How Online Cookies Are Used for Internet Advertising
And no, this blog isn't about chocolate chip and Oreo cookies :-) We'd like to focus on internet cookies. First, let's discuss what cookies are and their purpose. A cookie is the term given to describe a type of message that is given to a Web browser by a Web server. The main purpose of a cookie is to identify users and possibly prepare customized Web pages or to save site login information for you (Beal, 2008).Varieties of internet cookies exist, but there are two main kinds of cookies. A session cookie is one that is erased when you close a Web browser. It is stored in temporary memory and is not retained after the browser is closed (Beal, 2008). A persistent cookie is the opposite. It is a cookie that is stored on your hard drive until it expires or until the user deletes the cookie (Beal, 2008). In essence, internet cookies are sophisticated enough to understand what type of information you're searching for, then display advertisements based on a previous search.
I was recently in the market to buy a new tablet. I did research on the iPad and Samsung tablets to compare price, quality, and ease of use. I went on websites like Target.com, Walmart.com and Bestbuy.com to find a tablet that would best suit my daily business and personal needs. After visiting these websites, I later visited Ebay.com. Before I even logged into my account, there were advertisements on Ebay showing tablets and electronics of all sorts!
Was Ebay following me? In short, they weren't but my online persistent cookies were. They had responded to my search patterns by displaying advertisements on future websites. This is not only a great business strategy, but it also helps businesses target the right audience.
What are your thoughts about the use of internet cookies to create online advertisements? Do you think they are smart and helpful or harmful and invasive as a consumer? Please explain.
Source:
Beal, V.. N.p.. Web. 5 Jun 2013 <http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Internet/2007/all_about_cookies.asp>.
Source:
Beal, V.. N.p.. Web. 5 Jun 2013 <http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Internet/2007/all_about_cookies.asp>.
This can work both negatively and positively. Recently, I was searching through Overstock and came across a very ugly pair of sandals, I clicked on them just to have a look out of pure curiosity as to who would want to cross Chaco's and Birkenstocks to make a sandal. It was honestly one of the ugliest things I've ever seen. Now, whenever I go to another site and Overstock is being displayed there, the Overstock Logo is laid over an image of those sandals. It makes me immediately ignore the Overstock ad, it negatively reminds me of the quality of merchandise offered there. Which is not a good impression, because depending on what you are looking for, Overstock could be a great place to shop. I think they are bit too invasive, but it doesn't look like they are ever going to be anything but invasive.
ReplyDeleteIn my point of view, cookies are really smart and the creation of it help a lot of business to be developed and well operated as you mentioned in your example about Ebay.com.
ReplyDeleteI want to share a similar experience happened to me when I was trying to book a ticket in United.com. I don’t actually what was the price of the ticket, but let’s say it was 700$. I checked it in my first time, it was 700$, but 26 hours later, I checked again, it was 760$. I think, the it is the role of cookies, my friend, he is an expert in computer programming, he told to delete the cookies and check the price again.
I just wanted to share my experience with you.
Cookies are a great tool to help businesses know their customers, however not all clicks on products mean that you are interested in the product...like Vince and those ugly sandals...Cookies should also take into account similar products you look at and customers should use that information before deciding you want or need their products!
ReplyDeleteI feel like this is a touchy subject because on the positive hand it can help customize the user experience by having more targeted information that is of value on the websites and will load things quicker but, on the negative hand there is information being placed on your computer that is pretty much like a stalker that has been following you everywhere around the web and taking notes. I wonder if maybe all websites should ask permission to place cookies because I've seen some websites ask permission, but not many. I'm not sure what the rules are on this, but it may be something we should all keep an eye on and be aware of.
ReplyDeleteResponse By: Anthony McCollum
In regards to internet cookies, although I find them invasive. I feel it is a great tool that should be used for companies. Online viewers will see hundreds of ads on the internet regardless of whether their cookies are being collected or not. The difference is that the viewer can now see an ad that may be appealing to them instead of a non interesting ad. Collecting viewers cookies and utilizing tat data is a very popular big data application and key for better advertising.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that internet cookies are a great idea. People always encounter advertisements online whether they want to or not, and it can be quite frustrating. However, with these cookies, people can see the advertisements that they are actually interested in. I believe that this is a great tool for shielding people from encountering ads they have absolutely no interest in.
ReplyDeleteAs for privacy concerns, people can always delete their cookies and never have anything stored (it honestly doesn't get any better than that when it comes to online security). I'm not seeing any huge issues they impose other than the fact that they help select specific ads to show. In a way, they actually make it easier to find items we are already searching for.