See what Google knows about you • Hacker News Board

Re: See what Google knows about you

#81

Post by jonknee » Wed, Aug 03, 2011, 7:47 PM UTC

mcormier wrote: post #30

extension wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How else could it be done?

On the server side. Associated with your account.

With what account? Google serves on a ton of third party sites (and not just through AdSense, DoubleClick is huge). And that would require you to sign in to Google before you are opted-out, regardless if you were using Google or not. I use an plugin provided by Google to do the same thing, no worries about a cookie disappearing.

http://www.google.com/ads/preferences/html/intl/en/plugin/

Re: See what Google knows about you

#82

Post by mikle » Wed, Aug 03, 2011, 8:03 PM UTC

mtogo wrote: post #55

Ghostery + AdBlock, no information about me.

Modified host file, no need to install software and it's multi-browser. No information about me.

Re: See what Google knows about you

#83

Post by zobzu » Wed, Aug 03, 2011, 8:47 PM UTC

have to download a plugin to opt out wtf? they never hear of do-not-track?

Re: See what Google knows about you

#84

Post by amalcon » Wed, Aug 03, 2011, 8:48 PM UTC

danielharan wrote: post #79

amalcon wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I look at it the other way around: why would I want ads to be targeted at me ? What advantage do I get from that? I arguably get a small advantage from ads targeted at what I'm currently doing , but the relative impact of what I'm currently doing is decreased (by definition) when the relative impact of who I am is increased. I don't need to see recruiting ads when I'm looking for computer hardware, and I don't need t…

To clarify: they're not personally targeted. With re-targeting they target a browser that's been to a site but hasn't converted. No company I know of targets based on specific identity. It's a 3-way deal. I'd like to see fewer ads, without any obnoxious flash/animation. Also, ads that pay publishers more money for their traffic - and help advertisers find markets. The current market is completely broken; obnoxious ad…

To clarify: they're not personally targeted. With re-targeting they target a browser that's been to a site but hasn't converted. No company I know of targets based on specific identity.

But what do you mean by "targets based on a specific identity?" Clearly the intent is to target the same person who went to a site but did not convert. That sounds like targeting based on a specific identity to me.

Also, I can name at least two companies that target people (OK, cookie stores) based on specific interests or traits they (OK, their users) are surmised to have: Google and Facebook. These two are very high-profile about it, so I would be surprised if others did not do the same.

Re: See what Google knows about you

#85

Post by dotBen » Wed, Aug 03, 2011, 8:58 PM UTC

danielharan wrote: post #20

gst wrote: post #13

"Your categories: You have opted out of Google's interest-based advertising. No interest categories are associated with your browser." To opt-out just go here: http://www.google.com/ads/preferences/html/intl/en/plugin/

I'm curious. Why do you want ads shown to you NOT be targeted? Unless you're using adblock, you should be seeing a whole bunch of crappy ads for fat-loss solutions, IQ tests, "Which way is this mannequin turning?", etc... (Disclaimer: I co-founded a company now helping companies target ads. People opting out won't harm me economically, but I'm really trying to understand people's objections).

Unless you're using adblock

Interesting. So here's a poll I just created on that: "are you running AdBlock?"

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2843040

Re: See what Google knows about you

#86

Post by kuahyeow » Wed, Aug 03, 2011, 9:15 PM UTC

danielharan wrote: post #20

gst wrote: post #13

"Your categories: You have opted out of Google's interest-based advertising. No interest categories are associated with your browser." To opt-out just go here: http://www.google.com/ads/preferences/html/intl/en/plugin/

I'm curious. Why do you want ads shown to you NOT be targeted? Unless you're using adblock, you should be seeing a whole bunch of crappy ads for fat-loss solutions, IQ tests, "Which way is this mannequin turning?", etc... (Disclaimer: I co-founded a company now helping companies target ads. People opting out won't harm me economically, but I'm really trying to understand people's objections).

Besides the technicalities, _targeting_ feels like the uncanny valley, it may get personal, but it's not a human doing the selling, like in a real coffee shop or grocery

Re: See what Google knows about you

#87

Post by unicornporn » Wed, Aug 03, 2011, 9:21 PM UTC

mikle wrote: post #82

mtogo wrote: post #55

Ghostery + AdBlock, no information about me.

Modified host file, no need to install software and it's multi-browser. No information about me.

tell me more about your hosts file.

Re: See what Google knows about you

#88

Post by danso » Wed, Aug 03, 2011, 10:22 PM UTC

Keep in mind that it's based on your current browser's cookies...I checked it at work and it says things like "Fiscal Policy News" and "Colleges and Universities" are among my interests...on my laptop, which I brought to work today, it's "Social Networks", "Soccer" and "Clubs & Nightlife"

Re: See what Google knows about you

#89

Post by glenstein » Wed, Aug 03, 2011, 10:49 PM UTC

gulbrandr wrote: post #24

hmm it does not work for me: http://i.imgur.com/SDvIl.png And my browser's cookies are not disabled.

Does this mean google has nothing on you (and me, I'm getting this message too), or that we just aren't seeing what google has on us?

Re: See what Google knows about you

#90

Post by kellishaver » Wed, Aug 03, 2011, 11:03 PM UTC

bad_user wrote: post #42

lallysingh wrote: post #35

This is my full list, and none of it is surprising. I'm just glad they don't assume I'm older :-) Arts & Entertainment - Movies - Science Fiction & Fantasy Films Computers & Electronics Computers & Electronics - Hardware - ... - Chips & Processors Computers & Electronics - Hardware - ... - Sound & Video Cards Computers & Electronics - Hardware - Laptops Computers & Electronics - Programming Computers & Electronics -…

I'm a 29 years old male, but according to Google I'm a 18-25 years old female. Oops.

Google got my gender wrong, too.

Here's my full list:

    Arts & Entertainment - Humor
    Arts & Entertainment - TV & Video - Sci-Fi & Fantasy Shows
    Computers & Electronics - Computer Security
    Computers & Electronics - Programming
    Computers & Electronics - Software - Business & Productivity Software
    Computers & Electronics - Software - Operating Systems - Mac OS
    Pets & Animals - Pets - Cats
    Pets & Animals - Pets - Dogs
    Shopping - Apparel - Casual Apparel - T-Shirts
    Shopping - Apparel - Costumes 
    World Localities - North America - USA - South (USA) - Kentucky
    Demographics - Age - 25-34
    Demographics - Gender - Male

Some interesting points here aside from the incorect gender, as well:

1. I've only had this computer for about 2wks.

2. In that time, I don't recall having consulted Google in any way regarding my dog or my cat, but it knows I have both... kind of disturbing.

3. Apparently one good search for inspiration/ideas about a LEGO minfig costume is enough to get costumes dumped into shopping categories.... but not LEGO.

4. Given that they tend to dump some things into ad preferences after only a casual search (or out of thin air in the case of the dog/cat), I'm surprised the "Programming" category doesn't have a more specific breakdown.