An Internet ad banner provides a direct link to the advertiser's site, offering interested consumers an easy way to go there for more information or an opportunity to buy.

ECONOMIST: Electronic commerce

Previously, the Harvard graduate created Internet ad company LinkExchange, a banner-swapping network for small businesses.

FORBES: Magazine Article

When AOL (AOL) first started sending people CDs en masse in 1995 and 1996, to get internet access, nobody knew what a banner ad was.

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The episode spotlights the controversial subject of online profiling, whereby Internet ad server companies, such as DoubleClick and Engage, track Web surfers in order to strategically target banner ads and site content, as well as to help sites keep a running count of visitors.

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