# Run ads when a competitor's hero sells out

> When a competitor's bestseller is out of stock, its shoppers look elsewhere. Using a web browser and the Meta Ad Library, ask Claude to check those product pages daily, report when one shows sold out and for how long, and whether its ads still run. Run a capped ad budget aimed at those buyers and stop the day it restocks.

Type: Play (a chance to grow)
Run it: Daily
Source: https://gooseworks.ai/playbooks/run-ads-when-competitor-product-sells-out

## 1. Connect

Give your AI assistant read-only access to A web browser and Meta Ad Library.

## 2. Ask

```text
Check the product pages of these competitor bestsellers every day: [links]. Tell me the day any of them shows sold out, and how long it stays out. Also note whether their ads for it are still running in the Meta Ad Library.
```

## 3. Act

Run a capped budget of ads aimed at that product's buyers until they restock.

## Steps

1. Give Claude the competitor product page links and the Meta Ad Library through web browsing. No login is needed.
2. Ask the playbook prompt to check the pages daily and report sold-out dates and whether their ads still run.
3. Check the page really shows sold out for all main sizes, not one variant or region.
4. Run a small capped ad budget aimed at that product's buyers, with a hard stop on the restock day.
5. Compare cost per sale with your usual ads, and keep the daily check running.

## What it tends to find

A rival's bestseller was sold out for four days. A small conquest budget ran until it came back. (Illustrative example, not a result from a named store.)

## Watch out

Cap the budget and stop the day they restock.

## FAQ

### Is it allowed to advertise when a competitor sells out?

Yes, as long as your ads are truthful and do not misuse their trademarks. Target shoppers interested in the product type rather than claiming to be the brand. Check each ad platform's rules.

### How do I track competitor stock every day?

Ask Claude to visit the product pages once a day and note whether each shows sold out. A scheduled run or a simple reminder keeps it going.

### How much should I spend?

Keep it small and capped, and stop the day they restock. The window is short and the extra demand fades once the product is back.

### Can other assistants run the daily check?

Yes. Any assistant that can browse public pages, such as ChatGPT, Grok or Muse, can run this prompt. The data is public, so no login is needed.