Have you ever logged onto Facebook and noticed adverts and information in your newsfeed that are perfectly suited to you and what you are interested in? Some might say yes and others might say no. Let’s face it, how many of us actually know that Facebook and other third parties such as Google actually take note of what we are browsing and doing online? If this unnerves you then you are having a typical reaction to such news.
However the information isn’t being used to gather data specifically on you as an individual. The system is designed to offer a clever form of targeted marketing. What does this mean for you? The concept was designed to ensure that people like me and you only see adverts that are relevant to us, what we like, what we are interested in, and so on.
How does it work?
It is quite simple really. Facebook and other websites are set to take note of what you browse for on the website as well as on other applications and sites. If you click the “like” button on images and products it is noticed. If you browse for shoes or rugs or clothing on other websites, Facebook will be able to target similar ads to present to you while you are on the site.
Using Facebook as an example, the website will place cookies on your computer when you access the site. These cookies gather the required information and send it back to Facebook. Of course these cookies cannot access your Facebook page. Only when you access the website will your information be sent back to Facebook via the cookies.
Does it really work?
Yes, targeted advertising does work, but not for everyone. While cookies can be smart and send data and information to the advertising companies, it cannot really tell them anything about us. Perhaps you are looking at websites for work purposes that don’t interest you on a personal level, perhaps you are sharing a computer with more than one person and then the targeted adverts can really become fun!
With new developments in terms of technology and all the changes we are seeing in the way data is collected, stored and used in the online world, we can only hope that third parties will have better designed systems in the future and ensure that everyone has an online experience that is absolutely convenient.