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Amazon Changed Search Algorithm in Ways That Boost Its Own Products

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Re: Amazon Changed Search Algorithm in Ways That Boost Its Own Products

#2
Of course. Good for them. It’s their fucking store!

> Amazon has adjusted its product-search system to more prominently feature listings that are more profitable for the company

Unthinkable. A store trying to make a profit selling things. How crazy.

Re: Amazon Changed Search Algorithm in Ways That Boost Its Own Products

#3

Of course. Good for them. It’s their fucking store! > Amazon has adjusted its product-search system to more prominently feature listings that are more profitable for the company Unthinkable. A store trying to make a profit selling things. How crazy.

You might want to add some supporting information why you feel that way instead of just sharing your opinion and dropping the mic

Re: Amazon Changed Search Algorithm in Ways That Boost Its Own Products

#4
>Amazon’s lawyers rejected an initial proposal for how to add profit directly into the algorithm, saying it represented a change that could create trouble with antitrust regulators, one of the people familiar with the project said.

I wonder in what was they tweaked it so that the lawyers approved this change? I wonder if regulators will care if it skirts the letter of that law when the intention was to attempt to sneak by oversight by the FTC and the DOJ?

Re: Amazon Changed Search Algorithm in Ways That Boost Its Own Products

#5
It's not surprising that, given this kind of power, they would use it. What's a little unsettling is how little concern they have for people selling on their platform. If they treat their vendors like shit, and compete with them directly, that will incentivise said vendors to look for alternative platforms. You might say "who cares, there is no real competition for Amazon", but competition will come. What is Amazon going to do, are they planning to make their own version of every single product out there? I don't think that can scale.

Re: Amazon Changed Search Algorithm in Ways That Boost Its Own Products

#6
I would compare this to a supermarket allocating shelf space to maximize its profits, either by placing its own brands front and center or by featuring brands that have made a deal for prime shelf placement. I don't see this as scandalous or even new.

Coincidentally, Amazon brand products are usually pretty good in my experience, so this might not be a terrible outcome for users who have already decided to come shop at Amazon's store.

Re: Amazon Changed Search Algorithm in Ways That Boost Its Own Products

#8
post #6

I would compare this to a supermarket allocating shelf space to maximize its profits, either by placing its own brands front and center or by featuring brands that have made a deal for prime shelf placement. I don't see this as scandalous or even new. Coincidentally, Amazon brand products are usually pretty good in my experience, so this might not be a terrible outcome for users who have already decided to come shop…

Grocery stores don't operate as a "marketplace" though. Grocery stores curate their offerings, vet vendors, deal with returns etc...

Amazon is more like shopping mall that decides to start operating their own stores and competing with their tenants.

Re: Amazon Changed Search Algorithm in Ways That Boost Its Own Products

#9
post #6

I would compare this to a supermarket allocating shelf space to maximize its profits, either by placing its own brands front and center or by featuring brands that have made a deal for prime shelf placement. I don't see this as scandalous or even new. Coincidentally, Amazon brand products are usually pretty good in my experience, so this might not be a terrible outcome for users who have already decided to come shop…

> Coincidentally, Amazon brand products are usually pretty good in my experience, so this might not be a terrible outcome for users who have already decided to come shop at Amazon's store.

So it's fine they're shafting other vendors on their platform because their products are good?

Re: Amazon Changed Search Algorithm in Ways That Boost Its Own Products

#10

Of course. Good for them. It’s their fucking store! > Amazon has adjusted its product-search system to more prominently feature listings that are more profitable for the company Unthinkable. A store trying to make a profit selling things. How crazy.

It depends if it operates as a store or as a market place, laws are different.
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