• Lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    4 hours ago

    Google itself started in 1998, and launched their ad stuff in 2000. They’ve essentially always been an advertising company.

    Sweet, sweet analytical data…

    • killeronthecorner@lemmy.world
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      3 hours ago

      Once upon a time they were the “good ads”. They had an unobtrusive but instantly recognisable ad-format that was reasonably tolerable and text-only. It was once they started showing sponsored search results that it became apparent they were willing to be subversive to get clicks.

      Their whole image was built around user trust and the moment they had everyone hooked they 180ed.