APPLIED MICRO: Self-Preferencing and Consumer Choice: Evidence from a Field Experiment; Dr Andrey Fradkin (Boston University)

Abstract

Understanding behavior in digital settings is important for researchers, policymakers, and companies. But measuring behavior online and conducting experiments is difficult for independent researchers, who do not have access to the user bases or technologies of large companies.  To address the challenge of conducting large-scale empirical studies for policy-relevant research online, we have developed Webmunk, an open-source tool designed to make research studies much easier. The user facing side of Webmunk is a browser extension that can track consumer browsing behavior and experimentally modify their experience as they browse the Internet.  We demonstrate the power of Webmunk in a project that explores self-preferencing and vertical integration by Amazon, where third party products are sold in direct competition with Amazon brands, such as Amazon Essentials and Amazon Basics. This talk will present the first results from a recently completed field experiment.