The Sun Herald article ‘Facebook’s selling your soul’ asks the question, just how targeted is advertising on Facebook?
Facebook members claim advertising strategies have become so refined, a change in marital status brings about an instant change in ads. From wedding gowns to baby ads, or a skate board to Ducati motor bikes, many users are flocking to Facebook groups set up to protest Facebooks advertising policy.
Since my relationship is not complicated, but private, and I’ve lied I’m really 99 years of age not 69, I was curious what ads FaceBook had for me, so I logged in.
While I may be scratching my head about the Mediation CD, there’s no prizes for guessing, Facebook Members have cause for complaint.
“The repeat Urine Offender?” ad is the outcome of recent conversations on my wall about road testing puppies for my grand daughter. During one puppy sitting the conversation actually did hit below the belt. I mentioned to a mate in the States, my entire apartment was lined with newspaper to catch the little offender doing the deed.
I was perplexed by “The Save on Car Insurance”, as I’ve never discussed driving, cars or related topics on my wall. HOWEVER, after checking my email, I didn’t have to go too far back to find emails from my son about a vehicle we share.
Which leads me to ask what other information does Facebook retrieve from our email? Credit card and bank account details or medicare information. Or do your ads reveal ill advised sexual conduct on email?
While I’m one of the biggest advocates of social networking, my advice is whether your online for personal or business, be aware, be smart and don’t over share.
There’s only one watch dog you can rely on: YOU!
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4 responses so far ↓
bartgragg // September 21, 2009 at 11.27 am09 |
AHA! That’s why the ads for cameras have been showing up! I haven’t really talked about them anywhere but in messages until recently. Scary!
Tamara // September 21, 2009 at 11.27 am09 |
Thanks for this. We do need constant reminders as we start feeling comfortable with social media. I for one never play those games or do the surveys FB offers. I didn’t even like FB until a few weeks ago. Actually I still don’t like FB. But it is a way to keep up with the family.
waltzingaustralia // September 21, 2009 at 11.27 am09 |
I think it’s semi-targeted, probably depending on who pays what and how targeted they want it to be. I’m not sure how they know I have a Mac, but all computer ads are for Apple computers. However, I’ve found that political stuff is more scattershot, and I get ads for candidates I would never support. But it is still kind of creepy that they know s much.
The Divine Miss White // September 21, 2009 at 11.27 am09 |
Feeling comfortable with social networking is easy since it’s managed from the comfort of our own homes.
I do believe we need to be vigilant, particularly if we have young children, or in my case a grand daughter.
The family consensus is she can wait until the legal age of 17 years before she can join a social networking site.