How Facebook Sold You Krill Oil

An anonymous reader writes with this look at how Facebook tries to make and sell "thumbstopper" ads compelling enough to get people to stop scrolling through their news feeds. With its trove of knowledge about the likes, histories and social connections of its 1.3 billion users worldwide, Facebook executives argue, it can help advertisers reach exactly the right audience and measure the impact of their ads — while also, like TV, conveying a broad brand message. Facebook, which made $1.5 billion in profit on $7.9 billion in revenue last year, sees particular value in promoting its TV-like qualities, given that advertisers spend $200 billion a year on that medium. "We want to hold ourselves accountable for delivering results," said Carolyn Everson, Facebook's vice president for global marketing solutions, in a recent interview. "Not smoke and mirrors, maybe it works, maybe it doesn't."

Comments

"Tell us what your heart beats for!"

[rmdingler]

FB would love advertisers to believe their questionably ethical compilation of your particulars can be used against you.

Advertisers want a piece of the place where, FTA, one in 5-6 online minutes is spent.

I have left instructions for my family per what to do in the event of medical brain death, or evidence of a Facebook account... but I repeat myself.

Re:Facebook didn't sell me anything

[Anonymous Coward]

I had to create to make sure nobody else could create a fake account about me and fill it with slander

Rerouting auxiliary power to the tinfoil hat.

Dress sweat pants

[Nimey]

Dress sweat pants are a thing, which I know only because of Facebook.