Accidently but unbelievably, AOL has let slip some very sensitive data on their users, how they searched, personal information (usernames changes to numbers), all without their permission which is a big blow to AOL in their attempt to turn around their fledgling brand.
From a marketing perspective however, this information is a goldmine, a treasure trove of search data representing a specific user base (AOL users tend to be novice web users). Still, a lot of people are none too happy with AOL for releasing this data at the risk of identity theft of its users. Possibly an over reaction but poor form nontheless.
Paul Fleming is co-founder and VP of Interactive Services for Dinkum Interactive. A trained teacher, Paul has worked in a variety of forms of Internet Marketing but with a focus on SEO. Originally from Australia, he now resides in Philadelphia with his wife and 2 ankle-biters.
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May 16, 2012. Posted under: Blog.
I collected my god-daughter from dance class the other day and we grabbed a “treat” on the way home. Charli is 10, super bright and delightful. As we ate liquid chocolate, she told me about her school assignment where they had to devise a restaurant for kids. Her big idea was that while kids were waiting for their meal, they
I saw that the first person was identified from this data a 62 year old from Georgia. Scary stuff and an awful mistake from AOL. Apparently it was not accidental but intentional.
A site where you can search this data is here:
http://www.datablunder.com/logitems/query/
Ooh I like that one even better than http://www.aolsearchdatabase.com
This certainly has created a huge amount of negative backlash for the folks at AOL. It was only a matter of time before someone put this information together in a tidy little database structure…thanks for the URL’s.