Facebook is testing new actions alongside its iconic ‘like’ button in its Sponsored Stories ad format, in a bid to boost ad clicks through friend recommendations.
A select number of Facebook advertisers are testing new actions such as “want”, “own” and “played” to Facebook and sites that use its plug-ins.
The ads are targeting the social network’s users who have played particular video games, watched specific videos, or listened to certain songs.
Eventually, the verbs will appear in display ads on the site’s right-hand side, as well as in users’ news feeds while labeled as “featured.”
Facebook is hoping the new tools will help boost retail sales on its website. Users viewing what friends own or want within a brand ad could positively impact the performance of paid Facebook adverts.
Facebook’s partner Payvment was involved in the test, implementing “want” and “own” buttons in November. The firms site has seen customers rise from 500,000 to more than 1.3 million without making an ad buy on the social site.
