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gads-transparency-mcp

by lionkiii

Google Ads Transparency MCP Server

npm version License: MIT

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that gives AI assistants like Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, and any MCP client access to the Google Ads Transparency Center. Research competitor ads, analyze advertiser profiles, and compare ad presence across 42 regions — all through natural language.

100% Free. No API keys. Uses publicly available Google Ads Transparency data. No Google account or API key required.

What Can You Do?

Ask Claude questions like:

  • "What ads is Nike running in the US right now?"

  • "Search for advertisers in the fitness industry"

  • "Compare Shopify's ad presence in the US vs UK vs India"

  • "Show me the advertiser profile for amazon.com"

  • "Get details on this specific ad creative"

Related MCP server: google-ads-transparency-mcp

Quick Start

npx gads-transparency-mcp

Or install globally:

npm install -g gads-transparency-mcp

Requirements: Node.js >= 18. Puppeteer downloads Chromium automatically on first install.

Claude Desktop Configuration

Add to your Claude Desktop config (~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json on macOS):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gads-transparency": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "gads-transparency-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop. Done — Google Ads Transparency data is now available in Claude.

Use with Other MCP Clients

Works with any MCP-compatible client including Cursor, Windsurf, VS Code + Cline, and more:

npx gads-transparency-mcp

Available Tools (5 Competitive Intelligence Tools)

Tool

Description

search_advertiser

Search for advertisers by website domain or brand name

get_advertiser_ads

Get all ads currently running for a specific advertiser (filter by format: text, image, video)

get_ad_details

Get detailed information about a specific ad creative

get_advertiser_profile

Get an advertiser's profile, verification status, and ad activity summary

compare_ad_presence

Compare an advertiser's ad presence across multiple regions

Examples

Example 1: Research competitor ads

User prompt: "Show me all ads currently running by Nike in the US"

Expected behavior:

  • Calls search_advertiser with query "nike.com" and region "US" to find Nike's advertiser ID

  • Then calls get_advertiser_ads with the advertiser ID and region "US"

  • Returns a list of Nike's currently running ads with headlines, descriptions, ad format (text/image/video), and thumbnails

Example 2: Get an advertiser's profile and verification status

User prompt: "Show me the advertiser profile for amazon.com"

Expected behavior:

  • Calls search_advertiser with query "amazon.com" to find Amazon's advertiser ID

  • Then calls get_advertiser_profile with the advertiser ID

  • Returns Amazon's advertiser name, Google verification status, total ad count, ad format distribution (text/image/video), and platform presence

Example 3: Compare ad presence across regions

User prompt: "Compare Shopify's ad presence in the US, UK, and India"

Expected behavior:

  • Calls search_advertiser with query "shopify.com" to find Shopify's advertiser ID

  • Then calls compare_ad_presence with the advertiser ID and regions ["US", "GB", "IN"]

  • Returns ad counts and format distribution for each region, highlighting where Shopify is most and least active

Use Cases

  • Competitor Ad Research — See what ads your competitors are running right now

  • Ad Creative Inspiration — Browse ad creatives by advertiser, format, and region

  • Market Intelligence — Understand advertiser activity across different markets

  • Brand Safety — Monitor who's advertising alongside your brand

  • Regional Strategy — Compare ad presence across 42 countries to plan international campaigns

  • Advertiser Verification — Check if an advertiser is verified by Google

  • PPC Research — Research ad strategies without expensive competitive intelligence tools

Supported Regions (42 Countries)

Region

Code

Region

Code

Region

Code

United States

US

United Kingdom

GB

India

IN

Canada

CA

Australia

AU

Germany

DE

France

FR

Japan

JP

Brazil

BR

Mexico

MX

Italy

IT

Spain

ES

Netherlands

NL

Sweden

SE

Norway

NO

Denmark

DK

Finland

FI

Poland

PL

Austria

AT

Switzerland

CH

Belgium

BE

Ireland

IE

Portugal

PT

New Zealand

NZ

Singapore

SG

Hong Kong

HK

Taiwan

TW

South Korea

KR

Philippines

PH

Malaysia

MY

Thailand

TH

Indonesia

ID

Vietnam

VN

South Africa

ZA

UAE

AE

Saudi Arabia

SA

Egypt

EG

Nigeria

NG

Kenya

KE

Argentina

AR

Chile

CL

Colombia

CO

Peru

PE

Features

  • Built-in Rate Limiting — 2s between requests, max 30/min, with random delays

  • Response Caching — 1hr TTL, up to 1000 entries, reduces redundant scraping

  • Anti-Detection — Rotating user agents, viewport randomization, stealth plugin

  • Automatic Retries — Exponential backoff (5s-30s) on failures, up to 3 attempts

  • Graceful Shutdown — Proper cleanup of browser instances on exit

Limitations

  • Rate Limited: ~30 requests/minute to avoid blocking

  • No Historical Data: Only currently running ads are visible

  • Regional: Must specify region for each request

  • May Break: Google can change the Transparency Center at any time

  • No Spend Data: Ad spend info only available for political ads

Requirements

  • Node.js >= 18

  • Chrome/Chromium — Puppeteer downloads it automatically on install

  • No API keys, no authentication, no Google account needed

Privacy Policy

See PRIVACY.md for our complete privacy policy.

TL;DR: This extension runs locally on your machine. It accesses only publicly available data from the Google Ads Transparency Center — the same data anyone can view in a browser. No data is collected, stored, or transmitted to any third party by this MCP server. No API keys or authentication required.

License

MIT

Available Tools

5 tools
compare_ad_presenceA
Read-onlyIdempotent

Compare an advertiser's ad presence across multiple geographic regions.

Use this tool to:

  • See where a competitor is most active geographically

  • Compare ad volumes and formats across markets

  • Identify regional advertising strategies

  • Find markets where a brand isn't advertising yet

Returns ad counts and format distribution per region.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
advertiserIdYesAdvertiser ID from Google Ads Transparency
regionsYesArray of region codes to compare (e.g., ["US", "GB", "IN"]). Max 10 regions.

TDQS

A4.2/5.0
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations declare readOnlyHint=true and idempotentHint=true, so the description's safety implications are already covered. The description adds value by specifying the return data (ad counts and format distribution per region), which goes beyond the annotations and helps the agent understand expected output.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is remarkably concise: a single introductory sentence, a bulleted list of use cases, and a closing sentence about return values. Every sentence adds value, with no redundancy or filler.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The tool has 2 required parameters and no output schema, but the description explains the return format (ad counts and format distribution per region). While the exact structure is unspecified, the description provides sufficient context for a simple comparison tool, and annotations (readOnlyHint, idempotentHint) further inform behavior.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, so both 'advertiserId' and 'regions' are already well-documented in the input schema. The description mentions 'regions' but does not add new semantic details beyond what the schema provides (e.g., maxItems constraint is already present).

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool compares ad presence across multiple geographic regions, with a specific verb ('Compare') and resource ('ad presence'). It lists concrete use cases that distinguish it from sibling tools like get_ad_details or search_advertiser, which are not comparative.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides explicit 'Use this tool to:' bullet points outlining contexts for use (e.g., competitor activity, market identification). It does not explicitly mention when not to use or alternative tools, but the listed scenarios are clear and differentiated from siblings.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

get_ad_detailsA
Read-onlyIdempotent

Get complete information about a specific ad creative from Google Ads Transparency Center.

Use this tool to:

  • Get full ad copy and media URLs

  • See targeting information (when available)

  • Get impression/spend ranges for political ads

  • Deep dive into a specific ad creative

Returns full content, media URLs, targeting info, and run dates.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
advertiserIdYesAdvertiser ID from Google Ads Transparency
creativeIdYesCreative/Ad ID from get_advertiser_ads results
regionNoRegion code (e.g., "US", "IN", "GB"). Defaults to US.US

TDQS

A4.3/5.0
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true and destructiveHint=false, so safety is clear. The description adds context such as targeting info being 'when available' and impression/spend ranges specific to political ads, which is useful beyond the annotations.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is concise with a front-loaded main purpose and a bullet-like list of use cases. Every sentence adds value, and there is no redundancy.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the rich annotations and full schema coverage, the description adequately explains the return values (full content, media URLs, targeting info, run dates). No output schema exists, so the description fills that gap well.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100% with descriptions for all three parameters. The description adds minor value by noting creativeId comes from get_advertiser_ads results, but does not elaborate further. Baseline 3 is appropriate.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the verb 'get' and resource 'ad creative' from Google Ads Transparency Center, with specific use cases listed. It distinguishes from siblings like get_advertiser_ads and get_advertiser_profile by focusing on a single ad's details.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides explicit scenarios for using the tool (e.g., get full ad copy, targeting info, political ad ranges). It does not explicitly state when not to use it, but the context implies it's for deep dives after obtaining a creative ID from get_advertiser_ads.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

get_advertiser_adsA
Read-onlyIdempotent

Retrieve all ads currently running for a specific advertiser from Google Ads Transparency Center.

Use this tool to:

  • Analyze competitor ad creatives and messaging

  • See what types of ads (text/image/video) a brand is running

  • Research ad copy and visual strategies

  • Track ad activity across different platforms

Returns ad creatives with headlines, descriptions, thumbnails, and run dates.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
advertiserIdYesAdvertiser ID from Google Ads Transparency (e.g., "AR07034216898162065409")
regionNoRegion code (e.g., "US", "IN", "GB"). Defaults to US.US
formatNoFilter by ad format. Options: text, image, video, allall
limitNoMaximum number of ads to return. Returns all if not specified.

TDQS

A4.1/5.0
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, destructiveHint=false, idempotentHint=true, openWorldHint=true. The description adds the return content (headlines, descriptions, etc.) which is useful but not critical beyond annotations. No contradictions.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is concise: two paragraphs, front-loaded with purpose, and bullet points for use cases. Every sentence adds value without redundancy.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

With no output schema, the description adequately explains return values ('ad creatives with headlines, descriptions, thumbnails, and run dates'). Combined with full parameter documentation and annotations, it is complete for this straightforward list tool.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, with all parameters documented in the schema. The description adds no additional parameter details, so baseline score 3 applies.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states 'Retrieve all ads currently running for a specific advertiser', using a specific verb and resource. It distinguishes itself from sibling tools like compare_ad_presence, get_ad_details, etc., by focusing on listing ads for one advertiser.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides explicit use cases (analyze competitors, see ad types, research ad copy, track activity), offering clear context for when to use the tool. It does not explicitly mention when not to use or compare with alternatives, but the context is sufficient.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

get_advertiser_profileA
Read-onlyIdempotent

Get a summary profile of an advertiser's ad activity on Google Ads Transparency Center.

Use this tool to:

  • Get an overview of a brand's advertising presence

  • See verification status and total ad counts

  • Understand ad format distribution (text/image/video)

  • Identify which platforms they advertise on

Returns name, verification status, ad count by format, and platforms.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
advertiserIdYesAdvertiser ID from Google Ads Transparency
regionNoRegion code (e.g., "US", "IN", "GB"). Defaults to US.US

TDQS

A4.3/5.0
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, destructiveHint, idempotentHint, and openWorldHint. Description adds behavioral context by specifying the return fields (name, verification status, ad counts by format, platforms), which helps the agent understand what data to expect.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Description is concise with four sentences and bullet points. It front-loads the core purpose and then lists specific uses, making it easy to parse quickly.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the simple two-parameter tool with no output schema, the description fully covers what the tool returns and its overall behavior. The annotations further reinforce safety, leaving no gaps for an AI to misunderstand.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100% with descriptions for both parameters (advertiserId and region). The description does not add extra meaning beyond the schema, as it does not elaborate on parameter usage or constraints.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

Description clearly states verb 'Get' and resource 'summary profile of an advertiser's ad activity'. The bullet points detail specific outputs (verification status, ad counts, format distribution, platforms), effectively distinguishing it from siblings like get_advertiser_ads (which returns ad list) and search_advertiser.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

Description explicitly lists four usage scenarios with bullet points (e.g., 'Get an overview of a brand's advertising presence'). However, it does not mention when NOT to use this tool or compare it to alternatives among siblings, missing a chance to guide selection.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

search_advertiserA
Read-onlyIdempotent

Search for an advertiser on Google Ads Transparency Center by domain name or brand name.

Use this tool to:

  • Find a competitor's advertiser ID by their website domain

  • Search for brands to analyze their ad activity

  • Discover related advertisers in a market

Returns advertiser ID, name, verification status, and total ad count.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
queryYesDomain name (e.g., "nike.com") or brand name (e.g., "Nike")
regionNoRegion code (e.g., "US", "IN", "GB"). Defaults to US.US

TDQS

A4.3/5.0
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, idempotentHint=true, and openWorldHint=true. The description adds value by specifying the exact return fields (advertiser ID, name, verification status, total ad count), which is not present in annotations or schema. No contradictions.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is succinct, with a clear opening sentence followed by three bullet points that are front-loaded and easy to scan. Every sentence adds value without redundancy.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a search tool with no output schema, the description adequately covers return fields. Parameters are fully documented in schema, sibling tools provide context, and annotations declare safety traits. No apparent gaps.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100%, with clear descriptions for both 'query' and 'region' parameters. The description adds examples ('nike.com', 'Nike') but does not provide new semantic meaning beyond the schema. Baseline 3 is appropriate.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool searches for an advertiser by domain or brand name on Google Ads Transparency Center, and lists specific use cases (finding competitor ID, brand analysis, discovering related advertisers). It distinguishes from sibling tools like get_advertiser_profile and get_advertiser_ads by focusing on search/discovery rather than details or comparison.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides explicit usage scenarios ('Use this tool to:') with three bullet points, guiding when to use it (e.g., find competitor ID, search brands). It does not explicitly mention when not to use or alternative tools, but the context of sibling tools implies differentiation.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

Tool Schema Changelog

Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. 5 tool updatesv1.0.1
    • First observedcompare_ad_presence
    • First observedget_ad_details
    • First observedget_advertiser_ads
    • First observedget_advertiser_profile
    • First observedsearch_advertiser

TDQS

A4.4/5.0

Scored across 5 tools

Disambiguation5/5

Each tool has a clear, distinct purpose: search for advertisers, get profile overview, list all ads, get specific ad details, and compare across regions. There is no overlap or ambiguity.

Naming Consistency5/5

All tool names follow a consistent verb_noun pattern in snake_case (e.g., compare_ad_presence, get_advertiser_profile). The verbs are predictable (search, get, compare) and the nouns precisely indicate the resource.

Tool Count5/5

With 5 tools, the set is well-scoped for the domain of Google Ads Transparency. Each tool covers a discrete aspect of the workflow without being overly granular or sparse.

Completeness4/5

The tools cover the essential operations: search, profile, ads list, ad details, and regional comparison. Minor gaps exist, such as lacking a tool to filter ads by region (the compare tool returns counts only) or to retrieve ads by date range, but the core functionality is solid.

Maintenance

ActivityInactive
ResponsivenessUnresponsive

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