> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.adstellar.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Clone a Video Ad

> Paste any video ad URL or upload a file, and AI will recreate it for your brand.

Clone a Video Ad lets you take any existing video ad — from a competitor, inspiration library, or your own past work — and recreate it with your product and branding. AI analyzes the original video's structure, pacing, and style, then generates a fresh version featuring your product.

## When to Use Clone

* You spotted a competitor ad that's performing well and want a similar style for your brand
* You found a video ad format you like and want to adapt it to your product
* You want to quickly test a proven ad style without starting from scratch

## Getting Started

Go to **Canvas > Video Ads** and select the **Clone a Video Ad** card (labeled "Competitor Clone").

## Step-by-Step Walkthrough

<Steps>
  <Step title="Provide the Source Video">
    Upload a video file directly (`.mp4`, `.mov`, or `.webm`, up to 500 MB). You can also reuse a **previously analyzed video** if you've cloned before.

    <Note>
      The source video is only used as a style reference. Your generated video will feature your own product and branding — no copyrighted content is reproduced.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="AI Analysis">
    Once you provide a source video, click **Analyze Video**. AI breaks down the video into:

    * **Scene-by-scene structure** — How the video is composed and paced
    * **Script / voiceover** — Any spoken text is transcribed
    * **Visual style** — Colors, transitions, and overall aesthetic
    * **People detection** — Whether the video features a person (used to suggest adding an AI actor)

    Analysis typically takes 30–60 seconds. You can reuse analyses for future clones.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Product">
    Choose which product to feature in the cloned video. Your product name, description, and selling points are pulled in automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Details">
    Customize the messaging — highlight specific benefits, promotions, or features you want to emphasize in the recreated video.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Customize Look and Feel">
    Adjust the visual direction. You can add notes about the style, color scheme, or aesthetic you want.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload Product Images">
    Select or upload the product images that will appear in the video. Use your best, highest-quality shots for the best results.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add an Actor (Optional)">
    If the original video featured a person, the wizard will suggest adding an AI actor. You can choose an avatar or skip this step.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Settings">
    Set your preferred:

    * **Aspect ratio** — 1:1, 4:5, 9:16, or 16:9
    * **Duration** — How long the final video should be
    * **Number of variations** — Generate multiple versions to test
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review and Generate">
    Preview your setup, confirm the details, and click **Generate**. Video rendering typically takes 2–5 minutes.
  </Step>

  <Step title="View Results">
    Watch the preview of your generated video(s). From here you can:

    * **Render Final Video** — Apply pro lip-sync processing for the highest quality output. This aligns lip movements to the audio and polishes the result. Rendering costs additional credits based on duration — see [Render Credit Costs](/guides/create/video-ads#render-credit-costs).
    * **Download** the video
    * **Save to Media Library** for use in campaigns
    * **Save to Project** to organize with related creatives
  </Step>
</Steps>

## How Competitor Detection Works

When you clone a competitor's ad, AI automatically detects and handles branding:

* **Competitor branding is replaced** — Logos, brand names, and brand-specific messaging from the original are swapped out for your product and brand identity
* **Your brand stays intact** — If you clone one of your own past ads, your branding is preserved

This ensures every generated video is on-brand and ready to launch.

## Previously Analyzed Videos

After analyzing a source video, it's saved for your team. You can reuse it anytime without re-uploading or re-analyzing. This is useful when you want to create multiple variations from the same reference.

There is a limit of **5 video analyses per day** per team.

## Aspect Ratio Guide

| Aspect Ratio     | Best For                      |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------- |
| 1:1 (Square)     | Facebook Feed, Instagram Feed |
| 4:5 (Portrait)   | Facebook Feed, Instagram Feed |
| 9:16 (Vertical)  | Stories, Reels, TikTok        |
| 16:9 (Landscape) | In-stream, Audience Network   |

## Best Practices

* **Use high-quality source videos** — The better the reference, the better the AI can understand the structure and style
* **Keep source videos under 60 seconds** — Shorter references produce more accurate recreations
* **Upload clear product images** — Crisp, well-lit photos translate better into video
* **Try multiple variations** — Generate 2–3 versions to A/B test which performs best
* **Combine with templates** — Use Clone for competitor-inspired styles and Templates for proven formats