Facebook’s strategy of plastering news feeds with ads could seriously backfire if the findings of a new study – which shows only 3% of the site’s users like the ads they see – is to be believed.
The research, by Adblock Plus, claims mobile ads are also proving unpopular, with 70% objecting to the ads appearing through apps.
And 74% of respondents said they would use software that blocks any unwanted ads were it readily available, a figure that Adblock Plus founder Till Faida believes should not be underestimated.
The results should be put in to the context that Adblock Plus markets advertisement blocking software. Even so, while two-thirds (66%) dislike ads in their Facebook news feeds, 63% are not bothered by advertising in print magazines. This, the study suggests, shows the social media network’s ads are more intrusive.
Faida said: “Our findings show that people have nothing against advertising, as it is accepted in a number of media from TV to print publications.
“The issue here is about people’s ability to control their online experience. Ads appearing in Facebook news feeds and through mobile apps interfere too much with the user experience.”
In June, Facebook bosses claimed making ads less obtrusive would improve the user experience, and help advertisers to fight for attention. The decision to blur ads and posts was made after calls from marketers to make it easier to get through to the site’s 1 billion-plus regular visitors.
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RT @DM_editor: Fed up with Facebook news feeds ads? You’re not alone http://t.co/bNLOk8H0oS #advertising #directmarketing #datamarketing #d…