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Seller curation in platforms

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  • Casner, Ben

Abstract

This article explores why market platforms do not expel low-quality sellers when screening costs are minimal. I model a platform market with consumer search. The presence of low-quality sellers reduces search intensity, softening competition between sellers and increasing the equilibrium market price. The platform admits some low-quality sellers if competition between sellers is intense. Recommending a high-quality seller and this form of search obfuscation are complementary strategies. The low-quality sellers enable the recommended seller to attract many consumers at a high price and the effect of the recommendation is strengthened as low-quality sellers become more adept at imitating high-quality sellers.

Suggested Citation

  • Casner, Ben, 2020. "Seller curation in platforms," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:indorg:v:72:y:2020:i:c:s0167718720300825
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijindorg.2020.102659
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    Cited by:

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    2. Johnen, Johannes & Ng, Robin, 2023. "Harvesting Ratings," CEPR Discussion Papers 18021, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    3. Ben Casner, 2021. "Learning while shopping: an experimental investigation into the effect of learning on consumer search," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 24(1), pages 238-273, March.
    4. Yassine Lefouili & Leonardo Madio, 2022. "The economics of platform liability," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 53(3), pages 319-351, June.
    5. Jay Pil Choi & Doh‐Shin Jeon, 2023. "Platform design biases in ad‐funded two‐sided markets," RAND Journal of Economics, RAND Corporation, vol. 54(2), pages 240-267, June.
    6. Jay Pil Choi & Doh-Shin Jeon, 2022. "Platform Design Biases in Ad-Funded Two-Sided Markets," Post-Print hal-04018490, HAL.
    7. Johnen, Johannes & Ng, Robin, 2023. "Ratings and Reciprocity," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2023006, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    8. Doh-Shin Jeon & Yassine Lefouili & Leonardo Madio, 2021. "Platform Liability and Innovation," Working Papers 21-05, NET Institute.
    9. Martin Peitz, 2024. "The Economic Theory of Two-Sided Platforms," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2024_584, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany.
    10. Martin Peitz, 2023. "Governance and Regulation of Platforms," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2023_480, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany.
    11. Huang, Yangguang & Xie, Yu, 2023. "Search algorithm, repetitive information, and sales on online platforms," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    12. Leonardo Madio, 2023. "Content Moderation and Advertising in Social Media Platforms," "Marco Fanno" Working Papers 0297, Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche "Marco Fanno".
    13. Leonardo Madio & Martin Quinn, 2024. "Content Moderation and Advertising in Social Media Platforms," CESifo Working Paper Series 11169, CESifo.
    14. José Ignacio Heresi, 2023. "Platform Price Parity Clauses and Consumer Obfuscation," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 71(1), pages 291-322, March.
    15. Janssen, Maarten & Williams, Cole, 2021. "Influencing Search," CEPR Discussion Papers 15811, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    16. Muxin Li, 2023. "Do Lower Search Costs Benefit Intermediaries?," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 63(3), pages 373-405, November.
    17. Alessandro De Chiara & Ester Manna & Antoni Rubí-Puig & Adrian Segura-Moreiras, 2021. "Efficient copyright filters for online hosting platforms," Working Papers 21-03, NET Institute.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Search obfuscation; Two-sided markets; Platforms; Screening; Recommendations;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure
    • L15 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Information and Product Quality

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