It has been said that digital advertising algorithms know us better than we know ourselves. Who said that? I did. Just now. At least that’s the perception surrounding digital ads, that they can be served right in our respective wheelhouses depending on our Internet cookie jar: our search history and online activity. But how accurate are they really? This Millennial biped sought to get targeted, so I disabled uBlock, stepped beyond the firewall, and dove in.
Facebook:
Sa-wing and a miss! Facebook probably has a line on what I intend to name my firstborn (note: It’s Charmander, regardless of gender), so this one was a bit of a shocker. First, I made a mockery of high school algebra. Second, thank GOODNESS my profile is hidden from my employers. I’m pretty sure every 20-something has cold sweats about the one time in 6th grade they used a politically unacceptable word on The Book. 0/1.
LinkedIn:
Exactly, Tristan. Sometimes you don’t even have to search for the right words, another kind soul already made your point perfectly. 0/2.
YouTube:
Lip Sync Battle: No.
Live-Action Lightsaber Battle: Despite my love for Arrested Development, no.
Resident Evil: NOPENOPENOPENOPENOPE. To Hell with that series. I don’t do scary video games, man. You should know me better, YouTube.
Animated Lightsaber Battle: Hell yeah.
Young the Giant – Cough Syrup: Never heard of ‘em or the song, pretty solid. If this were Pandora, I’d thumbs up. 2/7.
VICE:
Whoa. Trippy. 3/8.
So clearly, there’s still work to be done. I appreciate the effort, algorithms, but until you’re a bit more successful than 3/8, it’s back to blockers for me.
~ Chase Cambria, Jr. Copywriter, The S3 Agency
