This will allow people to be able to stop the personalized advertisements from following them around online.
For users who don’t like Facebook ads that follow them wherever they happen to go on the internet, the social network is now providing the option to block this from happening.
These personalized ads were first introduced last year to be displayed on sites off Facebook.
In this way Facebook ads were displayed on and off the social network’s site, based on the other websites and apps that people were using. The global deputy chief privacy officer at the social network, Stephen Deadman, explained that “Today, we’re introducing an additional way for people to turn off this kind of advertising from the ad settings page right on Facebook.”
This allows Facebook ads to be blocked from the company’s site, instead of having to use other services.
Previously, it was possible for internet users to be able to block the ads through the AdChoices program from the Digital Advertising Alliance, or by altering the settings directly on the iPhone or Android based smartphones. With these latest changes, it is now possible for this same goal to be accomplished directly through the Facebook site.
Although Facebook has been serving users ads based on the content on which they have previously clicked “Like,” a broader program was launched last winter. In December of last year, the company posted “Let’s say that you’re thinking about buying a new TV, and you start researching TVs on the web and in mobile apps,” adding that “We may show you ads for deals on a TV to help you get the best price or other brands to consider.”
The new option on Facebook allows a site user to opt-out. This means that the targeted Facebook ads will automatically be turned on, and they will remain that way be default unless a user actively goes to the “Settings” tab and changes the preferences for the social network’s advertisements.
The company has stated that it will continue to use the data that it collects by way of the use of the “Like” button on other websites in order to provide them with relevant advertising on Facebook.
In order for advertisers to effectively engage consumers, they will need to become more adept at timing their campaigns so that they reach those that are in the mood to shop with their mobile devices. OtherLevels examined five test groups, representing certain demographics of mobile shoppers, and found that inconsistent marketing campaigns can inspire disinterest in consumers. The report found that a steady flow of messages from marketers led consumers to use their apps more often and shop at greater frequency. Poorly times messages, however, had the opposite effect.