Google Thinks I am Crazy

I have decided that Google must think I am crazy.

While I am working each day, I alternate between researching online, writing articles, and talking on the phone to sources. Oh, and of course I am also emailing clients and playing on social media. But for almost all of my stories, I will do online research to find sources, statistics, and background information on the topic.

I have to admit that many stores (cough, cough, Ann Taylor Loft) have made a lot of money on me by tailoring the display ads to show clothing that I have looked at online. After eight hours of repeatedly being shown the same really cute shirt, I dare you not to buy it as well. But lately as Google as gotten increasingly smarter, I have started noticing that a very odd assortment of ads displays in my browser.

I first began noticing it with the ads to get to a Masters in Taxation from several universities. Anyone who knows me is probably laughing hysterically, because the last advanced degree I would ever get would be in tax. I eventually realized that I had done extensive research on advanced degrees for a content marketing deliverable that I wrote from the Adecco Accounting Today blog. Then I started seeing ads for Infusionsoft, a customer relationship management software that I had researched for a different story. A few days later I started seeing almost exclusively advertisements for retirement homes after researching them for yet another story. So, Google is probably blowing its mind trying to figure out whether I am a college student, middle-age small business owner, or a senior citizen looking to downsize.

It hit me that, because I do so many searches for work research and because I write for a wide variety of publications on many topics, Google has no idea who I am. I am positive that my search habits don’t neatly fit into a certain demographic or pattern because of my job. I realized that nearly all freelance writers I know have most likely confused Google as well.

Have you noticed this as well? What is the oddest ad that you have seen because of your freelance writing research?

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3 Comments

  1. Cathie Ericson on July 31, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    This cracked me up because I get the same thing!! I have also noticed the Michael Kors bag that shows up with great frequency, but then it’s the weird mix from topics I have searched for background info.

    Great post! Never really noticed it but it’s true!



    • Cathie Ericson on July 31, 2013 at 2:53 pm

      On that same note, I loved your other post on the strange soup of topics we write about. On my FB a few weeks ago I mentioned that I was in some stage of completing or starting pieces on social media for fitness professionals; ethics for REALTORS; great places to find cupcakes in Portland; a new bank branch opening and a school group returning from DC. Never a dull moment!! We have the best job!



  2. Jennifer on July 31, 2013 at 3:06 pm

    So the million dollar question is “Have you bought the Michael Knorr’s Bag?” :>) I just don’t have the willpower to resist if I have to look at an item for 8 hours a day.

    Oh my gosh, I have posted the same types of things on Facebook about the crazy combinations of things I am writing about. I totally agree that we have the best job. I have to say that I am rarely bored!

    Thanks for the comments!