Thanks for reading Farschid!
I’m interested in the design of the various “ad” labels for embedded ads, since these labels are so clearly intended to go unseen by users. Such labels are obviously required by industry regulations, but I was interested to discover that the FTC as one example has actively explored the question of whether or not “ad” labels are sufficiently apparent on all platforms. I think there are profound ethical questions to consider here as well: is it ethical to style ads in a way that causes some % of platform users to mistake those ads for real content? I don’t think so, but I suppose some do. But what % of users is too much?
I think your point about value is a fascinating one, especially when considering the curation of content on online platforms more broadly. If everything is oriented around conversion and clicks—e.g. if content is promoted solely because it is engaging—then does the platform actually subvert other types of value? Do platforms force advertisers into the “race” you describe? Engagement value is certainly valid, but historical, cultural, social, educational, etc. values are valid too. Which is more important? Does engagement-centric curation discount other important values over the long term?
I can imagine a platform that promoted different types of value—not just engagement—and on such a platform I can imagine that I’d prefer value-based ads generally. I’ve always responded better to ads that focused on value — either those values that are intrinsic to the product/service or sociocultural values that resonate with me. For embedded ads in particular, though, I think deceptive display practices are still the crucial issue that needs to be addressed. Still, an interesting question to think about — thank you!
