tarmac terror

iTrader: (2)

Can anyone tell me how facebook makes a profit? I was wondering earlier as I was on there, there are no subscriptions, there is no advertising that I have noticed, but it cant be cheap to host something as large as that, so where do they generate their revenue from?

JackClark

Advertising. Start a business page on there then you'll see the advertising options and prices.

ReallyReallyGoodMeat

It doesn't I don't think, all the perceived value is in the masses of databases of user details. They have far less advertising revenue than is necessary to generate a profit.

Edit:
I stand corrected, it started making profit late last year: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/bu...t-1788430.html

The Zohan

There seem to be quite a few adverts on FB, mostly for high interest/high risk credit cards.

Perhaps your software blocks them?

Boro

iTrader: (1)

Adverts are chosen by info you have in your profile. If you like surfing and photography, adverts will be chosen based on this.

I've ran a lot of campaigns with good results. Spent about $4k in total.

PeteBrant

That explains all the adverts for Swedish suregrip© autosuck machines I keep getting, then.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

I have a feeling they sell on user browsing habits or statistical data derived from it to companies involved with direct/targeted marketing.

Put it this way, if I'm still logged in to FB or still have their cookies on my system and I visit a website with their affiliated content sharing plug-in (where I note a little thumb up icon somewhere saying "Ali-B likes this" etc.) FB knows I've been there, regardless if I click on it or not. Add the fact it has pictures of me (tagged by others ), knows my age, marital status, what I watch on TV and what I did last friday (should I bother to put that information on there). Then this data is an invaluble resource. Just like google knows where you go and what you click, but what FB knows about you can be alot more detailed.

To those who want targeted advertising or statistical data, that is invaluble.

Of course FB deny it is used for such purposes, and maybe in a direct sense that is true. It's not going directly sell your data or anything that identifies you, or your browsing habits. But it "may" use the non-identifying data that it happens collects along with it - For example: it may know that 6587 of the people who visted elephantporn.com were over 32 years old, divorced and had a pet cat.

NAF

Seen this?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-10796584

JackClark

Gutted, I'm not on the list.

Leslie

Glad I have had nothing to do with it then.

Les

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't say its that evil. It just preys on those willing to put their information on there. Much like those invasive questionnaires one gets every now and again from some companies that ask your wage, favourite newspaper, mortgage info, insurance renewal dates etc.

If you only enter information or details that you have no problem with being public (like you would do on Scoobynet) its not a problem. The issue arises when people go on there and put their whole life story on there then assume its going to be 100% private.

Scooby Soon!

I think facebook loses millions every month, they are hoping to make money in the future but the adverts no where near cover the cost of running it.

Leslie

Yes ok, never tried it so don't know how it is run.

I could not find enough time to spend here and on Facebook anyway.

Les

JackClark

http://newsarse.com/2010/07/29/secur...-the-internet/

Camoscooby

iTrader: (5)

Phew........I thought it was just me