80% Facebook users ignore ads on social networking site

Washington: Four out of five Facebook users have never bought a product or service as a result of advertising or comments on the social network site, a poll has revealed.

The poll, conducted online by Reuters and Ipsos Public Affairs, found that 34 per cent of Facebook users surveyed were spending less time on the website than six months ago, whereas only 20 per cent were spending more.

According to the Daily Mail, the findings highlight the worries of investors over Facebook’s money-making abilities, which have pushed the stock down 29 per cent since its initial public offering last month, reducing its market value by 30 billion dollars to roughly 74 billion dollars.

The poll results also found that out of those who voted, 46 per cent said the market debut, seen by investors as troubled, has made them less favorable toward Facebook.

While the survey did not ask how other forms of advertising affected purchasing behavior, a February study by research firm eMarketer suggested Facebook fared worse than email or direct-mail marketing in terms of influencing consumers’ decisions.

“It shows that Facebook has work to do in terms of making its advertising more effective and more relevant to people.” Debra Williamson, an eMarketer analyst, was reported, as saying.

The poll was conducted between 31 May and 4 June, involving 1,032 Americans, out of which, 21 per cent said they had no Facebook account at all.

(ANI)