The short answer is that big tech companies use cookies to show you relevant ads by collecting data about your online activity and using that information to deliver targeted advertisements.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
When you visit a website, the site’s server sends a cookie to your computer. Cookies are small text files that websites store on your device to identify you and track your online activity.
When you return to that website, the server checks to see if it has a cookie that matches the one it sent to your device. If it does, it knows you’ve been there before and can serve you the content you’re looking for.
In addition to tracking your online activity, cookies can also store information about your preferences and browsing history. This allows companies to deliver targeted ads to you based on your interests.
For example, let’s say you’re interested in buying a new TV. You start doing some research online, visiting different websites to compare prices and features.
As you browse, the websites you visit send cookies to your device. These cookies collect information about the TV models you’re interested in and your browsing history.
Based on this information, big tech companies can show you relevant ads for the TV models you’re interested in. They might also show you ads for other related products, such as furniture or entertainment systems.
Targeted ads are more effective than general ads because they’re specifically tailored to your interests. Studies have shown that people are more likely to click on an ad that’s relevant to their needs and interests.
Big tech companies use cookies to show you relevant ads because they know it will result in more clicks and conversions. And more clicks and conversions means more revenue for the company.
If you’re not comfortable with this type of targeted advertising, you can usually disable cookies in your browser settings. Keep in mind, though, that doing so may prevent you from accessing some features on websites and could impact your online experience.
