mattwnz:

 

I was verbally asked a question about what those black fan things are on wood burners. This was in earshot of my android phone. I knew what it was and didn't need to look it up. The next thing I have been getting adverts for them on instagram / facebook. It is really creepy how that happened, as it can't be a coincidence, as it is such a specific type of product. It is possible that someone else on my IP typed in the question on an ipad, but then it would be basing it the search on the IP. But I know of other people who say they have been discussing something, and they later see advertising for what they were discussing.

 

Yes, it can be and is a coincidence. If someone verbally asked you the question, it's a given that they're already looking at the thing in some other way, and as previously mentioned Facebook frequently targets things at connections to try and strike up discussions about products. While I do feel declaring all advertising as some form of nefarious psycho-warfare is way over the top and a bit tinfoil hat, I would happily describe Facebook's advertising practices as manipulative, intrusive and malevolent. 

ripdog:

 

If web publishers were serious about tackling the abuses and excesses of the web tracking and advertising monstrosity, we'd have some kind of micropayment system by now. Ideally, one which solves the biggest problem with micropayments - the purchase decision. Ideally would be a fixed fee which my browser splits between the websites I view automatically and privately, meaning I don't have to worry about deciding to spend money on each link I click.

 

Vehemently disagree. Giving Google, Apple, and Microsoft that kind of power over site publishers as well as that kind of insight into everyone on Earth's browsing activity is absolute madness. And as to micropayments, where does it end? Isn't it bad enough every app is a subscription now instead of a one time purchase, you also want every website to charge an entry fee? Hard pass.

Unobstrusive ads (you know, like those old Google text and static image ads) are a decent middle ground, though the reality is that paywalls are likely coming to everywhere they can. I'd at least like to see those paywalls not lock out one time visitors but rather hold out the begging bowl once you're seen to be a repeat visitor.