Facebook advertising gone too far?

[fitnessluvr]

My sister is overweight and on her facebook page, everytime she logs in there is an ad that says "20 year old female, need to lose weight?"...or "get rid of that tummy fat"...or "plus size clothing". But when I log in from the same computer, I get ads about music artists and stuff like that. How does facebook know she's overweight?! and does it bother anyone else that they are using users' private information to benefit advertisers?

[Spacesearcher]

They most likely dont go around looking at picutres. idk im a guy and dont get those adds either. they do look at what is on your profile using programs to see which ads you would be most interested in. same thing on myspace. I put something about a famous person on my myspace and it wanted me to buy shirts about that person. possibly they just do that to all girls because they are more likely to care about weight than guys.

[The Prince]

I think it has been like this for a long time. Facebook uses your profile page and information to redirect the ads that are the best for you. You get ads regarding music probably because it is mentioned alot in your profile or there isn't any other ads in the database that can relate to you. Your sister must have mentioned her weight somewhere in her profile so facebook then sends those ads are directed towards her.
Myspace is also doing the same thing now.

Hope you can solve your problems.

[trevan204]

What's basically happening is the Facebook server is skimming her page and finding ads that match key words that show up on her page.

Every status update that "[She is] feeling bloated today" or "[She] wants to fit into that swimsuit" adds points to the 'weight loss ads' category.

For example I can see a few ads for beer, boat training and management opportunities - and I can see the status updates and applications where keywords show up pointing to those ad topics. You likely talk about music on your page.

Ads are also sold to be shown to demographics - the companies buying them can choose who Facebook shows them to (regardless of words on the page). Car dealers would target people 20+; weight loss and trendy clothing to females under 30; retirement condos to those 55+ and so on.

It is worth mentioning that Facebook is probably the biggest data mine ever created, as more users each day update, link, talk about and describes themselves and the world.