Facebook mobile ad revenue skyrockets

One criticism of Facebook has long been the site’s mobile shortcomings.

Until last year, the dominant social network didn’t really have a mobile advertising strategy, and the money it made from mobile was negligible.

Clearly that is beginning to change.

During fourth quarter mobile ad revenue at the company more than doubled, accounting for 23 percent of Facebook ad revenue, according to new numbers out this week.

“Today, there’s no argument: Facebook is a mobile company,” Facebook chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg said during an earnings conference call. “I think more people are starting to understand that mobile is a great opportunity for us.”

Mobile ad revenue hit $306 million during the quarter, up from $141 million during third quarter.

The company said that during December, 680 million people logged onto the social network from a mobile device, 57 percent more than December 2011.

Zuckerberg noted that the company had come a long way in its mobile strategy over the past year. At this time in 2012, it did not have ads in its mobile apps.

Now ads are included in users’ mobile newsfeeds.

Tags: ad revenue, ads, facebook, facebook mobile, facebook mobile ads, facebook mobile advertising, fourth quarter, mark zuckerberg, mobile, mobile advertising, mobile apps, mobile facebook, people, this week, time, zuckerberg