Google definitely knows tons about you. I have a Nexus phone, which makes you really notice it - google something one day, have random articles show up in your "custom" newsfeed about those topics two days later. Hell, if you have an Android phone, go here - https://www.google.com/maps/timeline . It will cheerfully give you a map of every single place you've been in the past however long you specify. It's a bit freaky. I mitigate browser tracking as much as I can with Ublock Origin and Privacy Badger, but I know that doesn't actually do all that much. Not when Google knows exactly where I am at any given time. (And Apple can do the same thing.)
It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Google knew somebody was gay before they did.
Re: Fic discussion - long, long way back to nashville
Google definitely knows tons about you. I have a Nexus phone, which makes you really notice it - google something one day, have random articles show up in your "custom" newsfeed about those topics two days later. Hell, if you have an Android phone, go here - https://www.google.com/maps/timeline . It will cheerfully give you a map of every single place you've been in the past however long you specify. It's a bit freaky. I mitigate browser tracking as much as I can with Ublock Origin and Privacy Badger, but I know that doesn't actually do all that much. Not when Google knows exactly where I am at any given time. (And Apple can do the same thing.)
It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Google knew somebody was gay before they did.