Wednesday, 7 November 2012

Using Online Identities to Target Consumers


Have you ever signed onto Facebook and looked at the advertisements on the side panel? Have you ever been shocked at how well the advertisers seemed to know you? I definitely have. The coolest, and creepiest part of your online identity, is that social media websites and companies trying to advertise are able to tailor the ads to you!

That means, depending on how much information you publicize (your interests, your hometown, the city you reside in now, schools you’ve attended, your major, etc…), the more tailored the advertisements are. This is because the companies know more about you and what you’d be interested in buying.

In a marketer’s point in view, this is a great way to get the most out of your advertisements and thus, be the most successful. However, as the consumer, it makes me feel uncomfortable, as they know too much about me.

What do you think? Are you uneasy with what companies know about you? 

1 comment:

  1. The following article discusses how your Facebook activity, such as "likes", not only influences the advertisements you see while on Facebook but on external websites as well. Facebook's recent policy changes will allow the social network site to use the data is has about your likes and dislikes. Everything you do on Facebook will influence the ads you see elsewhere on the Internet. This will be the first competitor for Google's ad dominance, which shows people relevant ads while they search. Most people are not aware of this policy change to Facebook, as most people do not read the updates policies. Do you think it is okay for Facebook to use your data to allow advertisements to target you on external sites?

    http://gigaom.com/2012/11/23/facebook-makes-it-official-an-external-advertising-network-is-coming-soon/

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