Facebook to use your browsing history to help target ads
Facebook has announced that it will use your web browsing history to help target ads, but promises that there will be the option to opt-out.
The move, which will roll out in the US, sees ad targeting moving away from just being passed on the types of Facebook Pages that a user follows.
Explaining the change in a blog post, Facebook said: “Let’s say that you’re thinking about buying a new TV, and you start researching TVs on the web and in mobile apps. We may show you ads for deals on a TV to help you get the best price or other brands to consider. And because we think you’re interested in electronics, we may show you ads for other electronics in the future, like speakers or a game console to go with your new TV.”
As well as announcing the new targeting system for ads, Facebook has also revealed that it was introducing ad preferences, a new tool accessible from every ad on Facebook that explains why you’re seeing a specific ad and lets you add and remove interests.
The new system is expected to become global in the upcoming months.