[bquest2]

Let's say that your search for mouse traps comes back with the classic type that kills.

Wouldn't it be better that you see an ad for a no kill mouse trap that you didn't even know was a thing? Ads can sometimes inform people about products that they didn't even think existed.

[amelius]

But a Google search is specifically designed to solve this problem. Targeted ads, however, also could mislead, distract, cause overconsumption, and invade your privacy.

And if there was a better mouse trap, then any salesman would quickly learn about it (e.g. at business conferences etc), so you could just go to a shop and ask.

Finally, if you really insist that targeted ads are superior to anything else, then you could just opt-in to a service that provides ads. And you could tell the service all your private details so it knows how to better serve you (without the service having to guess at it).

Just don't assume that someone else needs targeted ads to have a fulfilling life.