I could think of sophisticated methods, but maybe the simple answer is that refusing cookies doesn't actually do anything?
Ask HN: Refusing all cookies, still targeted by ads. How?
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On a blank new work computer using Chrome but not logged in, I refuse all cookies but still see myself being tracked, for example by ads targeted to my surf history.
Re: Ask HN: Refusing all cookies, still targeted by ads. How?
#2There are plenty of ways to fingerprint you aside from cookies, as you’ve probably surmised (“sophisticated methods”).
Re: Ask HN: Refusing all cookies, still targeted by ads. How?
#3You need tracker blocking extensions, and/or a "degoogled" version of Chrome like Thorium or Brave.
My usual loadout is Thorium + the EFF's Privacy Badger extension, and sometimes UBO.
Re: Ask HN: Refusing all cookies, still targeted by ads. How?
#4I've noticed Google now syphons data from my searches to feed my youtube recommendations, always felt like two separate systems until about a month ago.
Re: Ask HN: Refusing all cookies, still targeted by ads. How?
#5There are plenty of ways to fingerprint you aside from cookies, as you’ve probably surmised (“sophisticated methods”).
Such as your IP address hehehe. Super sophisticated.
Most IPs don’t change that much.
Browse on Tor if you really want to avoid tracking.
Re: Ask HN: Refusing all cookies, still targeted by ads. How?
#6It doesn't depend on cookies or any other site settings. just use an ad-blocker.
Re: Ask HN: Refusing all cookies, still targeted by ads. How?
#7There are plenty of ways to fingerprint you aside from cookies, as you’ve probably surmised (“sophisticated methods”).
Such as your IP address hehehe. Super sophisticated. Most IPs don’t change that much. Browse on Tor if you really want to avoid tracking.
With Comcast, I can change my IP address on-demand by spoofing my router's MAC address.
Re: Ask HN: Refusing all cookies, still targeted by ads. How?
#8There are so many ways to track you. Think about the combination of ip address, user agent string, display resolution, supported apis on your browser version. They might already be unique among everyone who uses your ip.
Re: Ask HN: Refusing all cookies, still targeted by ads. How?
#9Use a vpn and disposable VMs and then you can even allow cookies. If that isn't practical you will have to disable js to prevent fingerprinting.
Although, while fingerprinting is a thing, most people get targeted because they use their home IP. This is one good reason why a good vpn provider is better than wireguard on a vps.