I installed an app from an app store while using another device, then saw ads for that same app on the other device and in a social app a few minutes later. I had not searched for it. What could explain that timing?
How could an app ad show up on another device so quickly?
Asked by
QuietMosaic
Answers
A few things could connect the devices without anything listening through a microphone. If they share an account or are otherwise associated, advertising systems may use activity from one device to choose ads shown on another. Depending on how the app is built and configured, an installation or later activity could also be reported to analytics or advertising partners.
That does not establish which route happened here. The ad could also have been selected through broader targeting, or it may have appeared earlier and only stood out after the install.
Reply to this answer
The short gap makes cross-device matching feel like the obvious explanation, but timing alone can’t confirm it. App campaigns can reach people based on broad audience signals, and ads are easy to notice once the app is on your mind. An install is a plausible trigger, not proof of one particular tracking path.
Reply to this answer
For a practical check, look at the ad controls and privacy settings on both devices, including which accounts are signed in and whether app activity is being shared. You can also review the app’s permissions and privacy information. Those steps may limit some data use, though they won’t necessarily stop every kind of ad targeting.
Reply to this answer
Add your answer
Answers are reviewed before publication.