The Value of Stereotypes
February 20, 2012
The Google disclosure page has been a big topic of discussion recently, and for good reason.
The mega-search giant infers users’ age, gender, and interests. Even though the formula is not quite fully understood yet, some old-fashioned stereotypes are bubbling up.
Gawker.com’s article, “The Stereotypes Inside Google’s Supercomputer: A Partial List,” reveals some of these stereotypes which are emerging. For example, browsing cooking sites will typically peg you as a female, while being aware of events in the news causes Google to infer you are older. The article asserts:
As many a lady tech reporter has discovered, ogling e-gizmos virtually makes you a man. Wired.com’s Christina Bonnington, a gadget writer, looks at the occasional kitten video, but still shows up on Google as a 35-44 year old man thanks to her heavy tech browsing. The New York Times‘ Jenna Wortham is a 25-year-old man, as far as Google’s advertisers are concerned – and did we mention she’s one of their tech writers?
You can see what Google is inferring about you at www.google.com/ads/preferences. Google overestimated my age by twenty years, but was pretty spot on with my interests (Internet & Telecom, Food & Drink, and Cats.) I don’t ever approve of this big brother stuff, especially when it ages me so.
Andrea Hayden, February 20, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Comments
13 Responses to “The Value of Stereotypes”
-
- Subscribe to Beyond Search
Feature archive
News archive
-
Hello there! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa? My site covers a lot of the same subjects as yours and I think we could greatly benefit from each other. If you happen to be interested feel free to send me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Excellent blog by the way!
I just like to inform you that I’m very new to running a blog and actually savored you happen to be web page. Probably I’m doubtless to bookmark your website . You clearly come with remarkable content articles. Thanks a bunch for sharing with us your webpage.
ome truly good products on this blog , I delight in it.
Very good ! hey I stumbled on to this writings! even when browsing the web site for random downloads. thank you sharing I’ll e-mail my close friends about this very.
I am aware this if off theme but I’m trying into starting off my have blog site and was curious about what all is required to get create? I’m assuming having a weblog like yours would charge a really penny? I’m not very net savvy so I am not 100% favourable. Any options or recommendation may be enormously appreciated. Cheers
I stumbled on your own web-site by accident while looking out Yahoo and I’m glad I did. Your post is often a little bit diverse and I experienced reading it. I’ll consequently make a comment about it on my website and position my customers your way. Thank you.
Your blog page may be very valuable. Thank you much for supplying a lot of useful articles and other content. I have bookmark your site blog and can be devoid of doubt coming back again. The moment all over again, I appreciate all of your work and in addition comeing below to talk with me.
I really hope you by no means quit! This really is amongst the top weblogs Ive ever before look at. Youve received some mad talent the following, male. I just hope that you dont shed your model as youre certainly among the many coolest bloggers in existence. Be sure to keep it up since the web requires someone such as you spreading the term.
Dear Bird,
From one avian to another, thanks.
Stephen E Arnold, May 9, 2012
ome genuinely great things on this blog , I enjoy it.
I typically don’t comment in Weblogs but your report forced me to, fantastic get the job done.
I frequently will not comment in Blogs but your piece of writing pressured me to, incredible work.
I just desire to explain to you that I am really new to blogging and really savored you are website online. Doubtless I’m possible to bookmark your website . You undoubtedly have wonderful article content. Thank you a bunch for sharing with us your webpage.