Amazon Ads Raw Daily

Episode #80 - Amazon Brand Stores, Subscribe & Save Updates, and the Power of the DIBB Framework 🎧📱

Summary: In today's episode, we delve into the recent changes observed in Amazon's brand store and the notable testing on subscribe and save options. As the week comes to an end, we also introduce the DIBB (Data, Insights, Belief, Bet) framework, a tool that can enhance your decision-making and argumentative abilities in the business world.

Description:

Good morning and a hearty welcome to all our listeners, whether you're joining us for the first time or are a regular. In this episode of Amazon Ads Raw Daily, we're uncovering more nuances around Amazon's marketing technology and advertising. It's Friday, and we're not only focusing on Amazon but also sharing an interesting storytelling framework that can be a game-changer for your presentations and business discussions.

First off, for those who have brands emphasizing repeat purchases, there's some news. Amazon seems to be testing the visibility of 'subscribe and save' options within the brand stores. Typically, when you look at a product detail page, beneath the price you'll spot an additional discounted rate available for those who opt for 'subscribe and save'. Previously, this feature wasn't apparent in brand stores, but our recent observations indicate that it's changing. The change, currently in its testing phase, showcases the product's full potential, making the pricing even more transparent in brand stores.

However, that's not the sole update from Amazon. There's also a tweak in the Amazon Ads API. While admittedly some of these updates can be technically dense, the Advanced Tool Center on Amazon is a great resource to stay abreast with these changes.

Switching gears, let's talk about the DIBB framework. If you've ever had to present an argument, especially one backed by data, this approach might resonate. DIBB stands for Data, Insights, Belief, and Bet. It structures your argument in a way that progresses logically from presenting data to suggesting an actionable step. Spotify, for example, once used a similar rationale to make a pivotal shift towards mobile. This methodology not only ensures that your arguments are grounded in data but also effectively communicates the implications and necessary actions.

Wrapping up, thanks for tuning in this Friday. Here's to a weekend of relaxation, and we'll catch up with more insights come Monday. Auf Wiedersehen!

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Episode #79 - Shopify's Integration with Amazon's Buy with Prime and Tips on Cash Flow Management 💰📦

In this episode, we dive into the significant announcement from Shopify and Amazon regarding their "Buy with Prime" integration, followed by a look at Amazon's revised payment policies for UK and European sellers. We also touch upon Apple's new ad library and an insightful source for staying updated on Amazon's scientific papers.

Greetings all, and good morning from another episode of Amazon Ads Raw Daily. First up, I had to switch up my recording setup today due to some glitches with Zoom. I'm adapting on-the-fly using a different tool, but I'm optimistic we'll navigate through.

The spotlight today is on the partnership announcement between Shopify and Amazon regarding the "Buy with Prime" integration. If you recall, Amazon, in April 2022, launched this feature for third-party e-commerce platforms. However, Shopify initially resisted this move, even mentioning it as a violation of their terms. Fast forward to now, they've formed a collaborative integration. From Amazon's perspective, it's a pathway to extend their reach, and for Shopify, it represents trust, streamlining checkout processes, and potentially boosting sales.

The President of Shopify emphasized the benefit for its direct-to-consumer stores, allowing access to Prime members while retaining complete control over their brand and data. I'm eager to see how this interplay between two giants pans out.

Transitioning to our next topic, Amazon's latest announcement for UK and European sellers is likely to raise eyebrows. The time frame to access sale proceeds is now 10 days post-delivery. While Amazon cites streamlining and fraud protection as reasons, this extended wait is sure to impact many, especially those relying on faster cash flow. Tips to navigate this include efficient order processing, enhancing product quality, and keen cash flow management.

For our advertisers, a pro tip: you can extend your advertising fee payment periods by increasing billing chunks from $500 to $2500.

Apple has also made headlines by introducing its ad library, providing a window into competitors' advertisements. This move surely adds to the transparency initiatives, and it's interesting to see how this unfolds.

Before wrapping up, for those keen on diving deeper into Amazon's workings, check out "Amazon Science". This website provides an array of scientific papers, offering a window into Amazon's technological and algorithmic foundation.

Thank you for tuning in today. Looking forward to ending this week on a high with tomorrow's episode. Take care, and goodbye!

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Episode #78 - Unpacking Retargeting on Amazon and the Stages of Competency in Performance Marketing 📊🎯

In this episode, we delve into Amazon's retargeting dynamics, exploring the efficiency and flaws of retargeting campaigns. Plus, a reflective journey into the competency model, shedding light on the evolution from novice to expert in any given skill, with performance marketing as the lens.

Hello everyone, welcome back to Amazon Ads Raw Daily. My voice might seem a bit off today, but let's get into the meat of our topic. We're diving deep into the world of retargeting, spurred by a recent post I encountered.

Amazon's retargeting often displays a peculiar pattern: customers tend to make their purchase decisions incredibly quickly. With our analyses showing a majority of purchases happening within the first 10 minutes, it raises questions about the efficiency of retargeting campaigns. If a large fraction of your customers decide in such a short time frame, how efficient is your 7, 14, or even 30-day retargeting campaign? Moreover, Amazon's current system doesn't allow for the exclusion of those who've chosen a competitor's product over yours, leading to potentially inefficient ad spends.

An observation from personal experience: after purchasing a product on Amazon, I still find ads recommending similar products, which feels redundant. Why would I need another bike helmet after just buying one? When strategizing your retargeting, considering the "time to purchase" metric could be beneficial. Reflect on whether long retargeting campaigns make sense for your product.

Switching gears, let's discuss competency, specifically through the lens of the model from Matthew Broadwell. As someone who's been in performance marketing for over a decade, I often ponder where I stand on this scale. From "conscious incompetence" to "unconscious competency", it's crucial to understand where you might fit. This awareness helps keep ego in check and encourages continuous learning.

Few questions for introspection:

• Am I aware of my deficiencies in this area?
• Do I recognize my competence, but still have areas to improve?
• Can I perform these tasks effortlessly?
• Do peers perceive me as an expert?

Remember, mastering any skill typically requires an investment of approximately 10,000 hours. Reflecting on my journey, I've dedicated numerous hours to marketing, but it’s a mix of pure performance marketing, strategy, and team leadership. So, have I hit that 10,000-hour mark specifically in performance marketing? That's food for thought.

Regardless, the essence remains: always stay humble and hungry to learn. I view myself as a daily learner, always seeking to expand and refine my skill set.

That wraps up today’s insights. Despite the slight hiccup with my internet, I hope this episode provided valuable takeaways. Until next time!

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Episode #77 - Navigating Review Changes and Exploring New Product Listing Features on Amazon 🎧📱

Reporting again from the bustling MDS event in Barcelona, today's episode continues our exploration of Amazon's review and rating adjustments, diving deeper into category-specific changes. We'll also highlight an intriguing discovery related to parent-child product variations. As always, we're here to help you navigate these changes and anticipate potential impacts on your brand.

Hey everyone, greetings from the vibrant MDS event in Barcelona. If you're watching on YouTube, you might notice I'm still in event mode, but bear with me. We have some fascinating updates today, and while I promise to be back on track with my audio and timing once I return to Berlin, let's dive into today's insights.

Continuing from yesterday, let’s talk more about the review and rating changes on Amazon. Not all categories are created equal! Thanks to John Shear from Momentum Commerce's observations, it appears different categories have different frequencies of the review count being hidden. For instance, electronics only masked the review counts in 17% of cases, whereas arts and crafts went up to 30%. This suggests that Amazon's adjustments might not be uniform across the board but could depend on the specific category.

What's more, on my recent check of the German mobile app, the review display seems to have reverted to its older style. This suggests that Amazon is still heavily experimenting with its review displays. From concise summaries like "100+ reviews" to precise counts, there's a lot of testing going on.

But that’s not all! There's another exciting development for brands with multiple product variations. In the US mobile app, users can now scroll through various product options directly from the search results page. It’s an interactive feature that showcases different size or style options, allowing customers to make more informed choices right from the search page.

These adjustments, while seemingly minor, could have substantial implications on user experience and brand visibility. So, as always, keep a close eye on these tweaks and pivot your strategies accordingly.

That’s it for today. Thank you for sticking around. I’ll be back with more insights tomorrow. Enjoy your Tuesday and take care!

Hasta mañana! Adiós.

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

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Episode #76 - Review Ratings on SERP: Do They Affect Click-Through Rates? 📈🔍

Join us from Barcelona at the MDS Summit as we delve into the recent changes on review ratings on the search engine result page. We ponder on how these updates, which took effect on August 15th, impact the click-through rates and product visibility. If you're wondering how this might affect new product launches and overall advertising data, this episode will shed some light on it. Listen in for practical insights on tracking these changes and staying ahead of the curve.

Hello everyone! A bit different today, coming to you live from the MDS Summit in Barcelona. I know the sound might be off, and this episode is a tad late, but I'm thrilled to share my thoughts on a pressing topic - the changes in review ratings on search engine result pages. If you recall, we touched upon this topic recently, and I’ve had some time to reflect on it.

The changes rolled out on August 15th, and the burning question is - how does this affect click-through rates (CTR)? Does it influence product visibility? My intuition says that new product launches, which typically don’t have many reviews, might now receive more clicks. This could mean that their CTR goes up, while products with many reviews might experience a decline.

How can you track this? If you have a tool that tracks CTR, that's great! Another approach is to delve into your advertising data. Specifically, focus on placement data. You'd want to get the most granular view to avoid skewed results. I recommend focusing on top of search data and maybe also 'rest of search.' But remember, always zero in on sponsored products and specifically, exact match terms.

It's essential to keep an eye out for changes happening around mid-August. The impact might be positive or negative, but the critical thing is not to panic. Continue monitoring the changes and understand its implications. From what I've observed here in Germany, the review models are still evolving. So, it’s early days and too soon to draw any conclusions. 

Nevertheless, always be alert, analyze your data, and ensure you're ahead of your competitors. I'll check back in tomorrow with more insights. Until then, have a fantastic Monday and catch you on the flip side! 

Hasta mañana! Adiós.

Deutsche Zusammenfassung:

In dieser Episode berichten wir live aus Barcelona vom MDS Summit über die kürzlichen Änderungen bei den Bewertungen auf den Suchergebnisseiten. Wir untersuchen, wie sich diese Updates auf die Klickrate und die Produkt-Sichtbarkeit auswirken. Wenn Sie sich fragen, wie dies neue Produktstarts und allgemeine Werbedaten beeinflussen könnte, wird diese Folge einige Klarheit bringen. Hören Sie rein für praktische Einblicke, um diese Veränderungen zu verfolgen und immer einen Schritt voraus zu sein. Bis morgen! Adiós!

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https://www.linkedin.com/posts/andreasreiffen_scoping-amazons-off-site-ads-opportunity-activity-7100493069740883969-ocVr

Episode #75 - Understanding Amazon’s Off-Amazon Placements and the New Sponsor Brands Slideshow 🎥🛍️

In today's episode, we dive into a thought-provoking post by Andreas Reifen about Amazon's move towards off-Amazon placements compared to Google's Search Partner Business. Also, get to know about the fresh beta update on Sponsored Brands, now allowing up to five custom images, setting a new trend in ad dynamics. Join us as we shed light on these developments and their implications on your advertising strategy.

Hey, millennials! We have an intriguing topic today - Amazon's shift towards off-Amazon placements, drawing parallels with Google's Search Partner Business. Moreover, we'll touch upon the new beta feature in Sponsored Brands that's adding dynamism to your ads.

Starting off, we focus on insights from Andreas Reifen, founder of Crealytics. He recently analyzed the new development where Amazon's sponsored product campaigns now appear off Amazon, on platforms like BuzzFeed and Pinterest. Drawing a parallel, Andreas compared this with Google’s decade-old Search Partner Business. Google allowed advertisers to opt in or out from its search partners, affecting their ad performance. Andreas's hypothesis suggests that we might see a similar trend with Amazon, where about 5%-10% of our ad spend could be attributed to off-Amazon placements. The critical takeaway? This new development might not drastically affect our budgets, but it's worth keeping an eye on.

An intriguing perspective to consider is Amazon’s approach to its advertising budget. They are among the biggest advertisers worldwide. Now, with the integration of these off-Amazon placements in sponsored products, it feels like Amazon might be smartly offsetting some of their advertising expenses to sellers and advertisers. A cost-effective move on Amazon's part? Absolutely. But what does it mean for advertisers? Let’s dive deeper.

Lastly, a quick update on the Sponsored Brands. A new beta feature allows you to add up to five custom images, creating a dynamic slideshow in your ad. This push towards moving images at the Top of Search underlines the idea that dynamic visuals are more compelling than static ones. An exciting feature that sellers can experiment with!

Wrapping up, always remember, advertising is constantly evolving. Stay ahead of the curve by staying informed. Enjoy your weekend, and see you next week!

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

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https://bestatamazon.ck.page/posts/two-amazon-search-query-performance-hacks

Episode #74 - Unraveling the Prime Membership Hack & Amazon’s New Return Settings 📊📦

Today we delve deep into an insightful article by John Derkits on the Search Query Performance Report and the implications of shipping speed data. We also highlight Amazon's latest update concerning return evaluations. Discover the advantages of these insights and how to leverage them for your Amazon Ads strategies.

Good morning, everyone! Welcome to Thursday's episode of the Amazon Ads Raw Daily podcast, episode 74. Today, we're building on yesterday's discussion about the Social Care Performance Report with new insights from John Dirk Kitz. Plus, we’ve got news about a significant change to Amazon's return evaluation process.

We kick off with John Dirk Kitz's article which centers on the search query performance report. He recently identified two columns detailing one-day and two-day speed delivery, and unit counts for each. This led him to an exciting revelation about deciphering the percentage of Prime memberships based on shipping speeds. By linking Prime memberships to same day and one-day deliveries (and non-Prime to two-day deliveries), sellers can get a rough estimate of Prime members engaging with specific keywords. This data can be particularly beneficial when setting up Prime-exclusive deals. John tested this hypothesis on 8 ASINs, and though not statistically significant, the results provided some compelling insights. Be sure to check out his article linked in our description.

Switching gears, we dive into the latest news from Amazon regarding its return evaluation process. Amazon has introduced a new feature allowing sellers to disable return item evaluations either for all or selected ASINs. This is a game-changer, especially for products marked as damaged upon return. By opting out, sellers can prevent reselling of potentially mislabeled 'good condition' products and avoid the fallout of negative reviews. As always, assess how this new feature fits within your strategy.

Thank you for joining us in today’s episode. Whether you're aiming to optimize your Amazon Ads campaigns or keen on updates about the platform, we’ve got you covered. Have a fantastic day, and see you tomorrow!

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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Episode #73 - "Harnessing the Power of Amazon's Search Query Performance Report 📊🔍💼"

Dive into the intricacies of Amazon's Search Query Performance Report. Discover how this tool can elevate your understanding of search query data, aid in effective decision-making, and enhance your brand's presence on the platform.

Hello and a hearty morning to all our listeners. It's a beautiful Wednesday, the 23rd of August. Welcome back to another episode of Amazon Ads Raw Daily. For our avid followers, and newcomers alike, we have something special today: a deep dive into the wonderful world of the search query performance report on Amazon.

For the uninitiated, the Search Query Performance Report is nestled in the brand analytics section of Amazon. Think of it as your compass in the vast ocean of Amazon search queries. It's been my trusted sidekick for the past six months to a year. Why, you ask? It's because of the clarity it offers for decision-making.

One of the recent reshuffles in Amazon placed this report under two main banners: search analytics and customer behavior analytics. The goal is to find your way to the former and download the search query performance report. The tool offers either a wholesome brand overview or a detailed snapshot for individual ASINs. You're also presented with choices for data granularity - weekly, monthly, or quarterly.

However, a word of caution: this report doesn't paint the complete picture. It captures a mere fraction, primarily showcasing sponsored products and some organic data. While the report may suggest you're seeing the entire playing field, in reality, it could be just 20% of your actual data. But fret not, the key is in its directional and trend insights, rather than absolute figures.

The data can be a tad delayed - usually by a week. But it's worth the wait, especially if you're patient enough to juxtapose it week on week. Doing so can shed light on how your PPC pushes impact search query volume. Interestingly, increased PPC expenditure might lead to a surge in search query volume, hinting at a deeper connection between the two.

While the comprehensive view offers a broader perspective, the simple view, especially on a weekly basis, provides actionable insights. It helps distinguish high from low volume search queries, and map trends in impressions, clicks, and purchase share. Significantly, if your branded terms' purchase share dips below 80%, it's a glaring sign you need to up your game.

The ASIN view, on the other hand, unfolds the top 10 products dominating a particular search term, revealing who the key players are. Aiming for the top 5 or even top 4 could equate to a better organic ranking. The ultimate aim? Boost your PPC and keyword strategies to increase your impression share.

Before we conclude, here's some exciting news for all you data aficionados. Rumor has it, by year-end, we can anticipate the launch of the Search Query Performance Report API. This means automated data pull, making life significantly simpler for those managing numerous brands or ASINs.

To wrap up, the Search Query Performance Report is a treasure trove, waiting to be harnessed. If you aren't using it already, now's the time. Wishing everyone a productive Wednesday, and we'll catch you in the next episode. Farewell!

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Episode #72 - "Amazon's New Sponsored Brands Features: Theme-Based Targeting and Outcome-Based Campaigns 🎯💡🔍"

In today's podcast, we delve into Amazon's latest advancements in Sponsored Brands advertising: Theme-Based Targeting and Outcome-Based Campaigns. Learn how these features can reshape your advertising strategy, offer new avenues for campaign creation, and potentially streamline your ad management.

Good morning and welcome to episode 72 of the Amazon Ads Raw Daily podcast! Despite missing our Monday edition, we're back this Tuesday, 22nd of August, charged up and ready to explore the thrilling developments in the Amazon advertising landscape.

Hot off the press, Amazon introduces two significant features: Sponsored Brand Theme-Based Targeting and Sponsored Brand Outcome-Based Campaigns. These releases promise enhanced campaign control and optimization, making it easier and more effective for advertisers.

Theme-Based Targeting uses Amazon's advanced machine learning to gauge your brand's history, performance, and interactions. It then produces a robust set of keywords grouped into pertinent categories. This system proposes two primary targeting groups: keywords tied to your brand and those associated with your landing page. Notably, this feature is exclusive to Amazon Ads API and might serve as a boon for advertisers seeking rapid campaign rollouts without in-depth keyword research.

On the other hand, Outcome-Based Campaigns aim to align your campaigns with specific brand-building goals. Brands can select outcomes like driving page visits or growing brand impression share, each designed with unique campaign controls. You also have a choice between Cost-Per-Click (CPC) or VCPM models, with certain constraints. An intriguing component is the "Smart Default" option, which tailors the targeting based on your chosen theme and objective. Alternatively, advertisers can manually set their targeting parameters.

These updates are a testament to Amazon's endeavor to harmonize user experience with technological advancements, reminiscent of Google ads. While these features are presently confined to the API, there's hope for their inclusion in the advertising console soon.

To wrap up, Amazon continues its innovation spree, making the ad creation process increasingly intuitive, especially for Sponsored Brands. Advertisers can now look forward to harnessing these tools for more effective, data-driven campaigns.

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

Check out the YouTube Channel as well:

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

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

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Title: Episode #71 - "Expanding Amazon Sponsored Product Placements to Third-party Websites: What You Need to Know 🌍🛍️📢"

Summary:

In this episode, we dive deep into the recent announcement by Amazon regarding the expansion of sponsored product placements to third-party websites. Discover the implications of this major update, its potential impact on sellers and advertisers, and how to navigate the changing Amazon ad landscape.

Description:

Hello and a joyful Friday to all! Welcome to episode 71 of the Amazon Ads Raw Daily podcast. Today, the 18th of August, we're pulling back the curtains on the exciting news from Amazon about their expansion of sponsored product placements to third-party sites. This update was teased seven months ago, and now, it's official.

The official proclamation highlights that websites and apps like Pinterest, BuzzFeed, and many more will soon feature Amazon-sponsored product ads. This venture aims to simplify the discovery and purchase of relevant products. Notably, the ads will be showcased on these platforms without the need for advertisers to take any extra steps. Amazon's algorithms will ensure that ads are presented when they believe a customer might be interested, all based on the context of the page and the already set campaign parameters.

Interestingly, our own data indicates that Amazon might have tested these waters as far back as December of the previous year. This suggests they've had time to refine this new approach and are ready to roll it out on a larger scale.

While this promises increased visibility for sellers, there are considerations to keep in mind. Control over placements might be minimal initially, and detailed reporting might not be immediately available. Plus, while this can potentially drive down Cost-Per-Click (CPC) with increased ad inventory, the competition dynamics might also change.

In today's episode, we'll ponder these facets, the possible long-term impacts, and share some predictions for the future. As always, your insights and feedback are invaluable, so do reach out and share your thoughts.

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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