As I watch and observe the way the internet has changed our society it is clear that we as a people will eventually be unknowingly plugged into the " Network" at all times. It is almost like the movie The Matrix, where everyone in the world is oblivious to the fact that they are plugged into a computer generated reality. Day by day Google is taking steps towards making this Sci-Fi fantasy a reality. The only difference is that getting out may mean missing out.
Google built their brand on the strength of their internet search capabilities. They built their business by learning how to target market better than anyone else. By leveraging high quality search results and target marketing on an internet based platform, Google built a multi-billion machine. This was groundbreaking. To date, Google's platform provides the most efficient way to get your products in front of your target audience by letting them find you, and does so based on your budget.
Businesses are built on the ability of companies to get their products and services in front of the consumers who want and need them. Google truly exposed just how lucrative this ability is. It is clear that Google understands the dynamic between target marketing and making billions. The Google search engine was the product that grabbed the attention of the world. Now they are providing services that truly expand their reach into every aspect of our lives. If you examine many of the products that Google has released they incorporate two functions. The first is to provide a service to make people's lives easier. Google has released services such as Google docs, reader, photos, calendar and many other applications. It makes a lot of sense and is very convenient to have everything you need in one place. The other function of these applications is this, when you use them you give Google insight into who you are. It makes it very easy for Google to know your habits, interests, how you think, where you live, where you are, and what you do. It is pretty obvious what this data will be used for: targeted ads based on who you are. Businesses will be willing to pay a premium for this type of enhanced target marketing. They may not violate your privacy but it is pretty clear that Google may at some point, know you better than you know yourself and make a fortune doing it.
Google has not unleashed it s true capabilities yet but we can see of glimmer of what is to come based on the acquisitions by Google since 2001. Google's reach has extended into radio, newspaper ads and more recently, TV ads as well. It appears that the next phase of their marketing will be ads sent directly to your mobile phone. But not just any ads, highly targeted ads based on where you are and your specific interests. For example, let's say you're in Times Square in New York, and you frequently shop at Macy's. You receive a notification on your mobile phone that you have an exclusive discount at Macy's in Time Square. We're not there yet but based on Google's interest in mobile technology, it will only be a matter of time before this type of advertising takes place. Many consumers say they don't want cell phone ads but if it means saving a ton of money on products that you were likely to buy anyway, wouldn't you want them? As a result, opting out could mean missing out.
It is not far fetched to believe that at some point our cable and internet will flow through computers at some level. They may be personal computers or some type of central computer, but the system may filter ads to us based on our interests or requests, similar to an internet search. To take it a step even further, our internet and cable service provider may very well be, you guessed it, Google. They have already spent over $1 Billion dollars purchasing companies that provide broadband internet access in the US and Brazil. The best part about this is that the ads will be tailored specifically to your household's needs and interests.
Imagine a world where you only see the commercials of items that you actually need or have a use for. It may take some time but this is the world of tomorrow. In the George Orwell's Novel 1984, he depicts a future where Big Brother knows and watches your every move to control the masses. His depiction of the future is pretty accurate only in real life they're called GOOGLE and they merely want to sell ice to Eskimos while taking over the world.
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