| Did you ever stop to wonder why those internet ads | | | | marketers might consider consulting with an SEO |
| you come across while surfing almost always have | | | | expert or internet marketing firm. |
| something to do with a product or service you've | | | | 3. You Can Prevent Being Tracked |
| recently been researching? Well, there's a good | | | | It's simple. Go to Start, then Settings, then Control |
| reason. Internet marketers are focused on getting their | | | | Panel, then Internet Options. Click on the Privacy tab. |
| products in front of qualified potential buyers. Notice | | | | Slide the bar to Block All Cookies. But be aware that |
| the word "qualified" in that last sentence. | | | | some webpages will not load properly if you've |
| They're not randomly advertising to just anyone. | | | | disabled Cookies on your machine. |
| They're advertising based on what they know | | | | 4. Do Not Track |
| interests particular consumers. And how do they know | | | | Remember how everyone breathed a collective sigh |
| what particular consumers are interested in? That's | | | | of relief when the government enacted the "Do Not |
| where behavior-based advertising comes into play. | | | | Call" list that enabled a country to finally eat dinner |
| Internet marketers and SEO experts are tracking your | | | | without being interrupted by telemarketers? Well, some |
| activity. They know what you type into a search | | | | advocacy groups are pushing the same kind of |
| engine and they know what sites you frequent. Here | | | | regulations for internet marketing. |
| are five more things you need to know about | | | | 5. NebuAd |
| behavior-based internet advertising (BBIA). | | | | NebuAd is a Silicon Valley internet startup that claims |
| 1. Cookies Are the Internet Marketers Best Friend | | | | to have new technology that doesn't require Cookies. |
| Computer cookies are small files that are saved onto | | | | A typical scenario looks like this: A company that |
| your computer when you visit websites, so there's a | | | | wants to provide targeted ads based on consumer |
| constant record of sites you've visited located in your | | | | behavior teams up with an internet service provider. |
| machine. Let's say you visit a particular website onto | | | | NebuAd installs equipment at the internet service |
| which an internet marketer has placed a blank spot. | | | | provider's facility that allows the company to track the |
| As soon as you log on to the website, the advertiser | | | | searches and habits of all of internet service provider's |
| searches your computer for your recent searches. | | | | customers, but with no Cookies. It's hard to say at this |
| Then the advertiser fills that blank spot with information | | | | point whether any internet service providers will be |
| tied to your online behavior. | | | | willing to participate in such technology. That will |
| 2. Government Regulations May Eventually Make BBIA | | | | depend on user response to such a proposal. |
| an Opt-In Enterprise | | | | Behavior-based internet advertising is, without a doubt, |
| At present there doesn't seem to be any push for | | | | changing the way SEO experts and internet |
| government regulations on behavior-based internet | | | | marketers get their products in front of potential |
| advertising, but it never hurts to be prepared. "Opt-in" | | | | customers. The future of BBIA will largely depend on |
| advertising means that a user would have to sign up | | | | how the everyday user responds to it. If there is a |
| with an advertiser in order to receive targeted | | | | great outcry against BBIA, then the future may bring |
| advertisements. "Opt-out" advertising means that users | | | | governmental regulations and other changes to the |
| would receive targeted ads unless they specifically | | | | ways BBIA functions. |
| requested not to receive them. | | | | But if users remain oblivious or indifferent, internet |
| If the government were ever to make BBIA and opt-in | | | | marketers may be able to continue using BBIA to |
| enterprise, internet marketers would have to fill the | | | | target customers. Internet marketers should be |
| advertising void that would most likely result from such | | | | prepared for both scenarios, either by creating their |
| regulations. To prepare for this possibility internet | | | | own strategies or by consulting with SEO experts. |