Online retail stores are repeat offenders of behavioral targeting, in part because it's a valuable tool for targeting consumers but also because users' personal information is so readily available. While the majority of society has their panties in a bunch over lack of privacy, it's undeniable that in being indulged in a world of social media, we are giving up our anonymity on a daily basis.
In participating in social websites where information is freely give out in obsessive details, is there really any justification in whinnying? When advertisements on Facebook pop up under the “Sponsored” list for Shoedazzle.com is it because you've “liked” Kim Kardashian's page? Probably not if you're over the age of 15, but it could be because you've liked Christian Louboutin's page. This is just one of many ways behavioral targeting is done.
Another way behavioral targeting is being used is through real-time updates on facebook. An example of this is if a very intelligent and fashion forward Facebook user updates her/his status as “In utter lust over the new Alexander Wang collection!!” Facebook hears Alexander Wang and suggests that you check out Designerapparel.com where you ideally click and make a thousand dollar purchase giving the money to Designerapparel.com as opposed to directly giving it to Alexander Wang. This same concept is used during Google searches.
Life is too short to blend in,
Jessica
http://e-marketingforsensiblefolk.blogspot.com/
http://mashable.com/2011/04/26/behavioral-targeting/
Life is too short to blend in,
Jessica
http://e-marketingforsensiblefolk.blogspot.com/
http://mashable.com/2011/04/26/behavioral-targeting/
I agree that the Internet, although having made our lives incredibly easier, has also caused some of our privacy as consumers to be breached. Even though individuals may choose to have a Facebook account, they do however have selective preferences as to what content they wish to be publicly displayed. So even via some social mediums, such as Facebook, you can still maintain an adequate amount of privacy. The problem in my opinion, arises when you're simply browsing a random website, and not aware that it is monitoring your surfing patterns. What can we do then?
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