• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
methodshop

methodshop

tech news, reviews & how to's

  • Trending
  • Latest Stories
  • Fun
  • Culture
  • Learn
  • Tech
  • Search
You are here: Home / Learn / Business / Advertising / WTF – My TiVo Thinks I’m Gay And My Facebook Page Thinks I’m Fat
Fat Is Not A Feeling Facebook

WTF – My TiVo Thinks I’m Gay And My Facebook Page Thinks I’m Fat

September 3, 2008 by Lauren Fairbanks
Facebook0Tweet0Pin0LinkedIn0

My Facebook page called me fat. Maybe it’s my age, my sex or the fact that it knew I was engaged, but the site decided I was a gal who needed to drop a few pounds. And it wasn’t shy about its tactics.

This was not a close friend taking me aside, telling me in gentle tones that she’d noticed I’d put on some weight and was there anything going on in my personal life that I needed to talk about?

Oh, no. Every time I logged in to my home page, Facebook’s ads screamed at me with all the subtlety of a drill sergeant: “MUFFIN TOP.” This particular ad had a picture of someone with said affliction. For those blissfully unacquainted with the slur, it’s when a woman wears too-tight jeans and a roll of flab hangs over her waistband.

minted methodshop
I posted a status update that said, “Rachel doesn’t appreciate her Facebook page telling her that she has a muffin top.”Facebook targets its advertising to users based on the information in their profiles. This is not a new concept, of course. Kids usually see toy ads while they watch Nickelodeon, and women get ads for birth control pills as they watch Lifetime.

minted methodshop
But Facebook’s data miners know much more about us because we tell them a whole lot more. Facebook knows my birthday, my relationship status and which book I’m reading, among other personal tidbits. The site started turning this information into dollar signs last November with the launch of Facebook Ads, which targets users’ presumed areas of interest (or psychological soft spots).

Basically, the subliminal goal of product advertising is to make you feel inadequate and ashamed, because you’re not perfect. Your teeth are yellow. Your armpits stink. You’re fat. And hairy.The targeting technology itself will be familiar to users of Google’s Gmail, which generates ads based on what its users type in the body of an e-mail. TiVo and Netflix both suggest programming based on what you’ve been watching. (Remember the “My TiVo Thinks I’m Gay” episode of “The King of Queens”?)

Facebook spokesman Matt Hicks summed up the appeal to advertisers thus:”If you’re a wedding photographer, do you want to waste your money advertising to a general audience? Or do you want to reach those that are engaged?”

Related Posts:

  • TiVo Announces New DVR With Mobile Streaming Called TiVo Roamio (2013)TiVo Announces New DVR With Mobile Streaming Called…
  • TiVo CEO Promises A Cheaper Model After The TiVo Series3 HD FlopsTiVo CEO Promises A Cheaper Model After The TiVo…
  • Jason Hirschhorn Talks Clip+Sling - Changing How Big Media ThinksJason Hirschhorn Talks Clip+Sling - Changing How Big…

Facebook0Tweet0Pin0LinkedIn0
Category: Advertising, Gadgets, Internet, Sex & Relationships, Social Media, TV & Film Tag: facebook, Netflix, TiVo
Previous Post: « Don LaFontaine, voice of the Hollywood film trailer, dies
Next Post: Aussie has answer to save Earth from asteroid attack »

Sidebar


Trending Now

  • 22 Inspirational Dr. Seuss Quotes To Help Motivate Your Life22 Inspirational Dr. Seuss Quotes To Help Motivate Your Life
  • How To Import Microsoft Teams Customized BackgroundsHow To Import Microsoft Teams Customized Backgrounds
  • Controversial Vibrating Harry Potter Broomstick Has Parents In An UproarControversial Vibrating Harry Potter Broomstick Has Parents In An Uproar
  • How To Easily Create A PayPal Shipping Label Without InvoiceHow To Easily Create A PayPal Shipping Label Without Invoice
  • Ultimate List Of Jackie Chan's Most Painful Injuries And Broken BonesUltimate List Of Jackie Chan’s Most Painful Injuries And Broken Bones
  • Candice Michelle's Uncensored GoDaddy Super Bowl CommercialCandice Michelle’s Uncensored GoDaddy Super Bowl Commercial
  • Total Eclipse of the Heart: Literal Version VideoTotal Eclipse of the Heart: Literal Version Video
  • Bolt 45 - The Infamous 'In Living Color' Sketch That Was Immediately BannedBolt 45 – The Infamous ‘In Living Color’ Sketch That Was…
  • 10 Dirty Irish Pick Up Lines That Will Probably Get You Slapped10 Dirty Irish Pick Up Lines That Will Probably Get You Slapped
  • How To Download And Install The HP Utility Mac Application - Easy TutorialHow To Download And Install The HP Utility Mac Application – Easy Tutorial





Apple Fangirl

macOS Tips: How To Disable Automatic Mac Software Updates

Here’s how to disable all automatic macOS software updates for both your operating system and apps.

Newsletter

loader


Categories

Platoon Movie Quotes

10 Powerful Platoon Quotes That Will Shake Your Reality

Giant Sea Scorpion vs Human

This Epic 8-Foot Giant Sea Scorpion Is A Wonder Of Marine Biology

Running Man Quotes

36 Best Running Man Quotes From The 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger Film

Actually, there’s really no dialog in this film, just lots of one-liners. Here are some of the best Running Man quotes from the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film.



About

MethodShop’s mission is to entertain, inform, and sometimes gross you out. MethodShop has affiliate relationships, so we may get a small share of the revenue from your purchases. Items are sold by the retailer, not by us. All prices are subject to change.

Latest

David Blaine Trivia

David Blaine Trivia: 20 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About The Popular Magician

Platoon Movie Quotes

10 Powerful Platoon Quotes That Will Shake Your Reality

Follow

MethodShop Animated Zoom Icon
  • About
  • Submit
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Store

Copyright © 2021 MethodShop · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.