TACOS Tuesday - Amazon Ads Tactics

Amazon has pulled the plug on Google Shopping ads - so what does that mean for brands? In this episode, Hamish and Sebastian break down why Amazon may have made this move, the trends pointing to declining external traffic, and how brands can adapt. Discover strategies to monitor your metrics, fill traffic gaps with smart ad spend, test new channels like Google Shopping on your own, and leverage Amazon’s customer journey analytics to uncover where your shoppers are coming from. If you’re selling on Amazon, this episode is packed with actionable steps to navigate the shifting landscape.

In this short and sharp solo episode, Sebastian Hargreaves breaks down the key takeaways from Prime 2025, unpacking the data behind ad performance during the high-volume event. He reveals why ROAS dropped despite a 200% spike in ad sales, the critical role of Prime Deal badges, and how strategic spend, especially on the first and last days can make or break your results. If you're planning for Black Friday or future Prime events, this episode is packed with actionable insights to sharpen your Amazon ad game.

Ready to stop guessing where your Amazon ad dollars are going? Hamish Conway and Sebastian Hargreaves reveal what six months of real Sponsored Products data from Amazon Australia tells us about which placements are actually performing. They unpack surprising insights on cost-per-click, conversion rates, and ROAS across top of search, rest of search, and product pages - highlighting where most brands are overspending or missing opportunities entirely. You’ll also hear why product page ads may be undervalued, how to structure your campaigns for scale, and why now is the time to double down on Amazon AU before competition and costs catch up. If you're running ads on Amazon AU, this episode is packed with sharp, actionable takeaways to help you optimise spend and scale smarter while the market is still underpriced.

This week on TACOS Tuesday, Hamish Conway sits down with Jim Vrondas from WorldFirst for a timely dive into the world of international payments, currency volatility, and the hidden costs that e-commerce sellers often overlook. Jim shares expert insights on how brands can protect profit margins with smart hedging strategies, avoid the double-conversion trap, and manage expenses more efficiently across borders. With real-world examples and a clear look at trends in global e-commerce, this episode offers practical tips for sellers scaling across marketplaces and markets - from the US to Europe to Southeast Asia. 
For sellers looking to save money, time and gain peace of mind when expanding globally, reach out via WorldFirst or connect directly with Jim on LinkedIn, and start simplifying your cross‑border payments today. 

This week on TACOS Tuesday, Hamish Conway sits down with Timothy Malakou, Brand Manager at Sheldon and Hammond, one of Australia’s most respected distributors of premium home and kitchenware. Representing powerhouse brands like OXO, Scanpan, Global Knives, and Avanti, Sheldon and Hammond has seen remarkable growth on Amazon, with a 45% lift in ad-attributed sales and 35% total sales growth in just 12 months. Tim shares his journey, insights into brand building on Amazon, and how they’ve balanced retail partnerships with DTC growth. Packed with practical takeaways on negotiation, ad strategy, and product launches, this episode is a must-listen for any brand navigating the evolving e-commerce landscape.

In Episode 44 of TACOS Tuesday, Hamish Conway and Sebastian Hargreaves break down exactly how to prepare for Amazon Prime Day - whether you’ve secured official deals or not. With just weeks to go, they cover the key steps to maximise sales: from ad strategies and pricing tactics to managing budgets across the crucial first, middle, and final days. They also reveal smart lead-in and lead-out moves, how to avoid wasted ad spend, and why some sellers might benefit from holding back. If you want a clear, profit-focused game plan for Prime Day, this one’s a must-listen.

In this episode, Hamish Conway and Sebastian Hargreaves break down the “secret sauce” to setting effective objectives for Amazon Ads. They walk through a practical framework to determine your contribution margin, define whether your focus is growth or profit, and calculate a target ACoS to guide smart bidding. Learn how to structure campaigns by job ranking, research, or profit and why assigning the right objective to each campaign can unlock scale and efficiency. This episode is perfect for brands looking to eliminate wasted spend and turn Amazon into a predictable growth engine.

In Part 2 of this deep dive into Amazon’s evolving search algorithm, Hamish Conway is joined again by Viktoriya, Sell Global Account Director, to explore Rufus - Amazon’s new AI-powered shopping assistant. They break down how Rufus builds on the Cosmo algorithm to deliver more personalised, intent-led search results, and why this shift is a game-changer for sellers. Viktoriya shares insights on how to optimise listings for natural language queries, leverage images and video to boost relevance, and why brands who act now will have the edge. They also explore how Rufus is already reshaping ad placements and opening up new visibility for challenger brands. If you’re selling on Amazon, this is essential listening to stay ahead of what’s coming next.

Amazon’s algorithm is changing - fast. In this episode, Hamish Conway is joined by Viktoriya, Sell Global Account Director and experienced Amazon seller, to explore the shift from keyword-based search to AI-driven intent. They break down how the new Cosmo algorithm works, how it’s already transforming search results in the US, and what sellers need to do to stay visible. Viktoriya shares actionable strategies for creating content that resonates with buyer intent, the rising importance of user-generated content, and how to future-proof your listings with smarter targeting and richer media. A must-listen for any brand wanting to stay ahead of the curve as Amazon redefines how products are discovered.

In this episode of Tacos Tuesday, Hamish Conway and Sebastian Hargreaves dive into a strategic analysis of Amazon Prime Day advertising performance. They walk through a real example using cohort analysis to assess the long-term impact of Prime Day deals on customer lifetime value and acquisition costs. Listeners will learn how to evaluate whether Prime promotions are truly worth the investment, how to calculate their target cost per acquisition, and why understanding these metrics can unlock scalable growth. Ideal for sellers aiming to refine their Prime Day strategy with data-driven insights.