I was finally getting around to writing a new blog post tonight when I stumbled upon the fact that Google Adsense has started placing ads for Gay Personals sites on a few of my blog posts as indicated in the screen shot below.
I’m not gay. I’m also not a homophobe. But I do find it curious that Google would make this most interesting match. Any ideas on why Google is questioning my masculinity?
March 28, 2008 at 19:13
Dunno, but you’re probably asking for more with this post. :D It’s OK, I’m the end-all, be-all source for info on Portrait Innovations. Adsense ads would probably confirm that. :)
March 28, 2008 at 19:32
Maybe it started with the butt shot.
March 28, 2008 at 19:34
Maybe they simply think your blog attracts a gay audience? Perhaps a religious gay audience? I notice the other ad was for votive candles.
If it’s any consolation, judging from the ads I’m served, the adbots not only mistakenly take me for gay, but also think I’m a young hispanic woman :P
I frankly find it a relief that these adbots get it so wrong. Maybe humans aren’t obsolete yet.
March 28, 2008 at 21:32
I was going to make the same suggestion that punterjoe made: Google knows who reads your blog, and they know what else those people read. Maybe several are gay. (And, more important than that, maybe those particular readers are more likely to click on ads than your average reader.)
Or, maybe you are gay, and Google figured it out before you did.
March 31, 2008 at 11:54
What’s more disconcerting is the idea that they (or the algorithm) think candle lovers would frequent your blog.
April 3, 2008 at 07:51
Frank, you were offering your bum through your blog. What on earth did you think would happen?!!
April 6, 2008 at 22:33
I recently set up Adsense on a clients web site. I recommended it to him as an added source of revenue.
It’s a real estate site.
The first time I demonstrated it it came up with an ad for a lesbian dating agency.
“How is that related to real estate?” he asked.
I hurriedly pointed out that sexuality is largely irrelevant when it comes to home buying, and he got the point.
Phew.
June 5, 2008 at 03:06
I found your site completely randomly and found it a bit humorous. Actually, I’ve had the same thing happen— not so much on the sexuality issue, but other things that didn’t relate to me. BTW– regarding your question, Any ideas on why Google is questioning my masculinity?” I think you meant, “question my sexual preference” as masculinity (or the lack thereof) is often not “here” nor “there” when it comes to those of other preferences… Peace.
July 2, 2008 at 13:10
I think you guys are funny. First x for me blogging, I was checking out Franks work ! I found this. B