With millions of products competing for attention, understanding and optimizing Amazon’s algorithm has become crucial for sellers aiming to boost their sales and brand presence. This complex system, called the A9 algorithm, determines which products appear in search results and in what order. As the e-commerce landscape continues to evolve, many businesses are turning to specialized agencies to navigate the intricacies of Amazon SEO. The Amazon algorithm and why you should partner with an agency to boost your product’s visibility.
Amazon’s algorithm, A9, is a sophisticated search and ranking system designed to deliver customers the most relevant and convertible search results. Unlike traditional search engines focusing primarily on information relevance, Amazon’s algorithm is tailored to drive sales. It aims to show products that match the search query and are likely to be purchased. The A9 algorithm operates on a two-step process,
- Keyword relevance – First, it identifies all products in the Amazon catalogue that match the user’s search query. This step is based on the keywords present in product titles, descriptions, and backend search terms.
- Sales performance – Once relevant products are identified, the algorithm ranks them based on various performance factors. These include sales history, customer reviews, price competitiveness, and inventory levels.
Amazon continuously refines its algorithm to improve user experience and increase sales. This means sellers must stay vigilant and adapt their strategies to keep up with these changes. The algorithm’s complexity and frequent updates make it challenging for individual sellers to consistently optimize their listings, which is where specialized amazon SEO agencies come into play.
Critical factors in amazon’s algorithm
To effectively optimize for Amazon’s algorithm, it’s essential to understand the primary factors it considers. While the exact workings of the algorithm are proprietary, several key elements have been identified through observation and testing:
- Sales velocity – Products that sell well rank higher. The algorithm favours items with a strong sales history, creating a positive feedback loop where higher rankings lead to more sales, boosting rankings further.
- Relevance – This includes using appropriate keywords in product titles, bullet points, descriptions, and backend search terms. The algorithm looks for exact matches as well as related terms.
- Customer reviews – The quantity and quality of reviews play a significant role. Products with more positive reviews tend to rank higher.
- Answered questions – The number of answered questions on a product page can influence rankings, as it indicates engagement and provides valuable information to potential buyers.
- Image quality – Clear, high-quality images that follow Amazon’s guidelines can improve a product’s visibility and conversion rate.
- Price – Competitive pricing is crucial. The algorithm often favours products that offer good value for money.
- Fulfillment method – Products fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) may receive a ranking boost, especially for Prime-eligible items.
- In-stock rate – It is essential to have products in stock consistently. Frequent stock-outs negatively impact rankings.
- Click-through rate (CTR) – Products that receive more clicks in search results tend to rank higher, indicating relevance to the search query.
- Conversion rate – A higher percentage of views resulting in purchases signals to Amazon that the product satisfies customer needs.
With Amazon’s ever-evolving landscape, the right agency partnership can unlock your products’ full potential and achieve lasting success.
