“LinkedIn may sometimes pair an advertiser’s message with social content from LinkedIn’s network in order to make the ad more relevant. When LinkedIn members recommend people and services, follow companies, or take other actions, their name/photo may show up in related ads shown to you. Conversely, when you take these actions on LinkedIn, your name/photo may show up in related ads shown to LinkedIn members. By providing social context, we make it easy for our members to learn about products and services that the LinkedIn network is interacting with.”
This text, accompanied with a small checked box, that is turned on by default is LinkedIn’s “Social Advertising” policy.
How to turn it ON or OFF?
- Place the cursor on your name at the top right corner of the screen. From the small
- pull down menu that appears, select “settings”
- Then click “Account” on the left/bottom
- In the column next to Account, select the option “Manage Social Advertising”
- Finally un-tick the box “LinkedIn may use my name and photo in social advertising”
- Save
Pros
Ads can be targeted. This is great for marketing to put your face in front of people who are interested. This leads to more visibility. The end user profits from this in more precise marketing, as data about the end user is known as well. The end user can also decide what he/she is interested in.
The endorsement is good for the marketer and end-user. The reason having a built-in testimonial for a marketer is clear. But the reason it is good for the end-user is information. The fact that a certain number of my connections like (or clicked on an ad) helps me make a decision. Their opinion matters – isn’t that the whole idea of social networking? When I’m looking for something, and I see connections I trust giving it a thumbs up, like friends or colleagues I’m more inclined to trust the advertising.
Cons
Should users have to constantly monitor their privacy settings to make sure that the social networks they belong to don’t turn these settings ON or OFF? Yes, there has been communication, but in all honesty, who reads all of that every day?
Have I been under a rock or did I miss this announcement? Shouldn’t we have a say in this type of activity before they default it checked?
It might be better if it’s turned OFF by default.
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