Facebook has confirmed it was testing a new programme that will instantly display ads based on users’ status updates.
According to the New York Post, the social networking giant's initiative, currently being tested on one percent of its users, delivers promotions based on real-time conversations.
For instance, if someone posts, ‘Thinking of pizza for dinner’, a company such as Domino's could ship a web ad to that person in an instant, reports News.com.au.
The advertising test, which was reported in Ad Age, opens a brave new world of real-time advertising, as well as raising the usual privacy concerns when a web company mines personal data for commercial advantage.
“It's an opportunity for advertisers to get in the conversation, and to have that timing advantage is potentially huge,” said Paul Verna, a senior analyst with eMarketer.