AdSense ignoring opt out of interest based ads

[hannamyluv]

So the set up is that I run my own sites, but once in a while, I take on a little consulting work as a favor to a friend who runs an SEO firm. Lately I have been working on a client who has NOTHING to do with my niche. So far outside of my niche that one could say they were polar opposites. Different demos from gender to age group to related interests. Been spending some time on the clients site recently to do consulting.

Today, when I visited my own site, I am getting ads for that exact client. Trust me - no way this client has any relation to my site other than I visited their site a few times last week. I went and checked my setting and yes, I am certainly opted out of displaying interest based ads.

In the past month or so, my CTR dropped. It is the off season in my niche, so I wasn't concerned, but now I wonder. Is Google just ignoring my interest ad opt-out and this is why my CTR (and money) has dropped?

[cien]

[google.com...]

[hannamyluv]

Yes, and as stated I double checked that I was opted out. Since you missed that from my original post, I will state more clearly. I opted out at the begining, never have turned it on, went and checked today when I noticed just in case I had lost my mind between then ond now and had somehow turned it on.

Yep, 100% certain, really, really turned off. Clear enough now?

The reason I am asking is because I have seen G screwing up and enormous amount of things over the past few months. It seems no product has escaped errors over the past 2 months. I am just wondering if this is yet another one.

[radix]

for hannamyluv and all those deceived by G's BIG FAT DECEIT:

However, you cannot opt out of showing ads to users based on their previous interactions with the advertiser, such as visits to an advertiser's website.

[cien]

Yes, and as stated I double checked that I was opted out. Since you missed that from my original post, I will state more clearly. I opted out at the begining, never have turned it on, went and checked today when I noticed just in case I had lost my mind between then ond now and had somehow turned it on.

Yep, 100% certain, really, really turned off. Clear enough now?"

Hannamyluv, I didn't miss what you said in your original post. Go to the link I posted and read what the above user just posted. ;)

[edited by: cien at 2:57 pm (utc) on Dec 1, 2010]

[hannamyluv]

Grrr...

All right, it was before my morning Red Bull. ;)

[cien]

Please mods delete this post. I replied on the wrong thread. Thanks.

[AndyA]

It's rather astonishing when this happens, isn't it? What shocked me was a site you visit doesn't even have to have AdSense on it for ads for that company to follow you around. Just using Google Analytics on a site is all it takes.

I wonder if these corporate sites that use Analytics realize their AdWords dollars are being used to follow people around the Internet. After all, I found the site without any assistance from an ad, and the fact that ads stalked me for weeks later was rather annoying. If I were considering doing business with that company, I would reconsider based on being stalked.

Targeting ads is great, but when people feel like they're being stalked it goes a bit too far, and I believe these privacy concerns will be the downfall of companies who go too far.

[buckworks]

Just using Google Analytics on a site is all it takes.

If an advertiser wants to display remarketing ads to people who have visited his/her site, more is required than merely using Google Analytics.

Remarketing requires that advertisers create "audiences" within their AdWords account, then install the codes on the pages specific to that audience. Users who visit a page with the code will get cookied, and *may* later see ads from the campaign(s) the advertiser has designated. Remarketing ads have to compete in the AdWords auction along with every other kind of ad.

Audiences are set up using parameters of the advertiser's choice. Audiences could range from something simple like "everyone who visits any page on our site" or more complex like "users who viewed purple widgets but not blue ones".

It's worth noting that while advertisers can choose how they define their audiences, nothing within the AdWords account identifies any individuals who are seeing the follow-up ads.

Savvy advertisers don't allow their remarketing ads to just run willy-nilly; they set careful limits on how often an individual user will see the follow-up ads. Only a stupid advertiser will make you feel stalked.

[netmeg]

That said - there are definitely a lot of stupid (or just plain uneducated) advertisers. I'm on record as being stalked everywhere I go by a giant glazed donut.

[Webwork]

I'm on record as being stalked everywhere I go by a giant glazed donut.

In the future we will be judged by the ads that follow us around. :-/

Netmeg, my inner Homer Simpson kinda likes what's following you. Mind if I tag along? ;)

[koan]

I was stalked by an ad recently to the point where it reminded me to erase all my cookies, as I do every so often. I stopped seeing it afterward.

[netmeg]

Netmeg, my inner Homer Simpson kinda likes what's following you. Mind if I tag along? ;)

D'oh-kay!

[onepointone]

I was stalked by an ad recently to the point where it reminded me to erase all my cookies

Same here, I kept seeing the same exact ad on every page I visited, no matter the content. Interest Based ads is misnamed. I call them Annoyance Based ads:)

Ads following you around used to be, (still is?) a clue that you might have adware/malware on your machine. A fine line I guess.