Gmail and Google Ads June 6
Posted by Tanya.
Let me start with this topic: Gmail and Google Ads
Does it bother anyone else that Google is reading their email? I use Google’s gmail for my personal email and I notice that the Google ads to the right of my email are generally related to the content in the email I’m reading. For instance, I do some volunteering for the Idaho Humane Society and I was reading an email the other day about a dog that needed a foster home – to the right of that email was a list of Google ads (Powered by Google AdSense) with various listings for puppy and dog related sites.
Then when I skip over to an email regarding our search engine marketing services I see ads related to that topic. I guess I shouldn’t balk since they are providing me with free email and a huge 2+ Gig inbox but I still find it a little infringing. I mean, what if I’m suicidal and I’m emailing the suicide hotline? Will Google present me with several suicide options – perhaps where I can get the price on a gun or maybe which prescription I should request from my doctor. I’m obviously being facetious but I’m still not sure how I feel about them reading my email to target ads to me.
I realize Google is trying to offer me relevant ads – in fact this is what they say about these ads at the Gmail Help Center:
What are these links?
Gmail uses a completely automated process to provide useful information and relevant ads in the sidebar of your Gmail account pages.
They did tell me this when I clicked through to the Ads and Related pages:
“No humans will read the content of your email in order to target such advertisements or related information.”
Gee I feel better. But I guess as a result, sometimes they are way off. For example, I was reading an email about my Del.icio.us registration and to the right was this ad:
AARP Benefits for Seniors
Ages 50+ Save on Travel, Health, Home & More. $12.50/year. Join Now!
www.aarp.org
Interesting, since I’m only 36. Let’s not rush it Google. Well, at least I know some of my personal information is still safe… but for how long?
