TwinRed explains spy tools for advertisers and affiliates. Learn how to use spy tools and which one to pick.

Spy tools are never a must, but they may save you time, money, and effort spent on your campaigns. Some marketers believe everything has to be made from scratch, but we ask — why reinvent the wheel? Spy tools provide valuable info on what’s working, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t put your own spin on it.

In this article, you will learn the idea behind spy tools, their purpose, available alternatives, and some tips & hints on how to use them efficiently. Spy tools are like eyes in the world of online; the time has come to open yours.

Spy tools explained

Spy tools are web services that scrape, collect, and process data from various online sources to reveal the best-performing ads across particular GEOs, traffic sources, and verticals. While spy tools are generally reserved for monitoring creatives, they can provide insights into other things.

• Audiences: figure out which products are the most appealing for a particular customer demographic.

• Platforms and sources: learn firsthand which marketing channels convert and deserve your attention.

• Approaches and angles: see the bigger picture of how to promote similar offers, including creatives, copies, and funnel construction.
• Offers and products: know which kinds of offers convert and perform well, which landers are the most appealing, and which niches are in high demand.
• GEOs: discover the most suitable geography for your offers based on similar products or services.

Spy tools can be used to track seasonal creatives, so you can note large events and prepare for them accordingly in advance. They help to lower the cost of testing and optimization since you tap into the most promising ideas right away. “Fake it till you make it” is how things work here. If you’re an aspiring marketer, you need to learn the basics first, and spying helps with that like nothing else.

Benefits and red flags when using spy tools

Similar to your eyesight in real life, spy tools provide the most information on what’s trendy and converting right now. With the help of spy tools, you can shorten your testing and optimization time, because you will know what gets the attention and converts. As a result, you’ll be able to acquire leads more affordably.

Monitoring the approaches of established professionals gives you a competitive advantage too, because you’ll be able to see their approaches before making your own move. Finally, spy tools help to reignite your creativity by providing more ideas than you’d ever be able to come up with on your own.

But please, forget about blind copy-pasting because it’s a huge risk. The downloaded pages might contain some malicious scripts that would mess with your campaigns. Either take your time to check and clear the code or create your creative from scratch based on what you saw.

Similar to AI, spy tools cannot replace a fellow marketer, not yet at least. But they can point you in the right direction. Use them wisely to remain competitive and grow your skills as you navigate the world of digital marketing.

Compilation of spy tools

Spy tools are numerous, but we’ve compiled some of the most prominent ones, so you have a starting point for researching and picking your best tool.

• AdPlexity: a set of tools oriented for different traffic sources, like push, native, adult, etc. Since every option is sold separately, the cost can stack up if buying all at once. Nonetheless, its functionality is exceptional. Just make sure you know your traffic source and purchase a kit for it.

• BigSpy: a perfect variant for beginners, as this tool has a free plan and simple interface with a multi-platform ad library.

• Advault: a great option for analyzing ads from popular social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and X. Besides that, the tool can also be helpful when you need some inspiration or want to stay up to date with the latest trends.
• SpyPush: don’t let the name deceive you! It’s a combo set of spy tools, each sold either individually or as a pack. You can choose from Push, Pop, Native, and Adult ads. There are both free and premium versions available, and the latter has one-click download and full-scale filtering.

Of course, you can always go brute-force and monitor things manually. It’s probably the most affordable option of them all, and very efficient too! Just go to a website or platform with your VPN enabled, look for the ads you like, click on them, and walk through the funnel as if you were an engaged user. The main drawback here is that you can’t look into many creatives simultaneously, but you might get more insights into how a particular funnel works. Sometimes, you might want to go in-depth instead of going broad.

Making the most out of spy tools

We wouldn’t like to end things with generalities like get good — no. As a final note, let’s discuss how you can get the most out of your spy tools.

For starters, consult with either your account manager or our support team to figure out the most suitable solution for you. We’re in the same line of work, so your success is our success too.

Additionally, you can read credible forums, like AWxSTM, to see what marketing professionals prefer and recommend. Once you see what the others use, you can make your own decision. Try to look for spy tools with a free trial or module-like payment model, so you won’t overspend. Once you know that something is to your liking, you can invest money into it to make your work easier.

When using spy tools, filter by GEOs and verticals. It’s a pretty basic suggestion, but we have to mention it. At first, the interface of your spy tool might look overwhelming, but over time, you’ll get used to it.

When analyzing creatives, pay close attention to headlines, copies, and CTAs. Images alone are never enough, and a good copy might save a seemingly unassuming creative. Take your time to look at how creatives synergize with the subsequent landing pages or pre-landers — always pay attention to the context of the ad you like.

Pro tip: track running time. Creatives that have been for a while on the market are likely to be very profitable. On the flip side, such creatives might have exhausted their potential, but you never know until you try. After all, it’s still better than going in blindfolded and without any guidance.

Summing things up

Use spy tools, but use them wisely. Don’t copy-paste the creatives of the others, or be prepared to look through the code and clean it thoroughly. In fact, you don’t even have to copy anything, just look, see the online world around you, and form your own creatives based on what you saw.

Sooner or later, you’ll figure out what works for you. And our specialists are always ready to help you on your way to conversions and profitable campaigns. Stay in touch, stay safe, and stay informed — ignorance is not always a bliss.