With all that tracking, why do I still see ads?

Question

My online behavior has been tracked for about 20 years now.I never click on any ads (beyond the google ad that usually corresponds to google's top result), I never bought anything from ads. I usually use an ad blocker to not see ads.Is there a point where the ad optimization algorithm is going to figure out that it's losing money chasing me?

phillipseamore · Accepted Answer

The advertisers are "losing" money but the middlemen (ad networks, publishers etc) are making money. So no, they'll never stop.

ggm · Answer

If you receive HTML mail there is a high chance they'd triangulated you. Tracking pixels in email are only partially shut down.
If you use Gmail, you're being scanned in aggregate but busting individuals out of aggregates is .. triangulation.
How many 59 year old like me lie behind my ISP.. two or three extra measures and they can cross correlate to your visa card.
(Your card usage is being sold by everyone, bank and shop both)
Very probably the ad blocker only makes you more visible
Your browser string isn't the only way your identity is being checked online. Capabilities exchange identify os, all kinds of things.

stonecharioteer · Answer

They're tracking you *to* serve better ads. You may not have clicked to buy anything, but I'm certain you've seen Amazon ads everywhere and silently observed that the prices of things are cheaper there than in other places. That's good enough for them.