Why books?

[Edwina's Secretary]

I buy my books on line from Barnes and Noble. And it is showing books I have not bought (as well as products I do not use.)

[Paul]

   I was just curious how this Amazon.com system worked. I am going to remove the ads. Pet Talk does not share the info with Amazon. In this case, we designate a certain amount of space on our web page and Amazon.com fills that space as best they can. We have no idea what Amazon is showing to our members.

      Paul

[Ginger's Mom]

That is why I prefaced my remarks with if you have purchased from Amazon. So everyone is getting ads for blenders and books on breastfeeding and American Eskimo dogs?

[Paul]

   Once your computer begins to load the page from Pet Talk, it asks Amazon.com to fill the ad space. If an Amazon cookie is present, your web browser will send your Amazon cookie back to Amazon's server so that they may attempt to display ads that are relevant to you (and, if possible, relevant to pets).

   The Pet Talk server never even knows if any ads were shown on your computer.

      Paul

[Freckles]

In the last year I've purchased several items for my accoustic guitar through Amazon, so now I'm seeing guitar related items in the banner.

In a related subject, in the Dog of the Day and Cat of the Day Google ads, I've seen ads for a Portland photographer who specializes in Pet photos. Perhaps Google targets their ads to geographic locations?

[Karen]

Yes, we do know Google tries to geolocate their ads, that is true! I get Boston-based things advertised from time to time.

[smokey the elder]

I've never bought books from Amazon.com, but the books displayed are epic fantasy, whihc is my big guilty pleasure!