Comments on: Facebook Experiments With Ads Targeting People’s Interests http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/ Startup and Technology News Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:22:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Facebook Takes the Microsoft Money And Runs. http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-2390914 Facebook Takes the Microsoft Money And Runs. Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:59:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-2390914 [...] has never felt comfortable targeting ads based on private user profile data, which seems to be the great promise of Facebook, ad-wise. Microsoft doesn’t share those [...] [...] has never felt comfortable targeting ads based on private user profile data, which seems to be the great promise of Facebook, ad-wise. Microsoft doesn’t share those [...]

]]> By: Yedda. The Blog. http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-2351947 Yedda. The Blog. Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:46:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-2351947 <strong>The Numbers Behind Facebook Flyers...</strong> Although I’m a tech geek at heart I try to post about non technological stuff in our blog and bring you some of the best questions and answers people post in Yedda. This time, please excuse me, but I will get a little technical. I just read a gr... The Numbers Behind Facebook Flyers…

Although I’m a tech geek at heart I try to post about non technological stuff in our blog and bring you some of the best questions and answers people post in Yedda. This time, please excuse me, but I will get a little technical.
I just read a gr…

]]> By: Adxonist - 利令智昏的Facebook http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1840375 Adxonist - 利令智昏的Facebook Fri, 14 Dec 2007 14:38:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1840375 [...] 无论是06年的News Feeds还是现在的Beacon，Facebook都是犯了同样的错误，未让用户拥有充分的选择权：News Feeds和Beacon Notifications的默认设置都是“打开”，并且在产品发布同时都未提供关闭这一功能的选项。Facebook一次次在这样的基本常识上栽跟头，显然不是偶然：此前，07年10月份上线的Facebook Flyers广告系统的效果实在难以令人满意（注意看这篇文章后的第26个留言），加之公众沸腾的预期，Facebook再出昏招也就变得合情合理了。 [...] [...] 无论是06年的News Feeds还是现在的Beacon，Facebook都是犯了同样的错误，未让用户拥有充分的选择权：News Feeds和Beacon Notifications的默认设置都是“打开”，并且在产品发布同时都未提供关闭这一功能的选项。Facebook一次次在这样的基本常识上栽跟头，显然不是偶然：此前，07年10月份上线的Facebook Flyers广告系统的效果实在难以令人满意（注意看这篇文章后的第26个留言），加之公众沸腾的预期，Facebook再出昏招也就变得合情合理了。 [...]

]]> By: Der Preis der Werbung im StudiVZ · Happy Arts Blog http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1797451 Der Preis der Werbung im StudiVZ · Happy Arts Blog Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:31:08 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1797451 [...] wird sich in einigen Monaten zeigen. Ein Blick über den Teich zum Konkurrenten Facebook zeigt: es wird nicht einfach. Auf dem Blog Valleywag wird von Klickzahlen im Bereich von 0.04% berichtet. [...] [...] wird sich in einigen Monaten zeigen. Ein Blick über den Teich zum Konkurrenten Facebook zeigt: es wird nicht einfach. Auf dem Blog Valleywag wird von Klickzahlen im Bereich von 0.04% berichtet. [...]

]]> By: Endocitosis de red, el blog de Albert Armengol http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1793297 Endocitosis de red, el blog de Albert Armengol Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:02:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1793297 <strong>Publicidad segmentada e información...</strong> Mucho se está hablando ultimamente de la publicidad segmentada, donde las redes sociales ofrecen muchísimas posibilidades para aumentar la relevancia de los anuncios, e ir más alla del 'contextual' de adsense, algo que ha saltado a la opinión pú... Publicidad segmentada e información…

Mucho se está hablando ultimamente de la publicidad segmentada, donde las redes sociales ofrecen muchísimas posibilidades para aumentar la relevancia de los anuncios, e ir más alla del ‘contextual’ de adsense, algo que ha saltado a la opinión pú…

]]> By: Get your psychographic profile on Facebook : The Last Podcast http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1712467 Get your psychographic profile on Facebook : The Last Podcast Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:28:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1712467 [...] so that they can be identified later when they visit other sites hosting SocialAds. Facebook is already experimenting with targeting ads on its own site (through its Facebook Flyers program) based on demographic and [...] [...] so that they can be identified later when they visit other sites hosting SocialAds. Facebook is already experimenting with targeting ads on its own site (through its Facebook Flyers program) based on demographic and [...]

]]> By: VentureBeat » Cookie tracking: How Facebook could be worth $100 billion? « Fremontman’s Weblog http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1712419 VentureBeat » Cookie tracking: How Facebook could be worth $100 billion? « Fremontman’s Weblog Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:58:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1712419 [...] so that they can be identified later when they visit other sites hosting SocialAds. Facebook is already experimenting with targeting ads on its own site (through its Facebook Flyers program) based on demographic and [...] [...] so that they can be identified later when they visit other sites hosting SocialAds. Facebook is already experimenting with targeting ads on its own site (through its Facebook Flyers program) based on demographic and [...]

]]> By: Zac http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1697537 Zac Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:08:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1697537 Sam - I wasn't offered this. They said if my campaign was less than $25,000 - then all I had available was the flyers product. Perhaps something new? Anyway, none of this changes my belief that Facebook will never be a strong marketing channel for customer acquisition. Sam - I wasn’t offered this. They said if my campaign was less than $25,000 - then all I had available was the flyers product.

Perhaps something new? Anyway, none of this changes my belief that Facebook will never be a strong marketing channel for customer acquisition.

]]> By: Tamlyn Rhodes http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1696135 Tamlyn Rhodes Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:58:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1696135 "Faecbook" - haha! That's a keeper :) “Faecbook” - haha! That’s a keeper :)

]]> By: Google News Application за Facebook http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1693689 Google News Application за Facebook Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:04:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1693689 [...] стана ясно, че Facebook е отворила директорията с приложенията и всички [...] [...] стана ясно, че Facebook е отворила директорията с приложенията и всички [...]

]]> By: Sam Daams http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1693405 Sam Daams Tue, 23 Oct 2007 09:49:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1693405 Zac, you should have used the pro version then. You pay per click, so you wouldn't have had this terrible of a result. Yes click throughs are low, but that's EXACTLY why you should use the CPC they are offering and not just run of the mill flyers (unless you are doing it for the branding). Zac, you should have used the pro version then. You pay per click, so you wouldn’t have had this terrible of a result. Yes click throughs are low, but that’s EXACTLY why you should use the CPC they are offering and not just run of the mill flyers (unless you are doing it for the branding).

]]> By: OverMatter http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1693293 OverMatter Tue, 23 Oct 2007 08:56:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1693293 <strong>Fun With Facebook Flyers Data...</strong> Playing with Facebook Flyer Creator is a great way to see who all is on FaceBook. The current overall reach showing is "19,951,900 people in the United States" and of those people: 8,075,960 men 9,778,140 women 1,292,200 people younger than... Fun With Facebook Flyers Data…

Playing with Facebook Flyer Creator is a great way to see who all is on FaceBook. The current overall reach showing is “19,951,900 people in the United States” and of those people: 8,075,960 men 9,778,140 women 1,292,200 people younger than…

]]> By: Ulrich Bartholmös http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1693115 Ulrich Bartholmös Tue, 23 Oct 2007 07:32:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1693115 <strong>Facebook: User-Targeting für Vermarktung...</strong> Wie Techcrunch gestern schreibt, beginnt Facebook mit User-Targeting für die Vermarktung der Plattform zu experimentieren. Demnach kann bei Facebook ab sofort gezielt Werbung eingekauft werden, die beispielsweise nach Land, Stadt, Geschlecht, Alter, p... Facebook: User-Targeting für Vermarktung…

Wie Techcrunch gestern schreibt, beginnt Facebook mit User-Targeting für die Vermarktung der Plattform zu experimentieren. Demnach kann bei Facebook ab sofort gezielt Werbung eingekauft werden, die beispielsweise nach Land, Stadt, Geschlecht, Alter, p…

]]> By: Zac http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1692750 Zac Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:09:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1692750 This comments exchange has missed a key point: Facebook flyers don't work well for traffic acquisition. Why? 1. Facebook is a destination and therefore has a very low bounce rate. My sense is that Facebook would have a near zero bounce rate; as opposed to Google which is fundamentally about bouncing. This is a _key_ difference. Target all you want, but if you don't want to leave the site (facebook), then you'll struggle to sell your ads to firms which want results from their ad campaign. To compare Google to Facebook misses the fact that they are entirely different platforms - one a launch pad, the other an intensely sticky destination. 2. I tested this by running a short trial: I paid $150 for a Flyer campaign for my sports website, www.theroar.com.au. I received less than 40 referrals from Facebook. This equates to about $3.75 a click. I pointed out to facebook how poor the results of the ad campaign were (3 times the price of Google). Their response (below) shows that the staff member who replied understands nothing about the benefits of ad targeting: ====== Hi Zac, We have confirmed that your flyer campaign has successfully completed its entire campaign on the site. We sent your flyer to 75,000 male (18+ years old) users, who were part of Australian networks. If you feel your flyer did not receive enough exposure we recommend you should consider trying to target different users or relaxing your target constraints. Let me know if you have any further questions. Let us know if you have any further questions. Thanks for contacting Facebook, Reece Customer Support Representative Facebook ========= The takeout: be very wary of $10b valuation for a site such as facebook - it's not actually a good advertising platform for customer acquisition. This comments exchange has missed a key point: Facebook flyers don’t work well for traffic acquisition.

Why?

1. Facebook is a destination and therefore has a very low bounce rate. My sense is that Facebook would have a near zero bounce rate; as opposed to Google which is fundamentally about bouncing. This is a _key_ difference. Target all you want, but if you don’t want to leave the site (facebook), then you’ll struggle to sell your ads to firms which want results from their ad campaign. To compare Google to Facebook misses the fact that they are entirely different platforms - one a launch pad, the other an intensely sticky destination.

2. I tested this by running a short trial: I paid $150 for a Flyer campaign for my sports website, http://www.theroar.com.au. I received less than 40 referrals from Facebook. This equates to about $3.75 a click. I pointed out to facebook how poor the results of the ad campaign were (3 times the price of Google). Their response (below) shows that the staff member who replied understands nothing about the benefits of ad targeting:

======
Hi Zac,

We have confirmed that your flyer campaign has successfully completed its entire campaign on the site. We sent your flyer to 75,000 male (18+ years old) users, who were part of Australian networks. If you feel your flyer did not receive enough exposure we recommend you should consider trying to target different users or relaxing your target constraints. Let me know if you have any further
questions.

Let us know if you have any further questions.

Thanks for contacting Facebook,

Reece
Customer Support Representative
Facebook
=========

The takeout: be very wary of $10b valuation for a site such as facebook - it’s not actually a good advertising platform for customer acquisition.

]]> By: Jon http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1692438 Jon Tue, 23 Oct 2007 01:38:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1692438 Call me crazy, but I have yet to even visit facebook - I got other things to do in life then tag and bother those who I am close to... skype is the way to go... these social network sites are just a waste of time and resources. Jon Call me crazy, but I have yet to even visit facebook - I got other things to do in life then tag and bother those who I am close to… skype is the way to go… these social network sites are just a waste of time and resources.

Jon

]]> By: Angela Hayden http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1692243 Angela Hayden Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:26:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1692243 It really sucks now because you can't upload any images for the ad, they censor any curse words and anything they find offensive. Such as flyer I tried to post today for t-shirts that read: My mama didn't use birth control and all I got was this shitty life. They've cut me off on several different ads. p.s. I always check the over 18 years old crowd. Can't they handle a little cursing? or controversy? It really sucks now because you can’t upload any images for the ad, they censor any curse words and anything they find offensive. Such as flyer I tried to post today for t-shirts that read:

My mama didn’t use birth control and all I got was this shitty life.

They’ve cut me off on several different ads.

p.s. I always check the over 18 years old crowd. Can’t they handle a little cursing? or controversy?

]]> By: rons dixon http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1692096 rons dixon Mon, 22 Oct 2007 23:20:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1692096 Great job by FB, they are really revolutionizing ad targeting in a virtual world. can you imagine how powerful this information will be to media buyers. Another good move for FB. Great job by FB, they are really revolutionizing ad targeting in a virtual world. can you imagine how powerful this information will be to media buyers.

Another good move for FB.

]]> By: webSwarm http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1691773 webSwarm Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:51:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1691773 In the future, it won't be ads displayed, but rather receipts for thingies the system went ahead and <a href="http://seekng.com/alien/comments" rel="nofollow">purchased for you</a> In the future, it won’t be ads displayed, but rather receipts for thingies the system went ahead and purchased for you

]]> By: Sam Daams http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1691719 Sam Daams Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:31:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1691719 Duane, that's probably because you can't yet 'exclude' one particular group. This is really pretty old news though; can't believe it's just now popping up on TC although admittedly FB have been really bad at making this function easy to find. Even after creating some flyers I have to remember the url to find my way back :( There's a great post from the 24th of September over on shoemoney where someone explains their findings after abusing the system (#26, he also talks about a similar surge in the beginning): http://www.shoemoney.com/2007/09/24/pwning-facebook-how-to-think-like-an-uber-affiliate/ I've had a few flyers up and the targetting is nice. But seeing as I'm outside the US, it's not really very relevant because of the language thing. I wish I could base it on other things on the users profile page, but that's probably a matter of time. Click through rates aren't great, but I'm using the pro version so only paying per click. Conversions aren't fantastic ultimately, but I'm still treading the waters with this so that could change as different options are tried. It's also nice to be able to have some decent alternatives for targetting a specific age demographic especially. Duane, that’s probably because you can’t yet ‘exclude’ one particular group. This is really pretty old news though; can’t believe it’s just now popping up on TC although admittedly FB have been really bad at making this function easy to find. Even after creating some flyers I have to remember the url to find my way back :(

There’s a great post from the 24th of September over on shoemoney where someone explains their findings after abusing the system (#26, he also talks about a similar surge in the beginning): http://www.shoemoney.com/2007/.....affiliate/

I’ve had a few flyers up and the targetting is nice. But seeing as I’m outside the US, it’s not really very relevant because of the language thing. I wish I could base it on other things on the users profile page, but that’s probably a matter of time. Click through rates aren’t great, but I’m using the pro version so only paying per click. Conversions aren’t fantastic ultimately, but I’m still treading the waters with this so that could change as different options are tried. It’s also nice to be able to have some decent alternatives for targetting a specific age demographic especially.

]]> By: Duane http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1691680 Duane Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:15:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1691680 All those options, and yet the only ad I see is "Over 30 and single? Meet gorgeous women now!" It's pretty ridiculous, really, when I'm trying to develop my app and I've got the CTO leaning over my shoulder. It also goes to show how much targeting is really done - my profile states that I'm married. All those options, and yet the only ad I see is “Over 30 and single? Meet gorgeous women now!” It’s pretty ridiculous, really, when I’m trying to develop my app and I’ve got the CTO leaning over my shoulder.

It also goes to show how much targeting is really done - my profile states that I’m married.

]]> By: John Stoltenborg http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1691678 John Stoltenborg Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:13:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1691678 This has been seen coming for years, but this part is wild "this sort of demographic ad-targeting can be done by Facebook app developers as well." John This has been seen coming for years, but this part is wild
“this sort of demographic ad-targeting can be done by Facebook app developers as well.”

John

]]> By: Jonathan Mendez http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1691675 Jonathan Mendez Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:12:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1691675 I've heard some folks are doing quite well with this already. I posted thoughts today as well. http://www.optimizeandprophesize.com/jonathan_mendezs_blog/2007/10/facebook-flyers.html I’ve heard some folks are doing quite well with this already. I posted thoughts today as well.

http://www.optimizeandprophesi.....lyers.html

]]> By: Erica http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1691648 Erica Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:59:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1691648 I am recently engaged. Since changing my 'Relationship Status' to reflect my engagement, 75% of the flyers I see are wedding-related. The wedding map app, wedding planning stuff...you name it, I've seen it. I am recently engaged. Since changing my ‘Relationship Status’ to reflect my engagement, 75% of the flyers I see are wedding-related. The wedding map app, wedding planning stuff…you name it, I’ve seen it.

]]> By: fadbook http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1691584 fadbook Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:29:57 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1691584 How do I target people who need cd duplicators, printers etc. Google adwords looks like a better option. Fadbook is only for college crowds. 25 - 55 prefer Google search. They may register into fadbook but will hardly return and will rarely click How do I target people who need cd duplicators, printers etc.
Google adwords looks like a better option.
Fadbook is only for college crowds.
25 - 55 prefer Google search.
They may register into fadbook but will hardly return and will rarely click

]]> By: Gavin P. Quinn http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1691583 Gavin P. Quinn Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:29:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/22/facebook-experiments-with-ads-targeting-peoples-interests/#comment-1691583 I have been using it for a while. It must have some kind of algorithm similar to google's that lowers placement based on click-thru rate. 1st day ($10/day limit), I had over 350,000 views, with over 100 clicks. 2nd day, 320,000 views, over 100 clicks. 3rd day, 30,000 views, 8 clicks, 4th day, 25,000 views 6 clicks, ... 12th day, 12,000 views 3 clicks. I thought I hit the jackpot, then it stopped showing it. I wonder if I have to keep changing my content once per day to keep it up. I have been using it for a while. It must have some kind of algorithm similar to google’s that lowers placement based on click-thru rate.

1st day ($10/day limit), I had over 350,000 views, with over 100 clicks.
2nd day, 320,000 views, over 100 clicks.
3rd day, 30,000 views, 8 clicks,
4th day, 25,000 views 6 clicks,
…

12th day, 12,000 views 3 clicks.

I thought I hit the jackpot, then it stopped showing it. I wonder if I have to keep changing my content once per day to keep it up.

]]>