How does Facebook know I would be interested in the film “Drive”? How come my mom gets different ads, for example, to adopt a puppy or buy new fashionable boots? All because Facebook ads are tailored to your individual needs. Companies design their ads to be shown to the right people at the right times. Every time I enter information into “my interests” or “my favorite movies”, etc., I am sending a little hint to the advertising department at Facebook. You see, Facebook gathers information about you from all sorts of different sources. They accumulate information from your age (most obviously acquired), down to your actions (a little tougher to gather) on Facebook. Once all these different information’s are compiled, then Facebook can make a profile of you. According to my Facebook page, I am a 20 year old male student who enjoys Chicago sports, drumming, rap music, etc. Now, if Facebook has around 800 million of these profiles, companies are willing to pay top dollar to acquire this information. Companies want to advertise efficiently. They want to advertise to the right audience every time. When Facebook allows them to know my location and personal preferences, etc., then the companies can more accurately advertise and focus their message towards me.
Another key factor in Facebook’s profile of me is my account activity. Around 75% of all internet users use social networking but it’s estimated that less than half of them actively participate and have a big influence on their social network. The users that constantly update statuses, upload pictures, comment on friends walls, like every post, etc. are the users that companies market towards. These users have the biggest influences. These are the users that will see a company’s ad. Companies are trying to stay one step ahead of the consumer when trying to sell to them.
There are a lot of things going on in the background when I change my status. I just find solace in the fact that I don’t have to buy anything. Cheers!
Sources:
http://technology.inc.com/2009/01/01/online-advertising-through-social-media/
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