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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

#11

Post by imglorp »

tachyonbeam wrote: post #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 g…

The competition is not zero. Walmart and alibaba to name two, not aws scale but aspiring.

Also some alliances like Target + Shipt are nipping at their heels with same day delivery. https://www.target.com/c/shipt/-/N-t4bob

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

#12

Post by ryanmarsh »

bantunes wrote: post #9
monitron wrote: 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?

shafting other vendors

They own the store. Shopify is a thing.

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

#13

Post by simplecomplex »

UserIsUnused wrote: post #10
simplecomplex wrote: post #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.

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

Which law would that be?

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

#14

Post by avn2109 »

ryanmarsh wrote: post #12
bantunes wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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?

shafting other vendors They own the store. Shopify is a thing.

It is utterly baffling that anyone is surprised by this. Water is wet, fire is hot, Amazon changes their website in ways that make them more money.

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

#15

Post by kenforthewin »

goatinaboat wrote: post #7

Umm, good? I want genuine products with an assured supply chain, not any random counterfeit that gets commingled.

So the solution to counterfeits on Amazon is to only buy Amazon brands? I'd prefer they address their counterfeit problem directly.

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

#16

Post by skybrian »

learc83 wrote: post #8
monitron wrote: 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.

On the other hand, it's somewhat unlike a regular marketplace since Amazon requires vendors to match or exceed their own return policy.

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

#17

Post by EGreg »

learc83 wrote: post #8
monitron wrote: 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.

Amazon does that with A-Z guarantee and helping resolve disputes and presenting listings and having Amazon Basics and Amazon’s Choice.

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

#18

Post by EGreg »

avn2109 wrote: post #14
ryanmarsh wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

shafting other vendors They own the store. Shopify is a thing.

It is utterly baffling that anyone is surprised by this. Water is wet, fire is hot, Amazon changes their website in ways that make them more money.

Hate the game, not the player.

The game is Feudalism on the Web and in E-Commerce.

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

#19

Post by whoisjuan »

learc83 wrote: post #8
monitron wrote: 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.

Is it really? I don't see how this comparison works at all. Amazon gives you distribution, traffic, logistics, etc, with zero risk. They just take a fee if you sell. The only upfront cost is if you pay the premium FBA and that's still a like a 40 bucks per month fee.

I'm not trying to defend Amazon, but I don't think that comparison makes sense.

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

#20

Post by goatinaboat »

kenforthewin wrote: post #15
goatinaboat wrote: post #7

Umm, good? I want genuine products with an assured supply chain, not any random counterfeit that gets commingled.

So the solution to counterfeits on Amazon is to only buy Amazon brands? I'd prefer they address their counterfeit problem directly.

I would like it if when you specifically bought “sold by Amazon” products or chose that as an option you were guaranteed a genuine item but with “shipped by Amazon” that ship (hah!) has unfortunately sailed. They won’t be accepting anything from third party sellers that has Amazon branding on, so it’s safe.
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