ZEDO
Encyclopedia
Zedo is a privately-held company founded in 1999 by Roy de Souza, which provides several online advertising products and services to websites
, ad networks
and direct publishers. The company works with publishers who sell space on their web pages to online advertisers. Zedo builds software technology that allows publishers to manage all the ads on their web pages. Zedo uses an HTTP cookie
to track users' browsing history resulting in targeted pop-up ad
s. The cookie is often flagged by spyware
and adware
removal programs.
. Their servers send pop-up ads to users' browsers. In 2001, it expanded by offering the ad serving technology to large websites. Zedo has also experimented with creating its own social networking sites. In 2006, it launched a social networking site where users get shopping advice from friends who own products called Zebo.com.
According to a 2006 press release, Zedo was the third largest ad server. Clients have included Quepasa
, Walt Disney India, and CNET
.
to the controversy over spyware
because Zedo uses HTTP cookies to track users' browsing and advertisement viewing history, as well as the methods which it gathers information, such as deceptive ads and clickjacking
. The company disputes being categorized as spyware.
Zedo does offer an opt-out
option. But, Opt Out of Zedo only makes the ads random & redundant. There is no effect at all on the objectionable Zedo functions: the number of ads, profile development (cookies), and their use (spying).
Programs such as Spybot - Search & Destroy
quarantine Zedo software as adware
so that users can remove it from their computer.
Technologist Danny Sullivan
has stated that Zedo carries misleading "junk" ads linking to fake news sites.
Website
A website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...
, ad networks
Advertising network
An online advertising network or ad network is a company that connects advertisers to web sites that want to host advertisements. The key function of an ad network is aggregation of ad space supply from publishers and matching it with advertiser demand...
and direct publishers. The company works with publishers who sell space on their web pages to online advertisers. Zedo builds software technology that allows publishers to manage all the ads on their web pages. Zedo uses an HTTP cookie
HTTP cookie
A cookie, also known as an HTTP cookie, web cookie, or browser cookie, is used for an origin website to send state information to a user's browser and for the browser to return the state information to the origin site...
to track users' browsing history resulting in targeted pop-up ad
Pop-up ad
Pop-up ads or pop-ups are a form of online advertising on the World Wide Web intended to attract web traffic or capture email addresses. Pop-ups are generally new web browser windows to display advertisements...
s. The cookie is often flagged by spyware
Spyware
Spyware is a type of malware that can be installed on computers, and which collects small pieces of information about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. Typically, spyware is secretly installed on the user's...
and adware
Adware
Adware, or advertising-supported software, is any software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertisements to a computer. These advertisements can be in the form of a pop-up. They may also be in the user interface of the software or on a screen presented to the user during...
removal programs.
History
Zedo began in 1999. The company headquarters is located in the Soma district of San Francisco, CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Their servers send pop-up ads to users' browsers. In 2001, it expanded by offering the ad serving technology to large websites. Zedo has also experimented with creating its own social networking sites. In 2006, it launched a social networking site where users get shopping advice from friends who own products called Zebo.com.
According to a 2006 press release, Zedo was the third largest ad server. Clients have included Quepasa
Quepasa
Quepasa Corporation is a US-based social media technology company catering to Latin Audiences worldwide. Quepasa owns and operates Quepasa.com, a social network, Quepasa Games , a social game development studio, and Quepasa Contests, a social media advertising solution -About:Headquartered in West...
, Walt Disney India, and CNET
CNET
CNET is a tech media website that publishes news articles, blogs, and podcasts on technology and consumer electronics. Originally founded in 1994 by Halsey Minor and Shelby Bonnie, it was the flagship brand of CNET Networks and became a brand of CBS Interactive through CNET Networks' acquisition...
.
Criticism
Zedo is often linkedto the controversy over spyware
Spyware
Spyware is a type of malware that can be installed on computers, and which collects small pieces of information about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. Typically, spyware is secretly installed on the user's...
because Zedo uses HTTP cookies to track users' browsing and advertisement viewing history, as well as the methods which it gathers information, such as deceptive ads and clickjacking
Clickjacking
Clickjacking is a malicious technique of tricking Web users into revealing confidential information or taking control of their computer while clicking on seemingly innocuous web pages...
. The company disputes being categorized as spyware.
Zedo does offer an opt-out
Opt-out
The term opt-out refers to several methods by which individuals can avoid receiving unsolicited product or service information. This ability is usually associated with direct marketing campaigns such as telemarketing, e-mail marketing, or direct mail. A list of those who have opted-out is called a...
option. But, Opt Out of Zedo only makes the ads random & redundant. There is no effect at all on the objectionable Zedo functions: the number of ads, profile development (cookies), and their use (spying).
Programs such as Spybot - Search & Destroy
Spybot - Search & Destroy
Spybot Search & Destroy is a popular spyware and adware removal program compatible with Microsoft Windows 95 and later. It scans the computer hard disk and/or RAM for malicious software....
quarantine Zedo software as adware
Adware
Adware, or advertising-supported software, is any software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertisements to a computer. These advertisements can be in the form of a pop-up. They may also be in the user interface of the software or on a screen presented to the user during...
so that users can remove it from their computer.
Technologist Danny Sullivan
Danny Sullivan (technologist)
Danny Sullivan is the editor-in-chief of Search Engine Land, a blog that covers news and information about search engines, and search marketing.Search Engine Land is owned by Third Door Media, of which Danny Sullivan is partner and chief content officer...
has stated that Zedo carries misleading "junk" ads linking to fake news sites.