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Steering Fallible Consumers

delete2023-02-15
delete6
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OA
AI
P
Paul Heidhues *
M
Mats Köster
B
Botond Kőszegi
DOI:10.1093/ej/ueac093delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Online intermediaries with information about a consumer's tendencies often 'steer' her toward products she is more likely to purchase. We analyse the welfare implications of this practice for 'fallible' consumers, who make statistical and strategic mistakes in evaluating offers. The welfare effects depend on the nature and quality of the intermediary's information and on properties of the consumer's mistakes. In particular, steering based on high-quality information about the consumer's mistakes is typically harmful, sometimes extremely so. We argue that much real-life steering is of this type, raising the scope for a broader regulation of steering practices.
Keywords:
PROJECTION BIAS
PRIVACY
SEARCH
ECONOMICS
PROBABILITY
COMPETITION
WEATHER

Journal

Economic Journal cover
Economic Journal
IF:
3.6
Papers:
5.5K
Citations:
1.6W

Organization

U
university of bonn
Scholars:
3.3W
Papers: 2.6W
Citations: 29
H
Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf
Scholars:
1.8W
Papers: 1.4W
Citations: 126