Stop Hate for Profits: The Facebook Ads conspiracy maybe more than just a social issue

As the Facebook Ads conspiracy spikes up, last week saw more than just large companies boycotting Facebook Ads. It started when Unilever did not feel comfortable when FB showed its ad beside a hateful speech. It led to the ads-pulling and anti-hate organisations to come up. The Stop Hate For-Profits, may not, just another social gimmick, though. Although it sends a message about the company's intolerance for hateful activities, it is just another advertising idea for companies.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the economies to a standstill and shaving off ads from Facebook, might just save millions of advertisers. Plus it provides a natural boost, without paying anything as these companies spread the word through social cause. In a recent development, hundreds of advertisers publicly announced that they are ceasing advertising purchases from Facebook. The protest, Stop Hate For-Profit set the pace since Wednesday. It focuses on the company’s inability to properly rein in racist and violent content as well as misinformation.

While companies make a politically strong statement, they even send a message to the socially-sentimental prospective consumer. This has dual benefits. The save money and make a low-risk statement that results in positive publicity. While Twitter is not included in this propaganda, the once-in-a-century pandemic, unemployment, and social unrest have paved pay for movements against corporations demanding sensitivity over profiting.

The movement against Facebook Ads

And if these companies, aimed to dwindle Facebook's profits, they don't even account for 6% of Facebook Ads. According to USA Today, major 100 advertisers that left Facebook– including Pfizer, Microsoft and Unilever – accounted for less than 3% of the more than $4 billion spent on Facebook U.S. ads. Plus, it is only in the US. The movement may be a social pressure on the company, but it does not affect the company's revenues.

The Facebook Ads are very effective for the SMEs who can't sell on bigger platforms like TV. So, these marketers will not easily give up Facebook. So, the campaign to drown Facebook may not necessarily be a success.