The cookies, tags and pixels that marketers use to track online behavior can be a pretty sensational way to remind a potential customer that they stumbled upon (or were actively researching) your product, service or experience. We've all been served up ads from companies and destinations the day after visiting their site. Sometimes it's a welcome reminder. Sometimes not.
Etsy falls into the "not" category. Two years ago, I researched and purchased a hand-painted mailbox as a Christmas present. And, every couple of days since (for two years, now), I have received an e-mail showing me more hand-painted mailboxes.
Now...Etsy knows that I purchased a hand-painted mailbox either for myself or as a gift. And, unless Etsy believes I have a hand-painted mailbox fetish (which is less likely than me purchasing one for myself or a friend) or live in a neighborhood where mailboxes often fall prey to baseball bats and M80s, one would think that Etsy would start serving up something besides hand-painted mailboxes. N'est-ce pas?
A little information in the wrong hands, my friends, is a terrible thing to waste...as you can see from the selection I was served up the other day (click image to enlarge).
They are clearly smart enough to know I once showed an interest in a product...but not smart enough to avoid pissing me off every other day.
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