View Full Version : Virgin Media portal to use behavioural targeting across site
Virgin Media has embraced behavioural targeting across its portal as it looks to boost revenues.
It has appointed behavioural targeting firm AudienceScience to collect data and create segments based on user behaviour across its site, which includes verticals like travel, shopping and music.
Visitors will receive relevant ads based on the anonymous data collected by AudienceScience. The behavioural targeting firm’s tags have been implemented across Virgin Media’s site to build audience segments. Virginmedia.com attracted 6.5m unique users last month, according to Nielsen.
http://www.nma.co.uk/news/virgin-media-portal-to-use-behavioural-targeting-across-site/3005765.article
Raistlin
23-10-2009, 14:45
Moved to 'News'.
Sir John Luke
23-10-2009, 14:46
Another reason not to visit the VM portal.
Another reason not to visit the VM portal.
At least its that easy :)
Sir John Luke
23-10-2009, 15:14
Exactly - not like a certain other technology still being 'considered'.
And this is different to Google AdWords how? (Apart from only applying to VirginMedia.com)
And this is different to Google AdWords how? (Apart from only applying to VirginMedia.com)
It's not, athough you do apparently have to sign in to the any google site or service for Google to store a profile on you. As I understand it, the adwords system will present adverts based on the content of the page they are one otherwise.
I don't think it does considering they have this site to opt out (which doesn't require you to log into a Google account) http://www.google.com/ads/preferences/
EDIT: This how Google does it (http://www.google.com/ads/preferences/html/intl/en/about.html)
1. When Mary visits websites that display ads provided by Google's AdSense program, Google stores a number in her browser (using a "cookie") to remember her visits. That number could look like this: 114411.
2. Because many of the websites that Mary visits are related to gardening, Google puts her number (114411) in the "gardening enthusiast" interest category.
3. As a result, Google will show more gardening ads to Mary (based on her browser) as she browses websites that use AdSense.
Slightly worse that one site tracking it's visitors within it's own site
Very interesting.. Makes me wonder what all those people who report we are serving ads about hacked cable boxes look at.. :D
Sir John Luke
23-10-2009, 16:21
I don't think it does considering they have this site to opt out (which doesn't require you to log into a Google account) http://www.google.com/ads/preferences/
EDIT: This how Google does it (http://www.google.com/ads/preferences/html/intl/en/about.html)
1. When Mary visits websites that display ads provided by Google's AdSense program, Google stores a number in her browser (using a "cookie") to remember her visits. That number could look like this: 114411.
2. Because many of the websites that Mary visits are related to gardening, Google puts her number (114411) in the "gardening enthusiast" interest category.
3. As a result, Google will show more gardening ads to Mary (based on her browser) as she browses websites that use AdSense.
Slightly worse that one site tracking it's visitors within it's own site
Might be wrong, but isn't AdSense the Google product this site said they had no intention of using?
Might be wrong, but isn't AdSense the Google product this site said they had no intention of using?
Yes. The same system that I believe is deployed for google mail, which all VM customers are being migrated too over time - this can be bypassed though by using google's email client based settings.
So is it an opt in or opt out and if its opt out how do i opt out. There again as pointed out it might be a case of now just adding a block to my unapproved list in my router for Virginmedia sites.
******EDIT******
Just found this
http://www.networkadvertising.org/managing/opt_out.asp
That link will opt you out of multiple ad networks including AudienceScience
Sir John Luke
23-10-2009, 16:34
Yes. The same system that I believe is deployed for google mail, which all VM customers are being migrated too over time - this can be bypassed though by using google's email client based settings.
Is that an admission that VM's assertion that their implementation of google mail doesn't do any tracking AT THE MOMENT is likely to change?
What VM have said is they DO NOT and WILL NOT use the AdSense scanning within e-mail that GoogleMail does. That will not change.
So if you get an e-mail about gardening it doesn't get added to your 'interests'
What VM have said is they DO NOT and WILL NOT use the AdSense scanning within e-mail that GoogleMail does. That will not change.
Really? If that's true then I stand corrected.
Sir John Luke
23-10-2009, 16:45
What VM have said is they DO NOT and WILL NOT use the AdSense scanning within e-mail that GoogleMail does. That will not change.
That's good. Thanks Ben. (Link saved)
So is it an opt in or opt out and if its opt out how do i opt out.It hasn't been launched yet, as soon as it does I will post the details
Sir John Luke
23-10-2009, 16:53
It hasn't been launched yet, as soon as it does I will post the details
...so what's this on the VM home page?
<!-- Start RSI data collection -->
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://js.revsci.net/gateway/gw.js?csid=I09838" charset="ISO-8859-1"></script>
<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript">
I09838.DM_tag();
</script>
<!-- End RSI data collection -->
It hasn't been launched yet, as soon as it does I will post the details
OK
However i have now opted out via the link i provided above from all AudienceScience network tags
...so what's this on the VM home page?
<!-- Start RSI data collection -->
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://js.revsci.net/gateway/gw.js?csid=I09838" charset="ISO-8859-1"></script>
<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript">
I09838.DM_tag();
</script>
<!-- End RSI data collection -->
LOL, well then :)
Sir John Luke
23-10-2009, 17:07
OK
However i have now opted out via the link i provided above from all AudienceScience network tags
I believe the opt-out is cookie-based, so you'll need to opt out again if you ever clear cookies.
I believe the opt-out is cookie-based, so you'll need to opt out again if you ever clear cookies.
Indeed.
That link i provided does multiple systems so i will just run it once a week. :)
...so what's this on the VM home page?
<!-- Start RSI data collection -->
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://js.revsci.net/gateway/gw.js?csid=I09838" charset="ISO-8859-1"></script>
<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript">
I09838.DM_tag();
</script>
<!-- End RSI data collection -->
Haven't a clue, do you?
Sir John Luke
23-10-2009, 18:02
Yes thanks. revsci = Revenue Science, the previous name of Audience Science, who still use the revsci.net domain.
I know who it is, but you asked WHAT it is. So.....?
Sir John Luke
23-10-2009, 18:11
You said the Audience Science tracking was not launched yet. I was asking what that 'RSI data collection' script was for, in that case.
As I said, I don't know which is why I asked if you did. You haven't answered.
Sir John Luke
23-10-2009, 18:16
If I did, I wouldn't have needed to ask :) , but, given the comments in the code, it looks like a tracking script to me.
Does to me, but that doesn't mean that the behavoral advert tracking has launched yet.
It is more likely to be no different that the cookies left by Doubleclick and other ad servers
Sir John Luke
23-10-2009, 18:33
From the link in the OP.
"Visitors will receive relevant ads based on the anonymous data collected by AudienceScience. The behavioural targeting firm’s tags have been implemented across Virgin Media’s site to build audience segments. Virginmedia.com attracted 6.5m unique users last month, according to Nielsen."
That to me says they are currently be using the script to find out how many people visit each section, not who they are
Sir John Luke
23-10-2009, 18:47
Possibly, but isn't that covered by all the other tracking scripts? (Comscore for example)
Depends if the catagories and data is the same.
broadbandking
05-11-2009, 15:01
So if you don't ever use VirginMedia.com I won't have to worry correct?
They already use behavioural advertising. It's called doubleclick which many sites use
They kept this quiet.
legalities, legalities, legalities.
Online advertising
Virgin Media uses Audience Science's behavioural targeting technology to reduce irrelevant advertising on its website.
This involves swapping standard advertisements and promotions for ones that are likely to be more relevant to you. For behavioural advertising, Virgin Media chooses adverts based on the content you view on virginmedia.com (http://www.virginmedia.com/) (for example, if you regularly view the Movies channel, you are more likely to see adverts relating to movie releases on virginmedia.com (http://www.virginmedia.com/)).
Customers won't see any more adverts than they do currently, however using Audience Science, they will be more relevant.
Audience Science's cookie enables more relevant advertising. Audience Science uses the cookie to place your device in certain advertising segments (e.g. sports segment) based on the content you consume on virginmedia.com (http://www.virginmedia.com/). This cookie is then recognised when you visit virginmedia.com (http://www.virginmedia.com/), and enables relevant advertising to be served according to the segments your device is in (This information is anonymous in that it does not include your name, street address, e-mail address or telephone number).
The information that the Audience Science system collects expires after three months, ensuring that audience segmentation for advertising purposes is kept as relevant as possible.
If you do not wish to receive such behavioural advertising then please refer to the privacy policy (http://www.audiencescience.com/privacy.asp) of Audience Science
You can opt-out of this system easily by following these instructions (http://www.audiencescience.com/docs/nai.pdf). Audience Science will send an "opt-out cookie" to your device: please note that if you subsequently delete all of your cookies, you will also delete the Audience Science opt-out cookie.
Virgin Media: Privacy Policy (http://allyours.virginmedia.com/html/legal/oncable/privacypolicy.html)
Why call it phorm in the title? It isn't phorm at all is it?
Edit: Thread title now changed as thread has been merged.
NoKnowledge
20-11-2009, 15:22
I regularly do housekeeping, so when I delete my cookies the opt-out cookie is also deleted, How do I get it back then? Keep opting out?
I regularly do housekeeping, so when I delete my cookies the opt-out cookie is also deleted, How do I get it back then? Keep opting out?
If it only monitors your activity on the VM site, why bother?
I regularly do housekeeping, so when I delete my cookies the opt-out cookie is also deleted, How do I get it back then? Keep opting out?
Keep opting out is the only way.
zing_deleted
20-11-2009, 15:30
the optout page has been linked to before are you sure this story has been kept quiet?
If it only monitors you activity on the VM site, why bother?
I think it's active on the https parts too.
---------- Post added at 15:33 ---------- Previous post was at 15:31 ----------
the optout page has been linked to before are you sure this story has been kept quiet?
When was that?
Audience Science terms are that VM should inform us that they are using it and how to opt out.
I have contacted Audience Science again after initially pointing out to them on 23/10/09 that VM were breaching Audience Science's own rules relating to customer notifications and providing an obvious opt out (their
terms and conditionsof use are available on-line).
I have pointed out how you have still not notified all those affected by your targetted ad money making scam and, and exactly how hidden and conveluted you have made the opt
out process.
To say they are not best pleased is an under statement. I am
sure the poo is hitting the fan in an office on the top floor this very morning.
zing_deleted
20-11-2009, 15:34
it has been mentioned in various threads just do a search for posts with Audience Science and there is a fair few I spose as its not had its own thread before though ...
---------- Post added at 15:34 ---------- Previous post was at 15:33 ----------
I think it's active on the https parts too.
---------- Post added at 15:33 ---------- Previous post was at 15:31 ----------
When was that?
Audience Science terms are that VM should inform us that they are using it and how to opt out.
actually its mentioned in your very own thread
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/virgin-media-news-discussion/33657100-virgin-media-portal-use-behavioural-targeting-across-site.html
The OP should know better than to open multiple threads on the same issue. Threads merged
actually its mentioned in your very own thread
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/virgin-media-news-discussion/33657100-virgin-media-portal-use-behavioural-targeting-across-site.html
Thanks. I forgot all about that one. perhaps Kymmy can merge the thread :)
---------- Post added at 15:40 ---------- Previous post was at 15:39 ----------
It hasn't been launched yet, as soon as it does I will post the details
Any news yet Ben? :)
Can somebody please update the subject title to reflect that it's now active, please.
Sir John Luke
20-11-2009, 19:11
Thanks. I forgot all about that one. perhaps Kymmy can merge the thread :)
---------- Post added at 15:40 ---------- Previous post was at 15:39 ----------
Any news yet Ben? :)
Can somebody please update the subject title to reflect that it's now active, please.
Far as I know, it's been active for ages. However, it's only recently, following complaints to Audience Science, that VM have added information to their privacy policy, including a link to Audience Science's own 'opt-out',
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