Facebook ads – who is opting out?

While Facebook continue to monetize and leverage every possible piece of information about their users, we can see some legal battles starting to unfold.

One of the disputes regarding Sponsored Stories ads arose after Nick Bergus became a salesman of sorts for a 55-gallon

drum of lubricant.

He initially saw a tweet that showed the item for sale on Amazon and thought it was funny, as you would. Without giving it a second thought, he posted it on Facebook with the caption, “For Valentine’s Day. And every day. For the rest of your life.”

Shortly after his post along with his name began popping up in friends’ feeds. It began to look as though Bergus was recommending this product to friends. Facebook Sponsored Ad units, paid by Amazon, created an unwanted buzz around his name. As you expect Bergus was not happy with his new popularity. You can read his story on his blog.

The Californian class action law suite from now on forces Facebook to let anyone opt out of a Sponsored story ad. This could make a significant difference especially for mobile advertising revenue for the giant social network.

Then again, how many users know about the ‘opt out’? How many people really understand this and care enough to actually opt out?

It may deliver the exact opposite effect: given the choice people will become more relaxed about the issue and it will dilute the focus on the ad unit altogether?

So have you opted out yet?