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Summary:

In episode 99, we debunk the common concern about rising CPCs on Amazon. While the numbers might be increasing, the real story lies in understanding the percentage of CPC relative to your selling price, considering inflation, and the dynamics of the marketplace.

Description:

Good morning to our dedicated listeners on this fine Monday! We're on the cusp of our milestone 100th episode, and I can hardly contain my excitement for what's in store tomorrow. But first, let's dive deep into today's topic: Cost Per Click, or CPC.

Understanding CPC: There's a prevalent sentiment among Amazon sellers that CPCs are on a relentless upward trajectory. While this might be statistically accurate, the narrative often overlooks the real picture. It's not just about the value of the CPC but how the CPC relates as a percentage of your selling price.

Inflation and Its Impact: A critical factor to consider is inflation, which inherently devalues money over time. With goods, shipping, and various other costs witnessing a rise, many sellers have adjusted their prices accordingly. A price increase means you can allocate a higher CPC, provided your conversion rate remains consistent.

The Essence of CPC: Think about it – if the selling price of a product increases due to inflation or other market dynamics, a proportional rise in CPC is natural, especially if your conversion rate stays consistent. This correlation helps us understand that merely stating "CPCs are rising" isn't necessarily an alarming fact. Instead, it's an outcome of broader economic and marketplace dynamics.

Digging Deeper: Let's not forget other contributing factors, like organic rankings, competitors' behavior, and your specific goals in terms of market share. The ratio between PPC sales and organic sales plays a significant role in determining your CPC. So, it's crucial to adopt a more nuanced perspective rather than jump to conclusions based on standalone numbers.

To sum it up, the next time you come across the statement, "CPCs are too high," remember it's about understanding the entire ecosystem and not just isolated numbers. It's a combination of your product's price, market dynamics, and strategic objectives.

Thank you for joining today. As always, stay curious, keep questioning, and remember to tune in tomorrow for our grand 100th episode. Until then, take care and have a productive start to your week!

Thanks for listening and if you like the podcast make sure to subscribe!

Check out the YouTube Channel as well:

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Episode #98 - Amazon's AI Partnership & Mistral AI's Powerful Model 🤖

Summary: In episode 98, we discuss Amazon's big investment in the AI space by partnering with Entropic, and the impressive achievement of Mistral AI with their 7B model. Moreover, we address video quality issues from our YouTube channel and touch on Amazon Ads API updates.

Description:

Hello to our amazing listeners on this beautiful Friday, 29th of September! We're edging closer to episode 100, and there might be a little surprise in store for all of you.

YouTube Quality Concerns: First off, to our avid YouTube viewers, I've noticed comments regarding the video quality looking somewhat 'foggy'. I must admit, that's due to recording via Zoom which doesn't offer the best video resolution. My apologies, and I will be looking into potential solutions next week.

Amazon Ads API Update: Amazon continues to innovate with their latest API release for sponsored displays. Now, when setting up a sponsored display campaign, the potential reach and impressions are forecasted more accurately. The addition of forecast statuses - 'impression targeting too narrow' and 'impression targeting too broad' - assists advertisers in better understanding their potential reach. This is certainly an update for those who like to delve into the nitty-gritty of their campaigns.

Big News in AI: Amazon has taken a massive step in the AI realm by investing $4 billion into Entropic, a company recognized for its advanced large language models, similar to OpenAI. On top of that, Amazon itself houses the Amazon Bedrock large language model. This collaboration with Entropic further cements their commitment to advancing in AI.

Mistral AI's Milestone: Speaking of advancements in AI, Mistral AI, a startup from Paris, is making waves in the industry. Despite being a young company, they've already released a 7B model which has outperformed several bigger models in various benchmarks. Its proficiency in areas like math and coding is particularly impressive, giving established models from giants like Google a run for their money. European AI has truly showcased its potential!

To delve deeper into the fascinating world of AI and Mistral's achievements, I recommend reading the detailed article on their website (link in the description).

Thank you all for tuning in. I hope you have a splendid weekend. Be sure to tune in on Monday, and as we approach our 100th episode, expect a few surprises. Take care and goodbye!

Thanks for listening and if you like the podcast make sure to subscribe!

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Summary: This Thursday, we're diving into the world of off-Amazon placements and how they've now become more visible in placement reports for sponsored products. Plus, a fascinating exploration of how algorithms, particularly those used by video platforms, determine content exposure.

Description:

Good morning to all our Amazon Ads Raw Daily listeners. Today, we'll be shedding light on a recent development that has been making waves in the Amazon Ads space.

Starting off, we'll delve into the realm of off-Amazon placements. For those out of the loop, these placements are the new kids on the block, automatically enrolled into sponsor product campaigns in the US. These placements feature on platforms like BuzzFeed, Pinterest, and other content-rich sites under the Amazon content network. Now, advertisers can see how their campaigns are performing on these platforms thanks to the new "Off Amazon" category in placement reports for sponsored products. However, a lingering question is how these placements fare in terms of conversion, considering they might attract an audience with potentially lower purchase intent compared to on-site Amazon visitors. The data is still in its early stages, but indications hint at a rather modest click-through rate.

Switching lanes, our focus shifts to the world of algorithms. Almost every platform you can think of, from Amazon to YouTube to TikTok, operates based on these intricate formulas. Ever wondered how certain content gets recommended to you or why some videos go viral while others stay stagnant? It's all thanks to these algorithms. An AI app named Opus Clip has managed to leverage this by transforming longer YouTube videos into bite-sized clips tailored for platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts. From personal experience, these algorithms seem to work in stages, gradually pushing content to larger audiences based on engagement levels.

Intrigued? Reach out to us with your thoughts or any insights on these topics. As always, your engagement keeps us going. Stay curious and until next time, take care!

Thanks for listening and if you like the podcast make sure to subscribe!

Check out the YouTube Channel as well:

https://youtube.com/@AmazonAdsRawDaily

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https://alexanderswade.com/amazon-ads-raw-daily/

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Title: Episode #96 - Fresh API Updates and A Glimpse into the New Ad Console Interface 🎧📱

Summary: This Wednesday, join us as we dive deep into the newest updates from Amazon's Ad Console and the Amazon Ads API. Learn about the novel "exports API," its capabilities, the latest model documentation, and Amazon's intriguing new beta for video ad campaigns.

Description:

Greetings to our dedicated listeners of Amazon Ads Raw! Apologies for missing out on yesterday's episode, but today we’re back with some noteworthy updates from Amazon's world.

Firstly, we discuss the latest API addition, the "exports API." This unique API in the Amazon Ads universe provides a snapshot of your setup, offering a one-time export of your metadata and the present state of all setups. Contrasting with the historical data access, this API focuses on the metadata. Notably, it currently delivers only campaign and ad group level details, but there's ongoing work for targeting and ad specifications. An additional feature to note is the new documentation for common models, shedding light on campaign statuses, ad group statuses, and more.

Switching gears to the Ad Console, we highlight an exciting find – a new beta feature related to video ads. Positioned under the campaign creation section, this beta guides users in creating video campaigns for sponsored brands and sponsored display. What’s interesting is the simplified process it offers, particularly catering to advertisers less familiar with the intricacies of Amazon Ads. With just a few clicks, choose a strategy, select a product, decide on targeting, and you're good to go!

Despite these new introductions, a pressing concern is Amazon's motivation behind these features. While simplicity and user experience are paramount, the growing feeling is that Amazon's primary focus might be on driving more advertising revenue rather than genuinely enhancing user experience.

Thank you for joining us today. If you're an advertiser, stay curious, test these new features, and always strive for better insights. Until next time, take care!

Thanks for listening and if you like the podcast make sure to subscribe!

Check out the YouTube Channel as well:

https://youtube.com/@AmazonAdsRawDaily

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https://alexanderswade.com/amazon-ads-raw-daily/

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderswade/

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Thanks for listening and if you like the podcast make sure to subscribe!

Check out the YouTube Channel as well:

https://youtube.com/@AmazonAdsRawDaily

More Infos about the Me & the Podcast can be found here:

https://alexanderswade.com/amazon-ads-raw-daily/

Follow me on LinkedIn:

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Episode #94 - Amazon's New Ad Rules & Bid Scheduling Insights 📅📉

Summary: In today's episode, we delve into Amazon's latest ad rule for sponsor product campaigns, the buzz it created on LinkedIn, and how it may impact your ad strategies. Additionally, we'll explore a new development in Sponsored Product Campaign Performance on Rest of Search Placements.

Description:

Hello everybody and a happy Friday to you all! Welcome back to the Amazon Ads Raw Daily Podcast, episode 94. We're buzzing with news today, especially one that caught the attention of many on LinkedIn.

1. Introducing Day Parting: Amazon has quietly rolled out a new feature allowing advertisers to schedule bids based on days and specific hours. Though not witnessed firsthand, multiple LinkedIn reports suggest that this change is imminent and might soon be available to US accounts.
2. Granularity Shift: From the usual daily granularity, Amazon has shifted to an hourly one. The change enables advertisers to gauge the efficiency of their sponsor product campaigns at an hourly rate, tracking metrics like spend, clicks, impressions, and ACOS.
3. Understanding the Bid Rules: These bid rules come with some limitations. Notably, you can only increase your bids and cannot create a complex schedule. For instance, it's impossible to say that on Monday you want to increase your bid by 10%, then on Sunday by 50%, and on Wednesday by 40%. This makes the rule quite basic compared to more sophisticated systems like Google Ads.
4. New on API: Alongside the scheduling buzz, Amazon has announced an improvement in Sponsored Product Campaign Performance on Rest of Search Placements. This allows advertisers to apply bid adjustments for rest of search placements in their campaigns. Though announced a while ago, this feature is now fully functional and available across various regions.

The core takeaway? Amazon's ad functionalities are evolving, though not necessarily keeping pace with the demands of large-scale sellers. To truly harness the platform's capabilities, advertisers need to stay updated and flexible.

For a more in-depth look, check out the various discussions on LinkedIn. And as always, thank you for lending us your ears. Looking forward to catching up on Monday. Have a fantastic weekend, and goodbye!

Thanks for listening and if you like the podcast make sure to subscribe!

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https://www.linkedin.com/posts/strouppaul_amazon-announced-it-would-hire-250000-logistics-activity-7110301802771714048-K9Ng

Episode #93 - Amazon's Seasonal Hiring Surge: Analysis & Implications for Q4 📈🎁

Summary: Today's quick episode dives into Amazon's recent announcement to hire 250,000 logistical workers for the upcoming holiday season. We analyze the historical data and the possible implications this has for Q4, not just for Amazon but for the e-commerce industry as a whole.

Hey there! Welcome back to the Amazon Ads Reward Daily Podcast, episode 93. We're keeping things concise today due to a tight schedule, but I wanted to touch upon a significant announcement from Amazon.

1. Historical Context: Amazon plans to hire 250,000 logistical workers for the holiday season - the highest number they've declared for seasonal employment in the past decade. The announcement's timing, made on the 19th of September, is notably earlier compared to previous years, hinting at some strategic shifts.
2. Comparative Analysis: In 2021 and 2022, Amazon declared their seasonal workforce needs around October 6th. This year, they've gone ahead roughly two weeks in advance. Additionally, these 250,000 seasonal hires account for 16% of Amazon's total employee base, based on numbers from the end of 2022. This is the most significant seasonal-to-permanent worker ratio in the last four years.
3. Implications for Q4: What does this hiring surge mean? The data strongly suggests that Amazon is gearing up for an extremely busy Q4. A potential reason could be the inflation rates in the U.S., which aren’t as alarming as initially predicted. A drop in consumer apprehension about inflation might lead to more spending during the holiday season. This is a good sign not only for Amazon but also for other e-commerce and retail businesses.
4. What to Expect: With the hiring spree and the current economic conditions, we can anticipate a robust Q4 across the e-commerce spectrum. Businesses should be prepared to manage increased demand and capitalize on the opportunities.

You can delve deeper into this topic with the LinkedIn post linked in the podcast description. The key takeaway? Be ready for a bustling holiday season!

That's it for today's snapshot episode. Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more insights. Wishing you a fantastic day ahead! Thanks for listening. Hear you tomorrow on Friday. Bye bye.

Thanks for listening and if you like the podcast make sure to subscribe!

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Episode #92 - Unpacking Amazon's Customer Loyalty Analytics: Deep Dive into Brand Views, Segment Insights, & Predictive CLV

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Check out the YouTube Channel as well:

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Summary: Dive into recent Amazon Ads updates including the revamped budgets tab, a new sponsored ads report, the multi-country sponsored ads campaign manager, and the futuristic virtual product placements. Stay informed about how these features can change the advertising landscape on Amazon.

Description:

Hello, folks, and a warm welcome from Amazon Ads Raw on this beautiful Monday, 18th of September. I'm here to unpack the fresh Amazon Ads updates that came in over the weekend and the preceding days. Let's get started:

1. Budgets Tab Update - Many of you might have noticed this, albeit it's still in beta. Located on the left pane within the campaigns sponsored ad menu, it has fresh metrics to offer. Metrics such as average time in budget, estimated missed sales, and estimated missed impressions now help streamline your budgeting strategies. The added widget provides a comprehensive summary of campaigns running out of budget, further aiding your decision-making process.
2. Reporting Enhancement - The sponsored ads report has a new addition. Still, in its infancy, this new report under sponsored products now offers both daily and hourly time units. This addition complements Amazon's Stream feature, which also provides hourly data.
3. Multi-country Sponsored Ads Campaign Manager - For those selling across borders, this is a game-changer. Advertisers running sponsored ad campaigns in multiple countries can now manage them all under a single account ad page. This new functionality promises efficiency, accuracy, and easy currency conversions.
4. Virtual Product Placements (VPP) - This futuristic feature is Amazon's step into digital post-shot video editing. Brands can now place their products within video content digitally, post-production. The VPP allows product placements to be changed based on geography or target audience. While I have my reservations about the potential saturation of ads in video content, it's undoubtedly a groundbreaking feature to look out for.

Amazon is ceaselessly innovating, and these updates are a testament to their commitment. For those keen on maximizing their advertising efficiency on the platform, these tools could very well be game-changers.

Thank you for joining me today on Amazon Ads Raw. Stay sharp, and I'll catch up with you tomorrow. Cheers!

Thanks for listening and if you like the podcast make sure to subscribe!

Check out the YouTube Channel as well:

https://youtube.com/@AmazonAdsRawDaily

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https://alexanderswade.com/amazon-ads-raw-daily/

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