An ad I just saw on DU.

[TNDemo]

I saw an ad flashing at the top of DU (that space about 1/4 of the way down where ads appear) and it was a Cafepress ad and it was showing a tee shirt I had just bought and received today. It was a green one with a turtle and a message so not one everyone would order. I am guessing this is targeted advertising but I'm trying to figure out how they knew it was me. I use a different email address for buying on-line than I do here at DU. I disabled my platform at facebook to stop this kind of stuff. So is this just lucky advertising or how does this happen? Kinda creeps me out.

[Taverner]

1. Do you have a Google account?

there's a cookie that sends that kind of info back, if you are - and google runs the ads I think

[RKP5637]

2. Using tools like Abine with Firefox can help minimize this on any site. For DU, I think

it was by chance.

http://www.abine.com/

What would help is free as a Firefox addon.

[tabatha]

3. That has happened to me, too.

[Tunkamerica]

4. What would be the point?

You already bought it.

[Crabby Appleton]

5. Smart Cookies Put Targeted Online Ads On The Rise

read this article for an explanation

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130349989

[TNDemo]

6. Thanks for the article.

I'm one of those that feel the ick factor.