19

When I do a search on Amazon France, one of the URL parameters is "ÅMÅŽÕÑ", as in the URL below:

https://www.amazon.fr/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/256-9830746-1362835?__mk_fr_FR=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Webcam

Any idea why they have this strange parameter there?

1 Answer 1

25
+100

Using special characters is a method to tell the browser to use UTF8 encoding, and this probably is Amazon engineers putting in a bit of an easteregg instead of a dull utf8=✓ thing.

For the record, all non-English versions have an __mk_{languagecode}_{countrycode} as URL parameter, the only one I found to differ from the ÅMÅŽÕÑ thing is the Japanese version, which uses カタカナ. カタカナ is Katakana spelled in Katakana.

1
  • That can be found on brazilian portuguese amazon too. :) Dec 4, 2020 at 14:00

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.