To think I shouldn’t get strap-ons when I search for tshirts on Amazon

[Cosmas]

Was searching for a tshirt for DS as a basis for a Halloween costume.

Up pops a picture of an absurdly large fake penis strapped on and sticking out. DD (8) was looking over my shoulder and was quite disturbed.

I contacted CS and they asked me for the ASIN (ref number). So I had to click on the item.

I did the same search again today and I’m getting more ginormous willies but with different apparatus attached.

FTAOD I’ve never bought any adult items on Amazon, or anywhere. Happy for others to do their thing if that’s what floats their boat, but I think amazon should have an opt-in or opt-out.

AIBU to think that this stuff shouldn’t come up if you’re just searching for a t-shirt?

I did the same search and only got tops and tights.

OMG! Free delivery!

Arriving Monday

I want to know who needs a strap-on THAT big?! What would you do with it?!

Lesson here- no more ‘flesh coloured’ searching.

9.5 inches AND easy to clean.

I think the problem is third party sellers can put anything they want on there since it is not sold directly by Amazon.

9.5 inches AND realistic. It can't be both!

OMG, had something similar happen last night. Searching Amazon for Halo figure toys, in between the little soldier figures were various vibrators! I didn’t want to make a big thing about it, but kept thinking wtf is going to come up next 😂

I'm never going to search for "flesh coloured" on Amazon ever again. I don't know why a search engine would confuse t-shirt with a humungous plastic willy but I guess I'm no expert on either subject...

Ugh just searched for flesh coloured tshirt and you’re right those results are not ok! Grim.

It's not your fault for using the search term 'flesh coloured'. But it matey be your 'fault' (for your previous browsing pattern or choices on who to allow to use your device)

I've just tried it and every hit (scrolled through 5 pages) were unexceptional t shirts, in varies shades of nude, plus a few showing ripped abs or hairy chests from family-friendly joke shops.

Your search results will be based on previous browsing.

It won't be based on previous browsing if you have never browsed porn or for adult toys, which I have never done.

I searched again to see if the listing was still there. It is, and has been joined by this beauty: Product Dimensions: length 29.5cm, diameter 7.5cm.

Product Dimensions: length 29.5cm, diameter 7.5cm

Ouchie.

Surely your 8 year old didn't know what it was? Or am I being naive?

No my 8 year old didn’t. She said someone had a pole stuck on her. But she knew it was very weird.

Thanks to those who’ve backed me up on this! I’m fairly certain no-one in my house has a penchant for plastic penises— record-breakingly huge or otherwise. (I’ve also checked the browsing history).

I couldn’t help noticing they only have 15 left in stock - guessing lots of mumsnetters have been placing sneaky orders!

Interestingly “flesh coloured tights” produces no such results. I’ve happily (over)used Amazon for years and never had this issue before.

I keep getting t-shirts in my results when I'm searching for strap ons

Your search accidentally hit other "flesh coloured" things.

The fact you then went back, searched again and clicked on it means Amazon thinks you're actively searching for these and is showing you more of them.

It does the same when anyone searches for particular items. I get suggestions all the time based on things I've looked at or bought. It's just the algorithm, it's not dodgy. I'm not sure how you don't realise this?

If only I were as clever as you lockheart 🤨

The fact is that I’ve bought flesh coloured items before. I have a DD who does ballet and needs flesh coloured tights and pants. I’ve never had sex toys come up in searches before yesterday and I don’t click on them. I only clicked on one while I was moaning to customer service about it. I’ve now deleted it from my browsing history.

I’m being semi jokey about it because these are comically bizarre items. But I was also interested in others’ opinions because I think this is stuff that customers should opt in to. I don’t want it coming up in my searches.

You must realise, as someone who uses the internet, that you get shown things you've searched for and clicked on before? On Mumsnet I see adverts for websites I've purchased from after I've bought something.

It doesn't matter that you've deleted it from your browsing history, your web browser software has nothing to do with the data Amazon collects on you when you search. All Amazon's data knows is that you searched for something that brought up a particular item and then you clicked on it. It therefore thinks you are interested in that kind of item. Therefore it shows you more of the same. It's really not dodgy, it's just how cookies and search algorithms work.

Yes, I do realise that LH.

I don’t know how Amazon’s algorithms work precisely and unless you work for them you don’t either. I don’t see items on Amazon that I’ve searched for elsewhere, but I do see items in ads on MN and elsewhere that I’ve searched for, obviously. (Damn that pineapple lamp that I don’t want any more.) I’m assuming that Amazon has a new third-party seller which is promoting its items to anyone unlucky enough to type “flesh coloured”. I just want to be able to opt out, just as I opt out of adult content on my phone, and as I filter out adult content via my internet provider. I don’t want to stumble across it, and I don’t want my DC to, either.

Good night!

Flesh coloured tshirt brings up wool manga tshirts saying flesh coloured and a flesh coloured penis....its like when i searched baby food with tesco online and they gave me frozen veg technically its edible but it's not what I asked for

I've never claimed to know how Amazon's algorithms work precisely, but they will work in roughly the same way as every other internet retailers! Next time I recommend not clicking on strap-ons, or if you absolutely must, log out of your account and use a private browser window which will not record your search history and viewed items.

"It won't be based on previous browsing if you have never browsed porn or for adult toys, which I have never done"

That might meant so ei e else has used your device then.

Because it is entirely based on previous browsing - tracking that to serve up the items that fit best. Think about what tracking cookies you allow - are you really assiduous in rejecting them?

Who else have you ever let use your device - or any other device on which you have used your accounts?

I’ve just typed in ‘flesh coloured t-shirt’ and got a dildo in the results too, having never looked at sex toys previously on there. Didn’t even know they sold them tbh!