Facebook Ads
Facebook recently has been facing Federal Trade Commission Inquiry because of their new privacy policy. Some points of concern are that users are required to “grant the company wide permission to use their personal information in advertising”, and that “Facebook automatically assumes that the parents of teenagers using the service have given permission for their names and images to be used in Facebook advertising.”
How much of what we post on social media is being used in advertising? Facebook actually provides businesses with the locations, genders, ages, interests, and connections of its users so that businesses can target their customers better. For businesses, this helps them use their advertising more effectively and is a great tool for marketing.
One blogger however, suggests that ads on Facebook are usually ignored because the users are focused on socializing. She goes on to say that ads have no place on Facebook, and only help to isolate people.
So should Facebook remove ads? I don’t think so. It’s a major source of revenue for Facebook and an excellent tool for businesses to reach out to consumers and communities. By using Facebook, you are declaring to the world who you are – I see targeted advertising as just a consequence of that.