4 ms·

I can't be the only one who thinks behavioral targeting is a bit creepy? This has happened to me at least 3-4 times in the last 2 years: I go to a supermarket

I can't be the only one who thinks behavioral targeting is a bit creepy? This has happened to me at least 3-4 times in the last 2 years: I go to a supermarket or a store that I have never been to, I do shopping and come back home. After a few hours, I pick up my phone to check Email/Facebook, only to find myself staring at an advert for a product that's sitting in my fridge. I mean, come on... The first time this happened I thought it was a funny coincidence, but it has happened with products that I did not bring home either. I can't be the only one? And this is my point precisely as to why behavioral ads suck. They make you realize just how much companies are spying on you and using your data to feed you crap. Would I really want to have any part in this kind of an endeavor? Let's be real here.

SmellyGeekBoy 8y ago
I bought a Casper mattress around a year ago and the websites I visit are still full of ads for mattresses. How many mattresses do they think I need, anyway!?
- wlesieutre 8y ago
  Funny you mention them, because I've only ever heard of Casper in podcasts, one of the few remaining non-targeted digital ad slots. Unless "listens to X podcast" counts as targeting, but that's no different from "reads X magazine" in offline media. No creepy tracking required.
  - tivert 8y ago
    > Unless "listens to X podcast" counts as targeting It doesn't, except to the adtech targeters who want to muddy the water. Ad targeting in this context means individualized targeting based on individualize tracking and data collection, full stop.
- soared 8y ago
  If you click the blue triangle in the corner of an ad you can usually block an advertiser or choose to stop seeing it.
drb91 8y ago
The real creepy behavior is that companies can openly pay to manipulate you for most of your waking life, and people are fine with it.
- scarejunba 8y ago
  By that measure of "manipulating", you're trying to manipulate me with your comment. The "manipulate" argument is silly.
  - drb91 8y ago
    Well yes, I am openly trying to manipulate you, but at least I don’t treat you like a euphoric wallet to sell you crap.
skilled 8y ago
I was watching a Joe Rogan podcast repeat with Theo Von last night and he literally mentioned this same this same thing halfway through .. That's some matrix sh*t right here... Hahaha. Disclosure: I am replying to my own comment.

SmellyGeekBoy 8y ago

I bought a Casper mattress around a year ago and the websites I visit are still full of ads for mattresses. How many mattresses do they think I need, anyway!?

wlesieutre 8y ago
Funny you mention them, because I've only ever heard of Casper in podcasts, one of the few remaining non-targeted digital ad slots. Unless "listens to X podcast" counts as targeting, but that's no different from "reads X magazine" in offline media. No creepy tracking required.
- tivert 8y ago
  > Unless "listens to X podcast" counts as targeting It doesn't, except to the adtech targeters who want to muddy the water. Ad targeting in this context means individualized targeting based on individualize tracking and data collection, full stop.
soared 8y ago
If you click the blue triangle in the corner of an ad you can usually block an advertiser or choose to stop seeing it.

drb91 8y ago

The real creepy behavior is that companies can openly pay to manipulate you for most of your waking life, and people are fine with it.

scarejunba 8y ago
By that measure of "manipulating", you're trying to manipulate me with your comment. The "manipulate" argument is silly.
- drb91 8y ago
  Well yes, I am openly trying to manipulate you, but at least I don’t treat you like a euphoric wallet to sell you crap.

skilled 8y ago

I was watching a Joe Rogan podcast repeat with Theo Von last night and he literally mentioned this same this same thing halfway through .. That's some matrix sh*t right here... Hahaha. Disclosure: I am replying to my own comment.