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Did ya ever wonder.....

(Dear Lord...I'm turning into Andy Rooney! THANK YOU!)

Did you ever wonder about those ads you see on websites? There's usually a lot of them on the right hand side of the page. Ever wonder why?

It's valuable ad space!  But did you ever stop to think why?

Take a look at these:


Just a Facebook log in page...right?


An Israeli Facebook log in. Notice the difference?

English is read left to right. THIS is why the right side of the page has become pricier for advertisers and busier for the reader. At the end of each line, the reader will pause for just a split second...long enough to notice the mess on the right of the screen. Also, in reading/viewing a page, the right side peripheral vision is likely to spending more time subconsciously perceiving all of the ads and links there. Get ready for that plate of shrimp! The kids that have been using that reference for 30 years are now the ad execs. They know what they're doing. They know that most of us ignore those ads/links...but they also know that we ARE perceiving them. All they have to do is plant the seed in our collective subconscious and let it grow....and convince their clients that its all translating to sales. Apparently...it's working. 

(Conversely, in Hebrew, which is read right to left, the left side of the page is considered prime sales real estate now)

Is there anything you can do about this? No. But...as long as you realize the tactic, you're less prone to falling for the gimmick. Almost everything on the internet is about advertising and sales. This is why the mere thought of net neutrality is a joke to start with. So, the big companies want to create high-priced 'fast lanes' for those willing to pay for them...meaning faster internet access for those with the money. For what? So we can be sold crap at lightning speeds?

Pffft...if my internet slows to the point where it's a bother....I'll stop using it. I know a LOT of people who will. Oh no! I'll have to...I dunno...go outside and play! Or read a book! Or talk to an actual person...not just chat or email or post or share!

Doesn't sound too bad to me. 

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