Like, I keep seeing more and more ads about things I only thought about while not looking up anything online about it. For example: after I got out of the shower this morning I thought about how I needed to apply cream on my arms to prevent dry skin. It was only a thought that took me a few seconds. And minutes later I receive an ad on Instagram about dry skin.
I have never even googled dry skin. I didn’t say anything about it to anyone lol. And I get the ad the day I think about it? These things keep happening more and more for some reason.
I know it’s not possible and I promise I’m not going insane or anything, so don’t lock me up lol. Just an observation.
It’s likely operating the other way around. You’ve been being conditioned to think “I need to apply cream, I don’t want dry skin” by the ads, posts and other media you’ve been targeted with. It was probably quite subtle to start with, but you’ll have been getting related ads for a while and ignoring them. It’s dark patterns all the way.
I addition to other comments, it could also be that cosmetic products and dry skin is a big industry, so even if you have anti-tracker stuff and settings set to not personalized ads, the algorithms probably have a high priority to send those products as ads. Actually, having less data being used for the adds they send you would increase the chances of getting more generic, wide range products like those.
I also like the “you are being conditioned by prior ads to think about dry skin” comment too.
I’m often reassured about this kind of thing when I see how bad they are at this. I literally just bought this thing from you guys last week! You think I’m going to buy a second identical guitar?
Do you talk to yourself outloud? It could be your microphone on your phone picking things up.
If not, it is probably just coincidence. Most of your thoughts aren’t directly connected with ads, so you don’t think about it until there is an unusual connection. It sticks out because it is unusual, and you pay more attention to that sort of thing, and as a result of paying closer attention, start seeing it everywhere.
