Ever feel like a competitor is everywhere at once?
Their ads follow you around online. Their branding feels polished. Their auctions show up in all the right places. It’s not magic... and it’s not luck. It’s strategy.
And here’s the good news: you can reverse-engineer it.
Over on LinkedIn, I dropped a full playbook for auction companies that want to understand exactly how their competitors are marketing - and how to build smarter campaigns using that intel. No trench coat required.
But if you want the short version, here’s the gist.
We're not talking about sneaky tricks. We're talking about smart use of public data and online tools to answer questions like:
What ads are my competitors running?
Where are they showing up online?
Which platforms are they prioritizing?
What kind of messaging are they using?
It’s all out there - you just need to know where to look.
You don’t need a background in espionage. You need a browser and a few free tools. Here are some standouts:
Meta Ad Library – See every active Facebook and Instagram ad from any auction company.
Google Ads Transparency Center – Spot competitors’ Google ads, even if they’re not targeting you.
Similarweb or BuiltWith – Understand traffic sources, tech stacks, and ad networks.
Ahrefs or SEMrush (freemium) – Get a peek at their SEO and keyword strategy.
These tools give you a clear picture of how others in the auction industry are reaching bidders and buyers—and help you find opportunities they’re missing.
If you're using auction software and online auction tools to streamline operations, your next frontier is marketing smarter. Because it doesn’t matter how efficient your platform is if no one shows up on auction day.
By analyzing your competitors:
You find gaps to exploit - channels they’re ignoring.
You fine-tune your messaging - based on what’s resonating in your niche.
You make better use of your budget - spending where it counts.
It’s not about copying. It’s about outmaneuvering.
This blog just scratches the surface. If you're serious about leveling up your auction marketing game, check out the full article:
🔍 Reverse-Engineering Your Competitors’ Advertising Strategy on LinkedIn.
It breaks down step-by-step how to spy (ethically) on competitors using nothing but public data and your handy-dandy web browser.