Facebook "products" (targeted advertising)

[UNCjigga]

So there was a post on Facebook's blog the other day about new advertising initiatives that focused on targeted ads and word-of-mouth endorsements from friends. I've noticed a few products showing up on Facebook's search page (products show up in a new tab called 'Pages'.) Full disclosure--I work for a company that has created a product page for targeted advertising. I'm curious to know if anyone here has added and product pages to their profile, or if you're concerned about corporations invading your privacy. What's your reaction to this form of advertising?

 

[Sukhoi]

I use none of the added BS since Facebook tried to turn itself into MySpace.

 

[Colt45]

as above

 

[UNCjigga]

Originally posted by: Sukhoi
I use none of the added BS since Facebook tried to turn itself into MySpace.

Interesting. When you compare it to MySpace, are you referring to the open door "let everyone in" model they've adopted, or the customizable profile apps? Advertising aside, I really think Facebook's application platform is pretty cool. My favorite new app is the Texas hold'em poker app--lets you play poker online like any other poker site, except with one button you can find your friends online and join their table. Kinda neat. But I totally understand that if left unchecked peoples' profiles can get cluttered and page load times will suffer. Still, I don't see how it merits comparison with MySpace!

 

[Sukhoi]

Originally posted by: UNCjigga

Originally posted by: Sukhoi
I use none of the added BS since Facebook tried to turn itself into MySpace.

Interesting. When you compare it to MySpace, are you referring to the open door "let everyone in" model they've adopted, or the customizable profile apps? Advertising aside, I really think Facebook's application platform is pretty cool. My favorite new app is the Texas hold'em poker app--lets you play poker online like any other poker site, except with one button you can find your friends online and join their table. Kinda neat. But I totally understand that if left unchecked peoples' profiles can get cluttered and page load times will suffer. Still, I don't see how it merits comparison with MySpace!

I'm referring to the ugly ass crowded pages with flashing stuff popping up all over the place, that are incredible difficult to skim through. I've used Facebook for years, and it's clearly heading down the MySpace road. It used to be nice and simple, and now it's like someone's bedroom that hasn't been cleaned in a year.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Actually there are a few functional applications I like that don't overly crowd my page. But I do agree that scrolling 40 times to get to someone's wall is ridiculous. However, it will be a long time before facebook=myspace, and that's due to the user base.

 

[gar3555]

I only use the one that puts my football teams next game,their opponent, the time, and location up every week. keeps up to date without having to go to espn/kstatesports to look for them.

 

[hdeck]

i already went through the proper steps to block the advertising nonsense.

 

[kedlav]

saw an amusing ad for dos-boot computer services

Edit: typo

 

[Jeff7]

Concerning ads (general issues, not Facebook specific):
I don't like the idea of data mining where names are easily accessible. It makes it quite easy to link a person to the data. That's a privacy concern.

Concerning ads themselves, the quickest way that an adserver is going to find its way onto my block list is if it uses any kind of irritating animation or flashing that cannot be stopped easily. Any auto-playing audio: no mercy, that adserver will be blocked right away. Video isn't much better, as it can slow page-loading times.
If an adserver is slow, and holds up loading a page, that can also earn it a place on the block-list.

Pop-ups: another great way to gain attention, which puts them on my block-list.

Unobtrusive ads, that don't get in the way of the information I'm looking for, are far more likely to be seen by me, because they're far more likely to remain unblocked.

 

[soydios]

Originally posted by: Sukhoi
I use none of the added BS since Facebook tried to turn itself into MySpace.

99% true for me as well.
I've taken to blocking all applications that I ever receive an invite for. I see it once, deny it once, and block it once. some apps are fun or useful, but I don't full my profile full of them.