Amazon.com is making a major change to its books catalog by continuing its efforts to consolidate editions. Amazon groups books that differ by binding (hardcover, paperback) or presentation (large print, audio book) but have the same basic content into "Edition Sets." It will begin bringing seller-created pages into its Edition Sets to link product pages for variations of the same book. The marketplace explained, "While seller contributions have increased selection for buyers, the organization of our catalog and the number of search results presented to buyers have often led to frustration."
Amazon said that when changes to the text are distinctive, book catalog pages would be kept separate. For example, with textbooks, later editions are intended to provide students with more current content, making differences between texts an important element in buyer selection.
Amazon.com will display a single best-selling edition of each book and also provide "Other Editions" links on the search results page. "This allows customers to quickly identify the product they are looking for and then explore the available bindings or presentations for that item," according to the announcement.
Amazon also launched a blog written for its third-party sellers. It will include "expert tips and best practices of selling on Amazon." The Amazon.com Seller Support staff will contribute to the blog, as well as guest bloggers. Amazon will allow comments on the blog.
Amazon.com is making a major change to its books catalog by continuing its efforts to consolidate editions. Amazon groups books that differ by binding (hardcover, paperback) or presentation (large print, audio book) but have the same basic content into "Edition Sets." It will begin bringing seller-created pages into its Edition Sets to link product pages for variations of the same book. The marketplace explained, "While seller contributions have increased selection for buyers, the organization of our catalog and the number of search results presented to buyers have often led to frustration."
