Ad Targeting

[WA2ASB]

On the left side of the page, I saw some strange looking equipment.  I clicked on one and got an ad from B&H.  It had nothing to do with Ham Radio, and I don't have a problem with that.

I've dealt with B&H before: My Nikon D700, my wife's D800, my Leica, lenses, etc.  I've screwed up an order, returned merchandise with no questions asked, and found them to be a wonderful company to do business with.  (I even forgive them for being closed on Saturday).

What I'm wondering is why I saw the B&H ad?  Does everyone see them or is there something on the web-page that is looking for cookies on my computer, and finding them then targeting me with ads.  Understand this is not a complaint, but having a curious nature, I'm just wondering what is going on.

[W1JKA]

Briefly, yes you are being targeted due to internet purchases and certain site look ups. Others will explain the technicalities.

[K1CJS]

This site is supported in part by GoogleAds.  Google has long had a reputation for sticking its nose into people's internet surfing habits in an effort to supply them what Google refers to as a more meaningful internet opportunity.  When you come here, Google has an open pipeline into your web surfing habits--whether you like it or not.

Their methods have been and are always surreptitious--they actually don't want you knowing that they snoop into almost everything you do.  That is one reason that some people don't like their Chrome browser--because although you can turn off their snooping efforts, they have ways and means to turn those snooping programs back on--or override them.  There's no getting away from them either--they're into all too many websites and software.

Software blocking programs are somewhat effective--but they can be gotten around.  Every time someone comes up with new code or a new method to block them, they come back with altered code or new ways to snoop.  It's almost never ending--you've just got to live with it.

[W1JKA]

Why the IGNORE box in reply #2 ?

[K1CJS]

I see it in replies 1 and 3!

[K5TR]

Why the IGNORE box in reply #2 ?

The "Ignore" button is on every post - it is there is you would like to hide all messages from that particular poster.

[N3HFS]

The "Ignore" button is on every post - it is there is you would like to hide all messages from that particular poster.

Interesting - there is none on your post!

[K5TR]

The "Ignore" button is on every post - it is there is you would like to hide all messages from that particular poster.

Interesting - there is none on your post!

Yes - you can't "ignore" the admin - well you can't tell the software to hide my posts.

[W1JKA]

Duh, just IGNORE me, it just dawned on me why it doesn't show up on my post (guess I can't ignore myself either).To CMA I'll blame it on the current heat wave. 

[K1CJS]

Hey, no problem--you can't ignore yourself...   

[N2MG]

Yes - you can't "ignore" the admin - well you can't tell the software to hide my posts.

And...admins can't ignore anyone at all!

[K1CJS]

I'll bet good money that sometimes they wish they could!