Facebook Has the Right to Protect Its Service

The use of third-party software or browser extensions to block ads has long been a contentious practice. Its impact on ad revenues is clear, and ad blocking is reshaping the digital landscape. Facebook has decided to push back, bypassing ad blockers for desktop browsers and improving its own ad controls for users. Facebook announced in a Newsroom post that it will provide new tools for users to tailor their ad experiences. Now Facebook users can exclude certain topics from their ad preferences and exclude businesses they are already subscribed to on Facebook. Throughout the post, Facebook noted that is it taking user feedback into account, and this is part of its more user-friendly approach: These improvements are designed to give people even more control over how their data informs the ads they see. This could be seen as a way for Facebook to meet users halfway when it comes to the ad experience on the site. However, Adblock Plus communications and operations manager Ben Williams declared the move anti-user and predicted fallout from the change: It’s hard to imagine Facebook or the brands that are being advertised on its site getting any sort of value for their ad dollar here: Publishers (like Facebook) alienate their audience, and advertisers (the brands) allow their cherished brand name to be shoved down people’s throats. Wouldn’t it be better to address users (like all of you!) who have chosen to block traditional ads on their own terms? The friction between advertisers and those behind ad blocking is clear, with each trying to deliver a different version of the internet to users. In the case of advertisers and brands, this leads to real losses in revenue and potential losses in terms of clients or customers. With advertising as Facebook’s primary source of revenue, the decision to push against ad blocking is understandable. Facebook also admitted that ads can be intrusive, and that it is trying to serve the needs of users who might block ads, while still honoring its customers, the advertisers. Peter Hamilton, CEO of mobile marketing platform Tune, noted in a statement to SocialTimes that publishers have the right to protect the value of their service or their content. Facebook is well within its rights to disable ad blockers, which ultimately helps to protect the service its users enjoy. Hamilton continued: Facebook is wise to support its users by providing a meaningful alternative. By replacing a consumer's’ ability to use ad blockers with a more narrow alternative that enables them to block targeting from specific advertisers, Facebook can build trust. However, it should be clear to the consumer that publishers need to monetize their content through sponsorships and ads in order to continue providing they great content they do, for free. Readers: What are your thoughts on this debate?

Social Pro Daily

Facebook Has the Right to Protect Its Service

After Facebook announced that it was bypassing ad blockers, some accused the network of being anti-user, while others pointed out that it was doing what was best for business.

Kimberlee Morrison

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Kimberlee Morrison