ChasNote

From Times Online UK:

“Facebook is preparing an advertising model that would allow advertisers to target its users based on information that they reveal about themselves on the social networking website…. Facebook’s attempt to boost advertising revenues by extending information about its members to advertisers echoes moves by Google to target ads based on the browsing activity of its users.”

From WSJ:

“Facebook hopes allowing advertisers to buy customized ads online will be a less labor-intensive way to take advantage of the personal data people reveal on the site. A key part of this new plan is that Facebook would use an automated system to process transactions instead of requiring advertisers to work with a Facebook representative, people familiar with the plan say…..

“But Facebook’s new plan faces hurdles. It could upset Microsoft, which is itself trying to build technology to make it easier for advertisers to place targeted ads on Facebook. A Microsoft spokeswoman declined to comment on this issue.

“While Facebook plans to protect its users’ privacy and possibly give them an option to keep certain information completely private, some Facebook users might rebel against the use of their personal information for the company’s gain.”