5 Reasons To “Slow Your Scroll” and
Pay Attention to Social Media Ads

You’re probably reading this title and thinking: targeted ads are so annoying… why would I stop scrolling and listen to what these advertisements have to say? Some days it feels like we are inundated with ads, constantly wading through a deluge of marketing content. But what if interacting with social media ads could be positive?

The average smartphone owner spends 3 hours on social media per day, and combined global social media usage will amount to 3 billion people using social media in 2021. What if we could use this time to increase our wellbeing, make a wise investment, or even make a difference? Let’s discuss 5 reasons to slow your scroll this year and start paying more attention to social media ads.

Use Social Media Ads to Help You Shop

Whether you’re deciding what product to buy or looking for something new, social media ads can help you shop by suggesting products you may be interested in based on your internet activity. For example, if a beautiful Pottery Barn rug you were eyeing goes on sale or is back in stock, the company may choose to alert you through a social media ad!

While using email for these types of alerts used to be the norm, your inbox is likely already chocked full of them, and you may feel overwhelmed by the number of promotional emails you receive per day. Rather than sifting through the 200 “special offers” in your inbox, slow your scroll this week and you may find the deal you were looking for!

Use Social Media Ads to Invest

Want to grow your wealth while you scroll? Since the start of the pandemic one year ago, many real estate investors are choosing to take their businesses largely online. If you’re looking to finance your next investment property, you may be able to link up with a real estate agent that has just what you’re looking for through their targeted ads!

They want to work with you as much as you want to work with them, which is why they’ve invested time and money in ads to get in touch with potential partners like you. If you’re looking to buy a second home or purchase a rental property to grow your wealth, consider taking a second look at social media ads from real estate agents or qualified lenders who can help build your portfolio.

Use Social Media Ads to Connect with Someone New

One of the latest marketing trends is for brands to partner with an influencer to advertise their product in a way that feels organic. Influencers are often featured in the ads presented to you in your social media feed. If you take a second look at the accounts involved, you may find a like-minded individual to connect with on social media even if you’re not interested in purchasing the product.

Use Social Media Ads to Get Informed

There are some social media ads that are not selling you a product, but rather advertising a movement or cause. For example, many social justice organizations use social media to get the word out about their cause or increase signatures on important petitions.

Political affiliate organizations use ads to spread the word about voter registration guidelines or polling places in your area, and environmental activist groups use social media to increase awareness of various issues facing our planet. There are many nonprofit organizations that use targeted ads as a means to increase awareness of their meaningful work.

Use Social Media Ads to Stay Healthy

Especially in the age of Covid, we should pay attention to the information we see from health organizations on social media. The CDC has spent valuable time and resources to help social media users stay healthy this year, as well as flagging untruths and squashing misinformation regarding the Coronavirus. It’s not a bad idea to check the CDC’s flags and advertisements on social media for the health of you and your loved ones.

At the end of the day, you want to unwind by logging into your Facebook or Instagram account and connecting with friends. This year, take inventory of what you are looking at by considering how your targeted ads can help you stay healthy, invest in your future, connect with others, and shop smart.