Previously, ads were served only to Facebook users when they visited third-party websites and mobile apps that belonged to the social network’s Audience Network, which launched two years ago.

But, in a blog post published last week, Andrew Bosworth, VP of Facebook’s ads and business platform, announced that this is to be expanded to allow publishers and developers to show ads to those who don't use or are not connected to Facebook.

"We introduced Facebook Audience Network two years ago to help publishers and developers support their services by showing relevant, high quality ads to people who visit their websites and apps," Bosworth wrote. "But in the past, we’ve only shown ads in these places to people who have Facebook accounts.

"Today, we’re expanding Audience Network so publishers and developers can show better ads to everyone – including those who don’t use or aren’t connected to Facebook."