My pal @bigboxcar just tweeted about how you can set your Google Ad Preferences, basically you can decide what kind of ads Google serves up when you visit places that run Google Ads.
At first I was creeped out by how closely they know my surfing habits. Arts & Entertainment, Books & Literature, Food & Drink, Home & Garden, all good. Creepy, because it’s true. Then I got to the part where it said:
Demographics
Based on the websites you’ve visited, we think you’re interested in topics that mostly interest men.
What? Really? Of course this brings back all the nightmares about how after failing the driver’s test three times and finally passing the woman who filled out my license paperwork, marked me as male.
Thanks a lot Google. Way to adhere to gender stereotypes. Bastards.
Oh, yeah…gossip & tabloid, kitchen & dining, cooking & recipes…you TOTALLY fit the guy stereotype.
You need to look at some more feminine things. You know, like NASCAR, guns, and walking around scratching oneself and going “OOG”.
It took me three tries to pass my driving test too. Nothing on my record since a speeding ticket in a speed trap in 2003.
Well, now hold on here…just because Google says you’re interested in topics that interest men doesn’t mean Google thinks you ARE a man. You’re not interested in frilly pink things, which is probably about as far as Google goes with the women, since Google is, itself, a big ol’ man.
The lady will not protest too much, methinks, if her revenue from said ads goes up because she is perceived to be a gentleman (who, as all doth know, makest more for the same travails).
Google thinks I am a girl. Why do you hurt me in this way?