (0 to 1); null when not shown. | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.impression_shares.by_region` | `object[]` | Share of impressions per region (0 to 1). | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.impression_shares.by_region[].region` | `string` | The region as Meta names it (California). | | `data[].platform_specific.facebook.impression_shares.by_region[].share` | `number` or `null` | Its share (0 to 1); null when not shown. | | `data[].approximate_fields` | `string[]` | JSON paths of values that are rounded, date-only or parsed from display text. A list path (external_links) means the list may be incomplete. \[\] when all exact. | | `data[].unknown_fields` | `string[]` | JSON paths of lists whose \[\] means unknown rather than none (a source that cannot see them); null already means unknown for every other field. \[\] when every list is known. | not_found is item-level: the request was fine, the item can't be returned. ### 400 400 Bad Request: 2 error codes. Free: errors cost nothing. | Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `invalid_input` | 400 | No | A parameter is missing or malformed, or the link is not one this endpoint takes. | Fix the parameter named in param as the message says. For a link of the wrong kind, call an endpoint listed in details.endpoints, when there is one. | | `invalid_cursor` | 400 | No | The cursor is malformed or expired, belongs to another endpoint, or came with other parameters than the request that returned it. | Repeat the original request without cursor to start the list again. | ### 401 401 Unauthorized: 1 error code. Free: errors cost nothing. | Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `unauthorized` | 401 | No | The x-api-key header is missing, or its key is unknown or revoked. On the dashboard's routes: the session cookie is missing or expired. | Send a valid API key in the x-api-key header. No key yet? A person gets one at details.signup_url; an AI agent follows details.agent_auth_url. | ### 402 402 Payment Required: 2 error codes. Free: errors cost nothing. | Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `insufficient_credits` | 402 | No | The account does not have enough credits for this request. | Have a person buy credits at details.purchase_url (or make them a checkout link with details.checkout), then repeat the request. Do not retry automatically. | | `spend_limit_reached` | 402 | No | The API key reached its spend limit for this period. The account may still have credits. | Wait until details.resets_at, or raise the key's spend limit (PATCH /v1/api_keys/{id}). Do not retry automatically. | ### 403 403 Forbidden: 1 error code. Free: errors cost nothing. | Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `forbidden` | 403 | No | The API key is valid but may not make this request, and details.reason says why: the account is suspended, the key lacks the route's scope, waits for its owner to confirm it by email, has expired, or was used from an IP outside its allowlist, or a rotated key's previous secret was used for a call that needs the admin scope. A running job stops with it too when its account is suspended or the key that created it is revoked or expires. It is about the key, never the item: a private item is private_or_unavailable, also 403, so branch on the code. | Act on details.reason. suspended: contact [support](mailto:support@socialtap.dev). scope: use a key with details.required_scope. previous_secret: use the new secret. key_pending: have the owner open the emailed link. key_expired or key_revoked: create a new key. ip_not_allowed: call from an allowed IP. | ### 404 404 Not Found: 1 error code. Free: errors cost nothing. | Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `not_found` | 404 | No | The item does not exist or was deleted. On GET /v1/requests/{id}/response: the response was not kept (details.reason says why). | Check the link or ID. Do not retry. | ### 429 429 Too Many Requests: 1 error code. Free: errors cost nothing. | Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `rate_limited` | 429 | Yes, later | The account passed its runaway-protection ceiling: a high per-account limit that stops a broken client loop (plans have no rate limit). Requests without an API key (signup, the MCP server's tool listing and find_endpoint) are limited per IP address instead. It also stops an account whose failed requests in the last hour cost far more than its successful ones paid for: failures are free within a limit (the message says so), and successes raise it. | Wait the seconds in the retry-after header, then retry. If your steady traffic needs more, ask [support](mailto:support@socialtap.dev) to raise the ceiling; without an API key, send one. | ### 500 500 Internal Error: 1 error code. Free: errors cost nothing. | Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `internal` | 500 | Yes, later | An unexpected error on SocialTap's side. | Retry with backoff. If it keeps happening, contact [support](mailto:support@socialtap.dev) with the request_id. | ### 502 502 Bad Gateway: 1 error code. Free: errors cost nothing. | Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `upstream_error` | 502 | Yes, later | The platform failed, or answered with something we could not read. | Retry with backoff. Failed requests are free. | ### 503 503 Unavailable: 2 error codes. Free: errors cost nothing. | Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `upstream_blocked` | 503 | Yes, later | The platform refused every attempt, our own retries included. | Retry later with backoff. Failed requests are free. | | `overloaded` | 503 | Yes, later | SocialTap was at capacity, or paused by its operators, and did not start the request. Nothing was fetched or charged. | Retry after the seconds in the retry-after header. Failed requests are free. | ## Pagination Items come in pages, **most impressions first**. To get the next page, send **the same request plus `cursor`** set to `page.next_cursor` from the previous response. Keep every other parameter the same (limit, max_age and fields may change); anything else that differs is rejected. When `page.has_more` is `false` the walk is over, and `page.end_reason` says why: only `end` means you have every item (the others say the platform or a page cap stopped the walk early). - **Order**: Most impressions first - **Page size**: Up to 10 ads (the default; `limit` lowers it) - **Cursor lifetime**: 1 hour; don't store cursors - **Price**: Per page, 1 credit ### The `page` object | Field | Type | Description | | --- | --- | --- | | `page.has_more` | `boolean` | True when another page exists; then next_cursor is set. An empty page with has_more true is not the end. | | `page.next_cursor` | `string` or `null` | Pass as cursor, with the same other parameters, to get the next page; null at the end. | | `page.next_cursor_expires_at` | `string` (date-time) or `null` | When next_cursor stops working, RFC 3339 UTC; null at the end. Don't store cursors. | | `page.end_reason` | `string` or `null` | Why there are no more pages; null while has_more is true. end: the list ended, or reached since/until. platform_limit: the platform stops serving further pages although the list goes on. max_pages: SocialTap's cap on pages in one walk. New values may be added. A short or empty page is not the end: only has_more false is.
One of `end`, `platform_limit`, `max_pages` | ### Next page cURL: next page: ```shell curl 'https://socialtap.dev/v1/facebook/search_ads?country=US&query=coffee&cursor=c1.EXAMPLE_CURSOR' \ -H "x-api-key: $SOCIALTAP_API_KEY" ``` - The price is per page: each successful page costs the same, whatever `limit` is and however many items it has. Empty pages are charged too (an empty page with `has_more: true` is not the end). - A `limit` below 10 doesn't save credits: the next request serves the rest of the same platform page, which is fetched again and charged as a page each time, and items can shift between those requests if the platform changes the list. Omitting `limit` is the cheapest way to walk the list. - Errors are free, including a rejected cursor. - Pages served from the cache are free. - An expired or altered cursor, or one sent with different parameters, fails with [`invalid_cursor`](https://socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#invalid_cursor) (HTTP 400): Repeat the original request without cursor to start the list again. [Pagination guide](https://socialtap.dev/docs/pagination/index.md) ## Pricing From **1 credit** per page. Charged per successful page, whatever its number of items. Errors are free. The price depends on the source that produced the result, reported as `meta.source`. | Source | Price per successful page | Per 1,000 pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Platform API `api` | 1 credit | $0.75–$1.97 | **Balance, sources and what you were charged** Your balance must be at least **1 credit** to start a request; with less, it is refused with [`insufficient_credits`](https://socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#insufficient_credits) (HTTP 402) and costs nothing. Only that minimum is set aside when the request starts. | meta.source | Source | What it means | | --- | --- | --- | | `api` | Platform API | The platform's public, logged-out API. | `meta.credits_charged` and the `x-credits-charged` header show what you paid. [How credits work](https://socialtap.dev/docs/credits/index.md) · [Packs](https://socialtap.dev/pricing/index.md) Endpoint ID `facebook.search_ads` · operationId `facebook.search_ads.list` · [Product overview](https://socialtap.dev/apis/facebook/search_ads/index.md) --- [HTML version](https://socialtap.dev/docs/reference/facebook/search_ads/) · [Docs index for AI agents](https://socialtap.dev/llms.txt) · [All docs in one file](https://socialtap.dev/llms-full.txt)