Work

AdDownloader: Automating the retrieval of advertisements and their media content from the Meta Online Ad Library

Year: 2024

Type: software-paper

Abstract: AdDownloader is a Python package for downloading advertisements and their media content from the Meta Online Ad Library. With a valid Meta developer access token, AdDownloader automates the process of downloading relevant ads data and storing it in a user-friendly format. Additionally, AdDownloader uses individual ad links from the downloaded data to access each ad's media content (i.e. images and videos) and stores it locally. The package also offers various analytical functionalities, such as topic modelling of ad text and image captioning using AI, embedded in a Dashboard. AdDownloader can be run as a Command-Line Interface or imported as a Python package, providing a flexible and intuitive user experience. Applications range from understanding the effectiveness and transparency of online political campaigns to monitoring the exposure of different population groups to the marketing of harmful substances.

Source: SoftwareX

DOI: 10.1016/j.softx.2024.101919

Authors: Paula-Alexandra Gitu, Roberto Cerina, Stefanie Vandevijvere, Roselinde Kessels

Institutions: Maastricht University, University of Amsterdam, Sciensano (Belgium)

Language: English

Topic: Web Data Mining and Analysis

Subfield: Information Systems

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $970

OpenAlex ID: W4403375669

Cites: 13

Cited by: 1

Related to: 10