The Anti-Amazon Alliance (stratechery.com)

Article summary

The article discusses how Google's decision to make it free for merchants to sell on Google is a significant move in the e-commerce space, particularly in relation to Amazon's dominance. The author argues that this change is not related to the coronavirus pandemic, but rather a strategic move to challenge Amazon's position. The article also explores the concept of the purchase funnel and how it has evolved with the rise of the internet. Google's move is seen as an attempt to provide an alternative to Amazon's platform, allowing merchants to reach customers more easily.

Main themes

• e-commerce
• Google vs Amazon
• product search
• logistics and delivery
• trust and reviews
• competition and market dominance
• alternative retailers and platforms

What commenters say

• Some commenters question the effectiveness of Google's product search, citing its current limitations and the challenges of working with tens of thousands of retailers.
• Others argue that Amazon's own product search is also flawed, and that Google may not need to be significantly better to be competitive.
• The issue of fake reviews on Amazon is raised, with some commenters suggesting that it is a major problem that undermines trust in the platform.
• There is disagreement about the quality of Amazon's delivery service, with some commenters experiencing slow delivery times and others receiving their items quickly.
• Some commenters note that other retailers, such as RockAuto, have better product search functionality, but may have other limitations, such as poor website design or shipping issues.
• The problem of trustworthy reviews is seen as a significant challenge, with some commenters questioning whether it is possible to create a non-gameable review system.
• Amazon's dominance in the e-commerce space is attributed to its investment in logistics and infrastructure, making it difficult for other companies to compete.
• Some commenters suggest that the rise of alternative retailers and review platforms may eventually challenge Amazon's position.