Facebook gives advertisers greater say

Advertisers have welcomed moves by Facebook to give them greater control over where their ads will appear on the site. The social network says it will allow advertisers opt out of certain parts of the site.

The moves come after advertisers including COI, Vodafone, the AA and Virgin Media pulled ads after they appeared by content promoting the British National Party.

The Incorporated Society of British Advertisers says it warned members last month about the potential problems of advertising online around unpredictable content.

ISBA media and advertising director Bob Wootton says: “Today’s Facebook announcement has been quick and decisive and looks encouragingly like a solution advertisers can work with.”

He adds that advertisers “will want Facebook to deliver just as swiftly” and hopes that will set a benchmark for other site owners.