Meta will restrict ad targeting based on thousands of sensitive topics

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Meta will take further on potentially dangerous advertisements. The New York Times report is removing detailed advertising targeting options for “thousands” sensitive topics on Facebook, Instagram, and other services starting January 19, 2022. This step will make advertisements based on interaction with content related to ethnicity, health, political beliefs, religion and Sexual orientation, among other hot button problems.

This is a drastic step, and this meta conscious can hurt several businesses and the use of positive advertisements. However, VP Graham Mudd said outgoing options can lead to “negative experiences for people in less represented groups.” The internet giant believes it can improve its advertising platform to serve everyone without hurting business connections.

The company also gives you more control over the ads you see. At the beginning of 2022, you will have the option to see fewer ads linked with gambling, weight loss and other subtle subjects. You can already limit the frequency of advertising for alcohol, parenting, pets and politics.

The more stringent AD policy comes on the same day as the latest Meta transparency report and overall effort to counter allegations of whistleblower Frances Haugen that the company is more interested in involvement and income than the welfare of its users. The 2020 audit concluded that the meta failed in an effort to combat discrimination, including advertising. The company removes targeting thousands of sensitive advertising topics in 2017 and 2018 (including the anti-Semitic categories produced automatically), but obviously there is sustainable pressure to show meta can clean the advertising business.

Meta will still have many advertising targeting, including location-based advertising, special audience and customer-based lists. However, this can easily drive some marketers to rethink their strategies. This can help by reducing the number of exploitative ads, but it can also damage the relevance of the ad you see.