Learn the art of using Meta without feeding the corporate beast!

What if you could enjoy the best features of Meta without unintentionally adding to its advertising income? Let’s uncover effective strategies for using Meta while keeping your clicks and interactions to yourself!

Stop Scrolling

Many of us want to keep using Facebook/Meta because it's a way to stay connected to a beloved community. Maybe your quilting group connects there, old friends from school, or even a larger subset of like-minded people. It's understandable to want to keep these connections alive, and maintaining community support is vital to our mental well-being.

You can avoid putting money in Zuckerberg's pocket but still keep these connections "alive" by stopping scrolling your feed. For instance, go to your "Groups" tab and check in with what they are posting. You won't be shown ads there. Go directly to a friend's profile or a post that appears in your notifications. Use Messenger to chat with old friends.

The goal is to avoid being shown "sponsored" posts. When you scroll, they appear. Every time you are shown one, cha-ching, Meta is paid. The more you can avoid ads (anything that says "sponsored") appearing on your screen, the better!

Never CLICK on a link

When you ARE shown a sponsored post--a paid ad-- it always has a link to follow. This could be a button that says "Learn more," a product to view/purchase, or a web address to follow. Never, ever click these. When you click? Cha-ching. Zuck gets paid for what's called a "lead." You just proved yourself to be a potential customer. Advertisers pay for that on a "click-per-lead" basis. Don't click! Interested in the business, product, or organization? Leave Meta and go directly to their site to learn more about them.

Understand the Algorithm

To effectively navigate Meta, it is important to understand its algorithm. This system is designed to keep users engaged by showing content based on your interests, often derived from your past interactions. For example, if you often like posts about travel, you’ll see more travel-related ads. To combat this, be intentional about what you engage with. If you follow accounts that inspire and uplift you, you can influence the algorithm to show less paid content and more organic posts. If an ad DOES pop up ("sponsored"), scroll quickly by. Literally the more seconds you linger over a post, the more ads like that (or from that same company!) will appear.

Optimize Your Feed

Again, the best move for a boycotter is to avoid scrolling your feed altogether. If you DO scroll, then personalizing your feed means taking control of what appears on your screen. If an account frequently pushes sponsored content, don’t hesitate to unfollow it. Aim to fill your feed with friends, family, and informative pages. For instance, choose to follow educational platforms or hobby groups rather than brands. Moreover, utilize the “see fewer posts like this” feature on ads. Studies show that users who actively manage their feed report a 30% reduction in ad visibility.

Engage in Groups and Events

Groups and events on Meta provide a refreshing way to interact without encountering frequent advertisements. They foster a sense of community, allowing you to connect with like-minded individuals. For example, joining a group dedicated to a hobby can lead to enriching conversations while minimizing commercial interruptions. Participants often share insights, tips, and encouragement without the presence of ADS!

Manage Your Notifications

In your "Notifications" you will find a mix of friends, follows, and ads. Click directly on ads from friends and groups that matter to you from your Notifications tab. Avoid clicking anything that is "suggested for you"--that's probably a paid ad.

Take Control of Your Online Experience

Meta can be a useful way to communicate if you avoid the constant stream of ads competing for your attention. By applying these strategies in your daily browsing habits, you can craft a more tailored experience that puts less cash in Zuckerberg's pocket.