Articles tagged: advertising

A modern living room with a smartphone on a coffee table and a smart speaker like an Amazon Echo nearby. The smartphone displays coffee maker ads, hinting at targeted advertising. In the background, two people are having a casual conversation, creating a subtle connection to the idea of being 'listened to' by smart devices.

Is My Smartphone or Smart Device Listening In on Me?

It’s not uncommon to think our smart devices are listening in when advertisements seem to follow our discussions.

Free Is Not Free

Free downloads, free scans, free trials — so many things on the internet are free! Or are they?

A cartoon-style image of a surprised person sitting in front of their computer. The computer screen is overflowing with colorful pop-up ads, each showing products that the person has recently viewed online, like electronics, books, and clothing. The person's expression is exaggerated with wide eyes and a dropped jaw, capturing their shock and confusion about the nature of these targeted ads. The setting is a quirky home office with a vibrant desk, a fun, stylized chair, and playful decorative items in the background.

Why Do Ads Follow Me Around the Internet?

Advertising networks notice what interests you. It might be a little creepy, but it’s not malware.

Don’t Be Fooled By Ads

Advertisements support the free information available online. It’s critical that you can distinguish ads from genuine content.

It’s Important You Know: There Are Ads in Search Results

It’s absolutely critical you learn to recognize the difference between advertisements and actual search results.

A photorealistic and thought-provoking thumbnail for a blog post discussing the dilemma of using adblockers. The image features a computer screen displaying a website full of intrusive and overwhelming ads, making it difficult to see the actual content. The screen is cracked symbolizing the broken state of internet advertising. In the foreground, a person (Caucasian male) looks frustrated and concerned, with a hand on his forehead, pondering the impact of adblockers on websites' survival. The person is in a home office environment, reflecting the common internet user's perspective. The ambiance is slightly dim, highlighting the serious tone of the topic. This image should visually capture the tension between the necessity of ads for website survival and the negative user experience they often create.

Is It Time to Start Using an Adblocker?

Advertising on the internet is broken. It might be time to think about using adblockers and supporting your favorite websites in other ways.

Can We No Longer View Websites without Getting Pop-ups?

Free information on the web isn’t free; there are costs to provide it. Pop-ups: advertising, offers, and social media, are all part of the “cost” of free.

Who’s responsible for monitoring misleading advertising?

If an ad claims that they will fix your computer for free, be skeptical. You know they are trying to make money, and besides you may be able to handle the problem yourself, for free.

Is Gmail’s targeted advertising a bad thing?

Of course Gmail can read your email. How else would they be able to filter it for spam? But “who” or “what” is reading it, and does it really matter?

Why am I getting double underlined links that display an ad?

This sounds like an advertisement coming from the website. Advertising funds websites that deliver otherwise free information. If you don’t want to look at it, you have only a few options.

What’s the difference between an ad and your recommendation?

Advertisements, just like in newspapers or magazines, are nothing more than rented space on a page and should never be confused with recommendations.