According to social media marketing research firms, we spend an average of 2.5 hours a day on various social media platforms. Our email boxes are typically full of marketing emails. As we scroll through Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and other platforms, we are presented with various ads from companies and organizations wanting our attention and trying to sell us something. Most social media ads are specifically targeted to our interests.

For this weeks discussion, you are to post the following:

1. Provide an estimate of how much time you spend on all social media platforms each day. These would include Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter etc.
2. What are the most typical ads you see while you scroll on these platforms? Are they related to your specific interests? Provide a specific example of how an advertisement was/is targeted directly to you. For example, are these ads for clothes or personal items that you are researching or have purchased?
3. In your opinion, has the use of social media marketing resulted in you purchasing or having a stronger positive opinion of a product or service? Give an example.
4. During the week, have you watched a marketing related video and describe your reaction to that video. Did it encourage you to buy the item?