I use a number of different "sandboxes" when I access the internet at home. What this basically means is that individual tasks (eg: banking, shopping, blogging, email, general browsing) are done in their own individual browsers that can't interact with each other, or with the wider operating system. It's primarily a safety measure, but it also means that advertising networks, which track you across multiple websites, see me as a bunch of different people rather than a single user.
There's a couple of sandboxes I use for accessing sites that are, shall we say, a little bit less than reputable; and one thing I'm finding interesting at the moment is how the advertising between them differs. See if you can spot what I'm getting at …
In one, I see a lot of pictures like this:
With captions like this:
- Female body-builders you won't believe.
- Make real money working from home.
- Types of men you should definitely avoid.
- Mistakes you're making with your bra.
- Best looking men in sport.
- Sleeping positions explained.
Along with A LOT of weight-loss ads. Somewhat disturbingly, however, these particular ads have gone from looking like this …
… to looking more like this.
So … the old after image is … the new before image?
The ads in sandbox #2 tend to be a little less diverse. However, like the weight-loss ads in sandbox #1, they have also changed noticeably over time — sorta. The pickies have always looked like this …
… but the captions that accompany them, have progressed through the following stages:
- Find hot single women in your area.
- Meet desperate single women in your area tonight.
- Desperate married women in your neighbourhood are looking for sex right now.
- Join if you are willing to fuck ugly bitches at a moment's notice.
- STOP BEING LONELY!
Which kind of makes me wonder; does this reflect a changing opinion of what the ad networks think of me in particular, or is it a shifting trend in how they advertise to the other 50% of the population?
… Kind of a depressing thought, isn't it?
What kind of ads do you get from the sites you visit; or are you a blocker?
2 comments :
What sort of sites? I don't think the ads on the news sites I visit are targeted at me. Facebook targets me as a woman who wants to use cosmetics, lose weight, get a Barclays card, buy shit. I use little make-up and don't even have scales, hate shopping as it happens
What kind of sites? Mostly forum/torrent/sharing/art/hacker/humour/porn websites with little or no rules or moderation. I like to go exploring in the shady recesses of the web from time to time. Some of the places I end up are pretty rough and I wouldn't recommend checking them out if you have a weak constitution or an unsecured web browser. There's a good chance that either you or your computer could end up feeling a little bit ill.
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I also don't use make-up, don't monitor my weight, don't buy things on credit, and don't enjoy shopping. What's wrong with us, Squib?
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