Google: Not Ready To Behaviorally Target
Aug 1, 2007 at 7:58am ET by Barry Schwartz
We explained last week how Google was using search history to refine the ads it shows to searchers. But for now, Google says that’s as far as it plans to go to behaviorally target people.
Google wary of behavioral targeting in online ads from Reuters goes into more about this, from a talk between reporters and Susan Wojcicki, Google vice president of product management for advertising. Reuters summarizes:
“Google was shying away from the industry race to deliver tools for advertisers that stitch together a user’s various online actions into one profile.”
Susan told Reuters:
Specifically, Wojcicki is quoted as saying:
“We believe that task-based information at the time (of a user’s search) is the most relevant information to what they are looking at,” she said. “We always want to be very careful about what information would or would not be used.”
Google’s ad strategy dissected from News.com reported on the meeting as well. It covers how Wojcicki explained how behavioral targeting can get a bit too much into your privacy.
She was quick to add that no data is stored or remembered, as opposed to behavioral targeting, which serves ads based on a user’s online activity over time and which rivals Yahoo and Microsoft are experimenting with… “If you wanted to buy a car two weeks ago and you bought it, you don’t necessarily want to see ads for cars today.”
Share, Bookmark & Discuss This Article
More:
Keep Updated: News Via Email | News Via RSS Feed | News Via Twitter
See more stories like this in the Members Library! Check out the Google: AdWords, Search Ads: Behavioral Targeting sections of the Members Library where this story is filed. Members also get access to exclusive video content, a members-only weekly & monthly newsletter, plus more. Check out all the benefits!
ONE COMMENT ON Google: Not Ready To Behaviorally Target
TOP STORIES
SEARCH NEWS BRIEFS
FEATURES & ANALYSIS
RECENT COMMENTS
- Yossi Hermush said " Nobody expects a “1.0” to provide the same coverage as do products that are out there 5, 6, 8 or mor"
- SEO Denver said " Your piece does underscore that social networking and all aspects of internet marketing are time con"
- Chris Silver Smith said " Wow - my coincidental timing couldn't have been better, what with Rupert Murdoch getting quoted this"
FREE DAILY SEARCH NEWS RECAP!
Stay on top of all the search news with our daily summary, the SearchCap newsletter. View a sample ›
STAY CURRENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Search Engine Land produces SMX, the Search Marketing Expo conference series. SMX events deliver the most comprehensive educational and networking experiences - whether you're just starting in search marketing or you're a seasoned expert.
SMX Web Site » | SMX Difference » | SMX News »
Join us at an upcoming SMX event:
- SMX West - March 2-4, 2010
- SMX Munich - March 23-24, 2010
- SMX Toronto - April 8-9, 2010
- SMX Sydney - April 22-23, 2010
- SMX Advanced London - May 17-18, 2010
- SMX Advanced Seattle - June 8-9, 2010
- SMX East - October 4-6, 2010
- SMX Stockholm - October, 2010
Learn more about search marketing with our free online webcasts and webinars from our sister site, Search Marketing Now. Upcoming online events include:
- PPC Advertising & Geo-Targeting - November 12, 2009
- Making Online Marketing Relevant and Responsive: Tactics and A Tool for Success - November 17, 2009
- Ask the Search Engines: War Stories from the World Tour - December 1, 2009
TRACK US SOCIALLY
- Wall Street Journal Recommended Reading
- Ad Age Power 150 Blog
- Technorati Top 100 Blog
- Techmeme Leaderboard Source
- Best Search Engine Community/Forum
Featured sites from our Blogroll
Get Your Search Engine Land
Premium Membership!
Become a premium member today and receive:
- Express commenting privileges & photo.
- Exclusive videos & newsletters.
- Discounts to our SMX conferences.
- Access to "How To" & Other Archives.
© 2009 Third Door Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Google, Yahoo & Microsoft logos trademark respective companies and used with permission.
I remember on one of the Daily Search Cast shows, Danny & Co-host were talking about how G wanted to use search history to target ads better or serps (cant remember which) .. anyways, if I remember correctly, they went into how its a poor use of user data to get what Google thinks will be the desired result. Case in point is multiple users on one computer. Say the family computer, or a library? So by using that search history, who are you delivering content for?