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Ask HN: How was this ad targeted to me?

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Re: Ask HN: How was this ad targeted to me?

#11

Post by stygiansonic »

NKCSS wrote: post #3

It's called re-targeting. You can use javascript to put users into a segment and re-target that segement; it's really easy. If you use the biggest ad-exchange (AppNexus) you can be sure to reach just about anyone anywhere.

This is correct. Retargeting is one of the most valued aspects of adtech.

Manufacturers website contains an iframe to the ad networks website. They signed up for this by placing JS snippet from the ad network on their site that created the iframe. This allows ad network to know that you've visited by placing cookie. Next time you visit site that shows ads from this network they can inspect cookie and show you the retargeted ads.

Could have been FB in this case. Their ad platform definitely allows for retargeting.

Re: Ask HN: How was this ad targeted to me?

#12

Post by thom_nic »

NKCSS wrote: post #3

It's called re-targeting. You can use javascript to put users into a segment and re-target that segement; it's really easy. If you use the biggest ad-exchange (AppNexus) you can be sure to reach just about anyone anywhere.

How is it OK to do this if the browser is sending DNT? Is it really voluntary on the part of the ad network and they can just choose to ignore it?

Re: Ask HN: How was this ad targeted to me?

#13

Post by mrgreenfur »

thom_nic wrote: post #12
NKCSS wrote: post #3

It's called re-targeting. You can use javascript to put users into a segment and re-target that segement; it's really easy. If you use the biggest ad-exchange (AppNexus) you can be sure to reach just about anyone anywhere.

How is it OK to do this if the browser is sending DNT? Is it really voluntary on the part of the ad network and they can just choose to ignore it?

Yes, most of them just ignore it.

Re: Ask HN: How was this ad targeted to me?

#14

Post by chmackenzie »

Logging out of Facebook doesn't mean they won't be able to track you. Your browser fingerprint is likely tracked. If you've logged into Facebook at home, and you've logged into a computer at work, Audience Network likely figures out that your residential IP is your home, and an aggregated commercial network is your work.

If you visited the manufacturer's site, you would have hit a re-targeting pixel for the network, that will track you around the internet to remind you. At work, on your phone, at school, and at home.

Re: Ask HN: How was this ad targeted to me?

#15

Post by sundaeofshock »

The answer is cookies. Facebook sets multiple cookies on your browser that do not expire and are not deleted when you logout. By logging in at work and home, you are making it trivial for them to track you. They also set this cookie when you intract with a Facebook like, share, comment or use Facebook to log-in to a third-party site.

A few suggestions to help mitigate this:

- Use a browser dedicated to all your social media browsing and another browser for everything else. Say Firefox for Facebook and Twitter, and Chrome for everything else. That will restrict what they can capture. - Browser Facebook in your browser's incognito it private mode. - Minimize third-party links you follow from your Facebook timeline. And don't shop and Facebook in the same browser! - Don't interact with Facebook outside of their actual site. This includes likes and comments. - Don't use Facebook as your log-in credential. - Use an ad blocker! - Have your browsers delete all cookies on log out. This is both your day-to-day and social media browsers. Facebook is not the only media company tracking you.

Re: Ask HN: How was this ad targeted to me?

#16

Post by Kostic »

thom_nic wrote: post #12
NKCSS wrote: post #3

It's called re-targeting. You can use javascript to put users into a segment and re-target that segement; it's really easy. If you use the biggest ad-exchange (AppNexus) you can be sure to reach just about anyone anywhere.

How is it OK to do this if the browser is sending DNT? Is it really voluntary on the part of the ad network and they can just choose to ignore it?

That is correct. Ad networks aren't obligated to obey 'Do not Track' requests.

Re: Ask HN: How was this ad targeted to me?

#17

Post by masukomi »

Bedon292 wrote: post #10

Facebook doesn't need to be open in a tab for it to know it was you on that site, and you don't even need to be signed in. You and your computers are connected, even if you think you are careful. If you have ever signed into FB from home, they know that machine / ip / whatever fingerprint is you. Even after you sign out, its still out. Even if you are in ingocnito mode, its still probably you. Then you sign in to FB…

as someone who used to work for a targeted advertising co i can confirm that, overall, this is pretty accurate. And, nearly a decade ago we were doing work to connect fingerprint x and fingerprint y when they were actually the same person (usually on different computers or maybe in incognito). Conceptually it wasn't hard. People tend behave the same way regardless of what computer they're on. I'd be VERY surprised to hear that Google hasn't made a ton of progress in connecting fingerprints

Re: Ask HN: How was this ad targeted to me?

#18

Post by sundaeofshock »

Bedon292 wrote: post #10

Facebook doesn't need to be open in a tab for it to know it was you on that site, and you don't even need to be signed in. You and your computers are connected, even if you think you are careful. If you have ever signed into FB from home, they know that machine / ip / whatever fingerprint is you. Even after you sign out, its still out. Even if you are in ingocnito mode, its still probably you. Then you sign in to FB…

IP Tracking is not enough to get an individual. They can get a household or business that way. They can track you by your specific browser signature: combo of user agent, plugins, etc. Which is why I like to use a browser dedicated to social media. I also have a computer provided by my employer as well as my own personal device. This helps a lot.

Re: Ask HN: How was this ad targeted to me?

#19

Post by masukomi »

sundaeofshock wrote: post #15

The answer is cookies. Facebook sets multiple cookies on your browser that do not expire and are not deleted when you logout. By logging in at work and home, you are making it trivial for them to track you. They also set this cookie when you intract with a Facebook like, share, comment or use Facebook to log-in to a third-party site. A few suggestions to help mitigate this: - Use a browser dedicated to all your socia…

i assure you, that you can still be tracked without cookies. It's not as easy, but it's definitely possible to fingerprint a browser and track its requests to a server even if there aren't cookies. The level of confidence will be good enough for advertising.
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