Final answer:
The student's question relates to 'Behavioral targeting,' which is the practice of delivering advertisements to individuals based on their online behavior, such as browsing history and online purchases. It is a common strategy used to increase ad relevance and engagement by predicting what users might be interested in based on past behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept in question refers to the practice of using data about users' past online behavior to predict and influence their future online behavior. This is commonly done by analyzing various activities like browsing history, search inquiries, and online purchases to deliver advertising content that is more likely to be relevant to the individual. This marketing strategy is known as Behavioral targeting. It is distinct from other strategies such as long tail marketing (which focuses on selling niche products to a large number of unique customers) or crowdsourcing (which involves gathering information or input into a task or project by enlisting the services of a large number of people).
Behavioral targeting uses sophisticated algorithms to display ads that users are more likely to be interested in, thus increasing the likelihood of engagement or purchase. This approach is largely driven by the desire to maximize the efficiency of advertising spend and improve the user experience by making ads more relevant and less intrusive. Nonetheless, this practice of tailoring content to users' preferences can contribute to the creation of filter bubbles, where users are increasingly exposed to information and messages that align with their existing beliefs and interests.