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Google to Better Communicate Why Certain Ads Shown

Google is expanding two initiatives that aim to provide users with greater control and transparency over their ad experiences.

In addition to launching a new version of ‘Ad Settings’, Google will also be improving its communication around why people are being served the ads they see around the web.

New Version of Ad Settings

Google first gave users control over the ads they see back in 2009 when it rolled out the first version of Ad Settings.

With the new version of Ad Settings, Google says it’s now easier to understand and control how ads are served.

“The new Ad Settings shows all the different factors that determine how ads are tailored to you in one view. This way, it’s easier for you to see them at a glance, learn more about why you see ads related to these topics, and decide if there are any you want to remove.”

Different factors that determine how ads are served include:

  • How Google determines a user’s interests based on web activity
  • Information contained in a user’s Google account
  • Information collected by other advertisers that partner with Google

Google’s new ad settings will allow users to turn off individual factors that determine how ads are served.

Why This Ad?

In 2011 Google introduced the “Why this ad?” feature that explains to users why they’re being shown certain ads. Until now it has only shown up in a limited number of places.

Going forward, “Why this ad?” will appear in search results, Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Google Play, and almost all websites and apps that partner with Google to show ads.

Each of these new features are available as of today.

Category News PPC
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SEJ STAFF Matt G. Southern Senior News Writer at Search Engine Journal

Matt G. Southern, Senior News Writer, has been with Search Engine Journal since 2013. With a bachelor’s degree in communications, ...

Google to Better Communicate Why Certain Ads Shown

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