General Why Does SPN Publish Third-Party Advertisement?

[OSingh]

I visited forum long about a year back and noticed the dodgy advertising.
Why does a sikh forum advertise a business that cuts hair?
Right when we need to be promoting the keeping of rehat which includes kesh(hair) this 'sikh' forum is promoting a a salon business that cuts hair.
Personally I am disgusted by this and I'm, suprised no other member has posted a topic objecting to the advertising of a salon on sikh philosophy network.

There are also other dodgy advertisements on this forum, but let's focus on removing the advertisement of a salon! This would be like an islamic forum advertising a business selling pork!

Please SPN come to your senses and remove advertising that promotes anti-rehat stuff!

Also just noticed an advertisement for 'adult webcamchat' this is disgusting! Shame on the moderators of this forum.

Please remove these advertisements as soon as possible

rabb rakhe
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa! Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

 

[Admin]

Re: Why does SPN advertise hair-cutting business?!

Gurfateh OSingh ji

Thank you for raising this important question in this forum. This will allow us to clear a few doubts about our integrity.

This is very important to understand that the google ads showing up on your computer are entirely based on your behavior or the behavior of the people using your computer while using the internet... so if you or anybody else on your computer was watching adult content then google ads automatically judges the priority of your behavior and would show ads like those on your computer. So, before pointing fingers on us, we would like to request you to check up your own activities while navigating the internet or the people who are using your computer. This is the major reason you see almost negligible people objecting to ads on SPN.

The following is the official Google policy on showing third-party ads on SPN, which clarifies the doubts raised by you:

http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/faq.php?faq=rulesregulations#faq_privacypolicy

C) Google Ads - Ads generated by Google are random and SPN has restricted control over, which ads are shown. If you find any ads derogatory in nature, then do let us know the url of ad, we will work towards blocking such ads immediately.

Further,
* Google, as a third party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on your site.
* Google's use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to your users based on their visit to your sites and other sites on the Internet.
* Users may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy.

If at any time we add anything else that uses a cookie the privacy policy will be updated. If you find a cookie from our site that you think does not fall under one of those categories please contact us.

So, if you find any website which you would not like to see again on SPN, we would request you send us the url of that website and we will block that website immediately.

Thank you for the understanding in this matter.

Gurfateh


Aman Singh

 

[Gyani Jarnail Singh]

Re: Why does SPN advertise hair-cutting business?

Yes this is what most Internet users forget....UNSEEN EYES WATCH OUR EVERY CLICK !! There is money to be made from this and these "clicks" are passed on to search engines, marketing agencies, market research organisations, Internet Application developers..etc etc. Anyone using Gmail/YahooMail and other FREE Internet Mail services would have noticed ADS...appearing on the Mail Header as well...those ADS are very SPECIFIC to the Email Content....I shoudl know becasue I have a few Email addresses very SPECIFIC to my needs and the ADS on one email address NEVER appear on the others...which means the Application is "artificially intelligent enough" to scan through the SUBJECT/Mail Content/sender and receiver information to apply specific ads for that mailing address.

Verily its been said..and rightly so..IF we POINT ONE FINGER ( at some-one)..we forget that THREE FINGERS AUTOMATICALLY POINT TOWARDS US !! Try pointing and see where your three fingers are aimed at ??

Keep IN Chardeekalla Jios..BIG BROTHER IS ALWAYS WATCHING !! cheers

 

[Ambarsaria]

Re: Why does SPN advertise hair-cutting business?!

Gurfateh OSingh ji

Thank you for raising this important question in this forum. This will allow us to clear a few doubts about our integrity.

This is very important to understand that the google ads showing up on your computer are entirely based on your behavior or the behavior of the people using your computer while using the internet... so if you or anybody else on your computer was watching adult content then google ads automatically judges the priority of your behavior and would show ads like those on your computer. So, before pointing fingers on us, we would like to request you to check up your own activities while navigating the internet or the people who are using your computer. This is the major reason you see almost negligible people objecting to ads on SPN.

The following is the official Google policy on showing third-party ads on SPN, which clarifies the doubts raised by you:

http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/faq.php?faq=rulesregulations#faq_privacypolicy

So, if you find any website which you would not like to see again on SPN, we would request you send us the url of that website and we will block that website immediately.

Thank you for the understanding in this matter.

Gurfateh


Aman Singh

Come on Aman Singh ji I don't believe you lollol
There is no way any of my surfing should bring out the following,

http://www.shoedazzle.com/getstyled...aw&utm_campaign=SH2WP&pp=&utm_content=gaw0293

Then again, thinking out aloud, there is someone at spn who likes such shoes peacesignwahkaurwhistlingkudi. Could it be Google has discovered sixth sense :interestedmunda:

Sat Sri Akal peacesign

 

[Admin]

Re: Why does SPN advertise hair-cutting business?

Gurfateh Ambarsaria ji,

Well, it depends on whether the publisher is tied up with google to showcase their products. Google has two working models 1. adwords and 2. adsense. Adwords allows publishers to showcase their products. Adsense allows websites like SPN to show off their products.

Google reads your behavior over a period of time and sooner or later you will start getting ads focused on shoes and as Gyani ji said it also depends on the nature of topic being discussed on that webpage.

Just try opening a test thread in general discussion section on shoes and you will see ads that might interest you! icecreammunda

Gurfateh

 

[Ambarsaria]

Re: Why does SPN advertise hair-cutting business?

Aman Singh ji I was just pulling your leg, nothing serious. Basic rule, don't like something, ignore even if it shows. Otherwise you can't even walk outside! My oh my, the kind of clothes people wear in the West winkingmunda

Sat Sri Akal.

 

[Admin]

Re: Why does SPN advertise hair-cutting business?

Believe it or not just look at the following ads showing up right now on one of the threads on my putter.

 

[OSingh]

Re: Why does SPN advertise hair-cutting business?

This is ridiculous. You have have made serious allegations about what content I view on the internet. Google ads is ridiculous. For example yesterday I was surfing on Punjab digital library, GurmatBibek, SikhSangat, etc. 90% of time I am viewing sikh forums, sikh sites, religious material or work related material such as pharmaceutical sites.

If as you are suggesting that I view adult content and hair-cutting businesses then why would I post a topic in protest against these advertisements. For example last evening I listening to katha from gurmatveechar, reading larivar saroops of Guru Granth Sahib, visiting gurmatbibek.com, sikhsangat.com etc. I spend 50% time visiting sikh sites, 40% work related sites which is related to pharmaceuticals and around 10% reading newspapers. Apart from work, I spend 90% internet time on sikhi, mostly gurmatbibek.com, sikhsangat.com and sikhawareness.com.

So I have had my laptop for 6months and I have never EVER visited any sexual/adult material.
I have never EVER visited a salonsite! I don't cut my hair. Why would I visit a salon site when I don't cut my hair!!!!!!!

Akal Purakh is antarjami and hazr nazr. Akal Purakh indeed watches our every actions. I'm writing this with full confidence and no fear. I do indeed watch my every click on the internet as Guru Maharaj is ang sang! Yesterday I was reading bhai sahib bhai Randheer
Singh ji's ranggle sajjan online. I spent the majority of time yesterday visiting sikhi related material. Which I do everyday and have been doing since I got this computer!

I'm still getting google ads saying 'hair cutting' and 'hair salon'!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've never visited a salon/barber site I don't cut my hair!!!!!!!!

So please bhai Jarnail Singh ji don't accuse me of what sites I have been visiting.
Guru Maharaj is antarjami.

The only possibility is that google ads is very poor!!!!!
Therefore you should remove google ads if you have any shame!
How can you claim to be a sikh site when you have ads for 'salon', 'hair cutting' and
most shameful 'adult webcam'!

Aman Singh ji you have just proved my point. Look at the ad you have got for 'high heels shoes'. Do you shop for women's shoes! Then why are you getting this ad. Are these ads appropriate when reading about sikhi, spritual material! What message are you sending by having ads for hair salon when you have topics about sikh martyrs like Baba Deep Singh!

If I visited these sites why would I make a topic about them them!
As soon as I saw the salon advertisment I was a shocked and immediately signed up to SPN yesterday so I could write a post about it!
I'd be suprised after reading this you still have googls ads on SPN. This is a no-brainer. Google ads should be removed as it advertises inappropriate material even if you don't visit sites they are promoting.

If you can't control the ads google promotes then should not use google ads at all.

Shouldn't admin look for alternatives to google ads?

I look forward to your next steps in regards to google ads.

nanak, dithaa sadaa naal, har antarjami jaan

rabb rakhe

waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh

 

[Admin]

Re: Why does SPN advertise hair-cutting business?

Gurfateh OSingh Ji

I am not sure about webcams ads... as these are served based on user behavior. On which page you are seeing such ads?

But thanks for your suggestions and concerns... Google ads are also influenced by the content of the page so on this page, so you might be getting such ads on this page as the content is on hairs. We are working on it to resolve this issue so that your concerns are addressed. Thanks for pointing towards this important issue.

Regards

 

[OSingh]

Re: Why does SPN advertise hair-cutting business?

Aman Singh ji

I was really frustrated when I was accused of visiting sites that i was protesting against.
Trust me I'm very careful when I surf the internet. I make sure I practise what I preach.
Sometimes I think members on this forum are very defensive of SPN and jump the gun too
quickly making accusations.

Again right now while I'm writing this I'm getting and advertisement for saying ' Groupon save 70% AT ALL SALONS' along with a picture of a women with cut hair.
Again I repeat I don't cut my hair and wouldn't dream of visiting a salon site, as I don't cut my kesh.

This proves that google ads show ads for sites that are not related at all to the individuals internet surfing conent. It appears to be totally random. I'm sure many other members will agree, I can't be the only one getting ads that are not related to my individual internet content.

Google ads definitely does not promote ads relating to my internet habits. I should be getting ads for sikh businnes, sikh bookshops, phamrmaceuticals as this is my work field etc.

Right now I'm getting one ad for 'sikh gurbani' which is good! then 4 ads for 'Hair Salon' 'Hair Cuts' 'Hair Dressing' 'Hair Styling'! I'm not kidding!

I appreciate that you have taken into consideration my concerns. However actions are louder than words. Google ads should be banned.

bhai Jarnail Singh jeeo let a million fingers point at me. lol. I have nothing to hide. I only need the attention of Guru Maharaj! May Guru Maharaj do kirpa on this insect.

rabb rakhe

OSingh

 

[Harry Haller]

Re: Why does SPN advertise hair-cutting business?

 

[Admin]

Re: Why does SPN advertise hair-cutting business?

Google ads definitely does not promote ads relating to my internet habits. I should be getting ads for sikh businnes, sikh bookshops, phamrmaceuticals as this is my work field etc.

Yes Google does serve ads relating to your internet habits.
http://www.google.cz/adsense/support/bin/answer.py?answer=100557

Surely, you would have been served such ads had there been Sikhs publishing their businesses. I have seldom seen one Sikh business promoting its stuff on google.

 

[OSingh]

Re: Why does SPN advertise hair-cutting business?

Aman Singh
'Yes Google does serve ads relating to your internet habits.'
I guess your right then and I am lying. Yes all day I visit sites for hair cutting, salons, hair styling etc Even though I don't cut my kesh. lol

Aman Singh ji, your avatar is Baba Deep Singh. Don't you have any concerns that SPN is has adverts for hair cutting?

You say that google ads reflects your internet habits but I have proven and you have proven yourself this is not the case. The ads reflect the content of the page rather than internet habits. Thats why topics with the word hair will have more ads for salons, hair cutting etc
Why did you get an ad for high heel shoes? Do you regurlarly visit sites for womens shoes?
(of course you don't, it just shows how bad google ads is at monitoring internet habits).

If you think it's fine that salons/hair-cutting business ads are suitable for a sikh forum then there is not much more I can say. Please reflect on the jeevan of the mahapurakh in your avatar. This is an easy decision.

I apologise for my earlier comment 'Shame on the moderators of this forum'

This was a rash statement.

I really thought that I would get more support from the sangat for this.

I plead one more time, please remove google ads as they promote businesses that are against a khalsa lifestyle.

What more can I say. In the end all of our actions are judged in the court of Akal Purakh, every single one of us, no-one can hide anything there. I never intended to offend anyone. The particular ads really shocked me and that's why only yesterday I signed up to this network to voice these concerns.

Gurfateh bhai Aman Singh ji
Gurfateh bhai Jarnail Singh ji

rabb rakhe

Waheguru ji ka khalsa! Waheguru ji ki Fateh!

 

[Harry Haller]

Re: Why does SPN advertises?

Osinghji

Any rational person in this day and age should realise that these adverts pop up in a variety of web pages.Like yourself, I use my pc solely for 'decent subjects' and I can confirm that I do not seem to get the same pop ups as you.

We are not stupid people brother, sikhism has to stand side by side with the real world, it has to enter the 21st century, in which most people would see an advert for something they found offensive for what it is, a computer generated advert using the information that you have generated. I do not think we should be treating the sangat as idiots, and removing all references to the real world in case they offend anyone, I agree with the sentiments in your argument, but please do not treat us like children, who are incapable of making our own minds up about what is SPN material ,and what are external adverts.

having read your above post, I know feel comfortable about the following statement, please delete spnadminji if you feel inclined

the lady protesteth too much

 

[findingmyway]

Re: Why does SPN advertises?

OSingh ji,
You probably visit sites and threads about the importance of hair, kesh, keeping hair, protecting hair etc. Google will register this as simply hair and is not intelligent enough to differentiate keeping hair vs cutting hair, and therefore will show inappropriate adverts. I guess AI is still a long way off

Likewise if you are visiting pharmacological sites for work this can translate into pharmacological eg viagra and from there the jump to sexual content is not far! It is a sad part of the internet. So browser habits are twisted by google to cater towards who pays for the adverts. There is less money in keeping hair or in legit pharmaceuticals that you receive on prescription from a Dr so there will be less adverts for those things and more for teh converse. I guess the internet is not so clever after all!

I have one email address specifically for use on the internet eg ebay and amazon. I only buy books, mainly as presents but you would not believe the amount of rubbsh i get as spam email from that!!

There is a very easy way to shield yourself from all adverts on all sites. Install adblocker on your web browser and miraculously they disappear! The ads are a nuisance not just on SPN but also on email sites and everywhere else.

As Aman ji mentioned, google ads brings in money allowing SPN to remain a free service for members. Links with google also help us reach a wider audience so removing google ads altogether would not work in our favour. If you are not pulled astray by the ads then that is a great thing as Guru Nanak ji says in Sidh Gosht that we should learn to live in the world and not be affected by it. Ignoring the ads is totally compatible with Sikhi :sippingcoffee::singhsippingcoffee:

 

[OSingh]

'findingmyway' jeeo

Thank you for your polite response. You make some good points. The problem is however that google ads seems to just looking at keyword from particular thread (not individual internet habits) then just promoting any sort of business .I can't seem to locate the thread where 'adult webcam' came up, but it was definitely there for sure. This sort of advertisement is just not on. I can assure you their is nothing from my internet usage that has any links to salons, webcam etc

I can only think of random advertisement pop-ups. Even in my work (Pharmaceuticals) I don't deal with viagra drugs I completely avoid them in the business. I'm totally against the use of this drug. I do visit pharmaceutical news sites and it might come up in there.

As you can see I'm very strict and careful when it comes to surfing online (even in my work field). I took particular offence to accusations that I might be visiting such sites.

If someone wants to advertise a business related to salon, hairdressing, alcohol etc That's their individual choice. But this is a SIKH forum promoting SIKH values like Rehat Maryada. The businesses being promoting go directly against maryada.

Surely admin have to be responsible when it comes to content displayed on this forum. You have to be suchet (aware) of what material is being promoted on the site.

When I visit a Sikh site like SPN that has stories of shaheed's like bhai Taru Singh ji, Baba Deep Singh ji. I find it offensive I can read jeevan of these mahapurakhs and alongside their coiuld be advertisements for a hair salon!

I agree when we are going outside reading newspapers etc we shouldn't be offended by ads promoting stuff against Khalsa lifestyle. That's their individual choice. I have no problem with this. But this is Sikh forum promoting Sikh values. I can't imagine a Hindu forum having ads for Beef or an Islamic forum having ads for Pork. Forum members would be offended and rightly so.

Their are certain lines you can't cross. Anyway it seems like most members seem to be siding with SPN admin on this. I don't wish to argue any further. I've made my point.

Guru Mehar Karan

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

 

[Ishna]

Due to Findingmyway's comment about books, my ads are now telling me how to publish my own book!

I can get coupons for Perth (Australian city which I don't surf for... google just knows I'm in Australia)

Oohh, I can also buy some advertising and get more customers... (because we're talking about ads)

The other links I get are Sikh Gurbani, Sikh Guru, Sikh Khalsa and Google Adsense...

Gmail also looks at the content of your emails... a couple of weeks ago I sent an email to a toothpaste company thanking them for the performance of one of their products... today I had like 5 ads for that toothpaste company all over my Gmail account. Just from 1 email!

Not only does google look for keywords in emails, it does store cookies and track your online behaviour. It's insidious! It gets worse if you install google apps like the toolbar and give it access to the content on your PC!!!

Also, maybe you have some malware installed on your computer, OSingh ji? I never get adult content advertised to me, but that might be because I run Linux so there is very slim chance of my PC becoming hijacked by a virus or malware. If you run Windows, make sure you've got very good virus protection and maybe run a program which looks for and removes malware. You'll see all the tracking cookies it will detect on your system.

Happy surfing on the uncensored (not for long in Australia boooooo!!!) Internet.

 

[Ishna]

Also, if the Hindu's are talking about cows and the Muslims talking about pigs, they probably will get ads for beef and pork, just like we get ads for cut kesh!

 

[Gyani Jarnail Singh]

About the only time we wont be seeing such ads..is when we are reading the SGGS...one on one with our GURU JI. Period.japposatnamwaheguru:

 

[Ambarsaria]

It is great relief to see threads move towards their conclusions in a philosophical way and where needed with Sikhism philosophy linkages. I read the posts in this thread and much good has been stated.

I do want to make one comment and it goes back to the origin of Sikhism. Our Gurus had choices to address the real world around them, both good and bad aspects. They could have also chosen not to address the good or bad and just provide a guidance without reference to such. However our Guru jis decided not to ignore the real world. Hence Sikhism was born. Our Guru ji did not focus on people as good or bad. They focused on actions, beliefs and such.

So Osingh ji as true followers of our Gurus we should not complain if we see bad with the good. When we see bad we need to make a decision and that decision is not about keep calling it bad and be censored but see if in practical terms you can make a difference through your personal world when you have a chance.

Example on hair cutting, if I was as bothered about it as the one biggest item affecting humanity in my neighborhood, I would go to the nearest Hair Saloon and talk to patrons going in or coming out. This is the Guru ji's way. Even if you make a difference in one life, you will remember it for the rest of your life and have a feeling of bliss. So prioritize and see what mission you have set for yourself for such sewa today and act on it in a personal way!

Sat Sri Akal. mundahug