Digital Tracking: Opt In or Out?

Hey there!

It's Zach from Custer Marketing! Today, I'm venturing into new coffee territory with a Pink Salted Maple Latte from 27 Club Coffee. And you read that right, the latte is actually pink! Sitting here, surrounded by the unique vibes and sipping on this colorful concoction, I want to discuss a topic that many people have asked me questions about. Today, I'll answer that question, peel back the curtain, and share with you some marketing insights.

So what's the topic that is piquing interest? Tracking. We're talking about digital "tracking" and what it actually entails.

If you're an iPhone user, you've undoubtedly encountered this recently: you download a new app, and just as you're about to dive in, up pops a message. It's asking if you want to allow this app to track your activities across other apps or websites. And if you are like the majority you said "No thanks, I prefer my privacy!" and hit that "Ask App not to Track" button. So let's pretend that you hit "Allow." What would that mean for you and your information?

Here's the inside scoop on "tracking": Marketers aren't privy to your deepest secrets or personal identifiers like your name or social security number. Instead, they're observing your digital behavior. Here's a peek at what they see:

Browsing History: Websites visited, pages viewed, potential purchases.

Purchasing Behavior:  Online buys, influential ads, cart abandonments.

Device and Location Information: Device type, general location, browser used.

Social Media Interactions: Engagement with posts, ads, and pages.

Opting out of tracking doesn't mean opting out of advertising altogether; it just means the ads you encounter won't be tailored to your interests. They might seem out of place like seeing an ad for a steakhouse when you're a vegetarian.

Now, the big question: is it intrusive or harmful? It can feel intrusive, sure. But harmful? Not inherently. This tracking is about understanding consumer behavior, not spying on your diaries. It's more about your online shopping habits and less about your private chats. Your data isn't typically used for anything more sinister than trying to sell you something you might like.

Here's the takeaway: I'm not saying throw caution to the wind — it's good to know what you're sharing and with whom. But I wanted to pull back the curtain and hopefully set your mind at ease a bit. Tracking isn't the big, bad wolf it's often made out to be; it's a tool designed to enhance your online experience, not hinder it.

If you are a small business owner, employing tracking in your strategies will help make data-driven decisions that genuinely resonate with and benefit your customers. If the world of tracking still seems like uncharted territory, we're here to guide you. Discover how by exploring our tracking services. Your journey to insightful customer engagement is just a click away!

Thanks for reading!