Inappropriate advertising on cache pages

[+barefootjeff]

I know Groundspeak have to make money and income from advertising on cache pages is one way of doing that, but geocaching is supposed to be family-friendly, right? Is this really appropriate here?

 

[+Touchstone]

I'm curious if this is based on browser history?  The reason I ask is that I don't see anything like this on the site.  Most of my ads are relevant to the outdoors and kitchen appliances (we're remodeling).

[+barefootjeff]

14 minutes ago, Touchstone said:

I'm curious if this is based on browser history?  The reason I ask is that I don't see anything like this on the site.  Most of my ads are relevant to the outdoors and kitchen appliances (we're remodeling).

I haven't visited any websites that might have prompted this, and for that reason I'm not even game to click on it to see who they are and what it is they're flogging.

[+arisoft]

27 minutes ago, barefootjeff said:

Is this really appropriate here?

There is small [X] on the top corner of the ad. Just press the X and then you can ask Google to stop showing this ad for you. You also have an option to see why Google selected this ad for you. Something like "The time of day" and " Our best estimation of your interests" is visible on my ads by Google.

[+cerberus1]

59 minutes ago, Touchstone said:

I'm curious if this is based on browser history?  The reason I ask is that I don't see anything like this on the site.  Most of my ads are relevant to the outdoors and kitchen appliances (we're remodeling).

I agree.  Yesterday I was seeing ads for bear spray (was looking for it earlier).

Today I went on a backpacking/outdoors site, and their ads followed me around a while. 

[+barefootjeff]

23 minutes ago, cerberus1 said:

1 hour ago, Touchstone said:

I'm curious if this is based on browser history?  The reason I ask is that I don't see anything like this on the site.  Most of my ads are relevant to the outdoors and kitchen appliances (we're remodeling).

I agree.  Yesterday I was seeing ads for bear spray (was looking for it earlier).

Today I went on a backpacking/outdoors site, and their ads followed me around a while. 

I'm seeing some ads that are related to sites I've visited recently but others, including this one, are completely out of left field - like the one for getting a drone licence for example (I have no interest in drones and have never visited a drone website). I can only guess that I'm getting this one because of my age, but even so I don't think ads with sexual overtones are appropriate for this site regardless of what Google thinks I might like.

[+on4bam]

A good adblocker takes care of that. A combination of Adblock Pro, Noscript and Ghostery takes care of just about all the trackers and ads for me in Firefox. Using a searchengine like Startpage makes sure no search history is tracked either.

 

 

[+arisoft]

8 hours ago, barefootjeff said:

I can only guess that I'm getting this one because of my age, but even so I don't think ads with sexual overtones are appropriate for this site regardless of what Google thinks I might like.

You can easily opt out by following these simple instructions:

Manage your Ads Settings

If you have Ads Personalization turned on, you can:

• Add topics you like to make the ads you see more useful to you. Please note that this is only applies to YouTube right now.

• Edit the demographic info that’s used to show you ads.

Add topics

To add a topic:

1. Sign in to your Google Account.
2. Go to Ads Settings.
3. Scroll down to “Your topics” and click or tap + NEW TOPIC.
4. Search for a topic and click or tap ADD.

Note: When you uncheck a topic, Google will no longer use that topic to personalize ads you see.

Edit your profile

To edit your demographic info:

1. Sign in to your Google Account.
2. Go to Ads Settings.
3. Scroll down to “Your profile”.
4. Click or tap the pencil icon in the top right.

Your profile information comes from the information you provide in your Google Account. If you edit it, your changes will apply across your Google Account. Depending on the settings you’ve chosen, this information might not be used to show you ads.

[+barefootjeff]

2 hours ago, arisoft said:

You can easily opt out by following these simple instructions:

This isn't about me wanting to opt out of anything. I'm just trying to say that I don't think it's appropriate to have ads with sexual overtones like this on cache pages. If everyone else is happy with it, fine, I'll pull my head in.

[+on4bam]

8 minutes ago, barefootjeff said:

This isn't about me wanting to opt out of anything. I'm just trying to say that I don't think it's appropriate to have ads with sexual overtones like this on cache pages. If everyone else is happy with it, fine, I'll pull my head in.

GS has no control over what's advertised. That's google (or whatever ad service that's being used). You get ads for stuff that the algorithm decided are of interest to you. Just read the thread about the new virtuals to see what some think about algorithms and how accurate they are.

 

[+arisoft]

39 minutes ago, barefootjeff said:

This isn't about me wanting to opt out of anything. I'm just trying to say that I don't think it's appropriate to have ads with sexual overtones like this on cache pages. If everyone else is happy with it, fine, I'll pull my head in.

In that case, I misunderstood, you were not the victim. So did you see the ad on your child's computer?

FYI, for me, Google advertise new vans.

[+thebruce0]

GS may have some control over the style/themes of ads that may show up, but I'm not sure on that. Best just to keep in mind that ads aren't specifically chosen by GS, nor directly influenced by things you've consciously visited, but chosen algorithmically (*gasp*) by Google's system based on many factors.

At worst, selected completely at random. With slight control, from a selection of allowable ad types. With user control, based on browser history (primarily, if ad blocking isn't enabled or tracking privacy isn't strict), specific removal (using 'don't show me this' will help the algorithm to guess better at what you don't want to see).

For example quite often I'll glance at a product on Amazon and see that ad show up on most sites I visit with Google ads for the next week.

But with browser history being tracked, it may even be possible that a popup/popunder spam website could trigger a 'visited' flag, and start giving you ads on sites like geocaching.com, which could explain the ad you saw.  Use the "I don't want to see this" button liberally.

If you're that concerned, lock down your privacy and browsing settings, or install an ad blocker. That's about the best you can do.

[+NanCycle]

4 hours ago, barefootjeff said:

This isn't about me wanting to opt out of anything. I'm just trying to say that I don't think it's appropriate to have ads with sexual overtones like this on cache pages. If everyone else is happy with it, fine, I'll pull my head in.

I don't see anyone saying they're happy with it, just that it's not GS that's doing it.  That it's Google that's doing it and they're giving you ways to make Google stop, or at least slow down.  I suppose you could contact Google directly and complain, but I doubt that would have any results.  I also would really prefer not to see those ads and I may try some of the techniques others have mentioned.  As for why you see them when others say they don't, it may be something as innocuous as, for example, your taste in movies or music indicates a male of a certain age group--whether you really are in that demographic or not.

[+barefootjeff]

As I keep saying, this isn't about me trying to block this ad on my computer. I just don't think it's appropriate to have ads like these with sexual overtones appearing on cache pages. After all, the newly rewritten guidelines say "Geocaching is a family friendly game. Cache page contents, including description and name, must be suitable for all ages".

Google's Adsense documentation says that website owners can "block ads from categories related to sensitive topics such as Religion, Politics and References to Sex and Sexuality", so either Groundspeak isn't doing this or this ad hasn't been categorised correctly by Google. That's all I wanted to do, just raise an awareness that ads like this are appearing on cache pages.

[+arisoft]

47 minutes ago, barefootjeff said:

As I keep saying, this isn't about me trying to block this ad on my computer

I am very confused about this issue. If it is not your computer then what? Have you seen this ad on another computer?

Years ago I put a hint in my mystery cache. The hint was a link to the source of information. One geocacher was very upset about this hint. Guess why!

Hidden answer-->> He believed that I have published his secret profile information to everyone who opened the link.<<--Hidden answer

Edited September 5, 2017 by arisoft

[+noncentric]

I understand the OP's purpose in posting this. They are simply pointing out that an 'inappropriate' ad is appearing on cache pages, not that they are personally bothered by the ad. The OP doesn't need to block ads on their computer. The OP's post is simply an 'alert' that, if GS wants cache pages to be family-friendly, then they GS should try to employ whatever options are available to prevent such ads from appearing on cache pages.

 

It seems like the OP's post (quoted below) sums up their 'issue' very clearly:

50 minutes ago, barefootjeff said:

As I keep saying, this isn't about me trying to block this ad on my computer. I just don't think it's appropriate to have ads like these with sexual overtones appearing on cache pages. After all, the newly rewritten guidelines say "Geocaching is a family friendly game. Cache page contents, including description and name, must be suitable for all ages".

Google's Adsense documentation says that website owners can "block ads from categories related to sensitive topics such as Religion, Politics and References to Sex and Sexuality", so either Groundspeak isn't doing this or this ad hasn't been categorised correctly by Google. That's all I wanted to do, just raise an awareness that ads like this are appearing on cache pages.

 

[+barefootjeff]

3 minutes ago, arisoft said:

I am very confused about this issue. If it is not your computer then what? Have you seen this ad on another computer?

I saw it on my computer but that's not the point. I don't think ads for sex aids (or whatever it is they're flogging) should appear in cache pages on anyone's computer. On the one hand Groundspeak are saying that cache page content (and the ads are part of that content) must be family friendly yet are allowing this (directly or indirectly, I don't care, at the end of the day it's their website and they are responsible for its content).

[+arisoft]

2 minutes ago, barefootjeff said:

I saw it on my computer but that's not the point. I don't think ads for sex aids (or whatever it is they're flogging) should appear in cache pages on anyone's computer.

For me Google advertises Vans. For females I've seen advertised panty liners.Google chooses an ad on the basis of what is best for its reader. Not whichever is most appropriate for someone else. Don't forget that Google knows you better than yourself. Maybe I need a new Van!

[+on4bam]

8 hours ago, arisoft said:

Don't forget that Google knows you better than yourself.

Only if you let it.

Going to the google settings my locations are blank, my search history is blank, and so is most if not all other stuff.

 

 

 

[Moun10Bike]

The next time you see an inappropriate ad, be sure to report the link that accompanies it. We have all sensitive categories blocked but sometimes individual ones with questionable content can slip through. If we don't have the link, we manually have to go through hundreds of thousands of ads to find it.

[+barefootjeff]

7 hours ago, Moun10Bike said:

The next time you see an inappropriate ad, be sure to report the link that accompanies it. We have all sensitive categories blocked but sometimes individual ones with questionable content can slip through. If we don't have the link, we manually have to go through hundreds of thousands of ads to find it.

Thanks This is the link to the ad I referred to in my original post:

https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=C737Jt-6wWdCJCc628gX8lpSwA-rnuIxM0NfDnosGrAIQASDryIQGYKX4kYCQAaAB4snMlQPIAQLgAgCoAwHIA5kEqgT6AU_Q4BPg64kOM1afGZsJz6oUlkuaotaKGr5W-as-5kH-KUnE7s2sUNcHbyXyo1M3MtN1sjWW4pnyO-GLsxuzuLTayYntTpaOZDKgEYGbg-3II-llDYkO7KVCj9s0joVJh-SxoFSWr8rAcS6YuchTAtF4Kwwrc3rK2BGiALTkYKNqbgv4uvrl7sSHzSPJqRbuS09l7YoNEHvlNm6YRH3WDMR34o82Sl4X_wyAIUcyWeFWQW0VESEsS8Vv_4miS0bkTa-b0JYKNdKWXzvjhaNt5h1-YMdSExVOXGQByL_e1tpTeC5BE1zKlRQ56YYp4NheI_JlUnRvvt5ZglngBAGgBgKAB4a2s2qoB6a-G9gHAdIIBwiAYRABGAGxCda4ZAKqHlp42BMC&num=1&cid=CAASEuRoN73uakXJnFGbXjAx0eQzAQ&sig=AOD64_2g3DWiy2N6RkJRDZix4Wd8NS_ohw&client=ca-pub-4515533114039152&nm=30&nx=140&ny=118&mb=2&adurl=https://blinkpostman.com/product/pinnacle-down-side-sleeper-pillow/

Strange, in spite of the image and text implying they were selling viagra or sex aids, from the link it might actually be an add for a pillow. Doh!

[+on4bam]

8 minutes ago, barefootjeff said:

https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=C737Jt-6wWdCJCc628gX8lpSwA-rnuIxM0NfDnosGrAIQASDryIQGYKX4kYCQAaAB4snMlQPIAQLgAgCoAwHIA5kEqgT6AU_Q4BPg64kOM1afGZsJz6oUlkuaotaKGr5W-as-5kH-KUnE7s2sUNcHbyXyo1M3MtN1sjWW4pnyO-GLsxuzuLTayYntTpaOZDKgEYGbg-3II-llDYkO7KVCj9s0joVJh-SxoFSWr8rAcS6YuchTAtF4Kwwrc3rK2BGiALTkYKNqbgv4uvrl7sSHzSPJqRbuS09l7YoNEHvlNm6YRH3WDMR34o82Sl4X_wyAIUcyWeFWQW0VESEsS8Vv_4miS0bkTa-b0JYKNdKWXzvjhaNt5h1-YMdSExVOXGQByL_e1tpTeC5BE1zKlRQ56YYp4NheI_JlUnRvvt5ZglngBAGgBgKAB4a2s2qoB6a-G9gHAdIIBwiAYRABGAGxCda4ZAKqHlp42BMC&num=1&cid=CAASEuRoN73uakXJnFGbXjAx0eQzAQ&sig=AOD64_2g3DWiy2N6RkJRDZix4Wd8NS_ohw&client=ca-pub-4515533114039152&nm=30&nx=140&ny=118&mb=2&adurl=https://blinkpostman.com/product/pinnacle-down-side-sleeper-pillow/Strange, in spite of the image and text implying they were selling viagra or sex aids, from the link it might actually be an add for a pillow. Doh!

A dirty mind is a joy forever

 

[+Team DEMP]

On 9/5/2017 at 7:19 AM, on4bam said:

GS has no control over what's advertised. That's google (or whatever ad service that's being used). You get ads for stuff that the algorithm decided are of interest to you. Just read the thread about the new virtuals to see what some think about algorithms and how accurate they are.

 

They do have some level of control and I see below that someone representing GS responded as well.  You can read about what Google supports for sites using Adsense... https://support.google.com/adsense/answer/180609?hl=en&ref_topic=23390&visit_id=1-636410014959830033-3453662166&rd=1

 

[+lodgebarn]

On 04/09/2017 at 11:22 PM, barefootjeff said:

I know Groundspeak have to make money and income from advertising on cache pages is one way of doing that, but geocaching is supposed to be family-friendly, right? Is this really appropriate here?

 

 

When I am a Premium member and paying my way I actually expect to see no adverts at all. Something changed overnight and this is beyond a joke. 

[+hzoi]

On 9/7/2017 at 3:06 AM, barefootjeff said:

Strange, in spite of the image and text implying they were selling viagra or sex aids, from the link it might actually be an add for a pillow. Doh!

Caught your eye, though, didn't it?  As far as the ad designer is concerned, mission accomplished.

[+barefootjeff]

5 hours ago, hzoi said:

On 07/09/2017 at 5:06 PM, barefootjeff said:

Strange, in spite of the image and text implying they were selling viagra or sex aids, from the link it might actually be an add for a pillow. Doh!

Caught your eye, though, didn't it?  As far as the ad designer is concerned, mission accomplished.

Nup, I didn't buy his pillow and even if I wanted one I wouldn't have known that's what he was selling.

[BlueRajah]

The advertiser selects some catigories for their ad.  HQ can block certain  categories. Then google does its thing.  Posting thousands of ads every hour based on browser histories and other factors. 

Once an inappropriate one is shown the only way to deal with it is manually.

1- Let google know it is miscatigorized and find out why it is shown to you.

2-HQ can block their site manually. 

If you do not do the first you may get the ad on other sites google advertises. It should work across all google ad sites.

If you let HQ know they can block that site here. But similar sites will still pop up.  Kind of like leaving the door open and hunting for the flies that come in one by one.

You cannot prescreen the ads shown on your site. They are custom chosen for you by Google.

Edited September 16, 2017 by BlueRajah

[+Mudfrog]

On 9/15/2017 at 11:25 AM, hzoi said:

Caught your eye, though, didn't it?  As far as the ad designer is concerned, mission accomplished.

Didn't exactly catch his eye. It was forced upon him in a pop up type ad that was impossible not to notice.

I had a sex ad come up on here a year or two back. I'm the only one that uses the computer so knew it wasn't because my browser had been directed to a sleazy website. I didn't want to see the carp again so decided to see if i could do something about it. Read about ad blockers here on the forums, installed one, and haven't looked back...

[BlueRajah]

Googles algorithms do not mean that you visited a site. If you do then you are likely to get more ads.  However they compare your history with others,  and they consider a if you have visited a related site,  even a far distant relation.  

Plus that does not help if the ad purchaser miscatigorized their ad, accidentally or on purpose. Some may, just to get the ad in front of new people.

Edited September 16, 2017 by BlueRajah

[+Harry Dolphin]

46 minutes ago, BlueRajah said:

Googles algorithms do not mean that you visited a site. If you do then you are likely to get more ads.  However they compare your history with others,  and they consider a if you have visited a related site,  even a far distant relation.  

Plus that does not help if the ad purchaser miscatigorized their ad, accidentally or on purpose. Some may, just to get the ad in front of new people.

So, that means that Geocaching.com/Groundspeak is unwilling/unable to to work with Google to make sure that inappropriate advertisements do not appear on the website?  Google Ads is King!  It pays enough that the website doesn't care what ads appear!  Go Google!  You are the King!  

[BlueRajah]

3 hours ago, Harry Dolphin said:

So, that means that Geocaching.com/Groundspeak is unwilling/unable to to work with Google to make sure that inappropriate advertisements do not appear on the website?  Google Ads is King!  It pays enough that the website doesn't care what ads appear!  Go Google!  You are the King!  

I do not how you made that big if a jump in logic. I am sure that I did not say that, and I am sure the post by Moun10bike is also debunking your comment.  If reported they can take action.

I was explaining how one of hundreds of thousands of ads slip in, and how to deal with them.  It will happen again, to others or to yourself if you do not report it or take action through google as well.

[+jellis]

As premium  paid members shouldn't we have an option to opt out of all advertising. If not, we should.

Edited September 17, 2017 by jellis

[+Mudfrog]

2 hours ago, jellis said:

As premium  paid members shouldn't we have an option to opt out of all advertising. If not, we should.

I decided not to renew my premium membership when it came due back in May. While this wouldn't help me now, i agree that paying members should not have to put up with the ads.

[+noncentric]

On 09/16/2017 at 5:20 PM, Harry Dolphin said:

On 09/16/2017 at 4:31 PM, BlueRajah said:

Googles algorithms do not mean that you visited a site. If you do then you are likely to get more ads.  However they compare your history with others,  and they consider a if you have visited a related site,  even a far distant relation.  

Plus that does not help if the ad purchaser miscatigorized their ad, accidentally or on purpose. Some may, just to get the ad in front of new people.

So, that means that Geocaching.com/Groundspeak is unwilling/unable to to work with Google to make sure that inappropriate advertisements do not appear on the website?  Google Ads is King!  It pays enough that the website doesn't care what ads appear!  Go Google!  You are the King!

Huh?

I've read this a couple times and cannot fathom how HD jumped to such a conclusion (bolded above). Perhaps read BlueRajah's earlier post, 2 posts above the one that HD quoted.