Why Your Affiliate Style Images Might Be Killing Your Amazon Business

In just 10 minutes, I'll challenge most of what you believe—and show you why the opposite might be true.

Watch to the end for 99 scroll-stopping techniques from the world's top three product photographers.

Watch here on YouTube for the full experience.

"Pretty doesn't convert." - Affiliate Marketers

What happens when hammer-and-nail marketing doesn't work?

Everyone's favourite dog, Rufus, seems to have a different opinion when it comes to images and stopping the scroll. Text on Images

Cluttered images make your brand appear unprofessional or cheap.

• Impact of busy images: Too many elements distract from the product.
• Visual focus and clarity: Eliminates distractions, letting customers focus on your product.
• Pattern interrupt: Stops the scroll.
• Reduced cognitive load: Easy for customers to process and understand.
• Professional aesthetic: Clean layouts convey luxury and quality.

The Paradox of Dense Images

• Information overload: Excessive visual details cause faster scrolling.
• Cognitive fatigue: Complex images demand more mental effort, prompting quick dismissal.
• Lost focus: When everything competes, nothing stands out.

What Actually Stops the Scroll?

• Clean contrast: Single element against clean background.
• Less-is-more: Pattern break through simplicity.
• Simple images stand out in cluttered feeds.
• The most effective scroll-stoppers are the cleanest, most focused images.

The Low-Price Paradox

• Trust barrier: Customers are naturally sceptical of cheap products.
• Poor images confirm their worst fears.

The Outliers

• Outliers are statistically insignificant compared to what drives success.
• The 99% reality: 97% of customers respond positively to clean, well-lit, professional images.

Cherry Picking and Moonshots

• Avoid cherry-picking outliers as universal truths.
• If so, everyone would have proven strategies and no failed products.

Why Outliers Get Disproportionate Attention

• Survival bias: We notice the 1% that succeed unusually, not the 99% that fail.
• Marketing case studies: Unusual success stories are interesting.
• Confirmation bias: People remember exceptions that validate rule-breaking.

Also in the video: 99 techniques for stopping the scroll, by three of the world's best, working with multi-million-dollar and billion-dollar brands.

99 image principles used by three of the world's top product photographers:

• Peter Belanger - Apple's product photographer since 2007
• Tim Tadder - Nike, Adidas, and NFL campaign photographer
• Jonathan Knowles - Coca-Cola, Guinness, and major beverage brands

As a thank you for everything this industry has given me over the past decade, DesignLoop is my gift to you. No subscriptions—just add your API keys and you're ready to compete with major brands with innovative images and video.

No one ever stopped the scroll by imitation.

It's time to get back to winning.

If you want to get access to Design Loop, you can join the waitlist here.

https://sellersessions.com/sp/ai-workshop/

Main Image Monthly: Optimising Conversion for Trendy Bandanas: Strategies and Insights Episode Overview

In this episode, the team explores innovative strategies to optimise a bandana product listing, focusing on visual appeal and conversion tactics. The discussion highlights the importance of addressing customer concerns about size and quality while generating creative imagery to enhance click-through rates. This episode explores visual optimisation techniques, conversion strategies for fashion products with practical insights for immediate implementation.

Key Takeaways

• Effective imagery and emotional engagement are crucial for improving conversion rates and attracting consumers.
• Testing different main images and variations can lead to significant improvements in click-through rates and overall sales.

Chapter Markers Time Chapter Description 00:01 Introduction and Product Challenge Danny welcomes listeners and introduces the challenge of optimising a trendy bandana product amidst various competitors. 01:12 Exploring Product Analysis Dorian shares insights on product analysis and the necessity of understanding the target audience's needs and purchase barriers. 04:40 Testing Concepts and Imagery Matt emphasizes the baseline analysis of competitors and discusses potential ideas for new imagery to improve the product listing's performance. 12:00 Concept Development Dorian describes his approach to generating multiple image concepts and emphasising versatility and quality concerns for consumers. 20:17 Testing New Main Images The team discusses various concepts for new main images and the importance of testing these concepts to determine what works best. 40:47 Visual Optimization Strategies Danny shares innovative ideas for visual optimisation, using angles and spacing to enhance customer engagement with the product images. 54:00 Final Strategies and Wrap-Up The team wraps up the discussion by reiterating the importance of differentiating in the market and the strategy of testing imagery for improved conversion. Notable Quotes

"Customers eat with their eyes."

Subscribe to Seller Sessions

• YouTube: Seller Sessions Channel
• Website: Seller Sessions

Resources Mentioned 🔧 Tools & Platforms:

• Tools and resources mentioned in the episode

🔗 Guest Links:

• No guest this episode

📖 Seller Sessions Resources:

• YouTube: Seller Sessions Channel
• Website: Seller Sessions
• Rufus Blueprint: Complete Amazon Algorithm Guide
• Honeymoon Period Research: Scientific Analysis
• Seller Sessions Live 2026: Conference Registration

Go With The Flow: Automating Amazon Data Scraping with Bookmarklets and Chrome Extensions Episode Overview

In this episode, Danny and Ritu delve into creative methods for automating data scraping from Amazon pages using bookmarklets and Chrome extensions. They explore different approaches to gather valuable insights while emphasizing the importance of viewing challenges from multiple perspectives. This episode explores automation and data scraping techniques, creative approaches to workflow optimization with practical insights for immediate implementation.

Key Takeaways

• Automation of Amazon data extraction can be achieved through bookmarklets and Chrome extensions, enhancing workflow efficiency.
• Understanding the structure of Amazon product pages and applying creative coding techniques can result in more efficient data scraping.

Chapter Markers Time Chapter Description 00:01 Introduction Danny welcomes listeners and introduces the theme of the episode, highlighting a shared experience in automation. 01:40 Understanding Amazon's Taxonomy Database Danny discusses the complexities of Amazon's taxonomy database and how content in listings impacts product types. 05:00 Automation in Data Collection Ritu and Danny explain different ways to automate mundane tasks of scraping data from Amazon product pages. 09:11 Scraping Mechanics Explained Ritu breaks down the mechanics of how scraping works, particularly focusing on the Document Object Model (DOM). 18:20 Introduction to Bookmarklets Ritu explains bookmarklets and their function as JavaScript executing buttons on browser pages. 25:21 Creating a Chrome Extension Ritu discusses the creation of a Chrome plugin to automate checking the arrival date of multiple products on Amazon. 30:05 Advanced Scraping Techniques Danny discusses the depth of information available on Amazon product pages and the importance of efficient data extraction. 49:01 Developing a Storyboard Generator Danny reveals the development of a storyboard generator that aids in creating compelling visual content. 57:12 Conclusion and Future Directions Danny and Ritu summarize the episode's insights and encourage listeners to experiment with their scraping techniques. Notable Quotes

"If you can be as creative as possible and then you've got people around you that put guard rails in place, you'll be surprised at the level of skill set needed."

Resources Mentioned 🔧 Tools & Platforms:

• Bookmarklets: A bookmark that runs JavaScript code to automate interactions with web pages.
• Chrome Extensions: A small software program for Chrome that allows for enhanced functionality on various web pages.
• Claude: An AI tool utilized to help generate JavaScript code for bookmarklets and automate tasks.

🔗 Guest Links:

• No guest this episode

📖 Seller Sessions Resources:

• YouTube: Seller Sessions Channel
• Website: Seller Sessions
• Rufus Blueprint: Complete Amazon Algorithm Guide
• Honeymoon Period Research: Scientific Analysis
• Seller Sessions Live 2026: Conference Registration

Subscribe to Seller Sessions

• YouTube: Seller Sessions Channel
• Website: Seller Sessions

Harnessing the Power of DesignLoop: Elevating Your Amazon Listing Strategy Episode Overview

In this episode, Danny McMillan discusses the pitfalls of relying solely on AI for design automation, emphasizing the importance of human creativity in the design process. He introduces DesignLoop, a tool designed to help sellers generate high-quality images and videos while maintaining a human touch. This episode explores ai in design automation, importance of human creativity in marketing with practical insights for immediate implementation.

We've been building DesignLoop, a human-in-the-loop creative studio for images and video. I'll roll it out to the community soon - you just plug in your API keys and pay for what you use. No subscriptions, and here's the bonus: it's actually a lot cheaper than plugging directly into OpenAI and Google. We have had a few delays, scrapping it three times in the last few weeks and then building it again. The upside? We've built in a video storyboard Framework with rhythm-based pacing and multi-shot sequences, image recognition with Claude Vision, system logic level prompts tuned to each model, slash commands with a prompt library, and plenty of guardrails reducing expensive sling - shot slop, all while being significantly cheaper per second. Key Takeaways

• Design cannot be fully automated; human creativity and judgment are crucial in the design process, especially for marketing effectiveness.
• Having a breadth of quality assets can significantly enhance the design and marketing processes, reducing costs and improving results.

Chapter Markers Time Chapter Description 00:01 Introduction to DesignLoop Danny introduces DesignLoop, highlighting its purpose to avoid generic designs often produced by AI, and stresses the need for human expertise in the creative process. 02:17 The Importance of Human Involvement Danny discusses the critical role humans play in design, particularly for creating effective marketing assets that convert customers. 04:27 Critiques of Current Marketing Strategies Danny critiques the common approach of saturating listings with visuals, arguing for more thoughtful design that resonates with customers. 06:32 Why DesignLoop is Free Danny explains his motivation for offering DesignLoop for free, focusing on supporting sellers and enhancing the overall industry. 10:42 Demonstration of Outputs Danny demonstrates the capabilities of DesignLoop, showcasing the assets generated and discussing the process behind creating effective videos. 24:14 Pacing and Dynamics in Video Creation Danny elaborates on the aspects of pacing and dynamics in video production, emphasizing their significance in delivering impactful content. 49:39 Final Thoughts on Automation Danny wraps up by discussing the future of automation in design and the importance of retaining a human element for quality outcomes. Notable Quotes

"The heartbeat of the industry is the seller; we need to support you."

Resources Mentioned 🔧 Tools & Platforms:

• CapCut: A video editing tool used by Danny for creating and editing his video assets, allowing for easy manipulation of timing and pacing.

🔗 Guest Links:

• No guest this episode

📖 Seller Sessions Resources:

• YouTube: Seller Sessions Channel
• Website: Seller Sessions
• Rufus Blueprint: Complete Amazon Algorithm Guide
• Honeymoon Period Research: Scientific Analysis
• Seller Sessions Live 2026: Conference Registration

Subscribe to Seller Sessions

• YouTube: Seller Sessions Channel
• Website: Seller Sessions

The Blueprint: Mastering Claude Skills for Amazon Seller Optimization Episode Overview

In this episode, Danny McMillan explores the transformative potential of Claude skills for Amazon sellers, demonstrating how AI can streamline processes that typically take hours into mere minutes. He provides insights on optimizing token efficiency and developing quick, impactful applications tailored for e-commerce. This episode explores ai skills and their applications in e-commerce, token efficiency and data analysis strategies with practical insights for immediate implementation.

Key Takeaways

• Claude skills allow Amazon sellers to reduce complex tasks that would ordinarily take days into simple 10-minute executions.
• Understanding and optimizing token usage is critical for maximizing the efficiency of AI tools when analyzing product data.

Chapter Markers Time Chapter Description 00:01 Introduction to Claude Skills Danny introduces the concept of Claude skills and the power of AI in reducing task time significantly for Amazon sellers. 00:40 Search Term Report Demo Danny shares an example of generating a search term performance report using Claude skills, illustrating the process and outcomes. 03:00 Building Dashboards Discussion on how to build effective dashboards and the advantages of using Claude's design capabilities. 07:30 Understanding Skills vs. Sub-Agents Danny explains the distinction between skills and sub-agents, focusing on their functionalities and applications. 12:00 Using MCPs for Efficiency An overview of Model Context Protocols (MCPs) and their role in connecting AI systems for better task management. 21:30 Token Management Strategies Danny discusses strategies for managing token usage effectively during AI interactions. 37:00 Key Insights from Analysis He emphasizes how to derive actionable insights from data analysis, focusing on conversion leaks and user behaviors. 42:00 Conclusion and Future Outlook Danny wraps up by motivating listeners to embrace AI in their Amazon businesses as a tool for innovation and efficiency. Notable Quotes

"The opportunity isn't just in AI; it's taking AI and fixing the broken parts of your business."

Resources Mentioned 🔧 Tools & Platforms:

• Claude: AI tool capable of building skills and processing data to enhance efficiency.
• SuperBase: A structured database used to connect and manage multiple components in Claude.
• Playwright: Tool used for automating browser interactions that help minimize token consumption.

🔗 Guest Links:

• No guest this episode

📖 Seller Sessions Resources:

• YouTube: Seller Sessions Channel
• Website: Seller Sessions
• Rufus Blueprint: Complete Amazon Algorithm Guide
• Honeymoon Period Research: Scientific Analysis
• Seller Sessions Live 2026: Conference Registration

Subscribe to Seller Sessions

• YouTube: Seller Sessions Channel
• Website: Seller Sessions

Conversion Monthly: Transforming Product Listings: From Clicks to Conversions Episode Overview

In this episode of Conversion Monthly, the team dives deep into optimizing a children's art easel listing for better conversion rates. Key insights include reducing clutter in main images and leveraging compelling language to highlight unique features. This episode explores visual optimization of product listings, conversion rate improvement strategies with practical insights for immediate implementation.

Key Takeaways

• Simplifying images can lead to higher click-through rates; focus on making the product the hero.
• Using more playful and engaging language in descriptions increases emotional connection with potential buyers.

Chapter Markers Time Chapter Description 00:00 Introduction to Conversion Monthly Danny McMillan introduces the rebranded show focused on broader conversion strategies beyond just main images. 01:37 Discussion with Paul Bristow on the Art Easel Sim Mahon discusses the performance and potential improvements for Paul's art easel product listing. 10:00 Analyzing Competitor Listings Sim analyzes competitor products and highlights areas where Paul's listing can stand out. 15:33 Dorian's Image Optimization Suggestions Dorian Gorski discusses the importance of simplifying images and testing different visual strategies. 29:10 Matt's Practical Insights Matt Kostan shares actionable tips on title wording and the importance of a compelling guarantee. 45:12 Addressing Objections and Enhancing Trust Danny McMillan presents analysis results on customer objections and ways to enhance trust through visual strategies. 56:18 Final Takeaways and Next Steps The team summarizes key points and outlines next steps for improving the product listing. Notable Quotes

"When everyone runs right, you run left."

Subscribe to Seller Sessions

• YouTube: Seller Sessions Channel
• Website: Seller Sessions

Resources Mentioned 🔧 Tools & Platforms:

• Tools and resources mentioned in the episode

🔗 Guest Links:

• No guest this episode

📖 Seller Sessions Resources:

• YouTube: Seller Sessions Channel
• Website: Seller Sessions
• Rufus Blueprint: Complete Amazon Algorithm Guide
• Honeymoon Period Research: Scientific Analysis
• Seller Sessions Live 2026: Conference Registration

Unlocking the Power of MCPs for Amazon Sellers Episode Overview

In this episode, Danny McMillan explores the fundamentals of using MCPs (Multi-Channel Processors) for Amazon sellers, emphasizing that it's entirely manageable with basic skills. He illustrates practical applications and innovative strategies to leverage MCPs to optimize operations and increase margins in the competitive marketplace. This episode explores mcp optimization for amazon sellers, ai tools for operational efficiency with practical insights for immediate implementation.

Key Takeaways

• Utilizing MCPs does not require advanced technical skills, allowing sellers to leverage AI for better operational efficiency.
• The importance of vetting sources before installing tools to ensure reliability and effectiveness in business processes.

Chapter Markers Time Chapter Description 00:01 Introduction to MCPs Danny introduces the episode's focus on MCPs for Amazon sellers and aims to demystify their use through practical demonstrations. 02:28 Using AI Effectively Danny discusses the limitations Amazon sellers face, including rising costs and inefficiencies, and emphasizes using AI tools to enhance operational capabilities. 05:10 Setting Up Connections Danny explains how to set up connections using Claude and navigate through the necessary settings for efficient MCP use. 11:26 Choosing Trusted Sources Emphasizing the importance of reputable sources, Danny advises on how to vet MCPs effectively to avoid potential pitfalls. 21:18 Experimenting with Chrome MCP Danny tests the capabilities of the Chrome MCP, exploring ways to conduct research and navigate challenges that arise. 30:56 Building Workflow Danny concludes by encouraging listeners to develop personalized workflows with MCPs and address operational challenges, stressing the importance of asking the right questions. Notable Quotes

"All you need to do is ask questions and get Claude to do it."

Resources Mentioned 🔧 Tools & Platforms:

• Claude: An AI assistant used for task automation and data handling tasks.
• Playwright: A tool for automating browser tasks, mentioned for its use in conjunction with MCPs.
• Control My Mac: Software that helps manage tasks on Mac, including file organization and automation.
• Typeora: Used for document management where Claude helps structure and organize documents.
• Gemini: Discussed as a way to extend coding capabilities within Claude for advanced applications.

🔗 Guest Links:

• No guest this episode

📖 Seller Sessions Resources:

• YouTube: Seller Sessions Channel
• Website: Seller Sessions
• Rufus Blueprint: Complete Amazon Algorithm Guide
• Honeymoon Period Research: Scientific Analysis
• Seller Sessions Live 2026: Conference Registration

Subscribe to Seller Sessions

• YouTube: Seller Sessions Channel
• Website: Seller Sessions

Broad Match: Debunking the Straw Man Argument Around Rufus and Keywords Episode Overview

In this episode, Danny McMillan and Adam dive deep into the misconceptions surrounding optimizing for Rufus versus traditional keyword strategies. They discuss the importance of maintaining a balanced approach while navigating the psychological impacts of social media engagement on content creators. This episode explores keyword optimization in amazon listings, impact of content creation on personal identity with practical insights for immediate implementation.

Key Takeaways

• Emphasizing both Rufus and traditional keywords is crucial for optimizing listings, not one at the expense of the other.
• Content creators should prioritize authenticity and excellence over chasing page impressions to maintain their integrity and effectiveness.

Chapter Markers Time Chapter Description 00:00 Introduction Danny and Adam reconnect and discuss Adam's new living situation. 01:30 The Misconception of Rufus Danny highlights the straw man argument regarding Rufus and keywords in listing optimization, emphasizing the importance of both. 04:46 The Slippery Slope of Content Creation Discussion on how content creators can lose their sense of self when chasing attention rather than staying true to their message. 15:26 Chasing Excellence vs. Attention Danny shares insights on the dangers of focusing on page impressions over quality content, urging creators to prioritize excellence. 27:59 Conversion Rate Discrepancies Adam presents findings on the surprising conversion rate metrics between PPC and organic sales across a large catalog. 31:00 Understanding Traffic Dynamics A look into the complex nature of advertising reports and the implications of traffic on conversion rates. Notable Quotes

"Chase excellence, not page impressions."

Resources Mentioned 🔧 Tools & Platforms:

• Claude: An AI tool used for data analysis and reporting.
• Lovable: A platform that helps users build sites, tools, and apps.

🔗 Guest Links:

• No guest this episode

📖 Seller Sessions Resources:

• YouTube: Seller Sessions Channel
• Website: Seller Sessions
• Rufus Blueprint: Complete Amazon Algorithm Guide
• Honeymoon Period Research: Scientific Analysis
• Seller Sessions Live 2026: Conference Registration

Subscribe to Seller Sessions

• YouTube: Seller Sessions Channel
• Website: Seller Sessions

Go With The Flow: Mastering Automation with Agentic Browsers: A Deep Dive into Claude Code Episode Overview

In this episode, Danny McMillan explores the power of automation through agentic browsers and Claude code, discussing how to enhance productivity and streamline workflows. Ritu Java emphasizes the importance of automating repetitive tasks to free up time for strategic thinking. This episode explores automation, workflow implementation with practical insights for immediate implementation.

Key Takeaways

• Automation should be prioritized for any tasks that are repeated, allowing businesses to focus on strategic work rather than repetitive tasks.
• Using agentic browsers can greatly enhance productivity by managing multiple tasks simultaneously and reducing the manual workload.

Chapter Markers Time Chapter Description 00:00 Introduction Danny introduces the episode, welcoming Ritu Java back for another insightful discussion. 05:49 Agentic Browsers and Automation Ritu discusses Google Chrome's new agentic features, including the Gemini integration and how they help automate tedious tasks. 14:57 Real Use Cases Danny and Ritu share personal experiences using agentic browsers like Comet and GenSpark for automating tasks in Seller Central. 38:00 Documenting Workflows Danny presents his session log detailing the extraordinary productivity achieved through automation, emphasizing the importance of documentation. 52:50 Final Thoughts Ritu and Danny conclude their discussion with key insights on overcoming fears around automation and maximizing the benefits of AI in business. Notable Quotes

"Get the AI to work for you, not you work for the AI."

Resources Mentioned 🔧 Tools & Platforms:

• Chrome: The new Chrome browser with agentic features embedded to automate tasks like booking and information retrieval.
• Comet: An agentic browser used to automate tasks within Seller Central, allowing for efficient data downloading and tasks execution.
• GenSpark: Another browser tool integrated with Google services, allowing for automation of various workflows.
• Claude Code: A coding assistant that helps automate complex tasks without requiring users to write code themselves.

🔗 Guest Links:

• No guest this episode

📖 Seller Sessions Resources:

• YouTube: Seller Sessions Channel
• Website: Seller Sessions
• Rufus Blueprint: Complete Amazon Algorithm Guide
• Honeymoon Period Research: Scientific Analysis
• Seller Sessions Live 2026: Conference Registration

Subscribe to Seller Sessions

• YouTube: Seller Sessions Channel
• Website: Seller Sessions

The Blueprint: Unlocking MCPs: Simplifying E-commerce Automation Episode Overview Last week we published a comprehensive article on MCPs for Amazon Sellers. This presents a golden opportunity for Amazon sellers to scale their operations without adding overhead costs, while gaining an edge over competitors. In today's session, Danny and Oana will explore the practical applications of MCPs across all areas of your business. Imagine no longer wasting time in comment sections trying to obtain broken N8N Json files that ultimately prove unsuitable for your business. Imagine logging into Seller Central without the tedious task of downloading countless reports. Imagine freeing your VAs from hours spent processing data just to make it actionable. Imagine eliminating the frustrations caused by hallucinations from Genspark, Comet and other agentic browsers. You don't need to imagine—now it is a reality you control.

In this episode of The Blueprint, Danny McMillan and Oana Padurariu dive deep into the concept of Model Context Protocols (MCPs) and how they can streamline processes for Amazon sellers. They discuss practical implementations of MCPs, how to reduce data management headaches, and the potential for increased productivity in e-commerce operations. This episode explores mcps and their role in automation, practical applications of automation in e-commerce with practical insights for immediate implementation.

Key Takeaways

• MCPs significantly reduce the complexity and time needed for E-commerce automation tasks.
• Utilizing MCPs can transform how sellers approach data management and reporting, ultimately enhancing productivity.

Chapter Markers Time Chapter Description 00:01 Introduction Danny introduces the episode and the main topic of MCPs, a key strategy for sellers. 02:11 Understanding MCPs Discussion on what MCPs are, including a simple definition and their significance in automation. 11:54 Practical Uses of MCPs Danny shares an example of using MCPs to identify and manage hidden fees in ticket sales, highlighting the practical benefits. 27:09 E-mail Automation Insights on how MCPs can be used to automate email responses, including the use of classifier inputs in the email context. 30:16 The Future of MCPs Discussion on the expected rise of MCP adoption and how sellers can benefit from utilizing these tools. Notable Quotes

"If I can do it, you can do it—because I'm not a programmer."

Resources Mentioned 🔧 Tools & Platforms:

• MCP: Model Context Protocols, designed for connecting different e-commerce automation tools.
• Genspark: A platform that utilizes MCPs for automation tasks.
• Comet: An agentic browser that can utilize MCPs for automation.
• Stripe: A payment processing platform discussed in the context of reducing hidden fees.
• Google Calendar: Used as an example of a native MCP for task management.
• N8N: A platform mentioned as useful for creating complex workflows, especially for e-commerce.
• Zapier: A tool for simple automations across applications, mentioned as a lower-cost alternative to MCPs.

🔗 Guest Links:

• No guest this episode

📖 Seller Sessions Resources:

• YouTube: Seller Sessions Channel
• Website: Seller Sessions
• Rufus Blueprint: Complete Amazon Algorithm Guide
• Honeymoon Period Research: Scientific Analysis
• Seller Sessions Live 2026: Conference Registration

Subscribe to Seller Sessions

• YouTube: Seller Sessions Channel
• Website: Seller Sessions

https://sellersessions.com/seller-mcp-guide/