The Target of Ads

Advertisements are designed to target people’s curiosity, encouraging them to buy products or engage with various promotions ads target you and they are the backbone of websites. They often focus on the interests of potential customers, making it more likely that individuals will make purchases or download apps. Young adults are a primary target for advertisements because their minds are still developing, and their inherent curiosity often leads them to try new things. Advertisements typically include clickable links placed throughout web pages. When someone clicks these links—whether intentionally or accidentally—advertisers can collect information about that person’s online searches. This data collection is largely enabled by cookies, which track browsing habits.

For instance, when watching YouTube, the ads are tailored to reflect personal interests, aiming to drive purchases. Similarly, mobile game advertisements promote games or apps that are the same as one’s online activity. You might wonder what type of person advertisers believe you are. The connection lies in how they target your likes and interests based on your online presence. However, this often contrasts with one’s true identity. A prime example of this when the websites you click on have cookies and it gives you a warning saying cookies are on the website it puts little things you wouldn’t notice when on the website so then when you click on something in the website it looks at you search history.

For example, I may prefer outdoor activities like riding a snowmobile, reflecting a more mature perspective, while my advertising identity suggests I am a young kid. When I choose to enjoy activities like snowmobiling instead of watching YouTube, that decision reveals my actual identity. In contrast, the ads I receive while on YouTube—promoting games or apps—are a product of my advertising identity, influenced by cookies linked to my online behavior. Online Platforms Platforms such as YouTube and Spotify also use algorithms to provide song and playlist recommendations based on predicted enjoyment, further blurring the line between actual and advertising identities.

In conclusion, advertisements are crafted to capture curiosity, ultimately leading to purchases of promoted content. Often, our actual and advertising identities differ since individuals behave differently online compared to real life. Almost everything you click on or watch results in personalized advertisements tailored to your interests. Search engines and online platforms continuously monitor your activity, fine-tuning their understanding of your preferences based on your search behavior. Consequently, it’s important to be cautious about your online searches and the information you share.

“Target practice” by zoomar is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.