At the bottom of the page are what look like a bunch of blog comments with a single theme: "Thanks I just got a check for $80,000 to pay off my mortgage. It works." But there's no commenting system on the site. On the right side of the page are what look like a half dozen Google ads: "Gov Grant Money" and "Get Free Grants in 1 Week." They're not Google ads. It's one big block of image text, all of which clicks through to the same site, . There, I get a different pitch for a different grant application package. A ticking clock on the page urges me to hurry and type in my contact info.
Jeff isn't the only advertiser promising grant money. I also get ads pointing to ObamaStimulusProgram.com and GovernmentGrants.org/Obama, which redirects to governmentgrantsreview.org. In Facebook slang, It's Complicated.
Facebook has been serving these ads nonstop for the past few days. Needless to say, . "Why does facebook sell/allow those scam ads?" tweets . "The have the 'free wii downloads' and now the stimulus check.' BAD FACEBOOK!"
I doubt that many people bother to complete the entire order process for a "grant kit" that costs several times more than the $1.99 that Jeff's page implies. Still, Facebook's management should reconsider these ads for two reasons:
1. They turn off Facebook members. Most won't bother to tweet their discontent. They'll just hit the back button.
2. They turn off other advertisers. If you've ever been on an ad sales call in the technology world, you know it's a deal-killer if you demo a site and its covered with ads for baby coupons and cigars. How many potential Facebook advertisers want to have their brands placed below spots for "$26,383 Stimulus Checks"?
Really, I'm fine with Facebook's tacky ads for animated profiles, and for dating sites for fortysomethings. I should probably click on those. But the stimulus check ads send a different message to everyone who sees them: Facebook is for suckers.