How publishers are shifting gears in the privacy-first era

After multiple delays, Google reversed its decision to deprecate third-party cookies in Chrome. However, they have proposed an updated plan focusing on enhancing user privacy. The new approach enables users to make an informed choice that applies across their web browsing through a one-time prompt where they can set preferences. 

Apart from Google’s Privacy Sandbox, there are data privacy laws, third-party cookie blockers on other browsers, and growing data privacy concerns among users that publishers grapple with in today’s advertising landscape. While Google may have abandoned its plans to deprecate cookies, publishers must continue their efforts to switch to privacy-preserving strategies. 

Publishers should not change their stance and continue to explore privacy-first alternatives to safeguard user data and ad revenue. With Google extending an option to opt-out, more users will likely be unreachable in the coming months, making it crucial for publishers to explore available alternatives to continue their steady revenue stream.

Why publishers must move away from third-party cookies 

Publishers own or manage various media outlets that offer a space for advertisers to display their ads. Publishers earn revenue from these platforms by providing advertising opportunities and advertisers pay a fixed amount for cost per impression (CPM), cost per click (CPC), and cost per action (CPA) like a purchase or sign-up. 

• Users are increasingly demanding data privacy, transparency, and a non-intrusive browsing experience. 
• Advertisers are shifting focus toward building customer trust, enhancing customer engagement, and ensuring brand safety and suitability.
• The digital landscape is continuously evolving with new data privacy laws and a complete ban on third-party cookies on browsers like Firefox, Safari, and Opera.

If publishers continue to rely on third-party cookies, their revenue numbers will take a huge hit as more and more users will be unreachable through invasive targeting practices. 

Exploring privacy-preserving alternatives 

First-party data: As publishers scout for more privacy-first solutions, the spotlight is back on first-party data, a trove that already exists. Advertisers are keen to explore first-party data-led targeting as the information is ​ directly gathered from the users with their knowledge and consent. Users share data with publishers when they interact with their media outlets like websites, television, apps, or social channels to engage with content, sign up for accounts, fill out forms, or make purchases. Publishers can leverage this wealth of data to deliver more relevant, engaging, and personalized experiences. 

Contextual advertising: Another privacy-first alternative, contextual advertising displays ads based on the content and context of the web page or app where they appear. Publishers can maximize engagement by optimally placing ads in the most relevant contexts to boost the visibility and effectiveness of campaigns. From key content pieces to trending topics or even using contextual advertising’s ability to semantically interpret editorial content and understand the meaning and context of content, publishers can hugely benefit from contextual advertising. Contextual targeting enables publishers to display ads better aligned with real-time interests, to the most relevant customers, at the optimal time and location. 

First-party data-driven contextual targeting: Instead of a single approach, publishers and advertisers are exploring a combination of approaches to garner user interest and improve campaign performance. Combining the powers of first-party data and contextual advertising can help publishers deliver superior ad campaigns. Publishers can develop first-party data-backed strategies for key areas like media content creation, audience categorization, and ad placement. 

Suppose content around gardening is gaining high traction. In that case, publishers can create personalized content around topics like vegetable gardening, home gardening hacks, or organic gardening to cater to the niche audience. The audience segment can also be targeted with relevant ads like gardening tools, seeds, or fertilizers that align with their current area of interest. 

First-party data will give publishers deeper insights into key audience demographics and is compliant with all privacy regulations. This data helps create specific audience segments and tailor messaging to suit their needs and interests. With first-party intel coupled with contextual capabilities, publishers can create more engaging content and display ads that are hyper-personalized to certain locations/geographies, age groups, or genders. 

• Gain a better understanding and valuable insights into audience interests, preferences, and behaviors.
• Target ads based on the content currently being consumed.
• More relevant ads that align with interests, increasing engagement and desired actions like purchases or sign-ups. 
• Enhances user experience and reduces ad fatigue.
• More relevant and engaging ads lead to higher click-through rates and conversions, thus boosting overall revenue.