If you’ve seen a commercial on TV and want to find it again, your first tool is your own memory. Even a few vague details can go a long way. Try to recall:
The brand or product name (even partial)
A distinctive phrase or jingle
Actors, celebrities, or voiceover styles
The channel and approximate time of day it aired
Visuals, such as animals, cars, or scenery
For example, someone searching for a commercial featuring a dog driving a car might eventually land on the 2013 Subaru “Dog Tested, Dog Approved” ad campaign by simply Googling “dog driving Subaru commercial.”
Tip: Write down these details as soon as possible before you forget them.
One of the fastest ways to find a commercial is by searching YouTube or Vimeo. These platforms often serve as unofficial archives for ads new and old. Use specific terms in your search query.
Examples:
“Coca-Cola Super Bowl commercial 2024”
“funny insurance commercial with lizard” (which leads to Geico)
“Nike commercial Serena Williams dream crazy”
Brands often upload their own ads directly to their official channels, so try searching for the company’s name as the channel too.
If YouTube doesn’t help, Google is your next best friend. Use quotation marks for exact phrases, and add keywords like “TV commercial,” “ad,” “campaign,” or even the name of the network where it aired.
Example Search:
“‘Just Do It’ Nike commercial 2023”
“Progressive commercial with Dr. Rick helping people not become their parents”
You can also add the season or event name if it was shown during a specific show or time. For instance, “Doritos commercial aired during Super Bowl 2022 with grandma” will lead to the correct clip.
Websites like Reddit, Quora, and commercial fan sites can be treasure troves. Subreddits like r/HelpMeFind or r/CommercialsIHate are filled with users eager to help you track down obscure TV ads.
You can post a description of what you remember, and someone might recognize it right away.
Example Post:
“There was this ad where a man puts a taco in his pocket while talking about car insurance. Anyone remember it?”
Someone might respond, “That’s a 2020 Liberty Mutual commercial with the ‘Only Pay For What You Need’ slogan.”
Many companies post their latest campaigns on their websites or social media accounts. Check:
Instagram Reels
Facebook video posts
X (formerly Twitter)
TikTok
The company’s homepage or press release section
For example, Old Spice often shares their quirky commercials on both their Instagram and YouTube channel within hours of release.
Websites such as:
iSpot.tv (https://www.ispot.tv)
Ad Age Creativity (https://adage.com/creativity)
Adland (https://adland.tv)
These platforms catalog thousands of commercials. You can search by brand, actor, release date, or topic. iSpot.tv is especially useful as it often includes real-time airings, popularity scores, and links to watch the ad directly.
Example: Searching “Amazon Alexa Samuel L. Jackson” on iSpot will show all airings of that campaign.
If you were watching the ad on a smart TV or streaming service, you might be able to rewatch the episode or segment and fast-forward to find the ad. Some platforms even log ad breaks:
Hulu occasionally allows users to rewatch commercials they’ve previously skipped.
YouTube TV and Sling TV keep program recordings with ads included.
If you have a DVR, scan the time when you saw the commercial and replay it.
While Shazam is mainly used for music, there are apps like Shazam for TV, SoundHound, or TV Time that can help identify commercials based on background music or dialogue.
Once identified, you can then search for the commercial using the identified music or actor as a starting point.
Example: A viewer might hear Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” and use Shazam, only to find it’s the background music in a 2023 Allstate ad.
Sometimes the actor or voiceover talent is the most recognizable part of an ad. If you can place the actor, you can search:
“TV commercial with Bryan Cranston 2021”
“Who voices the Home Depot commercials?”
Websites like Behind the Voice Actors and Who’s That Voice can help confirm the talent.
Brands often create hashtags to promote new campaigns.
Search Instagram, X (Twitter), or TikTok using:
#BecauseYoureWorthIt (L’Oreal)
#LikeAGirl (Always)
#Whassup (Budweiser)
These tags often lead to reposts or discussions of the commercial you saw.
If all else fails, contact the TV network or brand’s public relations team. Networks keep logs of commercial placements, and brands are often happy to help you identify their ads — especially if you’re a potential customer.
Write a short, clear email such as:
“Hi, I saw an ad on your network during the 7 PM slot on May 10th featuring a man in a suit talking to a talking dog about insurance. Can you tell me what commercial that was?”
You might be surprised how often they’ll reply with a YouTube link.
If you often find yourself trying to rediscover great commercials, make it a habit to:
Take a picture of the screen
Note the time and channel
Write down any dialogue or lyrics
This proactive approach will make future searches significantly easier.
Finding a commercial you saw on TV might feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, but with today’s tools — from YouTube to Reddit to TV ad databases — that needle is almost always findable. Your memory, combined with a few clever searches and maybe some help from the internet community, can lead you right to that unforgettable jingle or hilarious skit you just have to see again.
So next time a commercial makes you laugh, cry, or sing along — don’t let it slip away. Use this guide, and you’ll be pressing play again in no time.
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