I Think Expedia’s Hotel Ad Targeting Is Broken…

I Think Expedia’s Hotel Ad Targeting Is Broken…

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A friend just shared a short screen capture video of the two Expedia ads he was served back-to-back on Instagram, and… well… I have no words.

Makkah or Alpha Gay Resort, the choice is yours!
Conversations (43)
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  1. Ks Guest

    It’s to get you to click! Or screenshot. Engagement > relevancy.

  2. Agro Newbs Guest

    There seems to be a contingent of off putting people commenting on the site lately. This was supposed to be a funny little post about a weird little quirk of online advertising, and people are bringing their weird political baggage so much these days

    1. Information Panopticon Guest

      Often, yes. But sometimes it's hilariously wrong. Got back from Marbella visiting family over a month ago and I'm still getting ads in Spanish, many of them for businesses local to the Marbella area.

      It's refreshing when the algos get it wrong.

  3. LAXLonghorn Guest

    @Endre. My grandpa would have called you a donkey. That was his pleasant/funny way of saying jackas*.

    I don't think you benefited from a same great family tree.

  4. Pete Guest

    You write as though gays and lesbians are a sociopolitical monolith. We are not. Many of us don't like being lumped-in with the TQIA+, because their claimed identities have nothing to do with sexual orientation, and their activism has been a toxic waste-dump that gives us a bad name and erodes the good works that have been done on our behalf over many decades. This is particularly true of trans activism, which seems to attract...

    You write as though gays and lesbians are a sociopolitical monolith. We are not. Many of us don't like being lumped-in with the TQIA+, because their claimed identities have nothing to do with sexual orientation, and their activism has been a toxic waste-dump that gives us a bad name and erodes the good works that have been done on our behalf over many decades. This is particularly true of trans activism, which seems to attract toxic, aggressive narcissists and has nothing to do with what used to be referred to as "gay liberation".

    1. Aaron Guest

      Ah, sounds like Pete still has tons of internalized homophobia.

      You do realize it was the trans community which, along with the sissies and drag queens, that were a huge factor in "gay liberation", starting with the Stonewall riots.

  5. Elaine Musk Guest

    You’re just irritated that you don’t get ads targeting “White alpha males only.” Thing is, the algorithm knows you better than you do.

  6. Is your behavior conducive with personal health and happiness? Guest

    Endre, there's no credibility to your assertions. You either lack sufficient data, as well as knowledge of how digital advertising algorithms actually function, or you just decided to craft a hasty fiction targeting the LGBTQIA+ and Muslim communities.

    Is this the person your mother raised you to be?

  7. bitterproffit Guest

    Having sat in the Executive Lounge at the Conrad in Dubai getting cruised by Saudis sipping cocktails and hearing their phones make the Grindr noise, yes, I believe there is no contradiction in these ads.

    1. DCAWABN Guest

      The Edition Abu Dhabi apparently has the same scene per colleagues that work in the area. Was staying there a couple of days on the way back from Europe via EY and EK. Was told that I should expect to be approached and not to make a scene; rather take it as a compliment. Ate in the bar one night but it was dead - or I wasn’t the target demographic. Though apparently the barbershop at the Edition is also a hotspot.

    2. Santos Guest

      I mean it's kind of ridiculous to think human nature ends with an authoritarian edict. I remember the very, very subtle propositions I'd get as a teenager in NYC from orthodox Jewish men of all ages, since I often went to play basketball in Crown Heights or on the LES. You think you misheard the first few times but then you really understand what's being said very quietly as you walk by.

  8. James Guest

    Oh cool so you surveyed every member of the LGBT community? Or at least tens of thousands for a representative sample? That’s quite some feat. Well done you! I mean I assume you did that and didn’t just do a massive stereotype regarding millions of people based on not a lot?

    1. Samo Guest

      I'm not talking about "members of the LGBT community" (we are not a community and most of us don't support Hamas), I'm talking about virtue signalers with no knowledge of the history but very strong opinions about stuff they clearly don't understand at all. Which come from all sexualities.

    2. Aaron Guest

      Actually, I would say many of these people are more informed about the history of it and understand it much more than you give them credit for. Which is what really scares people like you and groups like AIPAC.

    1. Samo Guest

      No they're not, but most of these people are indeed supporting Hamas. Supporting Palestine = supporting Israel that is working hard on liberating it from Hamas.

    2. Aaron Guest

      Who are "most of these people"? Where are you getting this opinio from?

      Also, who is going to liberate the Palestinians from the Israeli occupation? Getting rid of Hamas is good, but so is getting rid of the Israeli occupation.

    3. Samo Guest

      There was no "Israeli occupation" before peaceful Palestine started shooting rockets at Israel despite all the attempts to turn Palestine into a prosperous and civilised place. Unfortunately, IFD is there to stay, there's no other option given the Palestine's previous record.

    4. Aaron Guest

      "There was no "Israeli occupation" before peaceful Palestine started shooting rockets at Israel despite all the attempts to turn Palestine into a prosperous and civilised place"

      Er, no, that is completely false and deluded revisionist fantasy. There has and always been a brutal Israel occupation which existed long before Hamas existed. If anything, look at what is happening in the West Bank now, where Hamas has no presence. Palestinians there are being kicked out of...

      "There was no "Israeli occupation" before peaceful Palestine started shooting rockets at Israel despite all the attempts to turn Palestine into a prosperous and civilised place"

      Er, no, that is completely false and deluded revisionist fantasy. There has and always been a brutal Israel occupation which existed long before Hamas existed. If anything, look at what is happening in the West Bank now, where Hamas has no presence. Palestinians there are being kicked out of their homes, their homes are being demolished, livestock is being stolen or outright killed, water wells are having concrete poured into them, farms are being burned, entire villages are being displaced, all while illegal Israeli settlements are being expanded and more being built.

    5. Mahmud Guest

      It might be hard to hear or comprehend but, Jews were evicted from Gaza in 2005. Many argued against it but it was done as a peace agreement. The world can see how that worked out. Gaza does have a border with Egypt so, ostensibly, anyone can leave Gaza to travel. There are also many illegal tunnels from gaza to Egypt through which illegal building and explosives are trucked in.

    6. Aaron Guest

      @"Mahmuud"

      The Jews were not evicted from Gaza, those were illegal Israeli settlers. They weren't citizens of Gaza, they were Israeli citizens living outside of Israel. Ostensibly, no, they cannot leave Gaza, because Israel controls the border with Egypt, just as it controls the border between the West Bank and Jordan.

  9. Sisyphus Guest

    The layers of hatefulness in your comment are fascinating, quite a life you must have with that mind of yours.

  10. Ray Guest

    Booking.com, too. I’ve been advertised many a gay hotel in Spain. If you want to target me specifically, at least know I’m looking in Thailand!

  11. Jesse13927 Diamond

    Sometimes, the Venn diagram turns out to be a lot closer than you would have thought at first glance.

  12. Burqa She Better Don't Guest

    Can muslims have a super fun weekend at the gay resort then go ask for forgiveness like Catholics at confession?

    1. DCAWABN Guest

      They already do. It’s called Dubai. I’ve been told by multiple Middle Eastern friends and colleagues that “Allah can’t see you in Dubai” - exact words. No need to repent like Catholics. What happens in Dubai is away from Allah’s eye. What Allah doesn’t know can’t hurt him, I guess.

  13. Jihad me at Hello Guest

    I don't know.
    Is your friend a closeted Saudi that feels obligated to do the Hajj? :)

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Ramadamn, Girl! Guest

"Yas daddy!" followed by "Yes, Allah" ok. I'm done.

8
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Hijabi Baby One more Time Guest

Expedia seems to be all about getting on your knees for this targeted user

6
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Burqa She Better Don't Guest

Can muslims have a super fun weekend at the gay resort then go ask for forgiveness like Catholics at confession?

6
0
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