Facebook has just added a new feature to its site called “Sponsored Stories.” This means that when you ‘check-in’ to a store, tag a brand in your comment, or ‘like’ a company, if they are advertising with Sponsored Stories, their ad will pop up on your friends’ news feed on the right hand side where all the other ads are.
After reading about this, I was immediately reminded of a post I wrote a couple weeks ago. It explored how brands make suggestions and product recommendations for their consumers and what it takes to be successful at it.
As far as I can tell, this new initiative by Facebook is a really good blend of paid advertising by the brand while taking advantage of earned word-of-mouth by users.
As always, some FB users will be up in arms and resistant to change as they are with anything new Facebook tries. They will say things like:
Some will even make empty threats like:
I think our society is too obsessed with Facebook at this point for any mass amount of people to really leave the site, but the comments are interesting nonetheless.
But is this new addition really that bad? Some don’t think so:
And one person put it really well:
Very true. I remember being freaked out when I saw ads in my Gmail relating to what I was writing about, but I’ve gotten used to it and now I don’t mind at all.
Whatever your opinion is now, inevitably Sponsored Stories will become normal and accepted, and users will move on to their next gripe with the site. I do however think this has very good potential to promote the brands that participate because simply it’s a clear recommendation from people you trust. As long as they stay respectful and don’t overdo it. And like the person above put it, at least the ads are relevant.
Especially if they offer coupons.
What is your opinion of Sponsored Stories? Do you think they will have any impact on the brands that participate?
FURTHER READING:
“Your Facebook Activity is Now and Ad” – ReadWriteWeb
“Facebook Should Offer Sponsored Stories on an Opt-In Basis” – Mashable
photo credit: tecca.com
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ingrid Otero-Smart, Casanova Pendrill. Casanova Pendrill said: New blog post from @Bregozz explores "Sponsored Stories" on #Facebook http://bit.ly/dF1WAf cc: @monicacamacho @kathdiaz [...]
I don’t see a major problem with it.
This goes back to “don’t post things online if you don’t want people to know.”
@DennisDemori
Interesting… At least the ads will be tailored and not just sent at random. In a way it does make you have some kind of “control” since you actually have to “check-in”. The question is will they be just a wave and eventually we will all again become “immune” to them.
Facebook continues to evolve into a personal online experience. Facebook probably knows more about you than you do. With all the data they have about your preferences. Knowing all the highlights of your life. Who your BFFs and family members are. All your pet peeves. Your relationship status. The places you go. I’m sure they could write a book about your life in seconds-maybe this will be the next FB initiative.There’s no boundaries anymore between you and the internet. Now your actions help promote brands. We will see more personalized experiences in the near future as technology continues to enhance and Facebook discovers new opportunities.
@Dennis- Very true. Even though you can customize your privacy settings, nothing is ever 100% safe. It goes with what Monica said- Facebook knows everything about you. That’s why I think it’s kind of funny when people freak out that FB knows too much about them. Hellooo!? You’re on their site! And you’re providing the information! FB is a public site no matter how much people try to hide things.
@Esthela- I wonder that too. I hardly notice the ads on the side anymore and only rarely will I click on one (but on a side note, I once got a promotions job through an FB ad). I think Sponsored Stories is a very cool idea, but the only way they will be really interesting to me is if they offer some sort of deal or “Facebook Special.” Something exclusive.