Did You Know You Can Customize Your Ad Settings?

I actually don’t mind unobtrusive advertising, especially if it’s targeted towards me. When Google knows I’ve been looking at a specific game and that game starts to appear in ads, I’m happy to see it.

But I also see ads all the time that have nothing to do with me. I’ve put up with them for years–you probably have too.

Well, today I discovered a way to view and adjust the ad settings Google has for you. I didn’t know this existed until a few hours ago, so I thought I’d share it with you in case you’re also in the dark.

All you have to do is click here and you’ll see a long list of categories Google thinks you’re interested in. Then click on the categories you don’t actually care about and turn them off. Easy peasy.

For example, for reasons beyond me, Google thought I was interested in:

  • Bars, Clubs, & Nightlife
  • Boating
  • Cricket
  • Horror Films
  • Jazz
  • Parenting

If you wanted to design a human the opposite of Jamey Stegmaier, you’d use those categories as a starting point.

If you decide to click through, which categories do you see that don’t match you at all?

10 thoughts on “Did You Know You Can Customize Your Ad Settings?”

  1. My biggest “what?!” Was metal music and standardized tests lol

    Did you know Facebook also guesses you political and religious beliefs? Can’t remember exactly, but it’s somewhere in the settings like this.

    Reply
  2. Oh man, this was so helpful! Thanks very much!

    I had a few similar ones, that also don’t apply to me at all. I just removed 57 of them, but it otherwise got quite a few right.

    Reply
  3. Here are the ones that don’t pertain to me: Audio Equipment, Business News, Business Services, Computer Hardware, Investing, Beauty and Fitness, Credit Cards, Jazz…the list goes on and on!! Thanks for the tip Jamey!

    Reply
  4. Wow I didn’t even know this list existed. I am somewhat perplexed in that half of my list is gaming oriented and cats, and the other half is completely random. I don’t know where it got metal music, parenting, California, or home automation!

    Reply

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