iTunes just started recommending music to me, Amazonlike, in a beta (Googlelike). Problem is, my kids used to use my account to it is recommending Kelly Clarkson because they once ordered William Hung. The shame. The shame.
This entry was posted on Monday, October 17th, 2005 at 6:47 am.
A couple years ago, I searched for a children’s book on Amazon. I wanted to buy it as a gift for my girlfriend, a teacher. I didn’t actually buy it online, I just wanted to verify the title and go right to Barnes Noble.
For the next year, my Gold Box, and Amazon entry page, were full of toys, Barney CDs, Legos, and what-have-you.
I was 33 or 34 back then, and had bought nothing but adult things on Amazon – books, musics, movies, and kitchen/grilling tools.
One stupid search for, not purchase of, a children’s book made it impossible for them to recommend anything to me that was actually related to how I spend my money.
That’s what I e-mailed to Amazon after the situation really started pissing me off.
I called it a “1-time” button. Of course that didn’t happen.
But my e-mail must have gotten to someone, because soon after, the recommendations went back to normal. Maybe someone went into my history file and deleted any record of that search? I don’t know if this is possible, but I wonder. Or maybe there’s an expiration date for how past searches/purchases color your current recommendations.
Their CRM tools are getting smarter. Most applications today can ferret out aberrant purchases (guilty pleasures or gifts) if they don’t fit your purchase pattern. There’s definitely a trade-off, but I like getting the recommendations. But of course the stores LOVE it. Think of all the good info they’re acquiring about you . . .
This made me laugh.
A couple years ago, I searched for a children’s book on Amazon. I wanted to buy it as a gift for my girlfriend, a teacher. I didn’t actually buy it online, I just wanted to verify the title and go right to Barnes Noble.
For the next year, my Gold Box, and Amazon entry page, were full of toys, Barney CDs, Legos, and what-have-you.
I was 33 or 34 back then, and had bought nothing but adult things on Amazon – books, musics, movies, and kitchen/grilling tools.
One stupid search for, not purchase of, a children’s book made it impossible for them to recommend anything to me that was actually related to how I spend my money.
What about a “Guilty Pleasure” tag for past purchases to remove them from future recomendations?
That’s what I e-mailed to Amazon after the situation really started pissing me off.
I called it a “1-time” button. Of course that didn’t happen.
But my e-mail must have gotten to someone, because soon after, the recommendations went back to normal. Maybe someone went into my history file and deleted any record of that search? I don’t know if this is possible, but I wonder. Or maybe there’s an expiration date for how past searches/purchases color your current recommendations.
There is no shame in liking William Hung : )
Their CRM tools are getting smarter. Most applications today can ferret out aberrant purchases (guilty pleasures or gifts) if they don’t fit your purchase pattern. There’s definitely a trade-off, but I like getting the recommendations. But of course the stores LOVE it. Think of all the good info they’re acquiring about you . . .