In the News
Shopping on social media platforms continues to increase in popularity. In Shopping ads come to YouTube’s home feed and search results, Sarah Perez at TechCrunch discusses how YouTube will soon be the host for targeted shopping ads based off of their displayed interests. Perez details that users will soon see ads for various products displayed above a searched video on YouTube’s platform. Perez explains that this introduction is designed to capture the consumer market of users who find reviews, general information, or discoveries on the platform. Perez states that this is one of many efforts to connect users to more visuals on the platform and connect users with brands more closely.
Our Take
YouTube and other video platforms have become so much more dynamic than simply a video streaming platform. Users go to YouTube for tutorials, entertainment, music, and a whole host of other videos. In this sense, YouTube has become a perfect market for capitalizing on users searching for new ideas, products, and information. In walks advertisements tailored to one’s interests just like on many other social media platforms. This can be a great way to find new items without having to search for them elsewhere. However, just like with any other platform hosting the opportunity to shop and make purchases directly, it is crucial that users make smart decisions with their finances. Always proceed with the same caution, care, and attention when making purchases online that you would if you went to a store in-person. Even though online shopping only takes a few clicks to make a purchase, take care in what you buy and pay attention to the sites in which you buy items—always make sure they are secure and legitimate retailers.
Recommendations
How can you protect your personal information when shopping online?
- Understand the risks of putting your personal information into the world, and only share what you have to
- Make purchases at reputable online retailers
- Be fully present when making purchases both in-person and online. Be proactive in making sure your payment is made correctly
- Minimize the number of accounts that have direct access to your bank account or card numbers
- Check your email, financial accounts, and credit reports regularly for abnormal activities
- Stay up to date on the news regarding recent security breaches to see if you may have been affected