It is very much in the interest of these indirect middlemen, the third-party advertising networks, to obfuscate the direct connection/signal between advertising

It is very much in the interest of these indirect middlemen, the third-party advertising networks, to obfuscate the direct connection/signal between advertising and buying products, while on the other hand trying to make this connection seem as favourable as possible, to both sides (publisher and product-advertiser). So they work to remain in full control of this evidence and which parts of it are shown to either party. I don't want to imply they are lying (not without proof, anyway) but it's a very open secret that are very selective in how and what information they reveal to which of the two sides they are middlemen between. It kind of seems like an arbitrage situation. But if I understand correctly, those are only good as long as they naturally "deflate" and sort restore balance back. Instead, there is some information-hiding going on that artificially props up this situation at cost for everyone but the third-party ad industry and middlemen. I think that situation is not very good.