Google Ads - Coincidence or Targeted?

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   bravewarriorposted 9 years ago

   Recently I've noticed Google ads for hotels I've been writing landing pages for when I read hubs. Is it just coincidence? Or does Google place ads based on the individual reader's search habits? Is anyone else seeing ads for recent search results showing on the hubs you read?
   
   Just curious.....

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      ChristinSposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Google tracks everything you do and targets you.  Every site I've written for, even client sites, their ads will appear on other sites I'm visiting that target visitors interests.  I use an ad blocking add-on for Firefox and that helps, but yes, they track every move you make and are blatant about it.  I am veering away from Google more and more and using alternative search engines.

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         bravewarriorposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         I don't mind the ads. They appear where they should and don't block what I'm reading. They're also a part of our AdSense program here on HP. I was just curious about how they're chosen and whether or not they're static or different for each reader.

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         relacheposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         You have the ability (if you are signed-up with Google for anything) to turn some of those preferences off on their end, which you should be doing if you don't want to be tracked.  Likewise, there are additional settings in your browser, and on your computer to contribute towards this.
         
         Using ad-blocking software just blocks you from seeing ads.  To not be tracked and targeted requires different actions.

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            bravewarriorposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            How do I do that, Relache?

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               relacheposted 9 years agoin reply to this

               You follow the instructions,
               
               https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/465?hl=en

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                  bravewarriorposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  Thanx, Relache.

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      missoliveposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      yes! Isn't it amazing? I do NOT like it. I might be foraging around Overstock one day and then they stalk me (through Google ads) for several days. Same with travel plans and everything that goes with it. They'll even be on the ads in Facebook. It is a love hate relationship. I love data and how it benefits us a online writers, but I don't want to feel smothered and hovered upon. It's kind of like those employees that follow you all over a store and don't let you shop in peace, then when you need an employee you can't find one! ha!

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         bravewarriorposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Yeah, missolive I hate those salespeople, too. But when you need one, they're nowhere to be found!
         
         What's funny about the Google ads is I'm not shopping for a hotel. I'm researching articles I'm paid to write. I guess it's a good thing Google can't get into our heads!

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      vocalcoachposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      So this is why I keep seeing these ads.  I don't like it.  Been wondering why a recent search for a particular item shows that item on every site I visit.

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         Chinaimportposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         You control what you want to see.  Google allows you to opt out or modify ads setting.  Please see the link in my post above.

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            bravewarriorposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            Thanx, China.

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         bravewarriorposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         I didn't notice it until recently, Audrey. It is annoying.

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      Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      It is targeting. I see this all the time. So far it does not bother me, for I never click on ads. It is rather spooky, though. I mean, if Google does it, who else does?  Eye in the sky?  We are being watched all the time on the net.

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         bravewarriorposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         I agree. It's a bit intimidating.

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      robhamptonposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Clear the cache and history

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         bravewarriorposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Rob, I keep forgetting to do that. Thanx for the reminder.

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   missoliveposted 9 years ago

   my understanding is Google customizes the ads to the reader's browser habits and history.

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      bravewarriorposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That makes sense. I guess I just never paid attention to it until now.

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   MizBejabbersposted 9 years ago

   They're tracking you all right. I recently looked up a certain bra on Amazon, then I had bras popping up all over my pages. Sometimes they can get really funny. I was Googling something one day that had noting to do with intestines, and then laxative ads started popping up all over. I think the name of what I was researching was similar.

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      bravewarriorposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      MizBe, that's too funny. I guess it's a good thing only you see the ads!

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   Rock_njposted 9 years ago

   Not a coincidence.  Try searching for something on Google or Amazon, you will suddenly start seeing ads for what you were searching for as you visit other sites.  The power of targeted Internet marketing.

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      bravewarriorposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Rock, it seems Google needs to re-think how they target. It makes more sense to show ads that relate to the content, not what each individual searches for. They're doing a lot more work than necessary. And how successful is it really? I wonder what the stats are on that.

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   Chinaimportposted 9 years ago

   You can change your ad settings or completely opt out of the Google ads program using this link
   
   http://www.google.com/settings/ads

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   Jodahposted 9 years ago

   This is interesting. I don't want to get rid of Google ads, but what I don't understand is that every hub I look at has more  ads for weight loss than anything else. I have never looked at weight loss sights or done searches for such, so if they are tracking my Internet usage and choosing suitable ads for my interests something is wrong.

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      bravewarriorposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Jodah, I don't know how they come up with that. None of your hubs are about weight loss. If your computer isn't searching weight loss info and your text isn't about weight loss, how is that topic chosen by Google? Strange.

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   jansharesposted 9 years ago

   Yes, it happens to me all the time. It's a little annoying to know that Google watches our every move and then tries to sell us something based on that.

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      bravewarriorposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I guess Google is just doing their job, but it is annoying. I always thought the ads would be chosen to match the topic. At least that way there'd be a better click through rate!

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   Marisa Wrightposted 9 years ago

   You can also sign up for disconnect.me

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   agvulpesposted 9 years ago

   I agree that it is annoying especially after you have already purchased a product and could get it cheaper through the google ads!
   On the other hand what would you prefer the ads to be about ?
   Something that you have never had an interest in buying?

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      bravewarriorposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      The ads should relate to the content. Wouldn't that make more sense and attract more buyers?

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         agvulpesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         I believe that the ads are relating to the content (in my case at least) they are just a little bit late.
         I don't know if it makes a difference but here Google is run by their Australian office  (or so I believe) and they may serve ads differently than Google elsewhere?
         I have found that eBay do the same sort of advertising and to me it does make sense even though, at times it does feel creepy

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            bravewarriorposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            The ads I'm seeing that relate to recent searches are on the top of the hubs and below the comments section, regardless of the content.

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         relacheposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Google decides what ads to serve, and whether they are going to try and get you to click based on content or recent interests is their game, so whatever we think is really moot.
         
         The main thing to remember is that Google is targeting ads, and what you see when you view your own Hubs is going to be really different from what each individual user sees when they visit.

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            bravewarriorposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            I've figured that out. Thanx for everyone's input. Mystery solved!

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    Gypsy Rose Leeposted 9 years ago

    Google obviously knows I live in Latvia. I have had ads about things here in Latvia, ads in Russian and Latvian. I do also see ads in English. Occasionally on other hubs which aren't poetry I have seen ads related to the content. Lately a lot of ads about investing are showing up.

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    rhenop86posted 9 years ago

    It depends on your google adsense account setup for ads targeting. You can always change it if you like.

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