Why do companies like facebook sell advertising space when 99% of the ads are ignored?

[Socratis]

Google says Zuckerberg become a billionaire through selling ad space which he did. There are other rich people who made their money selling ad spaces. Why would companies pay for ad spaces when results are non guaranteed. The human brain sees a million ads a day, and it doesnt mean anything... ads are as natural as nature. Why would people advertise anything? I mean if consumers really want to buy something, they usually go to distributors like ebay/amazon/or direct malls... no one goes to facebook to look for products hmm..

[blackroseL]

Because even just that small glance at their adviertisment can make you think about it later on, like you see a similar product, you could just think about that ad. It's like product placment in movies and TV shows.

[Jake]

Actually it's closer to 99.9% of the ads are ignored, but that 0.1% click rate can still be profitable for an advertiser.

There is a different, less direct approach used in Facebook ads because they are more of an interruption, which is very much he same as TV commercials.

The bigger issue for some advertisers is the number of software robots clicking ads.

[Vince]

It reminds me of my friends theory.

If you are attractive enough, naturally a lady may ask you to go out someday, or not.

But If you ask 1,000 girls for a date, even if 99% will ignore you, you will have 10 choice to choose from.

Of course it is not easy, not efficient and not so proud.

But just focus on the result, you can tell the difference.

Same in the advertisement I think.