Alberta Election: Who are the parties targeting through ads?
Posted May 2, 2023 4:03 pm.
It’s more than just lawn signs. Alberta voters are sure to be hit with political advertisements in the next four weeks.
But the number and type of paid-for ads coming across your social media feed, may depend on where you live.
While online ads are nothing new, parties are getting better at leveraging the tool. Because Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has an open ad policy.
Anyone can see how much is being spent, and who the parties are targeting.
“Social media is kinda the holy grail for elections campaigns because you can target the specific lifestyle and specific group of people,” explained Rey Rosales, professor at.
“Based on communications advertisement, negative ads work.”
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However, Rosales says these types of ads are best for energizing an already-decided voter base, not swaying the undecided.
The data from April shows both the UCP and NDP are mostly targeting locations. Most ads are in Calgary, with the UCP pushing a higher percentage of their advertisements into Edmonton than the NDP.
But both have ads targeting potential swing ridings around the capital, like Sherwood Park and St. Albert.
The NDP ads hit all those of voting age, the UCP focusing on those over 30-years-old.
Professor Rosales reminding the ads can also come from a third party.
“As a voter, as an audience, as a consumer, one should really ask the question, is this video or information I’m seeing credible?”
As for all other parties listed by Election Alberta? No Meta ads were found linked to their specific page for 2023, so far.
