Blackhat marketing: check visitor browser history using Javascript

I've read somewhere that some online stores sniff your browser history using Javascript to determine what you've been looking at. So if I can tell you've been looking at Dell.com recently it makes sense to target advertising in that direction.

Vendors like Dell can check whether you've been browsing competitor websites and therefore drag the best deals they have right under your nose in an attempt to steal a sale. This is quite a blackhat way of doing things because you're pretty much invading someone's privacy, but I wrote a script that does it over at my web development blog: How to get browser history using Javascript.

So what can I check?
All you can really check is whether they've visited a website you specify, you can't just get their history. You need to have a list of URLs you want to check and the script will tell you whether the user has visited them or not. This is handy because with the right research you can specifically target CPA offers to users who have visited other websites within that niche. It means you can target advertising that isn't in-line with your website but does fit the user's profile.

What can I do with this then?
Well, speaking hypothetically (because this is a black-hat method and won't be looked upon fondly by most users), if you can see your visitor has been to TNX.com it makes sense to put the Text-Link-Ads promotion right under their nose. If they've been to TradeDoubler, maybe put your PepperJam network affiliate link under their nose too.

On most websites you have very limited real estate to deal with and it's difficult to target advertising to an entire demographic. However, using Javascript to sniff their browser history would allow you (again, speaking hypothetically) to target adverts to this specific user. This should increase your conversion rate and therefore you'll make more money.

It's naughty and therefore deemed black hat, but if you're interested in learning how to do it, visit my tutorial on how to get browser history using Javascript.

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