You can run, but you can’t hide.
Facebook advertisements continue to pour into our news feeds, flooding timelines with sponsored posts that the platform thinks you’re interested in.
Chances are you’ve asked, “Why is this specific ad on my timeline?” or “How the heck do I get rid of it?”
Advertisements aren’t going anywhere, but there are ways to help you better understand ad targeting and the role it plays for your Facebook marketing campaign.
The first step is to find a sponsored post and click the down arrow found on the upper right corner of the ad. Here, you’ll find a few helpful options that correspond with other ads as well.
Click ‘Why am I seeing this?’ for a few ‘explanations’ on why this ad is targeting you. Facebook analyzes users interests, likes and online behaviors to target ads to like-minded audiences.
For a full listing of topics and keywords Facebook thinks you’re interested in, click “Manage Your Ad Preferences” from the same page above.
You can add/remove any preferences to see more of what you like and filter out unwanted or non-specific posts from your timeline. For example, if your preferences include “cycling” you may see business ads that are targeting people that like to ride bikes.
Also, if you remove all of your preferences in hopes to get rid of sponsored ads, think again! “You’ll still see the same number of ads, but they may be less useful for you.”
We know ads can sometimes be a nuisance but it’s necessary for success. As online marketers, our goal is to reach as many consumers as possible with content that serves your interests and likeness. By knowing what and why people (like yourself) are being targeted for and then utilizing these analytics, you can better strategize for your next Facebook advertising campaign.
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