Ads on this forum for replacing mystery shopping?
Warning: For Full Access Please Log In or Create an Account (Free)
Cease, I think as long as the companies value in depth, unbiased, reports on their companies' performance there will be a demand for reliable shoppers. Additionally, people who take random surveys off a receipt stub are not held accountable for any claims they make, where shoppers are. My two cents.
Agreed, Monk.
I just wonder the appropriateness of having the ads here...but I do realize this type of forum must be monetized one way or another. The price we pay for a free forum, I suppose.
In keeping with that old adage, "There's no such thing as a free lunch".
I just wonder the appropriateness of having the ads here...but I do realize this type of forum must be monetized one way or another. The price we pay for a free forum, I suppose.
In keeping with that old adage, "There's no such thing as a free lunch".
90% of the time, I read the Forum on my laptop, and because I use an AdBlocker, I never see any ads. When I do read the Forum through my phone, the ads are there, but honestly, I never look at them, or even notice what they are about.
The forum does not set the ads. This is done based on your search history. If I look for a new widget online then I get pop up ads about widgets, even on this forum. I get very few ads here about surveys etc. I guess I use my computer for too many other things than mystery shopping so it balances my ads out.
I don't see ads anymore....is it my ublock? or ? 
K. Here is the unasked question. Why can't mystery shoppers derive some benefit from mystery shopping and some other benefit from participating in the the other forms of data collection, such as the ones in ads?
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
I see ads but I do not pay attention to them.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
@SunnyDays2 – The most active users on the forum see far fewer ads than most people, so it could be that.
I have an ad for a LV purse. It's based on your browsing history.
Okay, I learned something. The owners of the forum don't KNOW what ads are popping up. I truly didn't know that, and find it interesting.
As for shoppers benefiting from the data collection, the ads I'm seeing specifically are targeted at doing away with mystery shopping programs. I do not see how I, as a shopper, could possibly benefit from companies doing away with mystery shopping altogether.
And I don't see how the ads relate to my browsing history.; if they were, I'd be getting totally different types of ads. For example, I've never shopped for clothing online, never bought them online, and on other sites (not here) I get ads for clothing.
I don't object to the owners allowing the ads; how else could the forum be free. I was just curious at the recent advent of this particular type of ad, which just started appearing oh, I'd say within the last couple weeks.
As for shoppers benefiting from the data collection, the ads I'm seeing specifically are targeted at doing away with mystery shopping programs. I do not see how I, as a shopper, could possibly benefit from companies doing away with mystery shopping altogether.
And I don't see how the ads relate to my browsing history.; if they were, I'd be getting totally different types of ads. For example, I've never shopped for clothing online, never bought them online, and on other sites (not here) I get ads for clothing.
I don't object to the owners allowing the ads; how else could the forum be free. I was just curious at the recent advent of this particular type of ad, which just started appearing oh, I'd say within the last couple weeks.
@Shop-et-al wrote:
K. Here is the unasked question. Why can't mystery shoppers derive some benefit from mystery shopping and some other benefit from participating in the the other forms of data collection, such as the ones in ads?
click on the ad and see where it goes.
No, thank you. Too much risk of installing spamware and malware by doing so.@2stepps wrote:
click on the ad and see where it goes.
The ads must be based on my own activities because I see Zulilly and Coldwater Creek ads.
Never knew there were ads, guess my ad blocker is A1.
A Dad shopping the Ark-LA-Tex and beyond.
You can get an ad blocker for your phone. I use Ad Clear on my Samsung phone.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
That's good to know. Thanks!
@HonnyBrown wrote:
You can get an ad blocker for your phone. I use Ad Clear on my Samsung phone.
Kim
So I recently had a browsing revelation. I found a "new" browser called Brave. Really, it is Google Chrome with a bunch of security stuff built into it. Once you have it running each page has a drop down where you can block:
3rd party trackers, scripts, non-secure connection attempts, cookies, etc. It is great because with the default setup it blocks most everything. If you see adds, you just turn on extra security and they go away. Best of all it is the fastest browser I have ever used, and it is for phone and laptops/computers. I do not work for them at all, just thought I would pass the info on if anyone wanted to give it a whirl.
3rd party trackers, scripts, non-secure connection attempts, cookies, etc. It is great because with the default setup it blocks most everything. If you see adds, you just turn on extra security and they go away. Best of all it is the fastest browser I have ever used, and it is for phone and laptops/computers. I do not work for them at all, just thought I would pass the info on if anyone wanted to give it a whirl.
Orlando - lightly shopping NC
The forum is using something like Google Adsense, with filters. This allows the ads to target specific topics. They can also filter out adult content, and a few other things.
This is different than having direct ads from specific companies, similar to referral links. For example, a sponsor can pay for their ads to be displayed. Or, the website can post affiliate links which only generate money if a purchase results. With paid ads, the company will track click thrus and resulting activity on their site. This allows them to stop paying for advertising if there is no profitability in it. With referral links, there is no up front costs to the companies. They may or may not check the sites their links are posted on, rarely canceling a referral provider.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/10/2019 10:01PM by isaiah58.
This is different than having direct ads from specific companies, similar to referral links. For example, a sponsor can pay for their ads to be displayed. Or, the website can post affiliate links which only generate money if a purchase results. With paid ads, the company will track click thrus and resulting activity on their site. This allows them to stop paying for advertising if there is no profitability in it. With referral links, there is no up front costs to the companies. They may or may not check the sites their links are posted on, rarely canceling a referral provider.
My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/10/2019 10:01PM by isaiah58.
Ads on forum I never click on, I just did a removal shop and am now getting daily flyers in the mail from every removal delivery place in L.A. everyone's watching, but how did these other companies know my address, is the MSC or removal company selling my info?
Live consciously....
@JASFLALMT wrote:
I never have seen ads.
I don't really understand about the ad remover, I never did that. I never have seen ads, though. I don't know why?
@Irene_L.A. wrote:
Ads on forum I never click on, I just did a removal shop and am now getting daily flyers in the mail from every removal delivery place in L.A. everyone's watching, but how did these other companies know my address, is the MSC or removal company selling my info?
Irene I did a removal shop months ago and never got one ad on the forum, in the mail or anything. Perhaps it is because you are looking into selling your real estate?
Facebook or online searches.@Irene_L.A. wrote:
Ads on forum I never click on, I just did a removal shop and am now getting daily flyers in the mail from every removal delivery place in L.A. everyone's watching, but how did these other companies know my address, is the MSC or removal company selling my info?
I just have to mention (verbally to a co-worker) "pizookie" and I get a facebook and instagram coupon within hours for BJ's.
Most ad blockers are free. Open your browser settings on your laptop, and click "add ons." Search for "Ad Block" and a bunch will come up. The one with the stop sign image is great.
@Irene_L.A. wrote:
I don't have the ad remover, is it free?
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
On the newer phones, your microphone is used to enhance the ads.
Yep. They're listening.
Yep. They're listening.
@SoCalMama wrote:
Facebook or online searches.@Irene_L.A. wrote:
Ads on forum I never click on, I just did a removal shop and am now getting daily flyers in the mail from every removal delivery place in L.A. everyone's watching, but how did these other companies know my address, is the MSC or removal company selling my info?
I just have to mention (verbally to a co-worker) "pizookie" and I get a facebook and instagram coupon within hours for BJ's.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
SCM...Everytime I login to FB, I see the ad for a free Pizookie and a coupon. I think that's just if you have the rewards card, which I do. Nice an easy.
Live consciously....
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.