I was just minding my own business, eating a ham sandwich and goofing off a little before I got back to work when it happen. A friend posted a video link on Facebook (Dave Chappell – Turn My Headphones Up) and I thought I could use a chuckle. Then bam, it happen…I had been “retargeted”! I was retargeted with an ad for my own book. Retargeting is a method of advertising that uses behavioral tactics to figure out which products are on your mind, and then show ads for them on as many websites they visit as possible. It’s kind of like a stalker that just wants you to buy crap all day.

How it works:

(Graphic from ReTargeter.com)

When you visit any website it stores a cookie on your system (my cookies must show that I check my book sale numbers every 10 minutes). I then began to see advertisements for social media books (including SocializeWith.Me  Or Someone Else Will (sorry had to plug it)). One of the reasons the ad came up is because I was visiting my own Amazon link (a lot)…someone that has no interest in my book, social media, or me (those people exist?)  would see completely different ads. I’m not really sure how to feel about this. I can see the benefits for many of my clients, but I am not sure if the outrage from customers that feel that their privacy has been invaded would be worth it.

Thoughts?