Month: November 2007

Time to Update the Old TOS, Facebook?

Is Facebook Ads illegal? Probably not, but …. one would hope this issue had been vetted prior to launch, given the launch was in New York… There is at least one problem with this idea: It may be illegal under a 100-year-old New York privacy law. The statute says…

Is Facebook Ads illegal? Probably not, but …. one would hope this issue had been vetted prior to launch, given the launch was in New York…

There is at least one problem with this idea: It may be illegal under a 100-year-old New York privacy law. The statute says that “any person whose name, portrait, picture, or voice is used within this state for advertising purposes or for the purposes of trade without the written consent first obtained” can sue for damages. Moreover, such a use is also a criminal misdemeanor.

According to William McGeveran, a professor at the University of Minnesota Law School who wrote about these laws in a blog post today, the law would apply to Facebook users anywhere if the ad were displayed in New York. Arguably, it could apply if the ad was displayed on a computer screen within the state.

Read More
1 Comment on Time to Update the Old TOS, Facebook?

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER

Stay up to date on the latest from BattelleMedia.com

That Upon Which I Wish I Had Time to Comment

Tim: It's the data, and OpenSocial isn't working for him. Google Earth adds weather layer…Googaia is becoming reality…. TC on the True Knowledge NLSE. Pay attention, citizens. This is not good precedent….

Tim: It’s the data, and OpenSocial isn’t working for him.

Google Earth adds weather layer…Googaia is becoming reality….

TC on the True Knowledge NLSE.

Read More
2 Comments on That Upon Which I Wish I Had Time to Comment

Speaking of Steve…

I noted earlier that our Web 2 conversation was among the best I've had the pleasure of moderating, and posted the video here. But the really good part was all the way at minute 21, which is a long wait. So I asked our video wizards at Good Productions…

I noted earlier that our Web 2 conversation was among the best I’ve had the pleasure of moderating, and posted the video here. But the really good part was all the way at minute 21, which is a long wait. So I asked our video wizards at Good Productions to send me just the clip where Ballmer goes purple and talks about Microsoft search “dunking on the competition.” It’s priceless.

6 Comments on Speaking of Steve…

Why I Like Ballmer

He's so quoteable. On Google's Android phone platform: "So we have great momentum, we've brought our Windows Mobile 6 software to market, we're driving forward on our future releases and we'll have to see what Google does," said Ballmer. "Right now they have a press release…"…

He’s so quoteable. On Google’s Android phone platform:

“So we have great momentum, we’ve brought our Windows Mobile 6 software to market, we’re driving forward on our future releases and we’ll have to see what Google does,” said Ballmer. “Right now they have a press release…”

1 Comment on Why I Like Ballmer

Zuckerberg Interview

I was involved in starting the Foursquare conference, a private media conference that takes place each year around this time in NYC. I'm not involved anymore, but I do pay attention to who's there. This year Mark Zuckerberg and his CFO stole the show, it seems. There is not…

I was involved in starting the Foursquare conference, a private media conference that takes place each year around this time in NYC. I’m not involved anymore, but I do pay attention to who’s there. This year Mark Zuckerberg and his CFO stole the show, it seems. There is not much press at the event, but this piece in Portfolio.com slipped out. The quotes are worthy of repeating:

First, financing. C.F.O. Gideon Yu told Portfolio.com today that the company is preparing to raise an additional $260 million to close its Series D financing round….

…[Facebook’s ad system] will allow businesses to set up their own Facebook pages and then reach out to real, live users — that is, potential customers — based on the interests they have described in their profiles.

Read More
2 Comments on Zuckerberg Interview

A Good Market…

Cross posted from the FM Blog: eMarketer projects that US online advertising will more than double as a percentage of total media, rising from only a 6% share of total media in 2006, to slightly more than a 12% share in 2010….

Cross posted from the FM Blog:

Emarketeronine Ad Spend-1

eMarketer projects that US online advertising will more than double as a percentage of total media, rising from only a 6% share of total media in 2006, to slightly more than a 12% share in 2010.

Leave a comment on A Good Market…

Pay Attention: Google Is Leveraging

What to make of this? We'd like to announce two changes to site targeting in Google's content network. First, because site targeting now offers more precise targeting options, we've given it a more appropriate name: placement targeting. Second, we're introducing a new cost-per-click bidding option so you can now…

What to make of this?

We’d like to announce two changes to site targeting in Google’s content network. First, because site targeting now offers more precise targeting options, we’ve given it a more appropriate name: placement targeting. Second, we’re introducing a new cost-per-click bidding option so you can now pay per click or per impression.

Introducing placement targeting

Read More
4 Comments on Pay Attention: Google Is Leveraging

When Will The Spammers Arrive, Facebook’s Gone Big Time. (So where are they?)

My first big question on Facebook Ads: What's in it for the average Facebook user? Dove right now has 35 fans. Saturn has about the same. I know, it's been one day. But………when I used Google, there's a value to me from the ads that is very very clear….

My first big question on Facebook Ads: What’s in it for the average Facebook user? Dove right now has 35 fans. Saturn has about the same. I know, it’s been one day. But………when I used Google, there’s a value to me from the ads that is very very clear. Those ads were relevant, they were useful, they *added value to the dialog I was having with Google.* That value meant spammers came hard at the system, trying to game me into clicking on their links, but that was to be expected when so much value was out there in the open. Why aren’t there Facebook spammers? Well, because…there’s not any explicit value for the average Joe, is there? Or is there? What am I missing?

7 Comments on When Will The Spammers Arrive, Facebook’s Gone Big Time. (So where are they?)

Day Two: Facebook Ads

Well, the news is out, and it's at least far more interesting than it was threatening to be. But it's not as interesting as I wish it were. But, for a small team cranking for four months time, it's directionally very promising. So what to make of it? First,…

Well, the news is out, and it’s at least far more interesting than it was threatening to be. But it’s not as interesting as I wish it were.

But, for a small team cranking for four months time, it’s directionally very promising.

So what to make of it? First, I’ll assume readers are familar with the basics. If you want a refresher on what was announced, head here.

But I have some questions, the answers to which I’ve either missed in the coverage, or are so far not addressed. My guess is it’s the former, but in any case, before I write anything about it, I want to talk with Facebook folks. So I’m going to do more reporting first.

Read More
Leave a comment on Day Two: Facebook Ads

What John Is Doing

I'm tempted to say "I have no idea lately" but that's not fair, I do. I'm nearly 100% focused on FM these days, and while it's an honor to be pitched, daily, hourly, by search related companies looking for coverage on Searchblog, I simply can't grok new search companies….

Steaks

I’m tempted to say “I have no idea lately” but that’s not fair, I do. I’m nearly 100% focused on FM these days, and while it’s an honor to be pitched, daily, hourly, by search related companies looking for coverage on Searchblog, I simply can’t grok new search companies. Those of you who have suffered me these past months know, I am writing now about whatever turns me on, including search, but also ad models, facebook, privacy, whatever. I really wish I could write about pure search more. Why? Well, here’s a good reason. Really. I swear. The pitch headline was this: “Discovery Engine for Steaks.”

I really miss my days as a pure search writer. Man, that was so good, let me say it again: A Discovery Engine for Steaks!

4 Comments on What John Is Doing