I’m fascinated by the web and its ability to provide users with related content and items when performing web searches, browsing product catalogs, etc. I’ve noticed ads on Facebook that appear to be oriented especially for me…perhaps being based off certain attributes of my profile. When I perform online shopping, the website will cleverly “suggest” or recommend similar / related items. I can certainly appreciate this marketing approach, although it requires more will power to resist the urge to spend beyond my means!
This type of web intelligence has also been beneficial when performing academic and professional research. Seach engines have easily lead me to other resources that have further supported what I was looking for.
While this intelligence has been beneficial, there are times when it can be way too intrusive. I have yet to research this, but over the years, i’ve noticed an increase of advertising SPAM in my personal email. What is so fascinating about this spam is that it coincidentally “relates” to something i’ve either done on the web or searched for. For example, I purchased an airline ticket from Air Jamaica in June. Since then, I’ve been receiving a lot of emails with the Subject – “Claim your free air ticket to Jamaica”. These emails are not from Air Jamaica (or at least they don’t appear to be), but from some weird email address with no reference to the company.
I understand that Air Jamaica and other sites generally use email communicaiton to provide information about specials, products, things that may be of interest based on site experience, etc. The good thing about “reputable” sites like this is that they give you the option to “opt-out” of receiving these communications to your personal email. Other companies take it upon themselves to send email communication simply to advertise, and they often do not contain information as to how a person can opt-out of receiving them.