How to Spy on Competitors’ Google Shopping Ads: Tools and Strategies for Ecommerce Brands

Want to boost your ecommerce sales? Here's how to research competitors' Google Shopping ads:

  • Use free tools like Google Ads Transparency Center and Merchant Center
  • Try paid tools like SEMrush, SpyFu, and PowerAdSpy for deeper insights
  • Track key metrics: Click-Through Rate, Cost Per Click, Conversion Rate
  • Optimize product titles, adjust pricing, and refine ad copy based on findings
  • Check competitor ads regularly (weekly to monthly)

Quick Comparison of Research Tools:

Tool Best For Cost
Google Ads Transparency Center Basic ad viewing Free
SEMrush In-depth PLA research From $119.95/month
SpyFu Keyword and ad history From $39/month
PowerAdSpy Ad creative analysis Custom quote

Remember: Don't just copy competitors. Use insights to improve your own unique strategy.

Basics of Google Shopping Ad Research

Google Shopping Ads dominate the e-commerce landscape. They eat up about 80% of all Google Ads spend. So, it's crucial to know how to dig into your competitors' strategies.

What is Ad Research?

Ad research is like being a detective for your competitors' ads. You're looking at:

  • What products they're pushing
  • How they price their stuff
  • Where their ads show up
  • What deals they're offering

Want to start? It's simple. Just Google your target keywords at different times. You'll see how ads change throughout the day.

Playing by the Rules

Yes, you need to know what your competitors are up to. But you've got to play nice. Here's how:

  • Stick to public tools like Google Ads Transparency Center
  • Don't try to sneak into competitors' Google Ads accounts
  • Look at what's out in the open, not behind closed doors

Numbers That Matter

Want to see how you stack up? Keep an eye on these:

Metric Industry Average Why You Should Care
lick-Through Rate (CTR) 1.91% Shows if people like your ads
Cost Per Click (CPC) $0.66 Tells you if you're spending smart
Conversion Rate 1.91% Measures if your ads actually sell
Key Performance Metrics dashboard showing four main metrics: Click-Through Rate (1.91% with target >2%), Cost Per Click ($0.66 with target <$0.60), Conversion Rate (1.91% with target >2.5%), and Cost Per Action ($38.87 marked as High Impact). Each metric displays industry average and target values. Below are key insights: 'Aim to exceed industry averages for optimal performance' and 'Monitor metrics weekly for high-competition niches'. SCUBE Marketing logo appears at bottom

These are just averages. Your goal? Beat these numbers in your niche.

Why Bother with Competitor Research?

Knowing your competitors' moves helps you step up your game. Here's how:

1. Spot gaps: Find opportunities others are missing.

2. Sharpen your message: Learn from ads that work.

3. Smart spending: Figure out how much you need to shell out to compete.

4. Discover keywords: Uncover valuable search terms you might have missed.

"The first step in performing a Google Ads competitor analysis is identifying your top Google Ads competitors using tools like the Advertising Research tool." - SEMrush Blog

Free Tools for Research

Want to peek at your competitors' Google Shopping ads without spending a dime? You're in luck. Here are some free tools to give you the inside scoop.

Google Ads Transparency Center

This tool is a goldmine for competitor research. Here's how to use it:

  1. Go to adstransparency.google.com
  2. Type in your competitor's name
  3. Filter ads by format, time, and location
  4. Check out their ad copy, visuals, and CTAs

Look for ads that have been running for a while. They're probably the ones that work best.

The Google Ads Transparency Center is like having X-ray vision into our competitors' strategies

Price Checking in Merchant Center

Want to see how your prices stack up? Use the price competitiveness report in Google's Merchant Center:

  1. Log into your Merchant Center account
  2. Go to "Growth"
  3. Click "Price competitiveness"
  4. Compare your prices to market averages

Auction Reports

The Auction Insights report in Google Ads shows you where you stand against competitors. It gives you key info like:

Metric What It Means
Impression Share How often your ads show up vs. competitors
Overlap Rate How often a competitor's ad appears with yours
Outranking Share How often your ad ranks higher when both show up

Manual Searches

Sometimes, the old-school way works best. Try searching for your target keywords:

  • At different times of day
  • On various devices (mobile, desktop)
  • From different locations (if it matters for your business)

Keep track of what you find. You might spot patterns in when and how your competitors advertise.

My Ad Center

Google's My Ad Center can give you a sneak peek at eCommerce competitor ads:

  1. Visit myadcenter.google.com
  2. Check out the "Advertisers" section
  3. Look for your competitors' ads
  4. See what products and messages they're pushing

Remember: Use these tools ethically. Don't try to access private info or break any rules. The goal is to learn, not to copy or steal ideas.

Paid Research Tools

Sometimes free tools just don't cut it. That's where paid research tools come in. They can give you a serious edge when analyzing your competitors' Google Shopping ads.

SCUBE Marketing Services

If you'd rather have experts handle it, SCUBE Marketing offers tailored services for Google Shopping ad analysis and optimization. Our SCUBE Growth Program includes:

Pricing is custom, but SCUBE focuses on ROI. We aim to make sure your investment in ad research and optimization pays off in better campaign performance.

SEMrush Shopping Ad Tools

Semrush PLA Research tool interface showing a search bar at the top with example domains (ebay.com, bestbuy.com, amazon.com) and a 'Search' button with US region selector. Below, there's a section titled 'Research competitors' PLAs' listing three key features: discovering product listing ads, seeing domain positions in Google Shopping ads, and viewing search query triggers. A partial preview of a PLA Competitors analytics window appears on the right showing competition levels and keyword metrics. SCUBE Marketing logo is displayed at the bottom.

SEMrush packs a punch with its PLA Research feature. Here's what you can do:

1. Domain Analysis

Enter a competitor's domain and boom - you've got a full report on their ad activity.

2. Keyword Insights

Find out exactly which keywords are triggering your rivals' shopping ads.

3. Ad Content Analysis

See the actual ad copy and visuals your competitors are using. It's like peeking behind the curtain.

SEMrush's PLA Research is like having X-ray vision into our competitors' strategies. It's invaluable for crafting more effective campaigns.

SpyFu Ad Research

SpyFu

SpyFu is all about competitor ad intelligence. It offers:

  • Keyword Discovery: See what keywords your competitors are bidding on.
  • Ad History: Track how your rivals' ads have changed over time.
  • CPC Estimates: Get cost-per-click data to inform your bidding strategy.

PowerAdSpy Features

PowerAdSpy

PowerAdSpy focuses on the nitty-gritty details of competitor ads across multiple platforms, including Google Shopping:

  • Ad Creative Analysis: Check out the images and copy used in shopping ads.
  • Performance Metrics: Get an idea of how well competitor ads are doing.
  • Targeting Insights: Figure out who your competitors are trying to reach.

Tool Comparison

Let's break it down:

Feature SEMrush SpyFu PowerAdSpy
Keyword Analysis
Ad Copy Insights
Historical Data 12 months 10+ years Not specified
PLA-specific Research Limited
Global Coverage 100+ countries 18 countries Not specified

Cost Details

  • SEMrush: Starts at $119.95/month
  • SpyFu: Basic plan at $39/month, Professional at $78/month
  • PowerAdSpy: You'll need to contact them for a quote

Research Steps and Methods

Let's dive into competitor Google Shopping ad research. This isn't about copying - it's about smart insights to level up your game.

Product Listing Tips

Your listings are your digital storefront. Here's how to polish them:

  1. Title optimization: Check out top-performing competitor ads. How do they structure titles? "Brand + Product Type + Key Feature" often works well.
  2. Image quality: Clear, high-res product images are a must. If competitors use lifestyle shots, maybe give it a try.
  3. Description refinement: Spot patterns in competitor descriptions. Are they highlighting specific features? Use this to improve your own - but don't copy.

Price Research

Pricing can make or break your campaign. Stay competitive:

  1. Use the Price Competitiveness Report in Google Merchant Center.
  2. Set up price alerts with tools like Dealavo or Prisync.
  3. Think about dynamic pricing if you're always being undercut.
Price Position What to Do
Below market Bump it up slowly
At market Keep it steady
Above market Think about deals

Sale and Discount Tracking

Keep an eye on competitor sales:

  1. Use tools to watch competitor promotions.
  2. Look for seasonal sale patterns.
  3. Set up Google Alerts for "[competitor name] + sale" or "discount".

Bid Management

Smart bidding is key:

  1. Check auction insights in Google Ads.
  2. Tweak bids based on how products perform and what competitors do.
  3. Try automated bidding, but watch it closely.

Campaign Setup Review

Regularly check your campaign structure:

  1. Look at competitor ad groups for ideas.
  2. Use custom labels to organize products like successful competitors.
  3. Review your negative keywords list.

Performance Checking

See how you stack up:

Metric Industry Average Your Target
CTR 1.91% >2%
CPC $0.66 <$0.60
Conv. Rate 1.91% >2.5%

Using Research Results

You've done your homework on competitors' Google Shopping ads. Now it's time to put that intel to work. Here's how to use these insights to boost your campaigns.

Getting the Right Data

Focus on these key pieces of info:

Infographic showing four key strategies for product listing optimization. Around a central thinking face icon, four elements are displayed with unique icons: Focus on Product Titles (crown icon) 'Shapes your title optimization', Competitive Pricing Strategies (dollar icon) 'Keeps you competitive', Creative Ad Copy Elements (ads icon) 'Sparks ideas for your messaging', and Strategic Promotional Offers (gift icon) 'Informs your discount approach'. Each element has its own colored bubble design. SCUBE Marketing logo appears at bottom

Data Point Why It Matters
Product titles Shapes your title optimization
Pricing strategies Keeps you competitive
Ad copy elements Sparks ideas for your messaging
Promotional offers Informs your discount approach
Keyword usage Expands your targeting

Finding Weak Points

Look for gaps in your competitors' game:

  • Spot pricing opportunities where you can offer better value
  • Identify product features they're not highlighting
  • Find seasonal dips in their ad spend

Making Changes

Time to act on what you've learned:

1. Optimize product titles

Steal winning keywords from competitor ads. Selling running shoes? If "lightweight" is everywhere, use it:

"Men's Running Shoes" → "Men's Lightweight Running Shoes for Marathon Training"

2. Adjust pricing

Use Google Merchant Center's Price Competitiveness Report. Aim to be within 5% of the market average for key products.

3. Refine ad copy

Borrow good ideas, but make them yours. If they push "free shipping", you could offer "free shipping and returns."

Tracking Results

Keep an eye on these numbers:

Metric Target
Click-Through Rate (CTR) >2%
Conversion Rate >2.5%
Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) >400%

Changing Bid Amounts

Tweak your bids based on what you've learned:

  • Spend more on products where you've got an edge
  • Cut back where competitors always outrank you

Don't just copy competitor bids. Find where you offer something special and focus your money there. We've seen clients boost ROAS by 30% this way.

Better Product Feeds

Make your product data shine:

  • Use crisp, clear images that show off your products
  • Write detailed, keyword-rich descriptions
  • Keep availability and pricing up-to-date daily

Regular Check-ups

Keeping an eye on your competitors' Google Shopping ads isn't a set-it-and-forget-it task. It's an ongoing process that needs your attention. Here's how to stay on top of your game:

When to Check

Pick a schedule and stick to it. Here's a simple guide:

Frequency Best For
Weekly High-competition niches, fast-moving markets
Bi-weekly Most e-commerce businesses
Monthly Slower-moving industries, smaller businesses

What to Measure

Keep your eyes on these key metrics:

  • Impression share
  • Click-through rates (CTR)
  • Conversion rates
  • Pricing changes
  • New product listings

Use Google Ads' Auction Insights report to track these numbers over time.

Spotting Market Changes

Watch out for:

  • Big price drops across multiple competitors
  • New players in the market
  • Shifts in ad copy themes or promotions

Want to save time? Use Visualping to automatically track competitors' websites for new deals or price changes.

Checking Results

After you make changes based on competitor insights, track how you're doing:

1. Set clear benchmarks before making changes

2. Compare your metrics 2-4 weeks after adjustments

3. Look for better CTR, conversion rates, and ROAS

Making Updates

Be ready to switch things up based on what you learn:

If a competitor keeps outranking you, think about upping your bids or improving your product data. When you see ad copy trends that work, try similar ideas in your own ads. And if you're always being undercut, it might be time to rethink your pricing.

Setting Up Alerts

Make your competitor tracking easier:

1. Use Google Alerts for competitor brand names and key products

2. Set up price tracking tools like Prisync for instant updates on price changes

3. Set up automated reports in your Google Ads account to flag big shifts in performance metrics

Conclusion

Let's recap the key points about competitor analysis in Google Shopping Ads:

Keep an Eye on Your Rivals

Monitoring competitors isn't a one-off task. It's ongoing:

Frequency Best For
Weekly High-competition niches, fast-moving markets
Bi-weekly Most e-commerce businesses
Monthly Slower industries, smaller businesses

Bi-weekly checks hit the sweet spot for most of our clients at SCUBE. It's often enough to catch big changes without drowning in data.

Mix Free and Paid Tools

Use both to get the full picture:

  • Free: Google Ads Transparency Center, Merchant Center, Auction Insights
  • Paid: SEMrush, SpyFu, PowerAdSpy

Watch These Numbers

Focus on these key metrics:

Metric Industry Average Your Target
Click-Through Rate (CTR) 1.91% >2%
Cost Per Click (CPC) $0.66 <$0.60
Conversion Rate 1.91% >2.5%

Use What You Learn

Don't just collect data. Put it to work:

  • Tweak product titles using competitor keywords that work
  • Adjust prices to stay competitive (aim for within 5% of market average)
  • Improve ad copy, taking inspiration but making it your own

Be Ready to Change

E-commerce moves fast. Stay flexible:

  • Set up price alerts for competitor products
  • Track changes on competitor websites with tools like Visualping
  • Keep tweaking your bidding strategy

The goal? Learn from competitors, but find your own edge. Don't just copy competitor bids. Find where you offer something special and focus your money there. We've seen clients boost ROAS by 30% this way.

FAQs

How to spy on competitors ads on Google?

Want to know what your competitors are up to on Google Shopping? Here's how to do it ethically:

1. Use Google's My Ad Center

It's simple. Click "See more ads this advertiser has shown", then hit "See more ads" on the My Ad Center page. Boom! You're looking at your competitor's ads.

2. Check out the Google Ads Transparency Center

Head to adstransparency.google.com, type in your competitor's name, and filter away. You can sort by ad format, time, and location.

3. Try some third-party tools

  • SEMrush's PLA Research: Great for deep-diving into ad analysis
  • SpyFu: Perfect for uncovering keywords and ad history
  • AdSpyder: Helps you figure out how well your competitors' campaigns are doing

Remember, you're not here to copy. You're here to learn and improve your own game.

"The ethicality of spying on rivals' Google Shopping Ads is determined by the tactics utilized." - EComposer

Here's a quick look at these tools:

Tool What it's good for Who should use it
My Ad Center Seeing what's out there right now Anyone who wants a quick, free peek
Ads Transparency Center Digging into past ads Marketers who need the full picture
SEMrush Getting the nitty-gritty on keywords and ad content Serious PPC professionals
SpyFu Tracking how strategies change over time Long-term planners

Don't just copy competitor bids. Find where you offer something special and focus your money there. We've seen clients boost ROAS by 30% this way.

So, don't just follow the crowd. Find your edge and run with it.

what makes scube
different

Expertise, results & communication

Our customers value boutique agency approach with access to a seasoned team, profit-based goals, and clear communication.

get your game plan