Intermediaries and consumer search

Yongmin Chen and Tianle Zhang

International Journal of Industrial Organization, 2018, vol. 57, issue C, 255-277

Abstract: This paper discusses how intermediaries, such as a search engine and an online marketplace, may affect consumer search. We propose an analytical framework that encompasses several models of search for differentiated products, with a high-quality firm being more likely to offer a product that meets each consumer’s need. An intermediary improves consumer search efficiency by providing a search platform on which positions are sold to high-quality firms through competitive bidding. While the intermediary may admit too many or too few firms to its platform, compared to what would maximize consumer surplus or total welfare, its presence can nevertheless benefit consumers and improve welfare. However, the intermediary may reduce search efficiency when firms are differentiated only horizontally, when they sell experience or credence goods, or when the intermediary is biased (possibly due to vertical integration).

Keywords: Consumer search; Intermediary; Search engine; Search platform; Online marketplace; Vertical differentiation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D8 L1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Working Paper: Intermediaries and Consumer Search (2016)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:indorg:v:57:y:2018:i:c:p:255-277

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijindorg.2017.08.001

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