Top 5 this week

1. FTC reverses course, says it has resources to pursue Amazon deceptive practices case

“The FTC’s push against Amazon started strong under Lina Khan but slowed over time. With a new chair, the Prime membership case is moving forward, and other suits, like the antitrust and anti-competitive pricing cases, could follow. Sellers should be ready for potential changes in pricing, competition, and potentially even fees as the FTC ramps up enforcement.” ~Chelsea Cohen

2. Amazon Seller Updates: Rising Ad Placements, TV Tools, and Robotics Investment

“Paid placements are bubbling to the top and staying there, with 54% of the first 25 products shown in Amazon search now being paid results. That means organic rank is becoming even less important and smarter placements and budgeting for rising CPC are going to be a huge difference-maker if you want to get seen by new customers.” ~Shannon Curley

3. Amazon’s Patent Reveals How Alexa+ Will Transform Product Discovery

“Amazon’s new Alexa-driven product discovery patent could redefine search. If voice shopping becomes more intuitive, sellers may need to rethink SEO, ranking won’t just be about keywords but about how well products fit user intent. The big question: Will Amazon give brands visibility control, or will AI dictate results? Either way, adaptation is key” ~Vanessa Hung

4. Amazon Search Trends: Unveiling Market Opportunities for Sellers

“If you’ve heard the saying that ‘plants are the new pets and pets are the new kids,’ then it should come as no surprise that the pet supplies category absolutely skyrocketed in 2024 – as in, 38,466% growth, skyrocketed. Meal kits and outdoor patio supplies also saw a major boost, so I guess it’s fair to say we’re all staying at home with our pets instead of paying to go out. It’s like COVID all over again!” ~Shannon Curley

5. How Walmart Connect is growing the ‘connective tissue’ of retail media“Walmart Connect’s new display ad API signals a major push to compete with Amazon Ads. By giving brands more control over ad spend and targeting, Walmart is making its retail media network more attractive. Sellers should watch how this impacts CPCs. More competition could mean higher costs, but also better conversion rates if Walmart improves audience quality.” ~Vanessa Hung

Community

⛳ Event Forecast for Prosper Show Week

Connect with the Carbon6 team in Las Vegas this March! Catch Chelsea Cohen’s presentation on margin pressure and profit erosion strategies on March 27 at 9AM PT. Plus, meet Clayton Atchison in the Learning Lounge for personalized advertising guidance. With MDS Inspire, Carbon6 Invitational, ShopTalk, and Prosper Show happening in the same week, this is your opportunity to gain valuable insights and make meaningful connections to elevate your game!

Get your Prosper tickets and use promo code EXIV867663.

💡 $150K Funding: Fund Tank 2025 Pitch Competition

Ready to take your brand to new heights? The Fund Tank 2025 offers $150,000 in no-cost inventory funding plus exclusive mentorship from industry leaders to help you scale. They are accepting applications until April 10th for their virtual pitch competition.

Apply now to unlock your brand’s next phase of growth.

🥶 Free 2025 Amazon Fee Webinar & White Paper

Learn how to maximize profitability during Amazon’s 2025 fee freeze. Join Chelsea Cohen and Vanessa Hung on April 15 at 1PM ET for expert strategies on navigating hidden costs, preparing for policy shifts, and using AI for cost control. Equip yourself with practical tactics to protect and boost your bottom line.

Register now to secure your spot.

Have questions? Connect with any of our experts above on LinkedIn and reach out directly!