Disclosed are aqueous carpet-coating compositions suitable for use as binders or adhesives in carpet products. Such compositions, prior to being applied to carpet substrates and cured, comprise: A) a selected type of vinyl acetate/ethylene (VAE) copolymer dispersion which has been stabilized with emulsifiers and a cellulose ether-based protective colloid, and B) at least one carbon black based filler in the form of a dispersion/slurry with a solids content between 20 and 70%. These coating compositions exhibit especially desirable initial viscosity and viscosity stability characteristics. Carpet products which utilize such coating compositions to provide binder and/or adhesive layer within the carpet are also disclosed. Such carpet products can have desirable odor-controlling and odor-absorbing properties.