Inuvo Comments on Google’s Updated Plans for Third-Party Cookies

Rhea-AI Summary

Inuvo, Inc. (NYSE American: INUV) has commented on Google's updated plans for third-party cookies. Google's recent blog post suggests continued investment in the Privacy Sandbox as an alternative to third-party cookies. Google proposes giving consumers a choice regarding tracking, similar to Apple's approach in 2021 which resulted in over 90% of users opting out.

Inuvo's Chairman and CEO, Rich Howe, believes this decision will likely accelerate the demise of third-party cookies. He notes that Apple's elimination of cookies in 2020, controlling 55% of the U.S. mobile browser market, had already set the stage for this change. Inuvo's IntentKey solution, a generative AI technology, can identify and target audiences without using consumer data or cookies, potentially positioning the company well for this shift in digital advertising.

Positive

• Inuvo's IntentKey solution can target audiences without using cookies or consumer data
• IntentKey has outperformed cookie-based targeting in head-to-head tests
• Inuvo is well-positioned for the shift away from third-party cookies in digital advertising

Negative

• The accelerated demise of third-party cookies may disrupt current digital advertising practices

A revised strategy likely to accelerate the cookies’ demise

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., July 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inuvo, Inc. (NYSE American: INUV), provider of the first generative artificial intelligence (AI) advertiser solution made specifically for brands and agencies, provides its views on the recently announced Google decision related to the Privacy Sandbox and their deprecation of third-party cookies within Chrome browsers.

In a message posted to their blog on July 22^nd, Google provided an update to their development plans associated with the Privacy Sandbox, the replacement targeting technology to the third-party cookie within the Chrome browser. While short on details, the blog made several important statements which are telling of the future. Google stated clearly that they expected the Privacy Sandbox to continue improving, which strongly suggests they plan to continue investing in this alternative approach. Google further proposed that in lieu of their elimination of the third-party cookie, they would conversely empower consumers with a more informed choice related to their tracking facilitated by the third-party cookie. Interestingly, when Apple provided a similar option to consumers in 2021 for App tracking, it resulted in over 90% of consumers opting, “No”, effectively ending such practice on iOS devices.

“Irrespective of Google’s plans, the die was cast on third-party browser cookies when Apple, with now 55% of the mobile U.S. browser market, eliminated them entirely in 2020,” said Rich Howe, Inuvo’s Chairman and CEO. “Consumers have demonstrated through their actions that they do not want to be tracked and with increasing numbers are using the tools at their disposal to stop such tracking. There is strong evidence that the choice Google gives consumers will accelerate the cookies’ demise. In this regard, cookie consent is cookie deprecation by another name.”

The INUVO IntentKey solution remains the first and only large language generative artificial intelligence solution that can identify and target audiences without needing to track nor use a consumer’s data or cookies. In head-to-head tests against the best of cookie-based targeting, the IntentKey has routinely outperformed with significant margin.

Mr. Howe continued, “The IntentKey technology is the next evolution in digital advertising, putting the power of Inuvo’s proprietary audience discovery and targeting AI in the hands of marketers. It was designed from the onset to beat any comparable capability regardless of whether cookies deprecate.”

About Inuvo

Inuvo®, Inc. (NYSE American: INUV) is a market leader in Artificial Intelligence built for advertising. Its IntentKey AI solution is a first-of-its-kind proprietary and patented technology capable of identifying and actioning to the reasons why consumers are interested in products, services, or brands, not who those consumers are. To learn more, visit www.inuvo.com.

Safe Harbor / Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding Inuvo’s quarter-end financial close process and preparation of financial statements for the quarter that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different than expectations. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including, without limitation risks detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and represent our views only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date. You are urged to carefully review and consider any cautionary statements and other disclosures, including the statements made under the heading "Risk Factors" in Inuvo, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as filed on February 29, 2024, and our other filings with the SEC. Additionally, forward looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends, and uncertainties including the continued impact of Covid-19 on Inuvo’s business and operations. Inuvo cannot provide assurances that the assumptions upon which these forward-looking statements are based will prove to have been correct. Should one of these risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements, and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of this date. Inuvo does not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Inuvo further expressly disclaims any written or oral statements made by a third party regarding the subject matter of this press release. The information which appears on our websites and our social media platforms is not part of this press release.

Inuvo Company Contact:

Wally Ruiz

Chief Financial Officer

Tel (501) 205-8397

wallace.ruiz@inuvo.com

Investor Relations :

David Waldman / Natalya Rudman

Crescendo Communications, LLC

Tel: (212) 671-1020

inuv@crescendo-ir.com  

FAQ

What is Inuvo's response to Google's updated plans for third-party cookies?

Inuvo views Google's decision as likely to accelerate the demise of third-party cookies. They believe their IntentKey solution, which doesn't rely on cookies or consumer data, is well-positioned for this shift in digital advertising.

How does Inuvo's IntentKey solution differ from cookie-based targeting?

Inuvo's IntentKey is a generative AI solution that can identify and target audiences without using cookies or consumer data. In tests, it has outperformed cookie-based targeting methods.

What impact did Apple's elimination of third-party cookies have on the market?

Apple's elimination of third-party cookies in 2020, controlling 55% of the U.S. mobile browser market, set the stage for the broader shift away from cookie-based tracking in digital advertising.

How might Google's proposed consumer choice for tracking affect the industry?

Based on similar actions by Apple in 2021, where over 90% of users opted out of tracking, Inuvo expects Google's proposed consumer choice to accelerate the decline of third-party cookie usage.