What Kinds Of Ads Are Shown? - Travelling

An Observation

[LostOne]

An interesting tidbit for those that wonder what kind of ads are displayed in different parts of the USA, but it isn't perfect science. I've been travelling and wondered what the ads look like. Are they different, do they target local or what?

I'm on Verizon wireless.

When in Dallas I was getting local targeted Dallas ads. Move on to New Mexico (NM) and I get SF bay area ads. Now I'm in Tucson, AZ and I'm getting the same. My logs shows Verizon spotted my connection from San Jose, CA when in NM and this morning Gardnerville, Nevada.

Most ads however are the same as what I would see at home. Same sources. I'll be interested to see what hard line connection ads look like...probably more on target with the geographic location.

[farmboy]

Interesting experiment. I'm curious about your Verizon wireless connection, do you mean you use their card in your computer or are you viewing the Internet on a cell phone or other handheld device?

If it's the latter, I've been considering it myself. Is it reliable/viable as a full-time Internet source? Do you have cable, DSL or some other type of Internet connection at home?

FarmBoy

[NewcastleB]

I always assumed that AS showed some ads targeted by location. I'm on Verizon Wireless too, and I've noticed that websites that use geo location think I'm sometimes in GA, Fl, Al, or MO, but I never thought about checking the ads on my site to see how they changed. Next time I pick up Kansas City IP, I'll be sure to have a look.

@ Farm Boy - I use a USB device to connect my computer to VZW service. It's not as fast or stable as cable or DSL, but from what I've read it's better than satellite which is my only other choice.

[LostOne]

USB connection for the wireless. It really depends on the location for speed. I've charted it as low as 175 Kbps (home/mountains/rural) and as high of 785(metro Dallas & Tucson) so far.

[reviews.cnet.com...]

DSL at home. I do miss the Comcast speed after I moved to the mountains.

[edited by: LostOne at 3:43 pm (utc) on Jan. 15, 2009]

[skweb]

Ads do vary by location and I have done the test overseas as well. Google does not always get it right, though. For example, on my Spanish website, when viewed in India, the ads were in English. Hmmm...if someone is reading a Spanish web page, no matter where they are, shouldn't the ads be in Spanish too?

[farmboy]

I use a USB device to connect my computer to VZW service. It's not as fast or stable as cable or DSL, but from what I've read it's better than satellite which is my only other choice.

Any idea how the speed/stability compares to dial-up?

USB connection for the wireless.

USB connection, Hmmm. I thought their card went into your PCMCIA card port. Am I way behind the times or what?

FarmBoy

[NewcastleB]

Any idea how the speed/stability compares to dial-up?

My connection blows dial up out of the water. I'm getting 1000 - 1300 Kbps most of the time. It's dropped to 100-400 before, but usually speeds back up after an hour or so. But it all depends on the cellular coverage in your area and how many people are using the particular tower you're connecting through. I'm also going through a Verizon reseller, so I don't have a contract or a 5GB/month cap.

[icedowl]

Hmmm from here too. Might just be a Verizon thing.

I have Verizon DSL here at home. When I reboot my router, I've seen my home IP come up with locations in San Diego, New York and most often somewhere in the Bay area of California. Gardnerville Nevada is only 10 miles away but I haven't had an IP from there since I switched from dial-up.