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0 pointscriddell5y ago0 comments

I don't think the choice is between personally targeted ads and random ads though. There are middle options.

For example, if I search for "how to do a Subaru oil change" it's the perfect opportunity for the search engine to show me ads related to motor oil, Subarus, car maintenance videos, etc... If I opt in to sharing my location with the search engine they could also show me ads from local repair shops and car dealers.

Later on when I'm reading an article about dog training, I don't want to see ads about fixing my car, show me ads related to dogs. Use the context of the page for targeting.

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5 comments · 3 top-level

renewiltord5y ago· 2 in thread

Sure, search does really well for contextual because there is lots of intent. But most other contextual is not like that: people aren't looking to buy something.

Your normal usage isn't dog training or subaru oil changes. It's idle nonsense like whether Kim Kardashian is angry with Courtney Cox or whatever. There's not enough to sell you that's contextual. People have an idealized vision of what they spend time on. It's nothing like this productive stuff you're talking about.

criddellOP5y ago

> There's not enough to sell you that's contextual.

Next time you are in a waiting room flip through the magazines that are sitting there. The ads are targeted to the likely readers of those magazines.

renewiltord5y ago

No volume. Hard for small guy to use.

Online targeted ads are way better.

Not to be annoying, but advertising is serious money. If you think you can do good contextual advertising you will become rich very easily. Anyone will. It's hard for me to believe that no one is doing this supposedly easy and effective thing well since all the incentives are there.

2 more replies

saagarjha5y ago

Sometimes…sometimes not. I'm sure you've seen the blogspam articles that tell you how to fix whatever problem you're having with your computer and the first step is to download their product to do a "scan".

ssivark5y ago

Sure, but what about showing you ads for WhatsApp when you’re searching for Signal?

Where does contextual advertising/influencing switch from being helpful to being gaslighting?

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