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AJgriffinAug 10, 2010
It's a little unsettling..
autonomicAug 11, 2010
But, at the same time, it makes sense. We get high quality, free access to the best internet search engine on the internet. And, being that they are a business and need to stay profitable to stay in business, it only makes sense that they use the information. I mean, if you don't want them to have something don't give it to them.
jakem1Aug 11, 2010
That's all well and good but it's not at all obvious to the average user that this is what Google are up to. Sure, you might be able to find a list of things that Google records each time you use their services and you might even be able to find a list of things they do with the data they collect. However, it's not obvious and I've never been asked to opt in or out.
When I pay for a normal product I hand over cash and know what I'm getting for my money. When I use Google's services I have no idea what happens to my personal info. or how long it will be used for.
frontaxleAug 11, 2010
They must have dozens of computers, each connected with thick piping and each one having its own external hard drives.
pw378Aug 11, 2010
At least... several dozen computers at least. :/ </s>
rhydebleAug 11, 2010
The more targeted adds get, the more fun they bring.
There's nothing more satisfying then watching a video about the wrongdoings of say, scientology, and having a big "join us now" banner at the top of the page.
b1kerguyAug 11, 2010
Google and Facebook are the most potentially DANGEROUS information leak spots on the net. These two collect more info about you than ANY other social media based web company. Be very careful what you give EITHER of these companies in the form of your personal info.
-as written by hasheen samjiComment is buried, click here to see the rest.
lodcrappoAug 11, 2010
This account has been closed by the user
Aw3sumAug 11, 2010
Seriously, what benefits are there to having absolute privacy versus the benefits that Google can/has provided?
dqcrgAug 11, 2010
it is kind of spooky on how our personal data is being used without our knowledge, but who is to blame, we where the ones who gave it :) ...
decoy26517Aug 11, 2010
I see nothing wrong with this.
zook024Aug 11, 2010
What is ironic is I do not see any of the ads on google, gmail, or youtube because I use AdBlock Plus which is a free extension available for Chrome.
pw378Aug 11, 2010
Wow, you are so damn cool.
Being so pretentious, I can only assume you also use a Mac?
aquapeteAug 11, 2010
highly targeted ads suck. i searched for rooms at harrahs casino in may, once. right now as i look to the side bar there is an ad for harrahs.
1d1dntdo1tAug 11, 2010
Wow that sucks! They are actually showing you an ad for something you searched for once? WTF! I prefer to see ads for tampons and other s**t that is completely irrelevant to me.
kestrelAug 11, 2010
Why is anyone surprised by this? Google has *NEVER* been a search engine company; that is simply a convenient way of gathering and using user metadata for their real business which is advertising.
pw378Aug 11, 2010
Google established in 1998.
Adwords started in 2003.
Hence, you are both wrong and stupid.
kestrelAug 11, 2010
Wow... such a simplistic and naive view of things and I absolutely LOVE the way you ended on a high note with the equivalent of every 5-year old's favourite, "You're a stupid-head"... that REALLY reinforces your ideas and lends them credibility.
Allow me to explain (I'll use small words so you can keep up, okay?)
Google was a Ph.D research project into improved search. The problem is that no one pays for search results alone so the problem became one of monetization (sorry.. big word... it means "to convert into legal tender" or, simply put, "to make money")
Google was not profitable until around 2003 when AdWords went online. Yes, there are quotes online that claim they were profitable as of 2001 but 2003 is the first year for which there is a positive evidence of profit.
The IPO was held August 19, 2004 approximately 10 months after Adwords went live. The reason at the time was, "we're profitable"; that is to say, following 3 successive quarters of Adwords, Google was raking money in hand over first.
Between 2004 and the present day, 99% of ALL Google's profits are generated by TARGETED ADVERTISING presented in the form of search results. This allows Google to do a great many things (Google Docs, GMail, Wave, etc.) which have no revenue source of their own because, essentially, they print money by doing nothing but scraping the web and then monetise the results through an advertising model.
The primary business is ADVERTISING. The search engine side of things is simply the means by which they drive that advertising model.
zb757Aug 11, 2010
Google stores information for targeted ads!? No way!