Google announced Friday a new advertisement plan that will include user's photos, names and recommendations in its display ads but users have the option to not be a part of it.
Google, the world's largest search engine, is making a new move to boost its advertisement business, an important source of revenue for the company. In a latest announcement, Google released its revised Terms of Service, Friday, explaining to users that the web giant will use profile photos, names and reviews in its display ads. But one can choose to opt out of it.
The new policy goes in to effect November 11 and the default setting of your profile grants permission to Google to use your information in its ads. Unless you change that, your friends, family and others will be able to see your name, profile photo and reviews about a product or a brand as a display ad.
"So your friends, family and others may see your Profile name and photo, and content like the reviews you share or the ads you +1'd," the company wrote in a blog post. "This only happens when you take an action (things like +1'ing, commenting or following) -- and the only people who see it are the people you've chosen to share that content with."
So, if you keep yourself from +1'ing, commenting, or following a specific brand or product then you can be sure that your information will not be used anywhere. But if you do without opting out of the new feature, then do not be surprised to see yourself in ads section. But usually people share their views and follow a brand or even +1 a post just to let others know that you like it.
When an advertisement is displayed on a webpage, it is very likely that users ignore and get past it. But if a person you know has reviewed or rated the product in the ad, the chances of you visiting the brand page increases. Google understands the basic approach and is doing exactly what a company in that position would do to improve business.
Google is not forcing all users into the change, but is giving them a choice. Users can opt-out of the program, which only targets adults over 18.
The latest move is not a new business tactic in boosting ads revenue, whereas Facebook had previously introduced "Sponsored Stories," which resulted in the social network facing a class action lawsuit with a $20 million fine.
But Google seems to have learnt its lesson and decided to be transparent and optional about the new program. This keeps the web giant in a safe place.
