German Court Orders Amazon to Stop Typo-Targeting Ads for Birkenstocks

[Brett_Tabke]

A German court has ordered Amazon to stop using so-called “typo targeting” to serve ads to shoppers who enter misspellings of “Birkenstock” on Google. The case was brought by the sandal maker in connection with an ongoing dispute over counterfeit products sold by Amazon, but it could have broader implications for a longstanding and usually benign practice in online advertising.

[fortune.com...]

[Marshall]

IMHO, I do not believe there is enough effort by Amazon and others to combat counterfeiting/knock offs on their properties. I have a client that has the same problem with them and it is a never ending cycle.

Conversely, the buyer is also to blame in their hunt for the cheapest version of a product. There seems to be no questions raised when they see an item for $295.00USD that normally sells for $995.00USD (using the prices of my client's product as an example). I have even heard people say "Why should I pay X amount for dollars for an original when I can get it for so much less." This was said in connection to NFL approved sportswear. Regardless what the court orders or Birkenstock does, it is going to continue to happen.

[keyplyr]

Well typo targeting is certainly not new and Amazon is certainly not the only one doing it.

[Shepherd]

stop using so-called “typo targeting” to serve ads to shoppers who enter misspellings of “Birkenstock” on Google.

Interesting, and complicated.

"serve ads", technically google "serves" the ads.
"ads", has the court defined "ad", loosely defined this could include organic results.

A little unnerving when one company's actions can cause another company to be in violation of a court order.

[engine]

Probably easier to target amazon than all the smaller businesses. As was said, this has been going on for years.