If you are a Facebook user who is currently using an ad-blocker to prevent ads from appearing on the page, you may be in for a shock.
Facebook has announced yesterday that they are to begin showing ads on their desktop site even for people who are currently using ad-blocking software. This is in a bid to grant people more control over the ads that they see appearing on the site.
Facebook have re-designed their ad formats, performance and controls to offer a better user experience. These new preferences will allow users more control about the types of ads that appear on the site – if you are tired of seeing an advert for a particular product or brand, you can simply remove that brand from your preferences. Facebook believes that once users have a higher level of control over the adverts that they see, the need for ad-blocking software will disappear.
The blog post announcing the change was silent on whether or not users will have the ability to choose not to display any ads whatsoever, but for now, the ads will only be appearing on the desktop site, which means that mobile users should remain ad-free.
Facebook has not revealed how it intends to circumvent the ad-blocking software but presumably this will spark an arms race with ad-blockers who will be devoting efforts to releasing new updated software which will continue to prevent ads from appearing on the page.
If you are looking for advice on intellectual property, a merger or acquisition or any other commercial matter, feel free to contact our Corporate and Commercial Department on 01245 584515 or [email protected]