Episodes

  • Why keywords, not AI, are still king on Amazon (for now)

    Why keywords, not AI, are still king on Amazon (for now)
    Sep 1 2025
    Date: September 1st, 2025 Summary: Kevin King discusses whether Rufus is distracting sellers from fundamentals, how keywords still provide instant ranking benefits, the evolution of Rufus AI, strategies for balanced optimization, and insights from Chinese Amazon seller schools. Key Points Discussed: Why keywords still drive instant results despite AI advancementsThe balance between keyword optimization and conversion optimizationHow Rufus is evolving with transparent reasoning workflow and multi-source discoverySmart seller strategy: building foundation first, then layering AI optimizationCross-cultural collaboration opportunities between Chinese and American Amazon sellersThe impact of ending de minimis exemption on international e-commerce12 free Amazon features every brand should be usingHow to transform photos with AI using HiggsfieldStack Influence platform for micro-influencer collaborations Links Mentioned: Why RUFUS Optimization is hurting your Amazon rankJoin the DragonFish waitlistBillion Dollar Sellers Club12 Free Amazon Features Every Brand Should Be UsingHiggsfield AIStack Influence Platform (10% off code: BillionDollarSellers)Inside China's Amazon Seller SchoolsAxiom Return Solutions Hot Picks: China is flooding Latin America with cheap goodsRazor and Infinite Commerce merge to form new e-com aggregatorWalmart is testing new way to show off 3P seller products in storesScammers using AI to mimic TikTok sellers and steal cashDo you know whether ChatGPT recommends your products?Amazon published key holiday shipping schedule for sellers Stump Bezos Answer: There are 10 million paid OpenAI accounts Find us at BillionDollarSellers.com Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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    19 mins
  • 75% of listing optimization has ZERO effect on AI purchasing

    75% of listing optimization has ZERO effect on AI purchasing
    Aug 28 2025
    Date: August 28th, 2025 Summary: Kevin King discusses a groundbreaking study on AI agents and purchasing decisions, Amazon's variation cleanup policy reversal, the end of US de minimis exemptions, and profitable Amazon PPC strategies. Key Points Discussed: AI agents' purchasing behavior and the 75-25 Rule of optimizationPosition effects, badge impact, and price sensitivity in AI decision-makingAmazon's dramatic policy reversal on variation theme cleanup after seller backlashEnd of US de minimis exemptions causing global shipping disruptionsAmazon's return to Google advertising outside the USAChris Rawlings' profitable Amazon PPC product launch breakdownCryptocurrency payment trends surpassing traditional processors Links Mentioned: Groundbreaking AI studyDragonFish AEO optimizationBDSC membership and replaysAxiom Return SolutionsGoogle's Nano Banana AI Model videoChris Rawlings PPC Launch videoListen to podcast version Hot Picks: Chinese Virtual Humans Outperforming Real Human CounterpartsAugust digital industry roundup summaryAmazon launches Central China initiative Stump Bezos Answer: Europe, the UK & Latin America hit $6.3B in GMV on TikTok Link to written version of the newsletter: [Insert link here] Find us at BillionDollarSellers.com Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn. YouTube Show Notes Episode Title: 75% of listing optimization has ZERO effect on AI purchasing Date: August 28th, 2025 Summary: Kevin King discusses a groundbreaking study on AI agents and purchasing decisions, Amazon's variation cleanup policy reversal, the end of US de minimis exemptions, and profitable Amazon PPC strategies. Key Points Discussed: AI agents' purchasing behavior and the 75-25 Rule of optimizationPosition effects, badge impact, and price sensitivity in AI decision-makingAmazon's dramatic policy reversal on variation theme cleanup after seller backlashEnd of US de minimis exemptions causing global shipping disruptionsAmazon's return to Google advertising outside the USAChris Rawlings' profitable Amazon PPC product launch breakdownCryptocurrency payment trends surpassing traditional processors Links Mentioned: Groundbreaking AI study (https://arxiv.org/pdf/2508.02630)DragonFish AEO optimization (https://form.typeform.com/to/Of7jg6lq)BDSC membership and replays (https://join.billiondollarsellers.club/bdss-club/)Axiom Return Solutions (https://zfrmz.com/aK5N8f9kH6wBTVt9Yq7l)Google's Nano Banana AI Model video (https://youtu.be/3Zvk4AMCrG8?si=T8uFp2EPN4CW9QGE)Chris Rawlings PPC Launch video (https://youtu.be/o9OccRg1z-Y?si=2eLNRgkkbBzeMEZr)Listen to podcast version (https://billiondollarsellers.podbean.com/e/new-alibaba-tool-for-amazon-product-sourcing/) Hot Picks: Chinese Virtual Humans Outperforming Real Human Counterparts (https://www.wired.com/story/artificial-intelligence-tiktok-shop-ecommerce-china/)August digital industry roundup summary (https://hs-39670822.f.hubspotemail.net/hub/39670822/hubfs/August%202025%20Industry%20Roundup.pdf)Amazon launches Central China initiative (https://www.yicaiglobal.com/news/amazons-global-selling-program-unveils-new-central-china-scheme-to-help-thousands-of-businesses-go-global-by-2028) Stump Bezos Answer: Europe, the UK & Latin America hit $6.3B in GMV on TikTok Find us at BillionDollarSellers.com (http://billiondollarsellers.com/) Follow me on Twitter (https://x.com/blupinguino) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-king-amazon/).
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    16 mins
  • Tool finds deprecated variations before Amazon breaks your listing

    Tool finds deprecated variations before Amazon breaks your listing
    Aug 25 2025

    Date: August 25th, 2025

    Summary: Kevin King discusses Amazon Rufus's evolution from search to agentic commerce, urgent variation theme purge on September 2nd, Pattern's IPO filing, and new AI tools for e-commerce workflows.

    Key Points Discussed:

    • Amazon Rufus evolution: from basic search to agentic commerce engine
    • Urgent: Amazon variation theme purge affecting 65,000+ themes on September 2nd
    • Pattern Group files for $400M IPO - from refrigerator magnets to #1 Amazon seller
    • OpenAI's GPT-5 prompting guide for better e-commerce AI workflows
    • Stack Influence platform for micro-influencer collaborations
    • E-commerce sales stats: Q2 2025 hit $304.2B (+5.3% YoY)
    • Growth Hacking Live San Diego event - 7 free tickets available

    Links Mentioned:

    • Growth Hacking Live Event Tickets
    • Rufus Agentic Optimization GPT
    • Amazon Theme Checker Tool
    • BDSN Mystery Link
    • Stack Influence Platform
    • BDSS 12 Virtual Replays
    • Pattern IPO S-1 Document
    • GPT-5 Prompting Guide
    • GetReviews Platform

    Hot Picks:

    • Amazon left Google Ads: clicks rose, ROAS fell
    • TikTok's GMV Max mandate getting pushback
    • Amazon blocks bots from Meta, Google, Huawei
    • Alibaba launches AI agent for sourcing

    Stump Bezos Answer: 58% of Prime Members purchased groceries on Walmart

    Find us at BillionDollarSellers.com Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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    19 mins
  • From $1.5m to $5m in 5 months on Amazon

    From $1.5m to $5m in 5 months on Amazon
    Aug 21 2025

    Date: August 21st, 2025

    Summary: Kevin King discusses whether YouTube is an underrated marketing channel for Amazon sellers, explores recent data on where AI gets its information, and shares success stories and strategies for e-commerce growth.

    Key Points Discussed:

    • YouTube's dominance among younger demographics (90% of US teenagers use YouTube vs 79% on TikTok)
    • YouTube's revenue growth from $8.15 billion (2017) to $36.15 billion (2024) in ad revenue
    • YouTube's 11% ROI increase from 2023 to 2024, beating other platforms
    • How YouTube Shorts offer opportunities for Amazon sellers with 6% engagement rates
    • Case study: Woman scaling from $1.5M to $5M in 5 months on Amazon
    • Rufus now offers price-watching capabilities for customers
    • Where AI gets its information - Reddit leads at 40%, Wikipedia at 26%, YouTube at 24%
    • TrueOps client success stories finding significant revenue for brands

    Links Mentioned:

    • CMS Three: Cigars and Whiskey by the Sea
    • TrueOps Free Audit
    • Barry Hott's Ad Creation Masterclass
    • BDSS Market Masters - $1.5M to $5M Success Story
    • BDSS 12 Virtual Information
    • Real $50k/mo Amazon PPC Product Launch
    • BDSN Mystery Link

    Hot Picks:

    • Amazon is starting to run out room for FBA early
    • Agentic AI is skipping your products and costing you sales
    • How creators maximize income by stacking commissions
    • Why e-commerce is becoming more social

    Stump Bezos Answer: 79% of Gen Z is regularly on TikTok, the most of any group.

    Find us at BillionDollarSellers.com Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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    10 mins
  • Cracking the code on TikTok Shop

    Cracking the code on TikTok Shop
    Aug 18 2025

    Date: August 18th, 2025

    Summary: Kevin King discusses TikTok Shop's future and strategies, Amazon's Manufacturing Central launch in India, Rufus optimization techniques, and the latest e-commerce insights including container shipping rates and AI developments.

    Key Points Discussed:

    • TikTok Shop's growth data and why it's not disappearing despite political concerns
    • Product discovery and validation process for TikTok Shop success
    • Critical distinctions between affiliates, creators, and influencers
    • Commission structure reality and affiliate recruitment strategies
    • Essential tools stack for TikTok Shop sellers
    • Amazon Manufacturing Central portal launch in India amid 50% tariffs
    • Rufus optimization strategies: SEO + GEO + AEO approach
    • Container shipping rate updates and market trends
    • AI-first selling tactics for Amazon sellers

    Links Mentioned:

    • BDSS 12 Virtual Event Registration
    • Billion Dollar Sellers Club ($9 membership)
    • Stack Influence Platform (10% off code: BillionDollarSellers)
    • Blueland Micro Influencer Case Study

    Hot Picks:

    • GEN AI comes for online checkout, seismic shift expected
    • Walmart hosts Chinese seller conferences to woo sellers with perks
    • Dream 100 member Destaney Wishon names best software tools
    • Joe Rogan says 30% of supplements on Amazon are fake

    Stump Bezos Answer: Saturday only: Alex Hormozi sold 2.7 million books, generating $82+ million revenue

    Parting Shot: "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now." — Chinese Proverb

    Find us at BillionDollarSellers.com Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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    20 mins
  • Dramatic Transformation for Amazon Sellers

    Dramatic Transformation for Amazon Sellers
    Aug 14 2025

    Date: August 14th, 2025

    Summary: Kevin King discusses Amazon's new advertising model, AI shopping agents transforming ecommerce, BDSS 12 Virtual event highlights, and AI-powered tools for Amazon sellers.

    Key Points Discussed:

    • Amazon's Native Commerce Advertising (NCA) program paying publishers for clicks, not just sales
    • The shift from traditional SaaS to AI-powered "Agentic Era" commerce platforms
    • How AI shopping agents will transform Amazon businesses in the next 12 months
    • BDSS 12 Virtual event strategies for competitive advantage
    • AI-powered Amazon image generation tools for creating compliant listings
    • GetReviews platform for improving product review strategies
    • Meta's revenue per user statistics and social platform comparisons

    Links Mentioned:

    • BDSS 12 Virtual Event Registration
    • Billion Dollar Sellers Club ($9 membership with $497 LIVE ticket credit)
    • AI Amazon Image Generation Tool Beta Access
    • YouTube: She Built a Fortune 500 Skincare Brand From $0
    • GetReviews Platform (15% off with code: BDS15)

    Hot Picks:

    • U.S. maintains lower tariff rates on China imports for 90 more days
    • Guide to the parties happening at Amazon Accelerate next month
    • 65 marketing statistics to guide your strategy & budget

    Stump Bezos Answer: Google is twice ChatGPT, at 5 billion daily searches

    Find us at BillionDollarSellers.com Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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    21 mins
  • The IRS is coming after Amazon Sellers

    The IRS is coming after Amazon Sellers
    Aug 11 2025

    Episode Date: August 11th, 2025 Summary: Kevin King discusses leveraging AI to create compelling comparison charts that drive conversions, Shopify's new agentic commerce platform, IRS enforcement against e-commerce sellers, and eye contact strategies that can boost ad conversions by 30%.

    Key Points Discussed:

    • Using AI to understand buyer psychology and create effective comparison charts
    • Step-by-step process for building comparison tables that convert
    • Positioning strategies: trust-building vs. competitive advantage approaches
    • Visual and mobile optimization for maximum impact
    • Shopify's launch of agentic commerce AI agents
    • IRS ramping up enforcement against e-commerce sellers
    • Eye contact strategies for different product types in advertising
    • Amazon's new Seller Assistant chatbot in beta

    Links Mentioned:

    • Live BDSS-12 Registration (August 19-21)
    • Intellibrand Newsletter
    • Shopify Agentic Commerce Documentation
    • Stack Influence Platform (10% off code: BillionDollarSellers)
    • BDSN Mystery Link of the Day
    • Blueland Micro Influencer Case Study

    Hot Picks:

    • How Shein ships a million orders a day
    • Temu in trouble in EU for selling illegal products on its platform
    • How Walmart & Amazon are using AI to reinvent the supply chain
    • Amazon secures largest ever win against fake review network

    Stump Bezos Answer: 62% of TikTok users prefer tutorials

    Find us at BillionDollarSellers.com Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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    19 mins
  • Fake supplement marketing tricks on Amazon

    Fake supplement marketing tricks on Amazon
    Aug 7 2025

    Date: August 7th, 2025

    Summary: Kevin King discusses Trump's new tariff regime affecting Amazon sellers, exposes the dark truth about fake supplements on Amazon, analyzes Amazon's withdrawal from Google Shopping ads and its agentic AI strategy, plus reviews of the best Amazon FBA training courses.

    Key Points Discussed:

    • Trump's new tariff regime launching August 7th with rates from 10% to 41%
    • The 40% "transshipment" penalty for products made with components from other countries
    • De minimis exemption elimination on August 29th affecting all packages under $800
    • Dark truth about fake supplements on Amazon marketplace exposed by industry insider
    • Amazon's complete withdrawal from Google Shopping ads and strategic reasoning
    • Agentic AI revolution and how Amazon is positioning for AI-driven commerce
    • TikTok Shop case studies showing multi-million dollar success stories
    • Freedom Ticket by Helium 10 rated as top Amazon FBA course

    Links Mentioned:

    • Live webinar with Kevin at 2pm EST
    • The Dark Truth About Amazon Supplements - YouTube
    • TikTok Shop Case Studies Vault
    • Helium 10 Membership
    • Top 8 Amazon FBA Courses Review

    Hot Picks:

    • The US patent system could be getting a big price hike
    • Reddit claims top spot as most cited domain in AI answers
    • Amazon conversion rates explained with seller benchmarks
    • ChatGPT changes what it fundamentally means to be e-com brand

    BDSN Mystery Link of the Day

    Stump Bezos Answer: 76% of X (Twitter) users are bots

    Find us at BillionDollarSellers.com Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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    20 mins