Fewer "adult" banner ads

[ichadwick]

All these banner ads for "cougars" and single men or women looking to hook up for affairs - is that the proper image for the ukulele community? They're pretty trashy - not pornographic, but of questionable taste and morality. Maybe you ought to filter what sort of ads you want to host.

 

[Pueo]

All these banner ads for "cougars" and single men or women looking to hook up for affairs - is that the proper image for the ukulele community? They're pretty trashy - not pornographic, but of questionable taste and morality. Maybe you ought to filter what sort of ads you want to host.

I thought that Google ads are a result of what websites YOU frequent, not what UU chooses to host. Different people will see different ads based on their location and browsing history. Or you may sign up for UU VIP and not see any ads at all.

 

[ichadwick]

I thought that Google ads are a result of what websites YOU frequent, not what UU chooses to host. Different people will see different ads based on their location and browsing history. Or you may sign up for UU VIP and not see any ads at all.

Well, since I never visit those sites and I'm using the municipal iPad tonight (which is NEVER used for even suggestive or controversial websites), it isn't based on what I frequent. In fact, I think I've only been on UU on this tablet twice before.

I'm a cranky senior with a solid marriage I would never jeopardize, loudly socialist and atheist views. I visit news sites, political and historical sites. Musical sites. Gardening sites. I read media/newspapers from India, China, Mexico and England as well as the US and Canada. I read literary sites about Shakespeare, Chaucer and Machiavelli. I visit sites that have science news, and revel in the latest breakthroughs in paleontology. I write about tequila, Henry Hudson, the history of motorcycles, municipal politics and film noir.

So it's not based on my personal history. I have no interest in that sort of pap. Never have, never will. I'd rather be caught listening to rap or country music before I was caught visiting them.

As I understand it, the host for these ads can filter what sort of ads get seen. I don't want to see ads for "cougar life" or other such dreck. It will certainly discourage me from recommending UU or showing it to others if that sort of ad pops up.

 

[CoLmes]

Yeah I think it is all on the sites you frequent, for example I am on a lot of photo websites and right now I'm seeing an ad from lensrentals.com

Pretty sure the guys can't go through a checklist and pick the websites that are shown - other wise I really don't see them picking a cougar site to be shown here haha.

Better checkout whose been using your tablet when you're not around since you're so squeaky clean!

 

[CoLmes]

What you coooould do is become a VIP and not see any ads at all!

 

[connor013]

I'm thinking about dropping my VIP status so I can see the ads!

 

[Faricelli]

What you coooould do is become a VIP and not see any ads at all!

I agree. I know that those ads are in some way related to what you look up. Based on your history, they probably think you are an older, alcoholic, motorcycle gang member. Whose obsession with science and literary sites makes you a prime candidate for someone who doesn't have a partner.

 

[UkeKiddinMe]

Haven't seen any hook up ads here. Right now I'm staring at an ad for a grocery store.

 

[Mxyzptik]

Well, I don't frequent "THOSE " sites either but I don't think it's accurate or fair to suggest that only those who do get the trashy ad's. Not related to this site but in my emails I get a barrage of ads for penis enhancers ( how did they know ? ) pain killers like vicodin, percocet and Rolex watches. They will stop for a while and I think OK I've got it solved then it starts again.

I heard that someone once said that the internet is the great un-edited Ganges of information...holy and filled with s** at the same time. I think it was some fellow who builds beautiful Ukuleles out of exotic salvaged trees but who can be sure ???

 

[Macmuse]

Perhaps there's a default set of some sort when there isn't enough history to build from. I see shoes, Williams Sonoma... oriental rugs... and books for kids ;P

 

[glass]

I got a real estate one, gotta stop looking for houses....

 

[Newportlocal]

Leisure world and AARP here.

 

[connor013]

Just logged out (so I could see what the interwebs knows about my shopping preferences)......

Maytag?! Seriously anti-climactic.

 

[Gadzukes!]

It isn't necessarily just what you search. For example, earlier I responded to a post about someone taking a trip to Maui. Lo and behold, the next ad was for snorkeling in Maui. The ads are not completely random, but that doesn't mean they're targeted exactly. Either way, they should be able to tweak the ad network settings to not allow those types of ads.

 

[coolkayaker1]

Well, I don't frequent "THOSE " sites either but I don't think it's accurate or fair to suggest that only those who do get the trashy ad's.

It's not a suggestion. It's the way it works. It's a fact.

 

[Gadzukes!]

It's not a suggestion. It's the way it works. It's a fact.

I disagree with this statement. Google looks at a LOT of things to help them decide what ads to serve up, and there's no reason to start accusing Ian of anything unseemly.

There was a story a couple years ago of a guy who got a "Dear John" email from his girlfriend. At the side of the Gmail web page were ads for singles. Google is very sneaky about what they use to guess what you want to see. Sounds like they got it wrong.

See here to find out what Google "knows" about you: https://www.google.com/settings/ads...W_zIpACy5xqGoZJtQGKV5UawFoh2uSPgJOJG18E&hl=en

 

[coolkayaker1]

there's no reason to start accusing Ian of anything unseemly.

Nothing I or anyone else has written is accusing anyone of anything.

If anyone finds the ads they see (since we all don't see their ads) unseemly, they should contact Google.

 

[hoosierhiver]

My wife is from Thailand and we look at a lot of Thai related sites and thus I seem to get a lot of ads for Asian singles and such, could be something seemingly unrelated that puts you in a certain sales demographic.

 

[Mandalyn]

For the longest time I had advertisements for mandolins. Now I have advertisements for teaching stuff.

 

[Tailgate]

I predict this post will get a ton of views