A new report by Global Witness reveals how fossil fuel giants use targeting tools on X to exclude millions of users from seeing their ads, filtering out potential critics before they can engage with the content
The best algorithms of big tech are not even consistently good at basic things like delivering advertisements to a relevant audience.
I’ve written online about not owning or needing a car, without any attempt to hide my activity or even identity from advertisers. I still get ads for car products, like tyres. I’ve talked about being vegetarian and still get ads for meat-based fast food. I get ads for cat and dog food despite having neither of those pets. I get ads for child-related stuff despite not having kids.
The best algorithms of big tech are not even consistently good at basic things like delivering advertisements to a relevant audience.
I’ve written online about not owning or needing a car, without any attempt to hide my activity or even identity from advertisers. I still get ads for car products, like tyres. I’ve talked about being vegetarian and still get ads for meat-based fast food. I get ads for cat and dog food despite having neither of those pets. I get ads for child-related stuff despite not having kids.
I wonder if their targeting is as good as they say it is. It’s uncommon that an ad I see is for something I’d even want