There has been plenty of discussion about google and amazon's less than obvious marking of ads, but how can this guy be surprised? If you found competitors that offer a service you like better, go use them.
Did you look at the screenshot? The small, greyed-out “Sponsored” text is quite small and everything else is identical to a real listing.
Really is a dark pattern. Especially given that the purpose of the list is to avoid unwanted/unneeded items. The user is already doing the work of directing purchases to your platform already.
Check the screen shot, it's not just an ad, they basically added a sponsored item to the baby registry without telling you. This almost guarantees the purchase of this item because it fools your friends to think you need it.
If this is not shady, I don't know what is.
They can easily create a section called "You friend might also like:" and show sponsored items there.
Yes, don't inform others of sleazy practices, and especially don't lobby for legislation to curb corporate abuses. True power lies in acting as isolated individuals.
[+] [-] Arzh|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jkravitz61|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] soared|7 years ago|reply
> Company places ad in the service
> Ad marked with "Sponsored"
> User is surprised, angry
There has been plenty of discussion about google and amazon's less than obvious marking of ads, but how can this guy be surprised? If you found competitors that offer a service you like better, go use them.
[+] [-] qu1mby|7 years ago|reply
Really is a dark pattern. Especially given that the purpose of the list is to avoid unwanted/unneeded items. The user is already doing the work of directing purchases to your platform already.
Not cool.
[+] [-] serkanyersen|7 years ago|reply
If this is not shady, I don't know what is.
They can easily create a section called "You friend might also like:" and show sponsored items there.
[+] [-] deogeo|7 years ago|reply