Benjamin Bloodworth's Blog

You’ve probably seen ads similar to the one below on Facebook.

Facebook Ad With Friend Pictures

These advertisements are written in such a way to make you think your friends are already using the application or service.  They may be using the application, but they most likely aren’t.  These advertisements randomly grab a selection of your friends’ photographs to insert into the advertisement.   I’m sure these advertisements are more effective than most because of peer pressure.  If you are fooled into thinking that your friend uses the application or service, then you’re more likely to try it.

When you create your Facebook account, you give Facebook permission to use your photo in these advertisements.  This is sneaky and underhanded in my opinion.  Fortunately, you can take back that permission.

1. Click the Privacy Settings option from the Settings menu.
   

   Facebook Privacy Settings Menu

2. Click News Feed and Wall.
   

   Facebook Privacy Landing Page News Feed and Wall Highlighted

3. Click Facebook Ads.
   

   Facebook Privacy News Feed Wall Menubar Facebook Ads

4. Choose No one from the Appearance in Facebook Ads drop down menu.
   

   Appearance In Facebook Ads Setting

5. Click Save Changes.

Now your photo will still be used in advertisements that you see, but it won’t be used in advertisements your friends see.  Now Facebook can’t use your photo to mislead your friends into thinking you are using an application or service that you are not.