Google has been quietly recruiting users into a new project called Screenwise, which actually pays users to allow the search giant to track their online activity.
While Google has not issued a formal announcement about the project, it has set up a registration page that provides some basic information.
The search giant says it is building a new panel to learn more about “how everyday people use the Internet”. Participants add a browser extension that shares online activity with Google - such as which sites one visits and how much time is spent on each site.
“What we learn from you, and others like you, will help us improve Google products and services and make a better online experience for everyone,” says Google, emphasising the project is completely voluntary.
A notable draw-card is that Google is actually giving its panellists up to $25 ($5 on sign-up, then $5 for every three months on the project) in Amazon gift cards in exchange for their user information. The project is being facilitated together with market research company Knowledge Networks, and the details about the information Google will be gathering are few and far between.
Since news of the project has surfaced on the Web, Google appears to have temporarily closed the project to new participants, with a message on the site stating: “We appreciate and are overwhelmed by your interest at the moment. Please come back later for more details.”
Search Engine Land, notes: “The timing of this programme seems odd, especially considering the backlash that Google has faced over the upcoming changes to its privacy policy. Even though this Screenwise programme is completely opt-in, some critics are bound to question why Google needs more data about Web searchers and the Web sites they visit.”
Big data, big bucks
Ars Technica has also uncovered that the Screenwise project goes beyond browser plug-ins and Amazon vouchers. According to a report, Google is also, less publicly, looking for willing participants to install a data collector in their homes in order to allow for 100% tracking of all online activities.
Participants who install the hardware will be paid $100 on sign-up and a further $20 per month of participation.
In the terms and conditions of participation in the project, it is stated that Google will share the data that is collected with third parties such as academic institutions, advertisers, publishers and programming networks.
“Generally, aggregated panel data will not be linked to individual panellists. However, Google may share anonymised individual-level panellist data with academic research institutions. Since personally identifiable information of panellists' input, while browsing the Internet, might display in a URL or other data, such information could be in panel data that is shared with third parties.”
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