Here’s how ads know what you’re thinking: Ads can be so well targeted to you that it feels like they are reading your mind in real-time. It’s not an accident, and it all works by collecting very large amounts of data and running it through sophisticated statistical functions and algorithms. The ads know what you’re thinking because you are closely watched. So if you want to learn all about ads knowing what you think, and so-called ad tracking, then this article is for you. Let’s jump right in! How Does Data Tracking Work For Ad Tracking? (8 Things) Ok. So the ads know what you’re thinking because big tech companies track everything you do, and then through some mathemagic, they can figure you out. That’s creepy, but assuming it’s true, how do they even get the data in the first place? Sure, attaching your name to an account is easy, but these ads go way beyond that. What’s involved in the process? #1 Search History Your search history is typically the most valuable source of data for anyone who wants to sell you something. Now, not all data tracking is about sales, and we’ll get into that, but when it comes to targeted ads, your search history is a treasure trove. The general idea is that you search for things you want to know more about before you make a purchase. It doesn’t mean that every search you make is full of your shopping habits, but your buying trends can be revealed when someone takes a long hard look at your search history. So, any app you use to browse the internet can track the browsing that you do on that app. Depending on the user agreement, that information can be saved and even sold. Here’s where it might feel a little creepier. Search history tracking is not limited to web browsers. Your phone, in general, can track your browsing