Googles Behavioural Ads
Yesterday it was announced on BBC that Google is now entering into the realm of behaviour based advertising. This is an extremely controversial move for them to make. Especially after the on-going battle over privacy issues with a similar service Phorm, who we all hate with a passion.
Google will make use of Cookies to drop an ID onto your PC which will then give them the ability to track your Search Queries, YouTube video views and how you navigate around sites with Adsense Ads placed on them. Maybe even DoubleClick, Gmail, Gtalk and Android OS to in the future?
Browsers will be placed into groups / categories in an attempt to deliver more relevant adverts based on browsing patterns. Users will be given the option to opt-out of this service.
My general feeling about this is that it should actually be opt-in, not opt-out. I do understand how it could be used to deliver more relevant adverts but its completely out of order for Google to assume you want them to record the majority of your interactions online. Whats next? Is Google going to assume you no longer want to run Windows and install its own operating system?!
This also has the potential to spread into Organic Results in the future. This would make measuring the success of SEO campaigns extremely difficult.
Ant
just Guido 1529 days ago
http://www.justguido.comDisabling personalized search is already an ongoing struggle.
And they want to add another way of tracking us? Oh dear. >_<
If they do an opt-in I can’t imagine a worthwhile percentage of users would actually agree.
Chis 1529 days ago
My initial reaction to this was not quite as anti as it was to Phorm, probably because I know a lot more about Google than Phorm, I felt that Phorm was a threat to publishers and advertisers. I also didn’t like the idea of the ISP’s getting on board.
I also think that my feeling on Google Behavioural ad’s changes depending what hat I’ve got on, publisher, advertiser or surfer.
David Whitehouse 1529 days ago
I imagine that Google may offer incentives for users to opt-in. Over a year one user will be worth a number of sales and therefore even more clicks. I just hope they allow people to opt-out…
Adam Sanders 1528 days ago
http://www.portraitsoftware.comSurely there is a positive side for the advertiser though?
The increased relevancy of ads should surely increase conversion rates and ultimately campaign ROI