Want to See What Facebook Shares About You?
Facebook and Social Media Privacy Concerns, the Ultimate Marketing Tool for Information and Outreach at a Reduced Cost.
If there’s one thing people get frightened about it’s their privacy online. Stolen identity, false impersonations and harassments are just a few of the consequences that come to mind. It’s completely understandable and I’ve been very wary of any of my personal information leaking online. Have you felt the same way?
Well the largest social network out there, Facebook, holds a lot of information about a lot of people. Facebook has also recently changed it’s privacy settings which has angered some. Facebook’s ultimate goal is to be in control of the information you post on the site. They make money selling controlled access to that information to potential advertisers. Imagine the intimate information, opinions and history you share on Facebook. Wouldn’t that be valuable to someone looking to market to you?
That’s exactly what Facebook thinks and that’s exactly what marketers salivate over. Today, credit bureaus sell basic and intimate information about millions of Americans to advertisers and marketers. They call it demographic data. Ever applied for a loan, mortgage or credit card? They have your information.
Ever signed up for a chance to win a brand new car? Some random third-party now has your basic information about you. Further, when you drop that entry form in their box, you agree to allow them to sell your information. It’s a multi-million dollar industry all about names, addresses and phone numbers. It gives advertising and marketing a personal touch.
If you have a Facebook account you need to visit this site. You can search for what information is accessible by anyone with a profile – which is anyone. All you ever need for a new profile is a unique email address.
Ultimately it’s easier to advertise to a certain group of people. Choosing the qualities of a specific group of people to target to is valuable. Instead of spending thousands of dollars advertising to a large amount of people that may not fit your ideal customer you can target and budget for a higher Return On Investment. It’s all about the dollar signs. What sort of investment and least amount of cost generates the highest return? Facebook, credit bureaus and sweepstake corporations bank on offering detailed information to marketers.
Should the average consumer be concerned?
Honestly, no if you do not share information that is either traceable or really sensitive. You wouldn’t put your social security number on Facebook so do not include your address on your profile.
Should marketers feel guilty for using information from Facebook?
If they do not push the boundaries then no. It’s hard to tell where those boundaries are but in reality if a person publishes that information then they must not mind other people using it.
What did you find Facebook shares about you? Drop me a line! Until Friday, take care!
Tell a Friend,
TZ
Tony Zazza, a 15-year media, marketing and advertising expert, is the Principal of Zazza Media Strategies, a Dallas Texas Marketing Firm, that specializes in growing small to medium sized businesses to their fullest potential.
