Amazon’s new AI shopping agent could reshape how people discover and buy products online. Scott breaks down Amazon’s “Buy for Me” initiative, which is an AI-driven shopping flow that can surface off-site products and redirect shoppers to external stores. He unpacks what it could mean for conversion, attribution, and Shopify seller economics. Learn how it works in practice, and why it matters for sellers who rely on traditional storefront traffic. If the shopping experience starts on Amazon and finishes elsewhere, the rules around discovery, trust, and conversion can shift fast. Scott also explains agentic commerce, where AI drives more purchase decisions, and why the impact will vary: small businesses can adapt faster, while larger organizations face more friction. Zooming out to 2026, Scott weighs bearish risks, such as white-collar layoffs, against bullish tailwinds that could keep demand strong and create new e-commerce opportunities.

Episode Notes:

00:40 - Amazon’s Buy for Me AI Agent

04:51 - Agentic Commerce & Human-in-the-Loop vs. Human-Out-of-the-Loop

05:59 - Widespread AI Adoption and Its Impact

10:45 - Amazon Reviews: Policy Update

12:31 - Bear Case for Amazon & E-Commerce in 2026

15:13 - Bull Case for Amazon & E-Commerce in 2026

Related Post: Top 10 TikTok Marketing Agencies for DTC and CPG Brands

Scott’s Links:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813

X: @itsScottNeedham

Instagram: @smartestseller

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371

Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up

Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Scott returns from a month of trade shows to break down what he’s seeing on the front lines of e-commerce, and why we’re entering a new era of “AI visibility” for Amazon sellers. He shares how the largest brand client his team has ever signed actually found them through ChatGPT, and what that means for agencies, software tools, and brands trying to stand out online. Scott walks through the major eras of selling on Amazon, from early booksellers and repricers to retail and wholesale resellers, the private label boom with Jungle Scout, the rise of Amazon advertising and analytics tools, TikTok Shop’s rapid growth, and now AI business agents and shopping assistants. He explains how AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini already influence which Amazon products, agencies, and software tools get recommended, and why strong written content, clear bullet points, and smart keyword strategy matter more than ever.

Episode Notes:

00:30 - Signing Up a Large Corporation

01:30 - The Evolution of Amazon Selling: Era by Era

06:50 - The Dawn of AI Visibility

07:29 - Understanding AI Visibility on Amazon

10:05 - Building Amazon Visibility

11:19 - Amazon vs. AI Shopping Agents

13:47 - Content Optimization for the AI Era

16:02 - Keyword Ranking by State

16:55 - SmartScout’s Feedback Tool

Related Post: The Ultimate Guide to Amazon Selling Tools (and How to Choose the Right One)

Scott’s Links:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813

X: @itsScottNeedham

Instagram: @smartestseller

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371

Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up

Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Discover why simplicity might be the ultimate Amazon strategy. This is straight from an industry veteran who’s seen it all. In this episode, Scott sits down with Scotty O. of Quickfire and Always Off Brand podcast to unpack decades of experience navigating Amazon’s third-party marketplace. From working with iconic brands like Columbia Sportswear and North Face to building agencies and embracing straightforward solutions over flashy tech, Scotty O. shares practical wisdom for sellers at every stage. They dive into the realities of ad management, finding your ideal client fit, surviving category competition, and why Amazon Business is suddenly a hot topic.

Episode Notes:

00:11 - Scotty O Introduction

03:08 - Scott Ohsman's Retail Journey

05:15 - Entering the Agency World 06:22 - Life at Quickfire

09:51 - Tech, Tools, and Agency Value

10:40 - Audience Awareness and Communication Styles 13:43 - Niche Services and Transparent Relationships

15:49 - The Realities of the Amazon Marketplace

17:39 - The Seller's Dilemma: Guarantees and Incremental Wins

21:15 - Pricing and Competition: Can Small Brands Win?

26:00 - Chinese Sellers, External Traffic, and Ad Tech

27:54 - Amazon Business: The Sleeping Giant

Related Post: How to Know Amazon Market Share by Category: What Brands Are Winning on Amazon and Why

How to Reach Scotty O:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-ohsman-861196a6

Website: quickfirenow.com

Always Off Brand Podcast: Spotify | Apple Podcast

Scott’s Links:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813

X: @itsScottNeedham

Instagram: @smartestseller

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371

Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up

Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog