Roger’s $0.02 - How Amazon Became My Search Engine Assistant

The most common use of the internet for many of us is research. We research prices. Who has the thing we want at the lowest price? We research local laws and ordinances, ideally before starting a home renovation project. And we research health information when we feel sick and need to know if we should make an appointment with a doctor. The first destination is often a search engine like Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo, or a generative LLM like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. Not only can they search for things they also offer context. But a surprising one I’ve encountered personally has been Amazon. The online e-retailer with everything from food and apparel to plumbing supplies and automotive parts has become a regular part of my search routine. However, I also use YouTube and Reddit as non-traditional search engines, in addition to Amazon. 

When I need to find an answer to a general question, I typically use a search engine. When I use a LLM chatbot, I will cross-check the results with a Google and DuckDuckGo search. For reviews on products, I will use a handful of trusted review sites. But then I turn to Amazon. I also do this for how-to instructions as well. After a standard “how do I do…” search on YouTube, Google, and ChatGPT, I take the results and feed them into Amazon. 

For instance, I recently needed to open up a display cabinet that was locked. I searched for “how do I open a locked display cabinet, antique display case”. I found several entries on forums, sub-reddits, and YouTube videos. Most involved picking the lock, along with many explanations that the key locks found on this type of furniture aren’t your standard tumbler locks. Many of them are far simpler. I then searched for “keys for cabinets and curios” on Amazon. I got many product suggestions, but the far most common were skeleton keys. So I did follow up web searches on using skeleton keys to open antique-style display cases. After reading a few subreddit threads and forums, I ordered a set of 12 different-sized skeleton keys. Lo and behold, one worked, and the replica ceramic pieces I was interested in were made accessible. But that’s not the only time. I can count at least five other times I have done similar things. I needed to find the right-sized torx screw for attaching a plate to an outdoor electrical outlet. While I knew the size, I didn’t know exactly the type of screw. By searching through Amazon, I was able to determine that I needed machine screws. It made for an easier time at the local ACE hardware store when picking the right ones. 

Because of its sheer size, Amazon has a mind-boggling number of items for sale either directly or by sellers using the platform to reach customers. This allows you to find something that, if not perfectly fits your needs, is close to it. I needed a plumber’s snake (drain auger), but something only around 5 feet in length. I didn’t want one that had a drum since those are too unwieldy to use in tight situations. I managed to locate one on Amazon and was able to search independently on the make and model for something similar locally. In a way, I’m using Amazon like a giant searchable catalog to find things to help solve problems around my house or car. If you think to yourself, “someone should make…” odds are Amazon will have it. I found photosensitive light bulbs that turn on and off based on sunlight for my home’s front and rear door lights. I’ve even found LED replacements for the bulbs that go into the dashboard of my car. 

So anytime I run into an issue of “how do I fix this…” from cement molds to skeleton keys, Amazon is one of the tools I use to search for an answer.