Facebook Ads, Now Featuring You?
Did you know that Facebook has recently agreed to let third-party advertisers use your posted photos for ads targeted to your friends? Did you know that this change does not require an advertiser to have your permission by default?
Even as a marketer / advertiser I’m quite surprised by this. For me it’s very much about protecting my “personal brand”. While I wouldn’t mind being attached to Apple or Nike as I am a fan of those brands, why should any advertiser be allowed to use a photo of me without my permission? What can be said along side a photo of me? The advertisers do not have any restrictions.
Facebook does give you the ability to change this, but this should not be something that is allowed by default. It’s disappointing that Facebook offers this feature as a way to appeal to advertisers and increase their own revenue.
From Facebook, “Facebook occasionally pairs advertisements with relevant social actions from a user’s friends to create Facebook Ads. Facebook Ads make advertisements more interesting and more tailored to you and your friends. These respect all privacy rules. You may opt out of appearing in your friends’ Facebook Ads below.”
To change this setting navigate through your “Settings”, select “Privacy Settings”, select “News Feed and Wall” and then the tab labeled “Facebook Ads” you’ll see the toggle to allow “No One” to use your photos in ad units across the site.
