The ability to target ads at individuals isn't unique to Facebook. But what makes the social media giant's role profound is the breadth and depth of information it collects and the sheer number of people who use the service. Last year 67% of Americans told Pew Research that they get at least some of their news on social media. In 2016, 64% of those who got their news from social media got it from only one source — most commonly Facebook.

Source: Los Angeles Times March 20, 2018 09:56 UTC