Now You Can See Why a Google Ad Targeted You [Gizmodo]
Search giant Google is set to give users a closer look at how its ad targeting technology works and giving users the option to block annoying ads. The company allows advertisers to bid for specific search keywords, with winning bidders' ads appearing when users search for those keywords. Now, expect to see a link entitled "Why this ad?" alongside ads on Google's sites that, when clicked, goes to a page that explains how search and surfing behavior caused that particular ad to be served up.
Google has been under scrutiny from policy makers and regulators for some of its business practices, some relating to its advertising and search technology. This move is likely desinged to give the company's critics more transparency into the technology behind its products.
Along with the added transparency, Google is adding an option for users to block targeted ads that a user finds unhelpful or annoying.
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