Today’s blog is about the launch of the “Advertising Option Icon”, which is displayed near advertisements or on web pages where information is collected for behavioral advertising. The icon is used by a company/website to give consumers better advertising through the collection of people static consumer data. http://www.tamingthebeast.net/blog/web-marketing/advertising-option-icon.htm. I am all for this “Advertising Option Icon” but there is a couple of downsides. 
First of all, some people feel like it is an invasion of privacy. I understand how people could feel like this but I look at it from the perspective of an FIU Business student. By using static consumer data, companies are going to be able to target the right products to the right people. Instead of seeing advertisements that have no interest to you, you will now being seeing all the things you like and this will increase the chances of you as the consumer to make a purchase. The other downside to this “Advertising Option Icon” is that most consumers will not have any idea as to what this icon stands for and means. Most icons have a shape or a word that makes it distinguishable to people. I believe this program will be much more successful if they change the icon to something that stands for what they are providing to people. Some people, me included, will actually click on it to see what it is all about but it wouldn’t hurt if they redesigned it a little. If it gets popular enough, I believe there will be numerous companies that will be waiting in line to sign up. Every company’s main goal is to increase revenues and by being able to focus advertisements through static consumer data it will be a sure success. I do believe that the sponsoring organizations will have a close eye on online company’s compliance with behavioral advertising rules. Only time will truly tell but the “Advertising Option Icon” might just be the next big internet seal of approval.
First of all, some people feel like it is an invasion of privacy. I understand how people could feel like this but I look at it from the perspective of an FIU Business student. By using static consumer data, companies are going to be able to target the right products to the right people. Instead of seeing advertisements that have no interest to you, you will now being seeing all the things you like and this will increase the chances of you as the consumer to make a purchase. The other downside to this “Advertising Option Icon” is that most consumers will not have any idea as to what this icon stands for and means. Most icons have a shape or a word that makes it distinguishable to people. I believe this program will be much more successful if they change the icon to something that stands for what they are providing to people. Some people, me included, will actually click on it to see what it is all about but it wouldn’t hurt if they redesigned it a little. If it gets popular enough, I believe there will be numerous companies that will be waiting in line to sign up. Every company’s main goal is to increase revenues and by being able to focus advertisements through static consumer data it will be a sure success. I do believe that the sponsoring organizations will have a close eye on online company’s compliance with behavioral advertising rules. Only time will truly tell but the “Advertising Option Icon” might just be the next big internet seal of approval.
All companies, (unless they are non profit), are looking to do one thing, generate profit.I think they have done a spamrt thing by including this icon on their websites as it works both in their favor.In one way, as an educated consumer, if I see this option icon on a company website, I am going to psychologically feel that the company cares about me as a consumer and is putting my interest first, therefore I would be inclined to turn my browsing into purchasing...and on the other hand..if i'm not aware of this research being done, they (the company) can still collect my data and target products and services at me that they know I'm inclined to convert to sales..It's a win-win.
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