It's not about getting clicks while you're reading gmail (the adwords on the side), it's about mass gathering data about you and others. Re-read run4yourlives

It's not about getting clicks while you're reading gmail (the adwords on the side), it's about mass gathering data about you and others. Re-read run4yourlives message. He does not say gmail tries to sell you product X, but gmail tells Google you might be in a buying mood for product X.