2005-10-27
Google now knows what you shop for
I just read the recent blog post of Jen Sense which explains how google pays different amounts to it's advertisers depending on if you actually purchase goods or not. ie.. if the ad is successful google charges more from the advertiser and rewards the publisher.
Fantastic idea.. I'm all for better measures on how effective ads and publishers are for showing those ads.
But I'm just wondering if it is being used on the flip side? by that I mean if you the viewer click and spend money on digital cameras. Will google show you more camera ads when you surf? or display higher value ads because you actually spend money on the net? or even perhaps google will share the information with the publisher, and allow 'high-value' viewers access to premium areas of the site.. it definatly does open some doors not currently available.
What if it determines your a lousy mark^h^h^h not a person prone to actually purchasing goods.
Will it select against you (and the publishers you visit) by showing you low-value ads, meaning your publisher suffers?
I actually think this is a good thing. publishers get more money if they are more effective for their customers (The advertisers are the ones paying.. they are the customers.. not you the viewer)
I just wonder is this data all sitting in some data warehouse somewhere tracking all the purchases I've made in the last year? I wonder what the legal rights of them collecting this (or not collecting it) are.. I don't remember signing a usage agreement when I viewed the ads. (I'm sure the publishers and advertisers have, but not me. the one they are tracking)