New Feature on Amazon App: Friend or Foe for Sellers?

Amazon, the giant online store, keeps making its app better for both shoppers and sellers. They just added a new feature that lets phone users easily see similar products (from other companies) right next to the main picture of an item. This article explains how this new feature works, why Amazon did it, and how it might change how people shop on Amazon.
Amazon just changed how you see products on their phone app. Now, when you look at something, you might also see similar items from other companies right next to it. This is a big change!
Why is this a big deal?
For Shoppers: This is good news! It means you can easily compare different options for the same kind of product without having to search for them yourself.
For Sellers (people who sell things on Amazon): This can be both good and bad. The good news is that more people might see your product because it could show up as a similar option for other things people are looking at. The bad news is that people might also see your competitor’s products right next to yours, which could make it harder for you to make a sale.
Let’s break it down further:
Good for Sellers: More people might see your product because it could be shown as a similar option for other things people are looking at. This is like getting a free ad!
Bad for Sellers: People might see your competitor’s products right next to yours. This is like having someone else selling their lemonade right next to your lemonade stand at a fair. It might be harder to get people to buy yours if they see another option right there.
Amazon picks which other products to show you based on a few things:
Direct Swap: If you’re looking at a red shirt, Amazon might show you other red shirts from different brands. These are the most likely substitutes.
Similar Price: The other items will usually cost around the same as the one you’re looking at, give or take $50.
Brand Love: Sometimes, even if another product isn’t exactly the same, Amazon might show you more things from the same brand. For example, if you’re looking at a Nike shirt, it might show you Nike shoes or hats too.
How People Shop: This new feature could change how people shop on Amazon.
Here’s the deal:
To pick which other products to show, Amazon considers a few things:If it’s a very similar product (like a different color of the same shirt).If it costs around the same amount (usually within $50 of the original item).If it’s from the same brand (sometimes Amazon shows you more things from the same brand even if they aren’t exactly the same product).
This new feature could change how people shop on Amazon:You might end up buying more because you see other things you like.You might take longer looking at all these options before you decide.You might compare a bunch of things and end up buying just the things you really want, instead of grabbing the first thing you see.
The bottom line: This is just Amazon’s way of making sure you find what you’re looking for and maybe even buy a few extra things along the way. Sellers need to be aware of this new feature and figure out how to make their products stand out so they can still make sales.