Should You Target Competitor Audiences on Facebook?

When you launch a Facebook Ads campaign, one of the biggest questions you’ll face is who to target.

If you're selling something useful, chances are your competitors already have a following of people who want it. So… why not reach those users?

Targeting competitor audiences on Facebook means going after people who already follow, engage with, or show interest in brands similar to yours. These users know the product space. They’re not cold — they’re warmed up, pre-qualified, and potentially just one step away from making a purchase.

But that doesn’t make this strategy foolproof.

Let’s take a clear look at how it works, what’s changed in 2025, and how you can approach this tactic with precision — not guesswork.

What Does “Targeting Competitor Audiences on Facebook” Actually Mean?

Facebook (Meta) doesn’t let you directly target fans of another brand's Page anymore. That means you can’t just say, “Show this ad to everyone who likes Brand X.”

Instead, you need to:

• Use interest-based targeting that aligns with the competitor’s niche,

• Build lookalike audiences from your own data,

• Create custom audiences based on behavior,

• Use third-party tools like LeadEnforce to target Facebook Group members.

The goal is to reach people who are actively researching, using, or talking about your competitor’s product and offer them a better alternative.

Advantages of Targeting Competitor Audiences

This strategy can be effective, but only if you understand why and how it works. Here are the main advantages:

1. Relevance

You’re not advertising to random people. These users have already shown an interest in your market. That makes them more likely to click, engage, and convert.

Why it matters: wasting ad spend on people who don’t care is one of the biggest inefficiencies in paid campaigns. With competitor targeting, you’re already halfway to a sale.

2. Shorter Sales Cycles

People following competitors are often already aware of the product category. You don’t have to explain the problem — you just have to prove you're the better solution.

Example: if your competitor sells digital planners and you offer a smarter, more customizable version, the pitch can focus on your improvements — not the basics of why planning tools help.

3. Better Messaging Clarity

Studying your competitors gives you a clear picture of what to avoid — and where to differentiate. You can frame your messaging to stand out, not blend in.

Tip: look at competitor reviews or comments. Are customers complaining about pricing? Support? Missing features? Use that insight in your copy.

4. Higher Return Potential

Although competition may drive up ad costs, the audience quality is often better. With the right offer and creative, the ROI can easily justify the spend.

Risks of Targeting Competitor Audiences

This isn’t a guaranteed win. There are several challenges to consider — and if you ignore them, your campaign may underperform.

1. High Cost per Impression (CPM)

Because many advertisers are targeting the same general audience, costs can rise quickly. Popular niches with aggressive competitors can burn through budgets fast.

What to do about it: split test ad creatives frequently. Small changes in copy or visuals can lower CPMs significantly if you find the right angle.

2. Audience Loyalty

Some competitor audiences are loyal — not just curious. If they’ve been using a product for years, they’re less likely to switch unless you offer something radically better.

Warning sign: if your click-through rate is high but conversions are low, you may be attracting people who are interested — but not willing to switch.

3. Broad Interest Overlap

Interest targeting isn’t always precise. For example, someone interested in “email marketing” could be a freelancer, a marketing manager, or a student writing a paper.

Result: you may end up targeting people who technically “fit,” but aren’t buyers.

4. No Direct Page Targeting in Facebook Ads

You can’t say “target fans of Brand X” using Facebook’s native tools. So unless you use something more advanced — like group-based targeting — your reach will be limited.

That’s where third-party tools step in.

Smarter Ways to Target Competitor Audiences in 2025

To make competitor audience targeting work, you need more than just surface-level interest targeting. Here’s how to approach it with structure and intention:

Run a Detailed Competitor Audit

• Use the Meta Ad Library to view the types of ads your competitors are running — messaging, formats, and frequency.

• Visit their Facebook pages and groups to analyze post engagement patterns and content themes.

• Look at external review platforms (like Trustpilot, G2, Reddit, or product forums) to understand what their customers praise or complain about.

This helps you uncover what resonates with their audience and where you can differentiate your messaging or value proposition.

Layer Targeting Options

Avoid using just one broad interest.

Instead, combine multiple layers to refine who sees your ads:

• Job titles or industries (e.g. "Operations Manager," "Ecommerce")

• Purchase behaviors or tech use

• Specific tools or platforms they might use (e.g. “Shopify,” “Notion”)

• Demographics or engagement types that signal intent

The more context you add, the more likely you are to reach users actively researching or comparing solutions.

Use Lookalike Audiences

Start with a high-quality seed audience — ideally your most engaged customers or high-value buyers. Facebook’s algorithm can then find people who closely resemble them, which often overlaps with your competitors’ audiences without being a direct copy.

Target Facebook Groups with LeadEnforce

One of the most precise ways to reach competitor audiences is through Facebook Group targeting. Many competitors run or participate in niche groups where their ideal customers ask questions, share experiences, and seek product advice.

With LeadEnforce, you can build custom audiences from people who are actively engaging in those groups — even if you don’t run the group or page yourself.

This unlocks a highly relevant segment of users, allowing you to advertise directly to people discussing your product category and your competitors.

How LeadEnforce Lets You Target Competitor Audiences More Precisely

LeadEnforce helps you reach engaged users inside specific Facebook Groups — including those created by your competitors or centered around your industry.

Unlike Facebook’s native interest targeting, LeadEnforce works by creating custom audiences from group members.

This is especially useful when:

• Your competitors run active Facebook communities,

• There are niche groups where your ideal customers gather,

• You want to reach people without relying on vague interests.

For example, let's say you sell premium cycling gear. Your competitor runs a group called “Weekend Road Warriors.” LeadEnforce can help you build a custom audience of that group’s members — people who are not just interested in cycling, but actively engaged in the community.

Now you’re advertising to a real, specific audience — not just a generic “fitness” or “cycling” interest group.

Want to know exactly how to do this? Check out our guide on how to build your target audience from a Facebook group. 

Final Verdict: Is It Worth Targeting Competitor Audiences on Facebook?

Yes. But only with the right strategy and tools.

This method isn’t about chasing competitors. It’s about reaching the right people faster and making a better offer than what they’ve already seen.

To decide if this is right for you, ask:

• Can I clearly identify my competitor’s audience and pain points?

• Do I have something meaningfully better to offer?

• Am I using precise targeting methods — not just broad interests?

If your answer is yes, then targeting competitor audiences on Facebook could help you lower acquisition costs and win over customers who are already in the market.