no, you’re just basic
I’m so tired of this
Bro – Instagram is totally listening to me. I know I never looked [insert thing] up – but Insta knew and is advertising it to me!
Folks, I am exhausted by this. I do not believe that Instagram, Facebook, or any of the prominent social media sites are listening to you – and those who swear that they are? Well – prove it or stop talking about it. As I said, I’m exhausted.
But – because I have this conversation so often I’ve decided to consolidate my thoughts here and then just direct anyone who after a few beers is inclined to argue with me to just read this post rather than having to outline my argument, again.
Here’s my take: Social Media platforms do not listen to you, and they do not generate advertising ideas from listening to you. There is no proof of this. If you think they are doing this you believe that some of the largest companies in the world are consistently breaking the law in front of all our eyes. I’m not saying that companies don’t do that – but if you believe that the apps are listening then you have to admit that the Apps are lying to consumers and breaking (at least) securities law.
I don’t believe that they are because it’s so needlessly complicated! All the way back in 2012 there were a flurry of articles written about Target’s marketing department and how they clued-in a pregnant girl’s father to the fact that her daughter was pregnant due to the coupons Target was sending the house (diapers, baby clothes, etc…). This was in 2012 using essentially just Target purchase data. If this kind of predicative analysis were possible nearly 10 years ago with far less data then we provide advertisers today — why do we immediately jump to the “listening” excuse?
Maybe the uncomfortable truth is that we’re all more predictable than we’d like to admit. Whether it’s mattresses, briefcases, Lululemon-style pants, most people our age are interested in similar, popular, items. And surprise surprise! That’s what kind of products are being developed and then advertised to us.
I mean hell — I know John Oliver can be annoying, but watch this segment on Data Brokers:
They can literally re-identify you from thousands of anonymized datapoints so I don’t think it’s wildly out of the question that they can “predict” what you’re interested in! I mean come on!
But Duncan — I SWEAR, I never ever in a thousand years looked up anything like the thing that was advertised to me. Ok — then it’s either dumb luck or you’re just that predictable.
But Duncan – the NSA spied on use and that was secret until we found out! Now that’s an interesting point – but no one can prove a negative. I am more than happy to be proven wrong at some later date if this does end up being true, but based on what you know now you’re engaging in conspiracy.
But Duncan — I, I, I, just think they do! That’s fine. That’s okay. We don’t have to agree on everything — but let’s move on to the next topic, which could not possibly be less interesting than this.