There are many myths surrounding the Amazon A9 algorithm. Some think they have found “the secret” that catapults the product straight to the first page. This strategy may have worked in the early days of Amazon, but the algorithm is now much more complex – many different factors play a role. Basically, it is important to understand that Amazon tries to display the most relevant product for the search query – with the aim of meeting the customer’s needs and maximizing its own sales (commission) at the same time. Amazon therefore sorts according to purchase probability.
Only Amazon itself knows the exact factors of the ranking algorithm. The findings presented here are based on years of experience. There are direct and indirect influencing factors. Some factors only have an indirect effect on the ranking via other variables. Targeted product optimization (direct influence) can demonstrably increase visibility in organic search. As the Amazon agency ameo, we specialize in Amazon SEO and have gained the following insights:
Amazon ranking factors
Direct influence: Click-Through-Rate (CTR)
The CTR is an important factor for the long-term organic ranking. If your product is clicked on more often than that of the competition, Amazon rates it as more relevant for the respective search query. This means that your product will remain or appear on page 1 in the long term. Both organic clicks and PPC clicks have an impact on the CTR.
Indirect influence: Product rating / Amazon review
Although the number and quality of reviews have no direct influence on the ranking, they do have a strong impact on the CTR. Customers pay close attention to the number and average rating. The decisive factor is not to have many more reviews than the competition, but to have high-quality, convincing reviews. A product with 20 reviews and 4.8 stars sells better than one with 500 reviews and 2.5 stars.
Indirect influence: Main image
The main image also influences the CTR. A high-resolution and sharp image attracts attention and conveys the first impression. Depending on the category, Amazon now shows two to three images directly in the search results without you having to click on the product – so these should be particularly high-quality and meaningful.
Indirect influence: Brand
A well-known brand name significantly increases the probability of clicks. If the brand is less well-known, it should still be clear, trustworthy and thematically appropriate. “Christmas Bakery” is more convincing in the baking accessories sector than “International Trading Ltd”.
Direct influence: product title
The product title influences the ranking directly and indirectly. Customers compare search queries with the title – the better it fits, the higher the CTR. Important keywords should be among the first 70 characters, as these are often the only ones displayed on mobile devices. A maximum of 200 characters should not be exceeded. The most important keywords definitely belong in the title, as they have the strongest influence on the ranking.
Direct influence: Bullet points
The bullet points should contain synonyms and relevant mid-tail keywords. Important: Only 1,000 bytes are available in total, with a maximum of 250 bytes per bullet point. Longer bullet points are not indexed. The most important content should be under the first three bullet points, as only these are displayed on mobile devices – the rest are only visible by actively expanding them.
(In-)Direct influence: Product description
The product description is indexed – unlike many people assume. Therefore, additional keywords should also be integrated here. In addition, the description is displayed before the bullet points on mobile devices. The introductory text should therefore convey a clear message before the text is cut off by “…”. A maximum of 2,000 bytes may be used.
Indirect influence: Presentation techniques
Addressing the target group appropriately is crucial. Depending on the product, different stylistic devices should be selected – a factual presentation for technology products, for example, or more emotional language for lifestyle products.
Direct influence: Sales history
Amazon evaluates the entire progress of the product. CTR, conversion, sales and development since publication all play a role. Products with a poor sales history have a harder time ranking well again – Amazon prefers products with a high conversion rate. Older products need more patience to work their way back up.
Direct influence: return rate
Amazon prefers products with a low return rate, as this indicates higher customer satisfaction and lower costs. Products with few returns are therefore listed higher up.
Indirect influence: seller ratings
The number and quality of seller ratings also have an indirect effect on product placement. Problems with support or delivery delays can have a negative impact on performance and worsen the ranking.