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I can't be the only one that prefers targeted ads? I mean, I'd much rather see ads for watches or sneakers or whatever else I've been looking at buying that ads

by iamben 9y ago

I can't be the only one that prefers targeted ads? I mean, I'd much rather see ads for watches or sneakers or whatever else I've been looking at buying that ads for dresses, birdcages, or house paint or whatever else I have precisely zero interest in? More so, if these ads are supporting the businesses that show them, I'm happy they're there and I'm happy that they make some money when I click on that pair of Nike that I'd really like but haven't pulled the trigger on yet. I also assume by 'targeted ads' the meaning is ads on something like Facebook / Google retargeting? There's nothing that stops "scam companies and grifters" buying ad space on websites directly - sure it's a little harder, but you can always sell your snake oil using the banner ad on that 'alternative medicine' forum where people voraciously chat...

badrabbit 9y ago
You're not the only one. Many other people also vastly underestimate the societal and privacy implications of user targeting and behavioral analytics. My position on this is simple, let it be opt-in. Something as simple as a HTTP request header(DNT for example) should by default tell advertisers they shouldn't perform any sort of user targeting. For individuals such as yourself,you could simply turn off that feature in your browser and start seeing targeted content. Why should the technically illiterate masses be targeted and tracked by default? Why not allow it only for those who accept the privacy and behavioral modification implications?
smileysteve 9y ago
You're not the only one.
haZard_OS 9y ago
While I am deeply concerned about the issue of privacy, my immediate concern regarding ads is keeping the ads distinct from other content. In other words, I want every ad to be instantly recognizable as an ad so I can more quickly choose to ignore it and go about my business. The moment I have determined that Content A is an ad, I remove it from my attentional space. I make no exception for ads that may be about products I want. I refuse to engage with ads. Period.

by iamben 9y ago

badrabbit 9y ago

You're not the only one. Many other people also vastly underestimate the societal and privacy implications of user targeting and behavioral analytics. My position on this is simple, let it be opt-in. Something as simple as a HTTP request header(DNT for example) should by default tell advertisers they shouldn't perform any sort of user targeting. For individuals such as yourself,you could simply turn off that feature in your browser and start seeing targeted content. Why should the technically illiterate masses be targeted and tracked by default? Why not allow it only for those who accept the privacy and behavioral modification implications?

smileysteve 9y ago

You're not the only one.

haZard_OS 9y ago

While I am deeply concerned about the issue of privacy, my immediate concern regarding ads is keeping the ads distinct from other content. In other words, I want every ad to be instantly recognizable as an ad so I can more quickly choose to ignore it and go about my business. The moment I have determined that Content A is an ad, I remove it from my attentional space. I make no exception for ads that may be about products I want. I refuse to engage with ads. Period.