Paste a Competitor Ad. Get 3 Better Angles (AI Prompting, Edition #003)

This AI Prompt Reverse-Engineers Any Ad (Then Beats It)

Author

Tomasz Vibe9.co
April 25, 2025

👋 Hey friends,

Let’s be honest: we all stalk the Meta Ad Library.
But here’s the problem – 99% of people screenshot the ads… and then do nothing strategic with them.

This week, we’re flipping that. You’ll get a simple AI prompt that:

  • Breaks down any ad by angle, psychology, and offer

  • Spots messaging gaps you can exploit

  • Helps you generate a stronger, differentiated version of the ad

🔍 Core Prompting Principle

AI is your strategist, not just your scribe.
The key is to ask the model to think, not just generate.

🧱 Prompt Formula:

“Ad Deconstruction & Differentiation Prompt”

You are a Meta ad strategist. Below is a competitor ad copy. Break it down using these steps: 

1. What is the core angle (emotional, logical, proof)? 
2. What pain point or desire does it target? 
3. What is the offer structure (BOGO, free trial, urgency)? 
4. What’s the tone and format (UGC, demo, founder story)? 
5. What’s *missing* from the message? What could be improved? 

Then: 
1. Suggest 3 stronger/different angles that position better
2. Write 3 new hooks using those angles 

[Paste competitor ad copy or transcript below]

Use Vibe9’s Video2Text tool to grab transcripts from your competitors’ ads. Feed them straight into the prompt above – now you’re doing real analysis, not just guessing. Remember, you need the URL to the exact video – not just the ad in order to get the transcript.

✍️ Example Output:

Product: Natural Deodorant
Competitor Ad Copy:

“Finally, a natural deodorant that actually works. Stay fresh for 24 hours – no aluminum, no worries.”

AI Breakdown:

  • Core Angle: Problem-solving + proof (“finally works”)

  • Pain Point: Natural products usually don’t perform well

  • Offer: Implied performance guarantee

  • Format: UGC testimonial vibe

  • Missing: No credibility, no sensory description, no user identity

Rewritten Hooks & Angles:

Hook 1:
“Smells like spa day. Works like a beast.”
Angle: Sensory + strength
CTA: Tap to try the cleanest switch you’ll ever make.

Hook 2:
“Sweat-tested by pro athletes. Zero aluminum.”
Angle: Social proof + strength
CTA: Shop the one they trust.

Hook 3:
“Most naturals fade by noon. Ours powers through your 9-to-9.”
Angle: Competitive comparison
CTA: See how it stacks up.

🛠 Tactical Tip

Want deeper insights? Add:

“What persona is this ad targeting?”
“What stage of funnel does this ad likely hit?”
 

You’ll get audience and positioning analysis baked in.

💣 Value Bomb

Your angle gaps live in what they don’t say. Ask AI:

“What objections did this ad fail to address?”

Then build your hook on the one they missed.

🎤 My take on it

When you're looking at your competitor’s ad, it’s easy to just think, “That looks cool” or “Maybe we should do something like that.” But smart marketers like you don’t stop there – they want to know why the ad was made that way and what it’s trying to say about the product, the customer, or the world. That’s where AI can really help. If you ask it the right questions, AI can show you what the ad is actually built on – like what emotion it’s trying to trigger, what kind of person it’s talking to, or what fear it’s trying to calm down. Every ad is trying to solve a problem, and AI can help you figure out what that problem is. Even better, it can help you spot the parts of the story the competitor left out – things they forgot to say, pain points they skipped, or angles they didn’t explore. That’s your chance to come in with something better, different, and more powerful. And here’s a secret most people miss: you don’t have to only use this trick on your competitors. You can use AI to break down your own best ads too. Ask it why one of your ads worked so well – what made the hook strong, why the tone felt right, what part of the message really connected with people. When you do that, you’re not just guessing anymore. You’re learning how to repeat success – and even make it better next time. The best ad creators aren’t just fast or funny – they’re curious. They want to know what’s working, what’s not, and what no one’s tried yet. AI won’t do all the thinking for you (yet!), but it can help you see things you missed – and that’s often the edge you need to stand out.

Actionable Advice: Pick one of your top-performing ads and paste the full script or caption into your favorite AI tool. Ask it: “Why do you think this ad worked? What’s the core message, and what emotion does it tap into?”
You’ll walk away with a clearer idea of what to double down on in your next creative test.

👋 Wrap-Up

This prompt turns Meta Ad Library from a scroll-fest into a strategy lab. Try it with 3 competitor ads – and drop your favorite AI-generated angle in the replies. I’ll feature a few next Friday.

Next week: AI Prompts to Build UGC Scripts Based on Customer Persona. You're gonna love that one.

Hit reply. Let’s jam.

To the next one, Tomasz.

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