It’s no surprise the internet runs on advertising. It’s also no surprise this industry relies on data collection. I’ve struggled with my personal opinions on this for years. So, when I came across Invisibly.com it both made me hopeful and gave me pause.
As Americans we’ve already voluntarily given up way too much of our personal data for free untethered internet access. Let’s put that into perspective: Say the average streaming subscription (audio or video) costs a user $19.00/mo. We would call that a bargain for something we use with frequency that delivers a value in the form of content.
Now consider our free access to the internet and what that costs us … free right?
“This means in an economy where your actions generate value –
you don’t have a seat at the table”
– Insivibly website
The amount of information we are voluntarily giving up daily grossly outweighs the amount of data collected and the commerce affected as a result.
“You deserve to be rewarded for the work you put into the algorithm – and a fair share of the value
it generates for other parties”
– Insivibly website
Advertising, business, commerce all rely on the convergence and divergence of brands and business in my opinion. A process well defined in ‘The Origin of Brands” by Al and Laura Ries.
Invisibly seem like the ultimate divergence in evolution of data collection and I like it. I think we have to like it. As consumers (or just citizens) we should not let the interest and the lure of instant, free internet access to costs us our most valuable and invisible asset. Ourselves.
“We are creating an AI – Powered platform with a feed that’s a true extension of you, rather than a feed strategically curated and targeted at you by the Big Tech and brands”
– Insivibly website
This concept is not new. Getting paid for doing little or nothing or in this case something you already do for fun or leisure has been packaged and sold before. Swagbucks, Neobux, Inboxdollars, all models that pay you for our online activity.
Invisibly seems to take the next step. They will collect your personal information and customized an algorithm, that is … “Content you actually want to see rather than content strategically served to you”. So it promises a more accurate but also more diverse algorithm while paying it’s users in return.
It’s obvious we can’t ignore data and data collection. If we are to embrace data and data collection then it only makes sense that we embrace and celebrate the divergence of the business of data collection.
Michal Fasone
Managing Partner, Fasone and Partners Inc.