Amazon Associates

Hmm… blog it and something happens. No sooner did I post something about Amazon Associates flaking out, then it works again. Of course it remains to be said here for posterity: If you wish to place a recommended item ad from Amazon, that is advertise something specific that you like, do not expect it to always be what it is supposed to be. I used to advertise Dan Gookin’s C All-In-One Deskreference for Dummies because I like it and recommend it for beginners. Trouble is, Amazon would advertise C++ for Dummies in its place at least 50% of the time. A totally different book, author, and subject. When I contacted Amazon Associates, they said it was a normal thing that sometimes occurred and that there was nothing they could do, or apparently, would do to remedy the problem. Well, I was not interested in advertising some other book, I chose to support a book I chose to support! There is absolutely no reason that the databases at Amazon can not reconcile an ad whos script contains a precise reference key to an item available at Amazon’s store via the same precise reference key. It is purely Amazon trying to sell what it wants to sell.
So, be forewarned. Amazon Associates will try to cheat on its own ads.

What’s more, if you click on Amazon (or Google) ads at your own site,  their systems automatically flag you and think you are trying to screw them. Rather than that, it should simply ignore your clicks by the same method it assumes they are your clicks (I.P. tracking? cookies? dunno). I myself do on occasion see ads on my own blog that I find interesting, particularly books.