You need to update your privacy settings if you don’t want Facebook’s new ads stalking you

If you’re on Facebook, you’re going to start seeing ads based on your ad preferences – including personal interests – both on and off Facebook.

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What you need to know about Facebook’s new targeted ads

This is part of a recent expansion of Facebook’s advertising empire.

And for the first time, even if you’re not a Facebook user, the company will start tracking you through your browser to deliver targeted ads, CNET reports.

In a news release, Facebook says this is actually a good thing. They say people complain that the ads they see are annoying, distracting or misleading. Facebook says the company will deliver “better” ads to everyone.

But if you aren’t excited about having Facebook show you ads everywhere you go on the Internet, there’s a way to opt out in your settings.

Now, this won’t stop ads. It just means they’ll be less relevant to you.

Here’s how to opt out:

1. Open Facebook and click the down arrow in the upper right corner and go to Settings, then click Ads on the left menu.
2. Look for “Ads on apps and websites off of the Facebook Companies.”
3. Click Edit and change your preference to No.

While you’re making this change, you can also turn off the settings for “Ads based on my use of websites and apps” and “Ads with my social actions’ if you want to. 

What if I don’t have a Facebook account?

According to CNET, you can stop Facebook and many other companies from showing ads based on your browsing history by opting out through the Digital Advertising Alliance.

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