Facebook collects a ton of private information from the time you sign up. However, there is a way to find out how much the site knows about you and how to control it.
Facebook makes money by using most of the data it collects to target ads at users. The social network site gets this information from you by using cookies to track your moves around the Internet, your friends and interests, and even your conversations on Facebook itself, according to the Independent.
"For example, if you visit travel websites, you might then see ads on Facebook for hotel deals. We call this online interest-based advertising," it explains.
Users can actually see what Facebook knows about you, and what the site thinks you're into with just a few steps.
Most of the data Facebook gathers for advertising purposes is found in ad preferences. One way this section can be accessed is by clicking on the small arrow in the upper-right-hand corner of an ad on your News Feed, choosing "Why am I seeing this?"
Here, users will find a link to the ad preferences page, where they can control the ads Facebook shows them. However, this doesn't stop or limit Facebook from showing ads.
"This won't change how many ads you see. but, because we'll know more about what you like, they should be more relevant," Facebook says.
Clicking on Manage Your Ad Preferences will bring up everything the site knows, or thinks it knows, about you grouped by categories, such as "Food and Drink," Lifestyle and Culture," and "Hobbies and Activities."
Full information on each preference can be seen on the ad preferences page, including why Facebook has decided you are into a particular interest — sometimes it's as simple as liking a specific page. Other times, the site won't be able to tell you the reason for liking it.
Users can trick Facebook by clicking the bar at the top to add new things, and see everything the site counts as preferences.
Users can also remove things by changing ad preferences so that they're about whatever they choose.
However, Facebook warns that, "you might still see ads that seem related to things you removed. For example, you might see an ad if it's broadly targeted to everyone in your town or city."
