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reitmonero · 6 months

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Personalization Techniques in Unbounce

Understanding User Segmentation in Unbounce

In the dynamic realm of digital marketing, grasping the intricacies of user segmentation is pivotal for crafting targeted and personalized campaigns. Unbounce, a versatile landing page builder, empowers marketers to delve into user segmentation, offering a nuanced approach to engage diverse audiences effectively.

A. Creating User Segments

User segmentation involves categorizing your audience based on specific criteria, such as demographics, behavior, or preferences. Unbounce facilitates this process through intuitive tools, enabling marketers to define segments seamlessly. By dissecting your audience into distinct groups, you gain a profound understanding of their unique needs and expectations.

Utilizing Unbounce's user-friendly interface, you can set parameters for segmentation, considering factors like location, device type, or referral source. This precision allows for tailor-made experiences, enhancing the relevance of your landing pages and increasing the likelihood of conversion.

B. Tailoring Landing Pages Based on Segmentation

Once user segments are defined, the real power of Unbounce emerges in tailoring landing pages to cater to each group's specific characteristics. Through dynamic content and personalized messaging, you can create a more engaging and compelling user experience.

Unbounce's drag-and-drop editor simplifies the process of customization, allowing you to seamlessly adjust content, images, and calls-to-action based on user segments. For instance, a landing page targeting young professionals might feature vibrant visuals and concise copy, while a page aimed at senior citizens could emphasize simplicity and clarity.

The ability to dynamically adapt content based on segmentation enhances the user journey, fostering a sense of connection and relevance. This not only boosts conversion rates but also cultivates brand loyalty as users feel understood and valued.

In conclusion, mastering user segmentation within Unbounce is a game-changer in the pursuit of personalized marketing. By creating and utilizing segments effectively, marketers can craft landing pages that resonate with specific audiences, driving engagement and conversion. Unbounce's seamless tools and intuitive interface make this process accessible, empowering marketers to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing.

Dynamic Text Replacement (DTR) in Unbounce is a powerful feature that allows marketers to create personalized and targeted experiences for visitors. This advanced customization technique enhances user engagement and conversion rates by dynamically changing text on a webpage based on the search terms or keywords that led the visitor to the page.

A. Explanation of DTR

Dynamic Text Replacement involves replacing specific text elements on a webpage with personalized content, ensuring that the displayed text resonates with the visitor's search intent. This is achieved by setting up DTR parameters, which are essentially placeholders for the dynamic content. When a visitor lands on the page, Unbounce automatically replaces these placeholders with relevant text, creating a more tailored experience.

DTR is particularly useful for creating highly targeted landing pages that align with users' search queries. It eliminates the need for creating multiple static pages for different keywords, streamlining the optimization process and providing a more cohesive user journey.

B. How to Implement DTR in Unbounce

Implementing Dynamic Text Replacement in Unbounce is a straightforward process. Begin by identifying the keywords or search terms you want to target, and then create variations of the text that correspond to these terms. Next, insert DTR parameters in your text where you want the dynamic replacement to occur.

Unbounce provides a user-friendly interface for setting up DTR. In the Unbounce builder, select the text element you want to make dynamic and choose the DTR option. Here, you can define the default text and assign replacements for specific keywords. Unbounce will automatically swap out the text based on the visitor's search, delivering a personalized experience.

When implementing DTR, it's crucial to continuously analyze performance metrics and user behavior. Regularly review how different variations impact conversion rates and adjust your dynamic text strategy accordingly. Additionally, consider conducting A/B tests to fine-tune your approach and optimize for the best results.

In conclusion, Dynamic Text Replacement in Unbounce is a valuable tool for creating personalized and targeted landing pages. By understanding and implementing DTR effectively, marketers can significantly improve user engagement and conversion rates, delivering a more relevant and satisfying experience for visitors.

Smart Traffic is a groundbreaking feature within the Unbounce platform that empowers marketers to enhance conversions through intelligent visitor segmentation. In this post, we delve into the intricacies of Smart Traffic, providing a comprehensive overview and showcasing its potential impact on campaign success.

A. Overview of Smart Traffic Feature: Smart Traffic is a dynamic algorithm designed to optimize the distribution of traffic among different variations of a landing page. Unlike traditional A/B testing, where a single variation is shown to all visitors, Smart Traffic employs machine learning to analyze visitor attributes and behaviors. This allows it to intelligently route each visitor to the variation most likely to resonate with their preferences, thereby maximizing the chances of conversion.

One key aspect of Smart Traffic is its adaptability. It continuously learns from user interactions, automatically adjusting the traffic distribution over time based on the performance of each variation. This adaptive approach ensures that the system stays responsive to evolving user trends and preferences.

B. Case Studies on Successful Implementation: To illustrate the tangible benefits of Smart Traffic, we present case studies highlighting its successful implementation in diverse marketing scenarios.

Case Study 1: E-commerce Enhancement A leading e-commerce brand utilized Smart Traffic to optimize its product landing pages. By dynamically presenting variations tailored to user segments based on their browsing history and preferences, the brand witnessed a notable increase in conversion rates. Smart Traffic's ability to adapt to real-time user behavior proved instrumental in enhancing the overall shopping experience.

Case Study 2: Lead Generation for B2B In a B2B context, a software company applied Smart Traffic to its lead generation pages. By leveraging the algorithm's proficiency in identifying and targeting specific industry segments, the company achieved a substantial boost in qualified leads. The adaptive nature of Smart Traffic was pivotal in aligning the landing page content with the unique needs of each business sector.

In conclusion, Smart Traffic emerges as a game-changer in the realm of conversion optimization. Its adaptive, machine-learning-driven approach sets it apart, offering marketers a powerful tool to tailor their landing pages dynamically. Through this feature, Unbounce not only keeps pace with industry advancements but also propels marketers toward unprecedented levels of success in their campaigns.

V. Personalized CTAs and Messaging

In the dynamic landscape of digital marketing, creating a personalized user experience is paramount to capturing and retaining audience attention. Unbounce, a versatile landing page builder, empowers marketers to implement personalized Calls-to-Action (CTAs) and messaging for enhanced engagement and conversion rates.

A. Crafting Personalized Call-to-Actions

Tailoring CTAs to the specific needs and preferences of your audience is a game-changer in the realm of Unbounce. Leverage the platform's flexibility to create CTAs that resonate with different segments of your target audience. Whether it's modifying the language, design, or even the timing of your CTAs, Unbounce provides the tools to experiment and refine.

Consider employing dynamic text replacement to customize CTAs based on user demographics or behavior. This powerful feature allows you to dynamically alter the text on your landing pages, ensuring that your CTAs speak directly to the unique interests of each visitor. Experiment with personalized offers, discounts, or exclusive content to entice users and drive conversions.

B. Impact of Personalized Messaging on User Engagement

In a sea of generic content, personalized messaging stands out, creating a more meaningful connection with your audience. Unbounce facilitates the integration of personalized messaging throughout your landing pages, enabling you to address users by name or tailor content based on their past interactions.

The impact of personalized messaging extends beyond initial engagement—it plays a crucial role in nurturing customer relationships. Unbounce's A/B testing capabilities can be harnessed to evaluate the effectiveness of different messaging approaches. Analyze user responses and refine your strategies to continually enhance the personalization of your content.

By aligning your messaging with user preferences, you not only increase the likelihood of conversions but also foster a sense of brand loyalty. Users are more likely to engage with and remember a brand that recognizes and caters to their individual needs.

In conclusion, Unbounce's features empower marketers to go beyond generic outreach and create personalized experiences that resonate with their audience. Crafting personalized CTAs and messaging is not just a trend; it's a strategic approach that can significantly impact user engagement, conversion rates, and long-term brand loyalty. Embrace the power of personalization with Unbounce to elevate your marketing efforts in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.

Geo-Targeting and its Application in Unbounce

In the dynamic realm of digital marketing, geo-targeting has emerged as a pivotal strategy to enhance user engagement and drive conversions. Unbounce, a versatile landing page builder, empowers marketers to harness the potential of geo-targeting through its advanced features. In this post, we delve into the significance of geo-targeting and how Unbounce facilitates its seamless implementation.

A. Geo-Targeting Features in Unbounce

Unbounce provides a robust set of geo-targeting features that enable marketers to tailor their content based on the geographical location of their audience. One notable feature is the ability to customize landing pages according to the visitor's location, offering a personalized experience. Marketers can create region-specific campaigns, ensuring that users see content relevant to their location.

The platform also allows for the creation of geo-targeted pop-ups and overlays, presenting a valuable opportunity to deliver location-specific messages or promotions. Whether it's highlighting regional offers or localizing language and imagery, Unbounce's geo-targeting features empower marketers to craft campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences.

B. Customizing Content Based on Location

The customization capabilities of Unbounce extend beyond aesthetics, influencing the very content users encounter. Marketers can strategically leverage geo-targeting to display location-specific testimonials, case studies, or success stories. This not only establishes a sense of relatability for the audience but also builds trust by showcasing relevant experiences from their region.

Additionally, geo-targeting proves instrumental in optimizing ad spend. By directing campaigns to specific regions, marketers can allocate resources more efficiently, ensuring that their message reaches the most receptive audience. Unbounce's intuitive interface simplifies the process of setting up geo-targeted campaigns, making it accessible even for those without extensive technical expertise.

In conclusion, Unbounce's integration of geo-targeting features elevates the effectiveness of digital marketing campaigns. Whether you're a local business aiming to connect with the community or a global brand seeking to tailor messages to different regions, Unbounce provides the tools to deliver personalized and impactful experiences. Stay tuned for more insights as we continue to explore the multifaceted functionalities of Unbounce in upcoming posts.

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VIII. A/B Testing for Personalization: Elevating Your Approach

In the dynamic landscape of digital marketing, personalization has emerged as a crucial factor in enhancing user experience and driving conversions. A/B testing, a powerful methodology, can be harnessed to optimize personalized elements on your Unbounce pages. Here, we delve into best practices for conducting A/B tests focused on personalization, offering insights on interpretation and refinement.

A. Best Practices for A/B Testing Personalization Elements

Segmentation Precision: Begin by carefully segmenting your audience based on relevant parameters such as demographics, behavior, or location. This enables a more granular approach to personalization.

Dynamic Content Testing: Experiment with different types of dynamic content, including personalized recommendations, tailored messages, or individualized imagery. Gauge user responses to identify the most resonant elements.

Timing Matters: Test the timing of personalized elements, such as pop-ups or dynamic sections. Assess whether immediate or delayed personalization yields better engagement and conversion rates.

Consistency Across Devices: Ensure a seamless experience across devices by testing the consistency of personalized elements. Elements that adapt well to various screen sizes contribute to a cohesive user journey.

Personalization Depth: Explore the depth of personalization by testing variations in the amount of personalized content. Striking the right balance is essential; too little may not capture attention, while excessive personalization might seem intrusive.

B. Interpreting Results and Refining Strategies

Statistical Significance: Before drawing conclusions, ensure your A/B test results are statistically significant. This guards against making decisions based on random fluctuations in data.

User Feedback Integration: Supplement quantitative data with qualitative insights. Collect feedback through surveys or user testing to gain a deeper understanding of how personalized elements resonate with your audience.

Iterative Refinement: A/B testing is an iterative process. Use the insights gained to refine your personalization strategies continually. Small tweaks can lead to significant improvements over time.

Cross-Channel Integration: Evaluate the impact of personalized elements on other marketing channels. Assess how consistency in personalization contributes to a cohesive brand image and customer experience.

Incorporating these best practices into your A/B testing regimen will empower you to unlock the full potential of personalization on Unbounce pages. By understanding your audience's preferences and optimizing accordingly, you can create a more tailored and compelling user journey that translates into improved conversion rates and overall campaign success.

In the dynamic landscape of digital marketing, implementing personalization on Unbounce pages can pose challenges that require strategic navigation. Recognizing and addressing these obstacles is crucial for delivering tailored user experiences. Let's delve into some common pitfalls and effective solutions for successful personalization.

A. Common Pitfalls and Hurdles

Insufficient Data Insights: Personalization relies heavily on data, and a lack of comprehensive insights into user behavior can impede effective customization. Limited data may result in inaccuracies in predicting user preferences.

Overlooking Segmentation Complexity: A common mistake is underestimating the complexity of user segmentation. Failing to create precise and meaningful segments can lead to generic personalization that misses the mark with the intended audience.

Privacy Concerns and Regulations: Striking the right balance between personalization and user privacy is challenging. Strict regulations, such as GDPR, require marketers to tread carefully in collecting and utilizing personal data, making it essential to stay compliant.

B. Solutions and Workarounds

Advanced Analytics Integration: To overcome data challenges, integrate advanced analytics tools with Unbounce. Utilize heatmaps, user journey analysis, and other tracking mechanisms to gather detailed insights, allowing for more informed personalization decisions.

Dynamic Segmentation Strategies: Instead of relying on broad categorizations, implement dynamic segmentation strategies. Leverage machine learning algorithms to analyze user behavior in real-time, ensuring that segments remain relevant and adaptive to changing preferences.

Transparent Communication and Consent: Address privacy concerns by establishing transparent communication with users. Clearly articulate how their data will be used and seek explicit consent. This not only builds trust but also ensures compliance with data protection regulations.

Continuous Testing and Optimization: Personalization is an iterative process. Regularly test different personalization elements, analyze results, and refine strategies accordingly. This continuous optimization approach ensures that personalization efforts align with evolving user preferences.

In conclusion, while implementing personalization on Unbounce pages presents challenges, strategic solutions and proactive measures can turn these hurdles into opportunities for enhanced user engagement and conversion rates. Stay attuned to evolving trends and technologies to maintain a competitive edge in the realm of personalized digital experiences.

III. FAQs on Personalization in Unbounce:

A. Can I Use Personalization on Mobile Pages? Yes, Unbounce allows personalization on mobile pages. However, ensure that your design is responsive and that the personalized content looks seamless across various screen sizes.

B. What Data Can I Use for Personalization? Unbounce lets you personalize based on data such as location, referral source, and custom data attributes. Explore the possibilities and tailor your content to match your audience's preferences.

C. How Does Personalization Affect SEO? When done right, personalization can enhance user engagement, positively impacting SEO. Ensure that search engines can crawl and index your personalized content, and monitor your rankings to assess the impact.

In conclusion, personalization in Unbounce opens up a realm of possibilities, but understanding and troubleshooting potential issues is crucial. By mastering these techniques and addressing common concerns, you'll be better equipped to create dynamic and engaging pages that resonate with your audience.

Dynamic Text Replacement (DTR): A feature in Unbounce allowing personalized content based on user attributes.

Geo-Targeting: Customizing content based on the user's geographical location.

Behavioral Targeting: Tailoring content based on user actions and interactions.

User Segmentation: Dividing the audience into specific groups for targeted personalization.

Smart Content: Dynamic content that adapts based on user behavior or preferences.

Contextualization: Customizing content to suit the context in which it is viewed.

Cookie-Based Personalization: Using browser cookies to track and deliver personalized content.

First-Party Data: Personalization using data collected directly from users.

Progressive Profiling: Gradually collecting user information over multiple interactions for enhanced personalization.

Predictive Personalization: Anticipating user preferences based on historical data and behavior.

Microtargeting: Extremely focused personalization to a very specific audience.

Engagement Scoring: Assigning scores to users based on their interaction levels for targeted content.

Affinity Marketing: Personalization based on users' interests and affinities.

Personalization Tokens: Placeholder tags replaced with personalized content dynamically.

Algorithmic Personalization: Using algorithms to predict and deliver personalized content.

Contextual Marketing: Personalizing content based on the immediate context of user interactions.

Multi-Channel Personalization: Ensuring a consistent personalized experience across various channels.

Preference Center: Allowing users to define their preferences for personalized content.

Cross-Sell Recommendations: Suggesting additional products or services based on user behavior.

Loyalty Segmentation: Personalizing content for loyal customers to enhance their experience.

User Persona Mapping: Creating detailed profiles to tailor content to specific user types.

Time-Based Personalization: Adapting content based on the time of day or user behavior patterns.

Cohort Analysis: Grouping users with similar characteristics for targeted personalization.

Emotional Targeting: Personalizing content to evoke specific emotions in users.

Split URL Testing: Testing different personalized versions of a page through distinct URLs.

User-Generated Content Integration: Incorporating content created by users for a personalized touch.

Persona-Based Targeting: Personalizing content based on predefined user personas.

In-Session Personalization: Real-time adjustments to content during a user's session.

Implicit Personalization: Inferring user preferences without explicit data input.

Dynamic Offers: Personalized promotions and deals based on user behavior and preferences.

#Unbounce #Personalization #User Segmentation #Dynamic Text Replacement #Smart Traffic #CTAs #Geo-Targeting #Behavioral Targeting #A/B Testing #Marketing Trends

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displaycia · 8 months

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Join us for the Global Webinar on Human Behavioral Science, a prestigious event that brings together leading experts, researchers, and practitioners to explore the intricacies of human behavior through a multidisciplinary lens. With sessions covering topics such as the neurobiology of behavior, cognitive psychology, social and cultural influences, and motivation and goal pursuit, Displaycia Webinar offers a deep dive into the fascinating world of human behavior. Register now to gain insights into the latest discoveries in neuroscience, cognitive biases, social conformity, and effective goal-setting strategies. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a dynamic platform for cross-sectoral collaboration and drive innovative progress.

Learn more about us or feel free to contact us at [email protected] for additional details.

#behavioral psychology #research scientist #science #events #webinar #scholars #behavioral analysis unit #behavioral event network #cognitive behavioral therapy #behavioral targeting #neurobiology #discussions

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news23622 · 1 year

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Retargeting with Facebook Ads || How to Reach Your Target Audience? Easy Guide

Retargeting is a powerful marketing strategy that helps businesses reach potential customers who have already interacted with their brand. Retargeting with Facebook becomes even more effective, as the platform allows you to display highly targeted ads to users who have already shown interest in your brand. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of retargeting with Facebook Ads and provide…

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#ad targeting #behavioral targeting #Custom audience #digital advertising #Facebook ads #Facebook pixel #online advertising #online marketing #remarketing #retargeting #social media marketing

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grandwretch · 3 months

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i so badly want one of those fic examinations of steve's relationship with joyce and hopper but solely through eddie's pov like hear me out

steve and eddie chat a lot in the upside down (and later in the hospital, when they learn hop is alive). steve has taken charge of filling eddie in on the rest of their of-age crew without the kids butting in. he never mentions his own parents, but he talks about the rest of the party's a lot, especially joyce and hopper. eddie knows what it's like to desperately want someone to be your parent and trying to hide it from his own childhood, when he would try to be cool about wayne dropping him off at his dad's house. steve obviously adores joyce and hopper, thinks the world of them and legitimately looks up to them.

eddie isn't sure what he expects from a cop who came back to life and the world's most determined housewife, but he's excited to meet them as someone steve loves.

cue eddie's horror when he realizes that neither of them really feel much for steve rather than annoyance and vague distrust. that joyce trusts will with eddie, an accused murderer, in a heartbeat and still hesitates to leave him with steve. that hopper brushes off every ounce of steve's hero worship and joy.

he tries to broach the topic with steve, gently, and is heartbroken when steve genuinely has no idea what he's talking about. and not because he's oblivious, but because steve thinks that's what he deserves. he thinks that's the parental love that someone who was an asshole in high school needs, because that's what would make him a good person. he needs people to call him out constantly, obviously, because why else would they keep doing it? why would nancy? at least they're here. at least they're not ignoring him. at least they're not forcing him into a box. they just want him to be better.

like, this is the man who thanked a girl for calling him bullshit and telling him she never loved him. he doesn't Know that's not how you're supposed to handle things. no one ever taught him that.

and now eddie's gotta figure out how he can teach steve how to be loved the right way without outing himself and his huge crush on his love-starved dork of a friend.

#shut up az #steddie #i just had the flash of eddie in a hospital bed staring up at hopper and the way he talks to steve in horror #like hopper saying something off the cuff about how he's not surprised there was so much collateral with steve in charge #and eddie thinking about steve always putting himself in harm's way #and the way steve got mauled by bats way before eddie did and then KEPT. GOING. but no one is mentioning that #no one is mentioning that steve was the first one of their group physically hurt by this.#and steve is just nodding like he agrees and eddie doesn't want to be rude bc these ppl are obviously Important to his friends #and then Mike comes in later and says something Mike-y and Eddie snaps at him #then he has to apologize because Mike is a stupid kid who loves Steve in his own way #and Eddie shouldn't blame him for the behavior of adults who should no better just because Mike is an easier target #anyway Eddie doesn't know how to have parents right either so he ropes Jeff and Lucas and Gareth and Robin into OP: Teach Steve Self-Worth

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foldingfittedsheets · 4 months

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One of my earlier jobs in life was at a little pizza place. I worked there when it was first starting up. It’s the only job I’ve ever been fired from and it was because a new manager came in and cleaned house. Because my state requires a reason to be fired he said I used too much pepperoni. So now on job applications I get to write that I was fired for “excessive use of pepperoni.” Never fails to get a laugh.

Anyway! For this story to make sense I’ve first got to set the stage. This pizza place started out as the Wild West of management but one of the original investors was super committed to work programs through the prison. We hired a ton of ex convicts and they were all, to a one, super hyped on Christianity. Like born again for the sole purpose of lauding Christ with their every breath.

I hadn’t been working there long but I’d definitely noticed the Jesus bug had gone around, and as I’ve never been religious at all I tried to steer clear of the topic for my own safety.

The day our story takes place, I was folding boxes. Anyone whose ever worked pizza can attest, there’s so much box folding. It’s something that happens at every lull, the pizza machine demands box folding on a grand and epic scale.

On my right folding his stack of boxes was a guy wider than he was tall, made of pure muscle, Corey. He was newer on staff, and due to a stutter he didn’t talk much. All I knew about him was that he got hired through the rehabilitation program and had done time.

On my left folding was a tall middle-aged woman who loved to yell at me, Cindy. She and I rubbed each other the wrong way and had nothing in common, leading to a tense working relationship.

We folded boxes in silence. This was really my best case scenario as a quiet Cindy was a Cindy not riding my ass, and Corey intimidated me.

But the weight of the silence grew too much for Cindy, who finally said, “I really want to go to bible school.”

I folded a box. I had less than no idea what bible school even was and I didn’t want to get sucked into a religious topic.

On my right Corey said, “W-why, Cindy?”

“Well, cause I believe what’s in the Bible, but I just don’t know it all.”

He nodded sagely to this.

Cindy continued, “And every time I sit down to read the Bible I get real sleepy. And I know it’s the devil.”

It’s so hard to convey her tone in written format. It was delivered with the emphasis and exasperation of an inevitable inconvenience. Like, I just know it’s the squirrels eating the bird seed.

I froze in place at this pronouncement. My only exposure to Lucifer was Neil Gaiman’s Sandman comics and I was trying to mentally twist into a frame of mind where The Morningstar cared enough about this one middle aged lady expanding her knowledge of the Bible that he followed her around cursing her with sleepiness when she picked it up.

I think I expected Corey to say, “Well that’s silly,” or something to acknowledge what a bizarre thing Cindy had just said.

Instead he said, “Yeah!” In a tone of complete agreement.

I didn’t look up. I tried to keep my face neutral at this development.

But something must have shown. Corey said, “You don’t believe in God?”

I shrugged casually and said, “If I did I wouldn’t talk about it at work.”

“C-cause it’s t-true. If y-you t-ry to r-read the B-bible on unsanctif-fied gr-round the d-devil m-makes you s-sleepy!”

I made a noncommittal sound and fled into the back room.

Over the next week it drove me crazy though. The logic of it wouldn’t leave me alone so finally one day when it was just Corey and I in front, and the restaurant was empty, I said, “Hey man, I have a question.”

He shrugged and listened.

“I really don’t mean this with any disrespect, I just genuinely want to know about the logistics-“

“J-ust ask.”

“Okay, so if Cindy gets tired when she reads any book, is it only the devil making her tired when it’s the Bible?”

His face went purple with fury and he yelled, “F-fuck you!” at my retreating back as I fled once more into the back room.

It will forever remain a mystery.

#ramblies #story #funny #as a caveat I don’t mean this story with any offense if you’re religious #but I think to assume that you’re being targeted specifically by a cosmic entity who rivals god is an insane hubris #the idea of a devil is already wild cause like he punishes bad people in the mythos so it seems like he's committed to people #paying for bad behavior rather than trying to trick them into it? but everyone treats lucifer like a boogey man which is weird to me #ffs foibles

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mostlysignssomeportents · 8 months

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The surveillance advertising to financial fraud pipeline

Monday (October 2), I'll be in Boise to host an event with VE Schwab. On October 7–8, I'm in Milan to keynote Wired Nextfest.

Being watched sucks. Of all the parenting mistakes I've made, none haunt me more than the times my daughter caught me watching her while she was learning to do something, discovered she was being observed in a vulnerable moment, and abandoned her attempt:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2014/may/09/cybersecurity-begins-with-integrity-not-surveillance

It's hard to be your authentic self while you're under surveillance. For that reason alone, the rise and rise of the surveillance industry – an unholy public-private partnership between cops, spooks, and ad-tech scum – is a plague on humanity and a scourge on the Earth:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/08/16/the-second-best-time-is-now/#the-point-of-a-system-is-what-it-does

But beyond the psychic damage surveillance metes out, there are immediate, concrete ways in which surveillance brings us to harm. Ad-tech follows us into abortion clinics and then sells the info to the cops back home in the forced birth states run by Handmaid's Tale LARPers:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/06/29/no-i-in-uter-us/#egged-on

And even if you have the good fortune to live in a state whose motto isn't "There's no 'I" in uter-US," ad-tech also lets anti-abortion propagandists trick you into visiting fake "clinics" who defraud you into giving birth by running out the clock on terminating your pregnancy:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/06/15/paid-medical-disinformation/#crisis-pregnancy-centers

The commercial surveillance industry fuels SWATting, where sociopaths who don't like your internet opinions or are steamed because you beat them at Call of Duty trick the cops into thinking that there's an "active shooter" at your house, provoking the kind of American policing autoimmune reaction that can get you killed:

https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/14/us/swatting-sentence-casey-viner/index.html

There's just a lot of ways that compiling deep, nonconsensual, population-scale surveillance dossiers can bring safety and financial harm to the unwilling subjects of our experiment in digital spying. The wave of "business email compromises" (the infosec term for impersonating your boss to you and tricking you into cleaning out the company bank accounts)? They start with spear phishing, a phishing attack that uses personal information – bought from commercial sources or ganked from leaks – to craft a virtual Big Store con:

https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/safety-resources/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/business-email-compromise

It's not just spear-phishers. There are plenty of financial predators who run petty grifts – stock swindles, identity theft, and other petty cons. These scams depend on commercial surveillance, both to target victims (e.g. buying Facebook ads targeting people struggling with medical debt and worried about losing their homes) and to run the con itself (by getting the information needed to pull of a successful identity theft).

In "Consumer Surveillance and Financial Fraud," a new National Bureau of Academic Research paper, a trio of business-school profs – Bo Bian (UBC), Michaela Pagel (WUSTL) and Huan Tang (Wharton) quantify the commercial surveillance industry's relationship to finance crimes:

https://www.nber.org/papers/w31692

The authors take advantage of a time-series of ZIP-code-accurate fraud complaint data from the Consumer Finance Protection Board, supplemented by complaints from the FTC, along with Apple's rollout of App Tracking Transparency, a change to app-based tracking on Apple mobile devices that turned of third-party commercial surveillance unless users explicitly opted into being spied on. More than 96% of Apple users blocked spying:

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/05/96-of-us-users-opt-out-of-app-tracking-in-ios-14-5-analytics-find/

In other words, they were able to see, neighborhood by neighborhood, what happened to financial fraud when users were able to block commercial surveillance.

What happened is, fraud plunged. Deprived of the raw material for committing fraud, criminals were substantially hampered in their ability to steal from internet users.

While this is something that security professionals have understood for years, this study puts some empirical spine into the large corpus of qualitative accounts of the surveillance-to-fraud pipeline.

As the authors note in their conclusion, this analysis is timely. Google has just rolled out a new surveillance system, the deceptively named "Privacy Sandbox," that every Chrome user is being opted in to unless they find and untick three separate preference tickboxes. You should find and untick these boxes:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/09/how-turn-googles-privacy-sandbox-ad-tracking-and-why-you-should

Google has spun, lied and bullied Privacy Sandbox into existence; whenever this program draws enough fire, they rename it (it used to be called FLoC). But as the Apple example showed, no one wants to be spied on – that's why Google makes you find and untick three boxes to opt out of this new form of surveillance.

There is no consensual basis for mass commercial surveillance. The story that "people don't mind ads so long as they're relevant" is a lie. But even if it was true, it wouldn't be enough, because beyond the harms to being our authentic selves that come from the knowledge that we're being observed, surveillance data is a crucial ingredient for all kinds of crime, harassment, and deception.

We can't rely on companies to spy on us responsibly. Apple may have blocked third-party app spying, but they effect nonconsensual, continuous surveillance of every Apple mobile device user, and lie about it:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/14/luxury-surveillance/#liar-liar

That's why we should ban commercial surveillance. We should outlaw surveillance advertising. Period:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2022/03/ban-online-behavioral-advertising

Contrary to the claims of surveillance profiteers, this wouldn't reduce the income to ad-supported news and other media – it would increase their revenues, by letting them place ads without relying on the surveillance troves assembled by the Google/Meta ad-tech duopoly, who take the majority of ad-revenue:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/05/save-news-we-must-ban-surveillance-advertising

We're 30 years into the commercial surveillance pandemic and Congress still hasn't passed a federal privacy law with a private right of action. But other agencies aren't waiting for Congress. The FTC and DoJ Antitrust Divsision have proposed new merger guidelines that allow regulators to consider privacy harms when companies merge:

https://www.regulations.gov/comment/FTC-2023-0043-1569

Think here of how Google devoured Fitbit and claimed massive troves of extremely personal data, much of which was collected because employers required workers to wear biometric trackers to get the best deal on health care:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/04/google-fitbit-merger-would-cement-googles-data-empire

Companies can't be trusted to collect, retain or use our personal data wisely. The right "balance" here is to simply ban that collection, without an explicit opt-in. The way this should work is that companies can't collect private data unless users hunt down and untick three "don't spy on me" boxes. After all, that's the standard that Google has set.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/29/ban-surveillance-ads/#sucker-funnel

Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

#pluralistic #commercial surveillance #surveillance #surveillance advertising #ad-tech #behavioral advertising #ads #privacy #fraud #targeting #ad targeting #scams #scholarship #nber #merger guidelines #ftc #doj

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