Very inappropriate Amazon sponsored link on search for children's books

[MiddleEngWoman]

AIBU? typed in 'books for 13 year old boys' as I am searching for a birthday present for my soon to be teenage nephew. On the first 2 pages of the resulting search were 2 sponsored links to crotchless knickers!!!! How on earth does Amazon justify the appropriateness of such items in the midst of a list of children's books. I had always assumed that there were checks and controls in the coding of these sites which would mean that such a search would not link across to such items. Clearly I am very naive. I have clicked on the 'report inappropriate advert button' but are unsure of what exactly happens next and if Amazon actually have the time or inclination to actively follow up all such reports, given they have no means of contacting you back with their conclusion.

Well, you shouldn't buy from Amazon anyway. They monopolize the book market and drive small book stores out of business. And then they do what they want, because you can't get your books anywhere else.

In the local book store, the worst you'll come across is "Fifty Shades of Grey". Up to you whether you consider that more or less inappropriate than crotchless knickers.

Also, install an adblocker. Definitely install an adblocker for your children. Companies that want to make money seldom care about propriety.

Yes, the internet is full of porn and every 13 year old boy who wants to see it, can, but some children actually don't want to see that shit.
(And girls will definitely profit from not having objectified women shoved into their faces everywhere they go)

Other people are now getting the same result because it is based on algorithms not just your search history. So because you're in a thread where crotchless knickers has been repeated is why it is appearing for you too. Your computer is ALWAYS watching, silently in the background if this was a thread about Heinz baked beans and everyone kept repeating the same phrase throughout the thread, we'd all be getting adverts for said beans

HTH

People we using incognito though.

Someone search it using a stealth computer!

I feel for the OP, but to be fair 99% of the time it IS based on past searches. It was far more likely that someone on her computer had been doing something slightly naughty than an algorithm error.

I'm sure we all feel properly chastened now we know it is an algorithm error.

Sponsored ads are paid for and targeted via keywords that the advertiser selects, so someone has been very, very naughty.

I'd report it to Amazon.

People who misuse targeting in these ads are harming those who use it appropriately. Those crotchless panties have taken away a spot for a book aimed at 13 year old boys.

TabascoToastie oh yes, I don't doubt the OP or someone they know searched for it on their computer, was just trying to explain the confusion from later posters who said they were getting the same result but hadn't searched for it

No, that's not how it works. I use AMS to advertise my own products.

So, if for example, I wanted my ad to show up under T S Joyce's new books, I would use T S Joyce and Red Havoc as my keywords when selecting keywords for my ad. Whenever anyone searches any combination of TS Joyce Red Havoc Crew, my ad might show on her page, depending on how high my 'bid' is compared to other advertisers who have the same keyword. It is based on what you are searching now, not past searches.

If OP searched 'books for 13 year old boys' that means the seller of the offending underwear has one or all of those words under their keys words. It might be a genuine mistake on their part. AMS 'broad matches' searches meaning that the words don't have to be in the exact same order.

So, if the advertiser has '18 years and over' 'sexy pants for boys pleasure' and 'smutty books' as keywords, they'll still show under OP's search for 'books for 13 year old boys' either way 'Zon and the advertiser need to know about it.

At the same time, how many 13 years old boys will search "books for 13 years old boy" on Amazon?

Even if some 13 years did see that ad I don't think I could get my knickers in a twist (badum tshhhhh) about it.

If you are really upset try to contact them on Facebook or twitter?

Although, 'Zon don't offer AMS to people selling 'adult products' so the seller has been naughty whether this particular incident is a mistake or not because they have miscatagorised their product in order to take advantage of AMS ads and avoid the 'adult dungeon'. They can lose their seller's account over that crime.

Amazon do not like adult products showing in searches for anything. You have to specify on their site settings that you want to see adult products. Anything deemed too sexy, is hidden from view even if you are actively searching for it unless you've turned off 'filter adult products'.

I got the same inappropriate ads at Christmas when I was searching for a kids' Christmas Onesie. Which is the kind of thing a 13yo might look for. Neither DH nor DS have access to my Amazon account so I don't think that was it!

Just don't search for Swallows and Amazons on amazon. The first few results were fine and based around the classic book (which is what I was looking for) however as I scrolled down.....

Sigh.
And now some paralelle universe, a poor sad soul is out there, trying valiantly to order his wife some crotchless knickers, and keeps getting pop up ads for mumsnet parenting books.
He's worried, so asked his lady if she is up the duff, and now she thinks he thinks she's fat.

It was swallows and amazons box set that I searched for in case anyone from amazon wants to clear that problem up! ( or anyone is nosey lol)

Hahaha brilliant!!!!!!!

Funny... now waiting for people to say Heinz baked beans ^^ are coming up 😆