Tech Made Simple

Hot Topics: How to Fix Bluetooth Pairing Problems | Complete Guide to Facebook Privacy | How to Block Spam Calls | Snapchat Symbol Meaning

We may earn commissions when you buy from links on our site. Why you can trust us.

author photo

Facebook Turns Your Updates into Ads

by Steve Morgenstern on January 26, 2011

Facebook has found a new way to sell member information with its Sponsored Stories advertising program, announced yesterday. The information in question isn’t privacy-laden personal data – it’s your public expressions about a product or brand, whether that’s a post on a company's Facebook Page, liking a Page, or checking in at a location. In addition to showing up in your newsfeed as always, advertisers participating in the Sponsored Stories program will now be able to take your personal actions and post it in a Faceboook ad that runs in the right hand column of your friends’ pages.

On the plus side, these ads will only be shown to your friends, so while they call attention to your product preferences, they don’t use your words or actions as an endorsement to the general public. On the other hand, you can’t opt out of having your information repurposed in this way, a surprising decision given the public hypersensitivity to Facebook’s sometimes troubling privacy policies.


Topics

Social Networking, News, Blog, Facebook


Discussion loading

gravatar

From John on February 12, 2011 :: 5:59 pm


I’ve never understood why people like Facebook… It does not respect people’s privacy. It’s quite spammy. It’s one of the most user-unfriendly sites out there. Yet, it’s one of the top sites. The world is really going crazy… I wonder if somebody make even uglier website with more spam, whether it won’t become even more popular with some good advertisement…

Reply

New Articles on Techlicious

Home | About | Meet the Team | Contact Us
Media Kit | Newsletter Sponsorships | Licensing & Permissions
Accessibility Statement
Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookie Policy

Techlicious participates in affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which provide a small commission from some, but not all, of the "click-thru to buy" links contained in our articles. These click-thru links are determined after the article has been written, based on price and product availability — the commissions do not impact our choice of recommended product, nor the price you pay. When you use these links, you help support our ongoing editorial mission to provide you with the best product recommendations.

© Techlicious LLC.