An Ad Made Specially For You
Louise Story in this post at the New York Times Bits blog looks at an interesting viewpoint. “Can ad giants show you an advertisement with your name in it?”
This question highlights their ability to connect personal data that presumably you volunteered when registering for e-mail or other services to advertisements. In this example, I asked them if they could fulfill a request from Procter & Gamble to run Tide ads that include the viewer’s name. (Mine might say: “Louise, Buy Tide Today.”)
Microsoft says it could use only a person’s first name. AOL and Yahoo could use a full name but only on their sites, not the other sites on which they place ads. Google isn’t sure; it probably could, but it doesn’t know the names of most of its users.
Privacy issues aside, I am surprised that I have not seen any sites which provide me with ads of their own products built around my preferences. For instance, if I am shopping at Rediff, and and my history as a registered member shows an inclination towards suspense novels, would it not help to show me personalized ads of the latest suspense novels? I would be more apt to notice an ad with my name on it.
What do you think? Would you consider it an invasion on your privacy or look at it as a waiter in a restaurant who remembers your tastes?
Filed under: Business