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Tag: Ads

  • Some of the Most Popular Websites Share Your Data With Over 1,500 Companies

    Some of the Most Popular Websites Share Your Data With Over 1,500 Companies

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    Everywhere you go online, you’re being tracked. Almost every time you visit a website, trackers gather data about your browsing and funnel it back into targeted advertising systems, which build up detailed profiles about your interests and make big profits in the process. In some places, you’re tracked more than others.

    In a little-noticed change at the end of last year, thousands of websites started being more transparent about how many companies your data is being shared with. In November, those infuriating cookie pop-ups—which ask your permission to collect and share data—began sharing how many advertising “partners” each website is working with, giving a further glimpse of the sprawling advertising ecosystem. For many sites, it’s not pretty.

    A WIRED analysis of the top 10,000 most popular websites shows dozens of sites say they are sharing data with more than 1,000 companies, while thousands of other websites are sharing data with hundreds of firms. Quiz and puzzle website JetPunk tops the pile, listing 1,809 “partners” that may collect personal information, including “browsing behavior or unique IDs.”

    More than 20 websites from publisher Dotdash Meredith—including investopedia.com, people.com, and allrecipes.com—all say they can share data with 1,609 partners. The newspaper The Daily Mail lists 1,207 partners, while internet speed monitoring firm Speedtest.net, online medical publisher WebMD, and media outlets Reuters, ESPN, and BuzzFeed all state they can share data with 809 companies. (WIRED, for context, lists 164 partners). These hundreds of advertising partners include dozens of firms most people have likely never heard of.

    “You can always assume all of them are first going to try and disambiguate who you are,” says Midas Nouwens, an associate professor at Aarhus University in Denmark, who has previously built tools to automatically opt-out of tracking by cookie pop-ups and helped with the website analysis. The data collected can vary by website, and the cookie pop-ups allow some control over what can be gathered; however, the information can include IP addresses, fingerprinting of devices, and various identifiers. “Once they know that, they might add you to different data sets, or use it for enrichment later when you go to a different site,” Nouwens says.

    The online advertising world is a messy, murky space, which can involve networks of companies building profiles of people with the aim of showing you tailored ads the second you open a webpage. For years, strong privacy laws in Europe, such as GDPR, have resulted in websites showing cookie consent pop-ups that ask for permission to store cookies that collect data on your device. In recent years, studies have shown cookie pop-ups have included dark patterns, disregarded people’s choices, and are ignored by people. “Every single person we’ve ever observed in user testing doesn’t read any of this. They find the fastest way they can to close it out,” says Peter Dolanjski, a product director at privacy focused search engine and browser DuckDuckGo. “So they end up in a worse privacy state.”

    For the website analysis, Nouwens scraped the 10,000 most popular websites and analyzed whether the collected pop-ups mentioned partners and, if so, the number they disclosed. WIRED manually verified all the websites mentioned in this story, visiting each to confirm the number of partners they displayed. We looked at the highest total number of partners within the whole dataset, and the highest number of partners for the top 1,000 most popular websites. The process, which is only a snapshot of how websites share data, provides one view of the complex ecosystem. The results can vary depending on where in the world someone visits a website from.

    It also only includes websites using just one system to display cookie pop-ups. Many of the world’s biggest websites—think Google, Facebook, and TikTok—use their own cookie pop-ups. However, thousands of websites, including publishers and retailers, use third-party technology, made by consent management platforms (CMPs), to show the pop-ups. These pop-ups largely follow standards from the marketing and advertising group IAB Europe, which details the information that should be included in the cookie pop-ups.

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    Matt Burgess

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  • Norway’s Gambling Authority Issues Influencer Warnings

    Norway’s Gambling Authority Issues Influencer Warnings

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    Norway’s Gambling Authority founded in 2001 to supervise the administration and oversight of gaming controlled by the state and private, Lottstift, has stated that it will take a zero-tolerance approach to social media platforms promoting live streams and content revolving around online gambling.

    The country has imposed a total blackout on gambling advertising. According to the Broadcasting Act, operators are not allowed to use any gambling advertising to promote their services. 

    The action is exclusively reserved for Norway’s state-owned monopolies Rikstoto, with a focus on racing and Norsk Tipping, which offers betting and lottery options.

    Schell.com, the popular platform that generates entertaining content via daily live streams, vlogs, and competitions, has recently broadcast a number of Norwegian influencers advertising online casino games, thus disregarding the current legislation. 

    The streams that were deemed illegal were promoted on the schell.com portal and recorded on a series of live-streaming platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and Kick.

    The respective broadcasting platforms were sent reminders regarding the country’s Broadcasting Act which does not allow gambling promotion unless it involves one of the two available monopolies. 

    In accordance with its freshly granted powers by the revised Money Gambling Act, Lottstift has asked Tiergarten Marketing Ltd, Schpell.com’s operator, to cease all of its marketing activities in the country.

    Two Cease-and-Desist Warnings Issued by Lottstift

    The regulatory body also sent two separate cease-and-desist written notices to Baris Entertainment AS and Viken Underholdning AS for having alleged relationships with social media influencers advertising illegal gambling offers.

    The infringing businesses were given until February 20 to fully comply with the issued order to stop promoting unlicensed gambling activities. 

    In case they fail to comply, the companies will face possible compulsory fines and non-compliance violation fees.

    More Inspections to Follow

    Lottstift has also ordered social media platforms to be more careful with their Norwegian influencer content to make sure they follow the country’s current advertising regulations.

    The body’s director, Monica Alisøy Kjelsnes, stated that it was obvious that the respective live streams hosting influencers were targeting a young audience while marketing the offerings of unlicensed casinos.

    Kjelsnes added that Schpell employs Norwegian influencers and that “much of their marketing takes place in Norway and is aimed at Norwegian consumers.”

    The director also explained that while the biggest influencers stopped promoting gambling outside the law there are still some “who are teetering on the edge of breaking the law.”

    In this regard, the authority plans on further monitoring and evaluating more inspections in the future. 
    Last December, Brazil advanced a similar measure against social media influencers advertising unregulated forms of gambling.

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    Melanie Porter

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  • Crown Resorts Warns against Fraudulent Social Media Ads

    Crown Resorts Warns against Fraudulent Social Media Ads

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    Crown Resorts urged the community to exercise caution regarding counterfeit social media accounts and advertisements falsely using Crown’s identity. The operator was adamant that online gambling in Australia was strictly prohibited, reaffirming it did not offer any form of iGaming. Such developments further threaten Crown’s public image as the company struggles with reforms.

    The Operator Urged People to Report Any Offending Websites

    Crown’s official warning highlighted the rising prevalence of fraudulent social media accounts, advertisements, or apps that utilize Crown’s name, logo, images, and other identifying information. The operator was adamant it did not operate an online casino or provide any form of online gambling, as its activities are only limited to its physical venues.

    Crown Resorts advised the public to refrain from engaging with such suspicious accounts, avoid disclosing personal information or credit card details, and promptly report fraudulent content or suspicious activity. Despite the Australian government’s efforts to curb illegal online operators, the country struggles to enforce its regulations, leaving many people vulnerable to gambling harm.

    Crown continuously works with social media and technology companies to seek removal of fraudulent content as a priority.

    Crown Resorts official statement

    The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been the country’s leading authority in identifying and dealing with illegal online operators. It regularly requests internet service providers to block offending websites and has been steadily intensifying its efforts. However, such measures usually have limited success as offending operators can change their IP address and circumvent restrictions.

    Crown Still Struggles to Regain Compliance

    The cautionary message comes amid Crown Resorts’ comprehensive reform initiatives across its Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth integrated resorts. The company is actively working to regain its casino licenses following inquiries in these three states, which delivered unfavorable assessments. Regulators have generally observed steady progress, raising hopes for the beleaguered operator.

    Notably, Crown Melbourne recently implemented mandatory time and loss limits for all patrons using electronic gaming machines in compliance with recommendations from the Finkelstein Royal Commission. The company’s rigorous reform agenda is paying off in other jurisdictions, thanks to company-wide safer gambling initiatives and a determination to return to suitability.

    Despite Crown’s progress, some recent developments have raised new integrity concerns. The company’s CEO is under investigation over allegations that he allowed removed patrons back into the company’s properties. If confirmed, these suspicions could substantially hinder Crown’s progress toward compliance, and seeing the company’s logo on illegal websites does little to improve its image.

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    Deyan Dimitrov

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  • dirtier divergent pushy

    dirtier divergent pushy

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    It just honestly seems like search engines are getting worse in general. Whether it’s the fact their primary focus is on ads, or maybe it’s the websites they link to just trying to show up, but it just seems like you can never actually find what you want when you search, just someone selling something.

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  • YouTube is now cracking down on ad-blockers globally | TechCrunch

    YouTube is now cracking down on ad-blockers globally | TechCrunch

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    YouTube is now cracking down on ad-blocker usage globally, by showing warnings about breaking the platform’s terms of service. In some cases, the company is preventing users from viewing more videos unless they disable ad blocks.

    The video streaming platform started experimenting in June where it showed a message to users saying that the video player would be blocked after three videos if the ad-blocker wasn’t disabled.

    Now, the company confirmed to The Verge that YouTube has now started a “global effort” asking users to either purchase a YouTube Premium subscription or allow ads. Prior to that, Android Authority noted that several users complained on the r/YouTube subreddit about seeing warnings in different formats about using ad-blockers.

    A screen grab of YouTube warning a user about using ad blockers Image Credits: u/Helpfullman69 (opens in a new window)

    Redditors didn’t fail to notice that while YouTube is cracking down on ad-blockers, there are several ads about ad-blockers on the service.

    We have asked YouTube for more details on what limitations the service is applying on ad blockers and will update the story if we hear back.

    YouTube has 80 million paid users across Music and Premium tiers, the company said last year. However, Google is experimenting with different ways to bump up this number. For instance, the company ran tests asking users to pay to watch videos in 4K resolution or showed multiple unskippable ads for an uninterrupted experience.

    The video streaming platform also brought 30-second unskippable ads to TVs in May and started testing longer but fewer ads for long-form content in September. In July, YouTube raised the prices of its premium plan for individuals by $2 per month.

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    Ivan Mehta

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  • Google is actively looking to insert different types of ads in its generative AI search | TechCrunch

    Google is actively looking to insert different types of ads in its generative AI search | TechCrunch

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    Google confirmed on its earnings call that it is working on different ad formats for its generative AI-powered search experience — Google shared some ideas earlier this year and the mention in the earnings call could indicate that a rollout could happen sooner rather than later. This project is particularly important for the company as the majority of Google’s revenue still comes from ads despite several attempts to diversify its revenue sources through Google Cloud, services, and other bets including hardware.

    In its earnings call for the third quarter of 2023, Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai said that the company plans to experiment with a native ad format suitable for its Search Generative Experience (SGE) that is “customized to every step of the search journey.”

    While it’s early days for its generative AI-based search experience, Pichai also said that he feels confident about the shift from traditional search to a new one.

    “We’ve always worked through these transitions, be it from desktop to mobile, or from now mobile to an AI-enhanced experience. And so it’s nothing new, and I feel very comfortable that as we go through it, the strength of our teams — both on the organic side as well as on the ad side — to drive the right experience for users, including ads, will pay dividends,” he said on the earnings call.

    Google introduced its AI-powered search experience during Google I/O, the company’s developer conference that took place in May. The feature was first made available to users in the U.S. and later expanded to users in Japan and India in August.

    The company already shows ads above (on desktop) and below (on mobile) the SGE results box. But it has also shown examples of customized ads within the SGE and how they might look like at a marketing event in May. For example, if you are searching for a surfing experience in Maio, it might show a customized ad for a travel experience within SGE with a “sponsored” tag.

    Ads inside the conversational AI experience.

    Image Credits: Google

    Alternatively, Google could show you sponsored results when you are searching for an item to shop for.

    SGE Desktop

    Image Credits: Google

    The company didn’t elaborate on formats during its latest earnings call. But its Chief Business Officer Philipp Schindler said that “advertisers still have the opportunity to reach potential customers along their Search journeys.”

    The company registered a revenue of $76.69 billion for Q3 2023, which represents 11% growth year-over-year. The advertising business accounted for $59.65 billion of revenue and Cloud brought in $8.41 billion — a figure below analysts’ expectation of $8.64 billion.

    Google said people are watching over 70 billion Shorts every day — up from 50 billion daily views announced earlier in February. During Q2 2023 earnings, the company mentioned over 2 billion monthly logged-in people watch shorts. That figure was unchanged in the latest earnings. Schindler said that the company is making its video reach campaigns to distribute ads across formats, including Shorts, generally available in November.

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    Ivan Mehta

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  • Netflix shelves basic membership plan in the US; Here’s what options remain for viewers

    Netflix shelves basic membership plan in the US; Here’s what options remain for viewers

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    In a recent move, Netflix has bid farewell to its basic membership plan without ads in the U.S. The streaming giant has now updated its Help Center page, announcing that the Basic plan is no longer available for new or rejoining members. However, existing members on the Basic plan can continue enjoying its benefits until they choose to change plans or cancel their account.

    Netflix makes changes in subscription options

    Netflix users in the U.K. and Canada have previously experienced a similar shift, as the $9.99-per-month basic membership was phased out. The streaming platform now offers two ad-free alternatives: the Standard plan at $15.49 per month and the Premium plan at $19.99 per month. Additionally, the Standard with Ads option, which comes at a price $3 cheaper than the discontinued basic plan, remains available for members to choose from.

    While this change may raise questions among subscribers, Netflix maintains that its prices are competitive and deliver great value to consumers. The company cites its starting prices of $6.99 in the U.S. and £4.99 in the U.K., emphasizing the extensive range and top-notch quality of its catalog. Netflix aims to enhance user experience while maintaining its position as a leading provider of premium entertainment content.

    ALSO READ: Netflix renews popular content as it cancels 8 shows, announces 6 endings; Read details

    About Netflix’s Ad-supported plan and its success

    Approximately eight months ago, Netflix introduced its ad-supported plan at a monthly cost of $6.99. This offering quickly garnered a substantial user base, with around 5 million active users in the U.S., the U.K., and 10 other countries by May. As the streaming giant approaches its second-quarter results disclosure, industry experts are keen to see how this ad-supported option continues to perform.

    When questioned about the recent changes and pricing, Netflix expressed confidence in its decision, affirming the value it brings to customers through its diverse content library and competitive prices. The streaming service remains committed to providing a top-notch viewing experience to its ever-growing subscriber base.

    As Netflix adapts its subscription options and policies, it continues to be a dominant force in the streaming industry. The company’s growth in subscribers over the past year demonstrates the ongoing appeal of its vast array of captivating shows and movies.

    ALSO READ: How to watch Netflix on your TV

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    1136954

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  • ADS Stock Price | adidas AG Stock Quote (Germany: Xetra ) | MarketWatch

    ADS Stock Price | adidas AG Stock Quote (Germany: Xetra ) | MarketWatch

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    adidas AG

    adidas AG engages in the design, distribution, and marketing of athletic and sporting lifestyle products. It operates through the following geographical segments: EMEA, North America, Greater China, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Other Businesses. The Other Businesses segment includes the activities of the Y-3 label and other subordinated businesses. The company was founded by Adolf Dassler in 1920 and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany.

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  • The 34 Most Memorable Ad Campaigns of 2022

    The 34 Most Memorable Ad Campaigns of 2022

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    As the year comes to a close, it’s time to look back on the most memorable ad campaigns from our favorite brands. 

    Many looked to their regular muses and ambassadors (see: Harry and Gucci, Kristen and Chanel, Rosé and Saint Laurent). Others opted for more headline-making surprise appearances: Linda Evangelista made her return to modeling for the 25th anniversary of the famed Fendi Baguette, while Winona Ryder reunited with Marc Jacobs 21 years after she was arrested for shoplifting the brand (just to name a couple of the instantly iconic moments).

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    Brooke Frischer

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