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Efficient Recommender Systems

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Abstract

We study the efficient allocation of buyers in the presence of recommender systems. A recommender system affects the market in two ways: (i) it creates value by reducing product uncertainty for the customers and hence (ii) its recommendations can be offered as add-ons, which generates informational externalities. We investigate the impact of these factors on the efficient allocation of buyers across different products. We find that the efficient allocation requires that the seller with the recommender system has full market share. If the recommender system is sufficiently effective in reducing uncertainty, it is optimal to have some products to be purchased by a larger group of people than others. The large group consists of customers with flexible tastes.

Suggested Citation

  • Dirk Bergemann & Deran Ozmen, 2006. "Efficient Recommender Systems," Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers 1568, Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University.
    • Handle: RePEc:cwl:cwldpp:1568
    Note: 1196.
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    File URL: https://cowles.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/pub/d15/d1568.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paul Resnick & Christopher Avery & Richard Zeckhauser, 1999. "The Market for Evaluations," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 89(3), pages 564-584, June.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Recommender system; Collaborative filtering; Add-ons; Pricing; Information externality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D42 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Monopoly
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation

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