Working Paper: NBER ID: w19519
Authors: Michael R. Baye; Babur De Los Santos; Matthijs R. Wildenbeest
Abstract: This paper provides a data-driven overview of the different online platforms that consumers use to search for books and booksellers, and documents how the use of these platforms is shifting over time. Our data suggest that, as a result of digitization, consumers are increasingly conducting searches for books at retailer sites and closed systems (e.g., the Kindle and Nook) rather than at general search engines (e.g., Google or Bing). We also highlight a number of challenges that will make it difficult for researchers to accurately measure internet-based search behavior in the years to come. Finally, we highlight a number of open agenda items related to the pricing of books and other digital media, as well as consumer search behavior.
Keywords: digital media; consumer search behavior; book industry; online platforms
JEL Codes: D83; L86
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| digitization (L86) | consumer search behavior (D12) |
| maturity of the digital content market (L86) | consumer search behavior (D12) |
| closed systems (P40) | challenges in measuring internet-based search behavior (C91) |
| increasing popularity of closed systems (P13) | decline in searches for books on general search engines (L86) |