Annoyingly, putting said words in your signature is *not* an effective means of preventing ads.

This is a good idea. I don't think people want to see ads for related products if the e-mail is about someone having a heart attack.

My context ads have definitely shifted since I had the baby, and while before the ads I got were very random, now I apparently use words they can actually target accurately.

Although it did occur to me I was maybe e-mailing too many people too much information about my baby's gas when ALL my ads were for Mylicon.

I too am curious about what tragedy words count ("necropsy," after your pet dies? "autopsy" because it's for people, but not necropsy? or does that make them think you just watch too much CSI?), and whether it recognizes phrases ("hit by a car"?) or uses Lexis-like algorithms on phrases ("hit w/3 car"?).

I like the ads. It is funny to see what crazy stuff appears on the side depending on what oddball conversation I am having.

I just wish it didn't send ME the ads when people who use those free email services send me an email.

This sounds like a really great idea! TERMINAL ILLNESS

I don't use Gmail but I have for many years participated in a YahooGroup support group for pregnancy loss. We used to get in-message ads for baby products, pregnancy products, etc. I remember the group moderator had to jump through some hoops to stop that type of content from coming through.