4 ms·

Exactly. I've seen some Google ads that were a bit too targeted lately -- related to stuff that I searched for last week -- and it is getting spooky. I'd like t

by marijn 18y ago

Exactly. I've seen some Google ads that were a bit too targeted lately -- related to stuff that I searched for last week -- and it is getting spooky. I'd like to have a decent alternative. Maybe I should just get used to Yahoo, but this looks hipper, no? That being said, they haven't indexed my site yet. Amateurs!

axod 18y ago
That's very worrying. Adverts people might be interested in shown to them? Cause for concern...
- marijn 18y ago
  You're probably intentionally missing the point -- but what I was referring to is the fact that they are quite unashamed about retaining data about me.
  - axod 18y ago
    "The browser with this cookie, did these searches previously" I don't think this is worrying. If they start using personal data they hold, sure, but this is just creating a personalized experience. Lots of sites do it. If you don't like them doing it, disable cookies for them...
  - netcan 18y ago
    I don't think that's worrying. If Amazon or Facebook or any other site did it wouldn't even be noticed. I think that's just reaching for a way to fault Google. BTW, an interesting application of personalisation is not so much search ads (They are already pretty much the most targeted ads because search term is enough to target ads with) but content ads (eg adsense). Currently, ads are targeted using relevance to page content/site content or demographics of the users. But search history reveals a lot about interests & could be the key to 'fixing' context advertising (from the advertisers perspective).
softwarejim 18y ago
what I find shady is that its against the law to spoof your competitors domain name, but google will allow you to display ads for when people search for your competitor. thats a little underhanded if you ask me
- SwellJoe 18y ago
  I believe you can ask them to remove ads on particular terms, if you hold a trademark on them. I recall reading about a lawsuit that covered that issue several years ago, and I think Google lost. But I could be imagining legal precedents again.
- netcan 18y ago
  Not exactly the same thing. Spoofing you comp's trade name is pretty much the definition of trademark violation. It (Google's policy) flops around a bit. It differs between countries and seems to get tweaked or turned over every so often. I believe in the US bidding restrictions on trademarked terms were recently removed. But you are still restricted in using trademarked terms in ads. Personally, I agree that restrictions (bidding on trademarked terms) should be removed. I would compare it to handing out flyers on the street outside you competitions' shop. Tasteless maybe, but shouldn't be illegal. Companies don't own the search results, trademark or not any more then they own the street.

by marijn 18y ago

axod 18y ago

That's very worrying. Adverts people might be interested in shown to them? Cause for concern...

marijn 18y ago
You're probably intentionally missing the point -- but what I was referring to is the fact that they are quite unashamed about retaining data about me.
- axod 18y ago
  "The browser with this cookie, did these searches previously" I don't think this is worrying. If they start using personal data they hold, sure, but this is just creating a personalized experience. Lots of sites do it. If you don't like them doing it, disable cookies for them...
- netcan 18y ago
  I don't think that's worrying. If Amazon or Facebook or any other site did it wouldn't even be noticed. I think that's just reaching for a way to fault Google. BTW, an interesting application of personalisation is not so much search ads (They are already pretty much the most targeted ads because search term is enough to target ads with) but content ads (eg adsense). Currently, ads are targeted using relevance to page content/site content or demographics of the users. But search history reveals a lot about interests & could be the key to 'fixing' context advertising (from the advertisers perspective).

softwarejim 18y ago

what I find shady is that its against the law to spoof your competitors domain name, but google will allow you to display ads for when people search for your competitor. thats a little underhanded if you ask me

SwellJoe 18y ago
I believe you can ask them to remove ads on particular terms, if you hold a trademark on them. I recall reading about a lawsuit that covered that issue several years ago, and I think Google lost. But I could be imagining legal precedents again.
netcan 18y ago
Not exactly the same thing. Spoofing you comp's trade name is pretty much the definition of trademark violation. It (Google's policy) flops around a bit. It differs between countries and seems to get tweaked or turned over every so often. I believe in the US bidding restrictions on trademarked terms were recently removed. But you are still restricted in using trademarked terms in ads. Personally, I agree that restrictions (bidding on trademarked terms) should be removed. I would compare it to handing out flyers on the street outside you competitions' shop. Tasteless maybe, but shouldn't be illegal. Companies don't own the search results, trademark or not any more then they own the street.