What Google thinks you're worth | Proton
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Proton analyzed 54,000 profiles using real ad auction data to determine your worth to Google. How valuable is your data?

The Price of Free Google Report.

Proton analyzed over 54,000 demographic profiles using 2025 ad auction data to estimate what advertisers pay to reach different types of Americans. The range is much wider than you might expect.

The average American generates about $1,605 a year in advertising value. A 35- to 44-year-old man in Bozeman, MT, without children, using a desktop and making high-value corporate searches, generates an estimated $17,929.30. An 18- to 24-year-old father in Fort Smith, AR, using an Android phone and making low-value searches, generates $31.05.

That’s a 577x difference between two people using the same free service.

  • Tattorack@lemmy.worldEnglish
    14·
    2 hours ago

    Well let’s see…

    • I’ve used Firefox with uBlock Origins pretty much as soon as uBlock Origins came out. I’m now using Librewolf.
    • Im using a YouTube extention that automatically skips sponsers and adreads.
    • I don’t use Google for my searches. Haven’t for over 10 years.
    • I use Spotify on my PC, with the Bash Spot X patch.
    • My OS is also Linux, so no built-in ads.
    • On my phone I have AdAway installed.
    • I patched my YouTube app with ReVanced Manager, giving me block against ads, sponsers, and adreads.
    • I don’t use Spotify on my phone, instead opting to download music I bought from artists (typically Bandcam) or get through Soulseek.
    • I use Firefox on my phone too, with uBlock Origins. Did that for nearly as long as my PC.
    • I also don’t use Google for my searches there.

    I’m very curious about what my value to Google is, considering all that.

    • Squizzy@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      16 minutes ago

      Your location data. You help with traffic notifications, harveating of networks in relation to your location. Even if you dont use maps.

      What is bash x spot?

      • Tattorack@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        10 minutes ago

        I got it reversed, it’s spot x bash. But it’s bash script that modifies the spotify client to remove all ads. Doesn’t give you premium features, only removes ads. The script must also be run every time spotify updates.

        Check it out.

    • viov@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      44 minutes ago

      Also, Ironfox and Cromite are awesome too!

      Hopefully Ironfox and Librewolf both replace Firefox itself overtime somehow (Since Firefox new leadership has been enshittifying it), maybe Cromite can do same for Chromium too

      What do you recommend for searches?