Amazon ads
Interesting. Amazon is now displaying sponsored links -- i.e., advertisements -- in its pages about specific books.
Case in point is the page open on another browser window right now. The books is Dungeons and Dreamers: The Rise of Computer Game Culture from Geek to Chic.
Below the editorial reviews, product details and "Inside This Book" features, there is a segment titled "Customers interested in this title may also be interested in". Below that in a tiny font it says "sponsored links".
In this instance, there are three links for game design schools.
Here's Amazon's explanation:
On the one hand, it is their business to sell me books, music, movies and other things, not to sell me outside services that I'm perfectly capable of finding on my own. I don't want Yellow Pages clippings pasted all over the shelves at Barnes & Noble when I go there, either. The Amazon pages are already so crammed full of information it's kind of annoying to have ads thrown in there as well.
On the other hand, the links are about as unintrusive as you can get. There are only a few, and they are simple text links, with no distracting Flash animations or distracting pop-ups. And Amazon does have a pretty good track record of improving things for the consumer, so if this does really help them lower prices I'll probably be able to live with it.
Case in point is the page open on another browser window right now. The books is Dungeons and Dreamers: The Rise of Computer Game Culture from Geek to Chic.
Below the editorial reviews, product details and "Inside This Book" features, there is a segment titled "Customers interested in this title may also be interested in". Below that in a tiny font it says "sponsored links".
In this instance, there are three links for game design schools.
Here's Amazon's explanation:
Sponsored Links are advertisements that Amazon.com provides to you. We receive Sponsored Links from Google's AdWords service. When you click on a Sponsored Link, we get revenue. The selection of Sponsored Links that are displayed is based on keywords. For example, if you search for "Bruce Springsteen" or view pages about Bruce Springsteen, the Sponsored Links may point to sites that sell tickets to his concerts or provide information about him. Sponsored Links are always clearly labeled.I'm of a mixed mind about this.
Generating additional revenue from Sponsored Links allows us to offer lower prices to you--something we are dedicated to doing every way we can.
On the one hand, it is their business to sell me books, music, movies and other things, not to sell me outside services that I'm perfectly capable of finding on my own. I don't want Yellow Pages clippings pasted all over the shelves at Barnes & Noble when I go there, either. The Amazon pages are already so crammed full of information it's kind of annoying to have ads thrown in there as well.
On the other hand, the links are about as unintrusive as you can get. There are only a few, and they are simple text links, with no distracting Flash animations or distracting pop-ups. And Amazon does have a pretty good track record of improving things for the consumer, so if this does really help them lower prices I'll probably be able to live with it.
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