Soapbox: Does the demise of third-party cookies mean we’re back to the future?

Buying media has an opportunity to be a creative profession again when blindly buying low-cost inventory on low-rent sites comes to an end.

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The ad tech ecosystem is all atwitter over Google’s decision to eliminate third-party cookies from Chrome.

It’s bad news for those who monetize ads on sites with content of questionable value, often authored by automation. It’s also bad news for the ad tech industry that has taken 40% off the top by facilitating buying on those sites.

Oh, and it’s also bad news for agencies that will find media buying in a cookie-less world more costly less efficient. Who knows? Maybe buying media will become a creative profession again.

The winners? Brands and publishers.

Brands win because they’ll know their messages are appearing on sites publishing brand-friendly editorial and attracting quality audiences. They’ll spend more time being creative and less trying to verify that people actually engaged with their messaging.

Content publishers that invest in quality editorial in a brand-safe environment will also win in attracting loyal and engaged readers. Programmatic buying of inventory through marketplaces is likely to play a role, but the days of blindly buying low-cost inventory on low-rent sites may be ending.

Am I just nostalgic for the good old days? Or is this truly Back to the Future?


About the author

Chris Elwell
Staff
Chris is a founding partner and CEO of Third Door Media, the publisher of MarTech and Search Engine Land, and producer of the MarTech Conference and Search Marketing Expo - SMX. TDM accelerates customer acquisition for its clients by providing trusted content and targeted marketing programs that deliver qualified prospects. You can reach Chris at chris[at]thirddoormedia.com.

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