When you're searching for something online you simply type in a few keywords and it shows up. That's how Cynthia Webb has been selling her pewter gifts for years.
Recently when customers went to Amazon to search for Webb’s products, Amazon search results would provide somebody else's items.
“It crushed me, I was just so upset,” Webb told NBC 7 Responds.
Webb’s most popular item is a Mezuzah inspired blessing. She said she’s made it for years and it’s sold very well online. Late last year she did a search on Amazon and said she was shocked at what showed up.
“You typed in ‘Cynthia Webb’ in the Amazon search and someone else’s piece came up, at the top of the list,” Webb said.
The words and design were slightly different, but Webb said she is convinced they copied her work. She said there’s not much she can do about that, but that’s not the worst part.
“Their piece is coming up when you search my name,” Webb said as she showed us the search results on her office computer.
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Webb said this could only happen if competitors are using her name in their keywords, something shoppers wouldn’t see but the key words influence the results of their online searches. Webb said it has taken a big bite out of her online sales.
“Tell Amazon to please, please, respect my name,” Webb told NBC 7 Responds.
Webb said she spent hours upon hours trying to get Amazon to drop her name from competitors’ searches but, had no luck.
NBC 7 Responds contacted Amazon and now when you search “Cynthia Webb Designs,” Webb’s products appear at the top of the search results.
“Thank you NBC 7 Responds,” Webb said in a video she sent us after Amazon fixed the problem. “I’ve been fighting this battle for seven months and you took care of it in a flash. Thank you NBC.”
A spokesperson for Amazon told NBC 7 Responds the company had no comment for this story but said it was great to hear the results were appreciated.
When you're searching for something online you simply type in a few keywords and it shows up. That's how Cynthia Webb has been selling her pewter gifts for years.
Recently when customers went to Amazon to search for Webb’s products, Amazon search results would provide somebody else's items.
“It crushed me, I was just so upset,” Webb told NBC 7 Responds.
Webb’s most popular item is a Mezuzah inspired blessing. She said she’s made it for years and it’s sold very well online. Late last year she did a search on Amazon and said she was shocked at what showed up.
“You typed in ‘Cynthia Webb’ in the Amazon search and someone else’s piece came up, at the top of the list,” Webb said.
The words and design were slightly different, but Webb said she is convinced they copied her work. She said there’s not much she can do about that, but that’s not the worst part.
“Their piece is coming up when you search my name,” Webb said as she showed us the search results on her office computer.
Webb said this could only happen if competitors are using her name in their keywords, something shoppers wouldn’t see but the key words influence the results of their online searches. Webb said it has taken a big bite out of her online sales.
“Tell Amazon to please, please, respect my name,” Webb told NBC 7 Responds.
Webb said she spent hours upon hours trying to get Amazon to drop her name from competitors’ searches but, had no luck.
NBC 7 Responds contacted Amazon and now when you search “Cynthia Webb Designs,” Webb’s products appear at the top of the search results.
“Thank you NBC 7 Responds,” Webb said in a video she sent us after Amazon fixed the problem. “I’ve been fighting this battle for seven months and you took care of it in a flash. Thank you NBC.”
A spokesperson for Amazon told NBC 7 Responds the company had no comment for this story but said it was great to hear the results were appreciated.
NBC 7 Responds is here to help you with your consumer issues and we want to hear from you. Submit your consumer problem through our online form by clicking here or you can call us 619-732-NBC7 (6332). Every call or online submission we receive will be answered because if you need help, NBC 7 Responds.
