October 31st, 2019 at 2:29 PM ^
My condolences.
October 31st, 2019 at 2:31 PM ^
Oh god. Did I do the thing where this was posted three posts down and has 529 replies already? Bolivia is cold this time of year!
October 31st, 2019 at 2:38 PM ^
No, it wasn't posted three posts down. But asking/complaining about the ads has been posted many times.
Also, you didn't do the image right.
I was also offering condolences for getting an Ohio ad.
You will see that you have already been advised that it's your own fault that you're getting an Ohio ad. I can assure you, though, that I get all kinds of ads that do not seem very well targeted at all.
October 31st, 2019 at 2:41 PM ^
Exactly. I should not be getting ads for ball lifters. I was searching for sack stretchers.
October 31st, 2019 at 2:59 PM ^
Hey, have those been proven to remove wrinkles? Asking for a friend
October 31st, 2019 at 2:29 PM ^
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
October 31st, 2019 at 2:36 PM ^
TL;DR the way banner ads works is that companies pay a 3rd party company (like Google for example) to run ads on websites whose traffic lines up with the company's intended audience, in this case, an example would be "male, age 25-40, lives in midwest, follows sports"
October 31st, 2019 at 2:58 PM ^
Basically.
This is a very good TL:DR. Used to work in the online ad business, and people don't realize that
- ads target you as a user much more than they do the site
- most of the ads you see are based off your browsing history
I feel like this topic comes up 2-3 times a year, and you have to explain to people that the majority of the ads you see on MGoBlog have nothing to do with the site itself, and what you see is not what other people see.
When I was in the ad world, I got lots of senior level people complaining that they are seeing porn/scandalous/lowbrow ads. Once I explained that it's based off your browsing history, they usually got quiet. The only follow up would be to ask me how to clear their cookies.
November 1st, 2019 at 6:58 AM ^
That is one scenario however I believe it is simply contextual or content targeting with unfortunate(funny) ad copy. Sports blog = sports apparel ads.
Source: I’ve been selling online ads through ad networks for seven years.
October 31st, 2019 at 2:33 PM ^
It's a script that loads random ads that Brian has no control over. Internet advertising seems flawed...whoever is paying for that do they get charged on image views or clicks or?
October 31st, 2019 at 2:37 PM ^
for banner ads it's usually cost per 1000 impressions, so they likely pay per view
October 31st, 2019 at 3:00 PM ^
Site owners do have some control over their ads, mostly in the form of keyword and blocking certain types of content to keep it family friendly. But site owners are not approving ads before they hit the sites.
October 31st, 2019 at 2:34 PM ^
Looks like you're on a desktop or laptop.Get an ad blocker and stop shopping for Ohio State gear.
October 31st, 2019 at 2:37 PM ^
While ad blockers certainly do the trick, keep in mind that cuts off revenue for the blog. Not trying to shame anybody that uses them (and I know many support the blog in other ways), just highlighting that that is a consequence for those that may not be aware
October 31st, 2019 at 2:44 PM ^
You can't adblock-shame me.
Fine, I'll turn it off.
October 31st, 2019 at 2:46 PM ^
You had such a good opportunity to go with "Cargi B" for the username and you blew it.
October 31st, 2019 at 2:56 PM ^
Cardi didn't become a thing until like 2016. I'm a semi-competent accountant, not a time-traveler, Dr. Mantis.
October 31st, 2019 at 5:00 PM ^
Semi-competent accountants are the glue that holds this fanbase together.
October 31st, 2019 at 5:20 PM ^
+1 for honesty, “semi competent”
October 31st, 2019 at 2:39 PM ^
That's the thing though...I know about re-targeting advertising. I haven't shopped for any OSU gear, been to any OSU sites, looked sideways at an OSU sweatshirt or even oogled an OSU co-ed. This is why I actually posted on this one as it's not a re-targeting ad as far as I can tell.
I don't put ad-blocker up because I approve of supporting the free content Brian and Co. provide us.
And as to Brian having "no control" over this, I just can't buy that entirely. Maybe it's true, but it seems so unlikely to me I just have a hard time accepting that excuse.
October 31st, 2019 at 2:46 PM ^
You probably weren't re-targeted, but Homage probably used a "look alike" audience (from social media, google etc) that suggested you were either in-market for these type of goods or part of a similar audience based on other sites you visited/ads that showed up for you
October 31st, 2019 at 2:49 PM ^
It seems pretty targeted to me. Al Borlin, MiraLax, MIT online courses for super smart people, all pretty big parts of my life.
October 31st, 2019 at 5:26 PM ^
Al Borlin will get you a +1
October 31st, 2019 at 6:28 PM ^
a) +1 for Miralax as it was my Sunday two weeks ago. I have great pictures if anyone wants to see. I was really ready to be at the game last weekend.
b) So that's why I keep getting Mensa advertisements
October 31st, 2019 at 3:09 PM ^
Advertising networks plug all this stuff into an algorithm, which includes bidding by the campaigns.
The algo might know you go to sites like MGoBlog, ESPN, and the Daily. It'll set up certain attributes like "probably lives in Michigan, probably fits in a certain age group, probably likes college football", and then bundle up your PVs into a package.
Then let's say Homage and Underground Printing set up campaigns with these networks. They put in their keywords, they want to target users of a certain age in a certain area that like college football. Maybe UGP puts in keywords for Michigan football, and Homage leaves it blank. They then put in the amount they are willing to spend, and the amount per 1000x pageviews they are willing to pay. If UGP says they'll spend up to $50 per day, and up to $1 per 1000x pageviews, but Homage says they'll spend up to $100 per day, and up to $5 per 1000s pageviews, that ad network is going to show you the much more lucrative Homage campaign, regardless of whether UGP is a more appropriate fit for your liking.
October 31st, 2019 at 2:35 PM ^
Could be worse, I seem to recall someone complaining about having ads about a dude in tighty whiteys. Wonder what his browsing history was. NTTAWWT.
October 31st, 2019 at 2:58 PM ^
I also remember the ads for the hairy chest sweatshirts...good times
October 31st, 2019 at 2:35 PM ^
They are an Ohio company but they carry Michigan and Detroit products as well. They actually make good stuff, and I wish they did even more Michigan things. Sorry.
October 31st, 2019 at 2:38 PM ^
I've taken a look at their site, good job ad gods, their Michigan gear is underwhelming. I think they've done that purposefully. As you said though, in general they make some really good stuff.
October 31st, 2019 at 2:45 PM ^
They're Buckeyes through and through, but the almighty dollar has caused them to dabble in some Michigan things. If they had the same quality designs for Michigan gear as they do for OSU gear, I would be a customer.
The Mitten State will suffice, however.
October 31st, 2019 at 2:54 PM ^
You and me both!
October 31st, 2019 at 3:16 PM ^
Yes. For several years, I've been waiting for some Michigan grads to set up their own version of Homage for Michigan fans with all those cool retro logos and typefonts. I know some of the stores in A2 sell a couple vintage looking shirts, but for the most part, no one has come close to coming up with designs that rival Homage.
Can someone with design chops get on this, please?!?!?!
October 31st, 2019 at 3:16 PM ^
Yes. For several years, I've been waiting for some Michigan grads to set up their own version of Homage for Michigan fans with all those cool retro logos and typefonts. I know some of the stores in A2 sell a couple vintage looking shirts, but for the most part, no one has come close to coming up with designs that rival Homage.
Can someone with design chops get on this, please?!?!?!
November 1st, 2019 at 11:12 AM ^
Yep, they have the awesome "Detroit" spelled out in the shape of a gun shirt that Mac wore on an episode of Always Sunny in Philly...they started right in my neighborhood in Columbus, can't believe how big they've gotten
October 31st, 2019 at 2:37 PM ^
Does the Newt Gingrich ad violate the sites no politics policy?
October 31st, 2019 at 2:39 PM ^
Sounds like you visit too many OSU sites.
October 31st, 2019 at 2:40 PM ^
That's odd.... all the advertising i see is for porn hub, romeo and juliet and some outfit called 'daddy issues and maid service'.
October 31st, 2019 at 2:45 PM ^
phew...I was worried that we weren't going to hit the weekly messageboard requirement of asking this question
October 31st, 2019 at 2:57 PM ^
SIMPLE ANSWER: Ads are selected by what your interests and searches are on the internet.
October 31st, 2019 at 3:15 PM ^
Fair enough. All of the experts have shown their knowledge admirably. I shall accept this finding, but will continue to not like it. Guess I've leveled up my Old Man class and I shall *rabble rabble* and brush up on my "get off my lawn" then.
October 31st, 2019 at 3:37 PM ^
It's called pwnage, not homage.
October 31st, 2019 at 3:56 PM ^
Imagine how upset you will be when NIL kicks in and you will see Buckeyes wearing their products in the ads that pop-up on the site.
October 31st, 2019 at 4:20 PM ^
For anyone wondering about Homage but not wanting to give them a click, they sell $40 tee shirts.
November 1st, 2019 at 12:23 PM ^
If you ever read ‘Michigan Monday’ you picked up a cookie on the way and you’re being tracked as a Buckeyes fan.