Cross-border e-commerce sellers take note: Amazon's traffic distribution rules have undergone a silent transformation. The new COSMO algorithm is reshaping the competitive landscape of international online trade, marking a fundamental shift from the previous A9 algorithm that sellers have long studied.
Industry insiders reveal that COSMO represents more than a simple upgrade—it's a complete overhaul of the platform's underlying logic with far-reaching implications for operational strategies. Recent reports from sellers indicate declining traffic for non-standard and semi-standard products, while standardized goods are gaining significantly more weight in the system.
The COSMO Algorithm Explained
Unlike previous "personalized recommendation" systems, COSMO fundamentally changes how Amazon evaluates and prioritizes products. The algorithm places greater emphasis on product standardization and data performance, favoring items with clear specifications, parameters, and uniform standards. This shift directly impacts both advertising effectiveness and organic traffic acquisition.
For sellers offering non-standard or semi-standard products, the new environment demands more sophisticated operations. Success now requires meticulous optimization of product information, enhanced user reviews, and improved overall competitiveness to compensate for the algorithm's natural bias toward standardized goods.
Strategic Implications for Sellers
Industry experts emphasize that understanding COSMO's mechanics has become critical for survival in the evolving marketplace. Sellers must grasp the algorithm's core principles to accurately predict traffic patterns, avoid inefficient investments, and allocate resources to the most productive channels.
The changing landscape calls for several strategic adjustments:
- Comprehensive listing optimization with accurate, complete product information
- Strategic advertising campaigns to boost product visibility
- Active management of customer reviews to build product reputation
Navigating the New Normal
As Amazon continues to refine its algorithms, cross-border sellers must maintain sharp market awareness and adapt quickly to new rules. The COSMO algorithm presents both challenges and opportunities—those who can decode its patterns and adjust their strategies accordingly stand to gain significant market share in this new era of e-commerce competition.