Google Set to Target Advertisements According to Web-Surfing Habits

Imagine looking for weeks and weeks online to find the perfect car for you and your family. Then all of the sudden while looking online for say a popcorn maker, you begin to see advertisements for new and used car dealers. Your first instinct may be that you are stuck in some version of the Twilight Zone but the more likely explanation is that you re being "targeted" by Google. The search engine giant recently announced that it will soon begin beta testing of just such a program that is designed to track the web-surfing habits of individuals and custom-tailor advertisements according to those habits (source: tech.yahoo.com).

Google's ability to track such behavior is thanks to their acquisition of DoubleClick last year. While the move is questionable when it comes to individual's privacy, Google has already taken the proper steps and impressed the right people and gained approval for the campaign by regulators. The beta test will take place initially on Google's popular YouTube website and other sites that belong to Google's ad network (source: tech.yahoo.com).

The move stems from Google's biggest rival Yahoo already implementing similar practices when deciding what ads to place on a page that is pulled up through a search. Until now, Google has relied solely on the web search and the general content of the page that was being requested (source: tech.yahoo.com). So if someone were to do a search for a motorcycle, the ads would consist of perhaps a place to buy motorcycle insurance for example. Now if a person is keen on visiting car websites, they may see advertisements for car insurance or car dealers popping up with other searches they request whether about cars or not.

The reaction of the public seems to be mixed. Some feel that the largest search engine on the web should not get into the business of labeling or profiling individuals. Still others like the idea of having their peak interests addressed while surfing the web (source: tech.yahoo.com). In all honestly, wouldn't you rather have advertisements for something you may actually use?

There will never be a shortage of internet advertising this is for sure. While Google's antics may border on the "stalking" side, again, at least they are trying to give the consumer ads that may be relevant to their lifestyles. After all, who isn't sick of getting an advertisement for an online dating service when you are happily in a relationship? Since the ads are going to be there, they might as well be relevant to you.