# Amazon Links Morphing to wall mart. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 9, 2016, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547 "2016-01-09T01:44:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547/1 "2016-01-09T01:44:24Z")
When I try to post a link to Amazon, it morphs to a Wal-Mart link. Is this being done by the SDMB? Or is it something else? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547/2 "2016-01-09T01:49:07Z")
There was a recent thread when this happened last. It was viglink. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547/3 "2016-01-09T01:50:12Z")
[Test link.](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01693PCY0/ref=s9_simh_gw_g200_i2_r?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=07434R88BXW083JCXYNF&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547/4 "2016-01-09T01:54:10Z")
It’s not doing it for me even after allowing all scripts. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547/5 "2016-01-09T02:15:39Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > It’s not doing it for me even after allowing all scripts. Viglink has an opt out system. If you opted out, then it won’t much with your links even if you have scripts enabled. Last time this came up, I ran a few tests…I couldn’t get the redirect to happen on this machine, but if I went to my desktop, it redirected as described. I’d be rather disappointed if I were a paying member and posted a link in the Marketplace for my product, and had viglink change it…since the Marketplace is a benefit for paying members. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547/6 "2016-01-09T02:19:12Z")
> [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](#): > > Viglink has an opt out system. If you opted out, then it won’t much with your links even if you have scripts enabled. Never opted out, I have NoScript and simply disallow viglink(among others). Maybe my browser is reloading the Amazon link from cache. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547/7 "2016-01-09T02:40:59Z")
trying it > **[Pure Pork Awesomeness: Totally Cookable Recipes from Around the World:...](https://www.amazon.com/Pure-Pork-Awesomeness-Totally-Cookable/dp/1449447074)** > > Pure Pork Awesomeness: Totally Cookable Recipes from Around the World \[Gillespie, Kevin, Joachim, David\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Pure Pork Awesomeness: Totally Cookable Recipes from Around the World ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547/8 "2016-01-09T02:41:59Z")
Well, I cleared my cookies–so maybe that’s it. {SHRUGS} ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547/9 "2016-01-09T04:48:48Z")
I’m honestly surprised any place can legitimately do this. Add their own Amazon referrer link, sure. But change it to Walmart, which likely won’t even actually have the product in question? The Powers that Be need to at least shut off this redirect, or at least disable Viglink in the Marketplace forum. Heck, I’m not even sure the SDMB terms of service allow for such changes. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547/10 "2016-01-09T14:51:19Z")
I’m amazed that Amazon hasn’t sued Viglink into oblivion over this. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547/11 "2016-01-09T18:05:12Z")
Looking at Viglink’s website and Wikipedia page, I’m not grasping how it works and how it applies to the problems people are experiencing here. I clicked on a link that went somewhere weird this week. Now it seems fine. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547/12 "2016-01-09T20:29:14Z")
Please say I’m not understanding this… Please! As I read the Wiki on Viglink, it scans the stuff I’m reading and inserts links to sites selling the product (or what Viglink _ **thinks** _ is a product) - for my shopping pleasure. So, if I want to ask about a 2016 Chevy Malibu, the name “2016 Chevy Malibu” becomes a link to someone trying to sell a 2016 Chevy Malibu. Is this what it actually does? I really don’t want to see what it would do if I ask about camel spit… ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2016, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547/13 "2016-01-10T21:29:42Z")
Today, this has stopped with no action on my part (iOS 9.2 Safari). ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2016, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547/14 "2016-01-19T01:40:39Z")
Just posted an Amazon link in the thread below that is morphing into a link to “[rakuten.com](http://rakuten.com)”. > **[Can you use a will to control from beyond the grave?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=781409)** > > No, don’t need answer fast, nor is this something I intend to do. It’s just based on idle musings during my day off. My knowledge of wills comes entirely from TV and movies, so it’s probably less than accurate. Is it legal to use a will to compel... Interestingly, a link to that single post does not change. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19027051&postcount=8](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19027051&postcount=8) Does anyone else see the same? ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2016, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547/15 "2016-01-19T01:43:05Z")
Goes to www.rakuten… for me. ---
**Author:** ![eulalia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eulalia/32/457_2.png) [@eulalia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eulalia)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2016, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547/16 "2016-01-19T04:55:26Z")
It went to Amazon for me. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2016, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547/17 "2016-01-19T09:57:41Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Just posted an Amazon link in the thread below that is morphing into a link to “[rakuten.com](http://rakuten.com)”. > > [Can you use a will to control from beyond the grave? - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=781409) > > Interestingly, a link to that single post does not change. > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19027051&postcount=8](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19027051&postcount=8) > > Does anyone else see the same? I see the same. Amazon should send it’s drone air force and obliterate this company. That is wrong on so many levels. ETA: I wonder of it will do the same on my desktop or laptop, or if all my script blockers will prevent the redirect. My phone doesn’t have all the plugins. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2016, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-links-morphing-to-wall-mart/742547/18 "2016-01-19T14:26:11Z")
Tried it on my desktop. Ghostery blocks the change. Still, that’s really scummy behaviour.