Scams upon scams: The data-driven advertising grift
Hmm, I feel like this analysis comes from trying to rationalise what’s happening. From my experience the truth is simpler, and much more disappointing: Advertising is about statistics, and if some wonky new data model creates better conversions the advertisers don’t care how it’s underlying rule sets work.<p>The cost of pushing ads to people who already have mattresses is insignificant to capturing those that are about to buy them, statistically speaking.<p>The disappointing thing about this trend is that even if the rule sets are obviously wrong, yet still provide positive results means that their operators have little reason to change them. Statistics don’t work for individuals.<p>Case in point is credit rating and insurance underwriting