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You did some overtime at work and wish to treat yourself with a new smartphone. You've searched on Amazon.com for the right phone, but you change your mind. You decide not to proceed with the purchase.
On another site, you see an ad that advertises the same smartphone. A few days later, that same ad shows up again as you peruse the Internet.
This happens because advertisers monitor what pages you visit. They also create a profile based on your browsing history. Ad companies use that data to target ads based on your consumer choices.
Marketers also utilize persuasive techniques in advertising to nudge you into buying products. For example, they use call-to-actions and fear-based claims to sell you their products. This article will show you how advertisers track your online and offline behavior.
Read on if you wish to know more about creative advertising techniques.
The Tracking Method
When you visit a site, it might have a tracker that pinpoints your cookie. From there, ad firms can follow your browsing patterns. They use this info to create a profile about you that's based on the following factors:
- Buying habits
- Website tastes
- Product choices
If a website contains a tracker, the company behind the website hired an ad company to track you. Many companies hire ad firms to monitor target demographics. After, the advertisers will send you ads based on your profile.
The volume of ads depends on the ad company. But marketers tend to send an overabundance of ads, even if you already purchased a product. Effective advertising will also use less aggressive methods, such as call-to-actions.
A call-to-action (CTA) encourages the reader to take action in some form, such as clicking on another link or buying a product directly. Telling consumers what to do is one of the most effective strategies for different types of propaganda.
Offline marketing is also an efficient advertising mechanism.
For mobile devices, geofencing mobile advertising is a popular advertising avenue. It allows companies to send users ads based on physical activity and location.
Consumer tracking also allows them to know your true identity, whether you're online or offline.
Can They Really Identify Me?
Advertisers will tell you that your name is secure. However, they can identify the devices you use and discover your personal info.
Advertisers can also confirm your identity through email.
- Example: If you give your email to a store clerk, the company can sell your email address to advertisers.
Moreover, spy agencies such as the NSA use piggybacking techniques to identify users. The NSA also allegedly uses data from advertisers to track citizens.
A rogue employee from a private or government agency could steal your data and use it for nefarious purposes. Your data could also be susceptible to leakers or hackers.
How Can I Escape Advertising Techniques?
Overall, it's hard to escape advertising techniques. However, it's possible by clearing your cookies or using some browsers. Tor is one of the best alternative browsers to use if you're looking for complete privacy.
Data and online privacy are hot-button issues in today's world. To learn more about Big Data, read this post.
