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As an Amazon customer since 1996, I'm ok with their "sponsored" placements on search pages. I'm not necessarily happy that pixels are taken up by sponsored spo

by jasode 9y ago

As an Amazon customer since 1996, I'm ok with their "sponsored" placements on search pages. I'm not necessarily happy that pixels are taken up by sponsored spots but I'd rather Amazon show advertisers' influence transparently with the obvious "Sponsored" label. This is unlike grocery stores where there are invisible "slotting fees". The particular items at the highly desirable "eye level" shelves are paid for. The colorful end caps[1] at the ends of aisle are there because the vendors paid extra for those spots. Same with the books at Barnes & Noble that are prominently placed "face out" instead of "spine out" or stacked on the featured tables[2] near the doors as you walk in. None of those retail manipulations have a sign saying "sponsored placement" on them. If advertisers are going to influence the product display on the shelfs -- physical or virtual -- I prefer the way Bezos did it. [1] https://www.google.com/search?q=aisle+end+caps&source=lnms&tbm=isch https://www.google.com/search?q=aisle+end+caps&source=lnms&t... [2] https://www.tckpublishing.com/how-do-bookstores-promote-books/ https://www.tckpublishing.com/how-do-bookstores-promote-book...

sgc 9y ago
Some of those are paid for some of the time. As someone who has sold niche items to a number of different larger chains regionally, usually it is just the manager / dept manager who puts what they think will sell in the best spots. They have to perform like everyone else.
sampl 9y ago
> I'd rather Amazon show advertisers' influence transparently with the obvious "Sponsored" label. This is basically how Google works too, right? Do people distrust them for the same reason?
- QAPereo 9y ago
  YES. Other reasons too, such as the relentless spying, but that too.
- freehunter 9y ago
  The distrust with Google runs much deeper than their labeling of sponsored content. Most of the distrust stems around how they're figuring out which sponsored content to show you, not that they're showing it to you in the first place.
- cisanti 9y ago
  Because they are in the business of spying on you and your close ones, which is immoral for every decent man.
- quickben 9y ago
  Google forego decency, morals and in many cases laws, for money, long time ago.

by jasode 9y ago

sgc 9y ago

Some of those are paid for some of the time. As someone who has sold niche items to a number of different larger chains regionally, usually it is just the manager / dept manager who puts what they think will sell in the best spots. They have to perform like everyone else.

sampl 9y ago

> I'd rather Amazon show advertisers' influence transparently with the obvious "Sponsored" label. This is basically how Google works too, right? Do people distrust them for the same reason?

QAPereo 9y ago
YES. Other reasons too, such as the relentless spying, but that too.
freehunter 9y ago
The distrust with Google runs much deeper than their labeling of sponsored content. Most of the distrust stems around how they're figuring out which sponsored content to show you, not that they're showing it to you in the first place.
cisanti 9y ago
Because they are in the business of spying on you and your close ones, which is immoral for every decent man.
quickben 9y ago
Google forego decency, morals and in many cases laws, for money, long time ago.