The Hidden Power of the Buy Box: How Amazon Shapes Competition video

In the third episode of our series on FAANG antitrust, we dive into how Amazon's marketplace ranking systems influence which sellers consumers see first. Unlike traditional retail, digital platforms can determine search prominence and Buy Box eligibility, creating a powerful feedback loop where early visibility leads to more sales, reviews, and even higher future rankings. We’ll explore:* The “Visibility as Conduct” concept: How search placement affects demand allocation.* The Buy Box Effect: Why appearing in this featured spot is critical for sales.* Barriers for New Entrants: Why limited initial visibility makes it hard for new sellers to break through.* The Big Question: Should platform operators be allowed to influence how consumer attention is distributed?This video is based on our latest deep dive, 'Ranking the Marketplace.' You can read the full post and see all the diagrams at This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.econworks.com/subscribe