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# Be Careful What You Link To
- URL: https://chrisenns.com/2012/02/be-careful-what-you-link-to/
- Published: 2012-02-27T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-04-08T23:52:17.000Z
- Author: Chris Enns
- Tags: Uncategorized, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2024-04-08 17:47, #ichris

By linking to a [55 gallon drum of water-based lubricant on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005MR3IVO?ref=chrisenns.com) from his Facebook page, he became [Amazon's pitchman for said lubricant to his friends](https://nbergus.com/2012/02/how-i-became-amazons-pitchman-for-a-55-gallon-drum-of-personal-lubricant-on-facebook/?ref=chrisenns.com).

> Amused, I posted it to Facebook with the line “A 55-gallon drum of lube on Amazon. For Valentine’s Day. And every day. For the rest of your life.” And then I went on with my life.  
> A week later, a friend posts a screen capture and tells me that my post has been showing up next to his news feed as a sponsored story, meaning Amazon is paying Facebook to highlight my link to a giant tub of personal lubricant.  
> Other people start reporting that they’re seeing it, too. A fellow roller derby referee. A former employee of a magazine I still write for. My co-worker’s wife. They’re not seeing just once, but regularly. Said one friend: “It has shown up as one on mine every single time I log in.”

In this day and age, it's good to keep in mind that if the service or web site you're using isn't charging you anything, there's a good chance **you** are the product.

*Via [kottke.org](https://kottke.org/12/02/the-reluctant-sex-lube-salesman?ref=chrisenns.com)*