Why I Stopped Tracking My Own Son - A Privacy Wake-up Call
Today, I'm sharing something personal. A story that changed my entire perspective on digital analytics and privacy.
The Moment That Changed Everything
It was 2020, during lockdown. Like many of you, I worked from home when my son came into my home office.
"Come here; I'll show you what daddy does for work," I said.
We sat together in front of my computer, and I opened Adinton.com - the attribution modeling platform I'd built from scratch. As the page loaded, the familiar cookie consent banner popped up.
"Should I click accept, accept, accept?" my son asked, with that innocent naturalness only kids have.
I was about to say, "Of course, son. Daddy makes a living thanks to cookies." The words were right there on the tip of my tongue. But something stopped me.
The Revelation
Here's what hit me: If we, with our bootstrapped company, limited resources, and basic data, could predict whether a cookie would end up making a purchase...
What were the tech giants doing with their massive data collections, unlimited money, world's best talent, and infinite resources?
I didn't want these companies profiling my son. Or yours. Or anyone's.
The Dilemma
But here was my challenge:
I love marketing
I'm passionate about data
I enjoy helping companies grow
I've been doing this for over 20 years
How could I continue in this industry while staying true to my values?
The Solution
That's when Seal Metrics was born.
Not just another analytics tool, but a statement of principles:
Companies can grow while respecting privacy.
Marketing can thrive without invasive tracking.
Compliance and effectiveness can coexist.
What This Means For You
If you're reading this, you probably face similar challenges:
Growing your business.
Measuring your success.
Staying compliant.
Respecting your users.
That's what this newsletter is about. Each week, I'll share:
Practical privacy-first growth strategies
Real-world case studies
Tools and techniques
Insights from two decades in digital marketing
What's Next?
In the upcoming issues, we'll dive into:
How to grow without third-party cookies.
Consentless analytics solutions.
Ethical marketing strategies.
…
Because, at the end of the day, it's not just about metrics and conversions.
It's about building a digital future where children can grow safely.