Facebook Critique

Critique 1: Facebook

This review critically reviews the case on facebook which was soured from Robert D. Hof, “you are the ad”, technology review, May/June 2011. Firstly, the review will summarise the case. Secondly, the review will critique the case. Which will include the privacy issues associated with facebook ads, how facebook ads are different from that of its online rival ads and the challenges faced by facebook ads. The case was very informative and provided statistics when needed. Overall the case was well structured as it had subheadings.

The case outlines advertising on Facebook and how many people one can reach through facebook compared to other advertising mediums. It shows how Facebook ads can be differentiated from that of its rivals, how Facebook ads are perceived as well as the challenges that are encountered. Facebook users can click the thumbs up icon when they like a product or brand which then shows their friends that they have liked that particular brand or product. Large companies are now running million dollar ad campaigns on facebook, for e.g. Starbucks and Coca-cola. Facebooks ads generated almost two billion dollars in revenue, according to the business information service eMarketer. Many observers thought that Facebook would never generate much money however they were wrong and instead, Facebook is now a major force in advertising. Facebook does not just want to be a place to advertise but rather an entirely new way to advertise. Facebook basically relies on word of mouth which has proved to be the most valuable form of advertising as people find friends more credible than marketers. It was shown that users spend more than 6.5 hours a month, on average, on Facebook. Facebook sets themselves apart from their rivals by branding rather than influencing immediate purchases. Some people have expressed outrage with regard to privacy however Zuckerberg is trying to create new systems that will promote more privacy. Facebook is also trying to...