What is Google AdChoices? What is Ad Choices 'i' Icon? The quick answer for these questions is here: The AdChoices 'i' icon is a part of Self-Regulatory Program for Online Behavioral Advertising which is officially launched by "Digital Advertising Alliance". The 'i' Icon is a symbol created by participating trade associations of the Self-Regulatory Principles for Online Behavioral Advertising intended to enrich the consumer online experience.


Google Participation

Recently Google Adsense has made a change to their ads by changing the name from “Ads by Google” to “Ad Choices”. For most of people it might not be a very big thing to notice and even the people who publish Google Ads might not have an idea what its all about. According to Adsense’s team mentioned their last update:


"In a few weeks, we’ll begin to show the new icon and label on most ad formats across the majority of English-language sites. Over time, we’ll expand the notice to ensure that all English-language publisher sites in the Google Display Network come within the Self-Regulatory Program (until then, these sites will show the existing “i” icon and “Ads by Google” label). This will be the single most widespread rollout of the “AdChoices” label to date, and we’re encouraged that others in the industry are similarly adopting it. We’re also looking at ways to increase transparency and control in other languages and countries. In the meantime, those languages and countries will continue to see the “i” and “Ads by Google” notice. Just like before, users who click on the “AdChoices” label will be taken to a page where they can learn more about online advertising and the ads they’ve just seen. This page will also provide a link to the Ads Preferences Manager, where users can control the types of interest-based ads they see. Our tests of this new icon and label showed that they should not have any effect on ad performance. We think this rollout will help users better understand the ads they’re seeing, and we look forward to seeing widespread adoption of this label throughout the industry."

Other Participating associations for this program include:


How does Ad Choices 'i' icon work?

Companies who serve behavioral advertising will use this icon on advertisements, where data is collected and used for behavioral advertising. The Advertising Option Icon will normally be placed at the top right of each online advertisement. The icon will link to a disclosure statement regarding the data collection and use practices associated with that ad and an easy-to-use consumer choice option.


Principles of Self-Regulatory Program for Online Behavioral Advertising

The Self-Regulatory Program is based on the seven Self-Regulatory Principles for Online Behavioral Advertising released in July 2009. These Principles correspond with tenets proposed by the Federal Trade Commission in February 2009, and also address public education and industry accountability issues raised by the Commission.The Principles are designed to address consumer concerns about the use of personal information and interest based advertising while preserving the innovative and robust advertising that supports the vast array of free online content and the ability to deliver relevant advertising to consumers. You can download the complete Self-Regulatory Principles for Online Behavioral Advertising Here

Learn more about AdChoices 'i' here: www.aboutads.info