How come when I search for something it pops up in an ad?

[397]

Ok so I will go on google and search "blue violins". Then later when I go on a web page that has ads, the ads are about blue violins. What is up with that? It happens all the time. If I search "iPhone" then all the websites I go on that have ads are full of "iPhone" ads. It happens on my computer and on my phone. Please someone explain if they can... It's creeping me out.

[Daniel]

Its called "SEO" or Search Engine Optimization. Companies pay google to place ads in pages that you visit based on the searches that you have done recently.
Its a very basic, and yet complex marketing tactic that is much of the reason why google has become one of the most influential companies in the world.
Google basically sells ad space in a few ways. First page reference on google, preference space on google, and new SEO marketing space. i.e. you search something on google and it becomes preference marketing material on every page you visit as long as the company paid for the time, ad space and first right to market on the new page.
Creepy? Yeah, maybe.
Marketing cycle management genius? Yup

[Spencer]

go to this page right here if you dont want ANY ads on google chrome on computer, All you have to do is click one button and it is active in like 20 seconds. it is just a simple adblocker. if you dont want popups and video ads (this workds on youtube and gametrailers)