Ads Following Me Around

[nobackseat]

I've recently become crazy conscious of particular ads following me around on every site I visit. These aren't the typical ads, I was researching something very specific, and I even visited the website that is showing up in the ad before. Now it shows up on nearly every site I visit -- and won't leave me alone!

This happens because so many sites use the same advertising network, such as Project Wonderful or Adsense. Especially Adsense. This ad seriously stares me down on every site I visit. I can't stand it. This shows that the networks really are tracking every move you visit and what you've seen. Extremely concerning and annoying.

What do you think? Ever notice this?

NBS

[Andie]

I have noticed this. I was searching for swimsuits earlier this summer, and it took months to get rid of the swimsuit ads on every website lol I admit it's annoying, but it doesn't bug me that much, it makes sense for the people selling ads to target their audience.

But it does makes me wary about what I search for online For example, I will never search/shop for bras online! Because I don't want to see bra ads, and have any relative who borrows my computer, or who I show something online to see all bra ads xD In some cases it makes it a little embarrassing. I found it awkward even like having swimsuit ads everywhere!

So on one hand it seems to make sense... On the other hand, it can be a little awkward and frustrating...

[Ollie]

I've never actually had this happen, or atleast never taken notice to it..
I'll keep an eye on them

[Tantra]

I have noticed this too recently. I was looking up flea medicine and tape worm medicine for my cats, now every where I go I see adds for flea medicines.

[Slashmaster]

I recall there being a discussion about this on Aywas once.
When you visit a site that has ads from any network that tracks your movements, I think it logs the sites you have visited in the network and comes up with ads based on that. Kind of scary a thought that your movements are being tracked so precisely, especially with ad networks that are large.

[kami]

Adblock :3

[Lewis]

This has happened to me before. I used to always get adverts for sites that I've been to and didn't understand the point in them targeting me when I've already purchased from them. I use TACO for Firefox now.

[nobackseat]

I don't use the Adblock addon/extension for a number of reasons.

1) I like to view websites the way the designer made them. I hate things that modify the page. Removing ads can also throw off the alignment for the HTML elements and make it worse.

2) If the site has obnoxious ads, then I can better judge the site and know not to visit it next time. With Adblock, you are blind to how they treat their visitors without it, such as popup ads and what not.

3) Makes the browser slower to start and I think it's generally not worth it. In most scenarios, the advertisements are still using your bandwidth, and are downloaded, they are just applied a CSS styling of "display:none" or something just so it doesn't show.

4) I like to be fair. A website is a business. I think of it as giving back to the sites that offer content for free. It's the least I could do.

5) Some advertisements are interesting. I'm not the type of person who has a vendetta against advertisements. I have genuinely become interested in new things and discovered new products as a result of ads. Isn't that the point of ads?

6) Sites can detect Adblock and some even offer 'consequences'. Super lame, I know. But it goes back to me liking to see the site in it's intended beauty (or lack thereof).

With that said, the only thing that annoys me is that the same ad is displayed on every site. It's those stupid tracking cookies advertisers place. You know, the ones that your antivirus freaks about. In my opinion, it's in their best interest to offer a variety of advertisements, which is not what I'm getting. I should try wiping the cookies...

Google already knows everything about you. Everything you've searched for. Everything that's been shared over GMail. They detect addresses in GMail. They can use that to see your backyard with Google Earth. Hell, with Street View zoom in to your front door. Then they can see your credit cards with Google Checkout. Know your phone number with Google Mobile. See your IMs with Google Chat. Your résumé on Google Docs. And finally know every other detail they are missing through Google Plus.

I love Google, they are so innovative. But there is a point where it goes too far, and they make it increasingly obvious by displaying the same ads on multiple, completely different sites. So, yes, it's a scary thought but it's a very common happening. And the only thing you can do about it, is STAY OFF THE INTERNET. Obviously not feasible.

I'm not surprised people haven't noticed. We've inadvertently trained ourselves to detect and instantly ignore advertisements.

NBS

[Andie]

I very much so agree with what you said about a website being a business. To me adblocking is almost like sneaking past the box office at the theater, sure they make most of their money at concessions... But it's still robbing them of some of the money they should be making. The owner of the website is paying to have it online, they have expenses.

[Gabby]

That happens to me a lot with Google Adense (aka ads that aren't blocked by ad block)