The seven habits of highly ineffective product recommendation algorithms
You know, I have nothing against ABBA or musicals based on the works thereof. But the e-mail I got from Amazon UK this morning just makes no sense. See if you can follow the logic here:
We recommend: Mamma Mia! [DVD] [2008]
DVD ~ Meryl Streep
RRP: £21.99
Price: £7.98
You Save: £14.01 (64%)Recommended because you purchased or rated:
* Doctor Who – The Mark Of The Rani [DVD] [1985]
* Doctor Who – The Claws Of Axos [DVD] [1971]
* Doctor Who – Vengeance on Varos [DVD] [1963]
I have a feeling that only the broadest connection possible applies here: you bought shiny round things from us a few years ago, therefore you simply must be interested in this shiny round thing, because everyone who likes shiny round things at all likes this particular shiny round thing. Trust us. We’ve asked them. All of them.
I know marketing is an inexact science, but come on, the logic on this one is grope-in-the-dark voodoo, people. 😆 … Read more
