What else should you know about Amazon A9 ranking algorithm?

All new and experienced sellers on Amazon know that this marketplace is dynamic and very competitive. So, it can be challenging to stand out from the crowd of the active and powerful competitors. That is why it makes sense to work on your marketing and optimization campaigns to make your products visible in this marketplace. 

Have you ever wonder why do some sellers do better than others? This question is on everyone’s mind. It is not an easy question to answer. However, we will try to distinguish some essential features of successful Amazon seller. First of all, prosperous sellers have a smart approach to the selling platform selection. They examine all pros and cons of the system before launching their business there. They learn how does the ranking mechanism work and build their business according to the existed optimization requirements and guidelines. Moreover, smart seller position themselves to be able to analyze and respond quickly. As Amazon is a constantly evolving system, sellers should be ready to adjust their business to the new changes rapidly. That is why most of them implement professional optimization and research software that alerts them each time some changes arise. The most successful Amazon sellers know that control equals improved margins. So, they keep under control all business processes and track metrics. 

And finally, we believe that each prosperous Amazon seller should understand Amazon A9 algorithm enough to maximize sales positions and revenue. An A9 algorithm is an engine that drives Amazon. It serves to show Amazon’s best-seller products and items in the Buy Box with the best margins and by the most customer-centric sellers. Moreover, you should be aware that there may be some advantage to establish some algorithms of your own to dominate your market space on Amazon platform. In this short, we will talk more detailed about it. But first, let us discuss what the Amazon’s A9 search algorithm is.

The essence of Amazon A9 algorithm

Each ordinary person may sell his or her inventory on Amazon. There are a lot of bright examples when housewives or senior citizens raise their fortune on Amazon ecommerce platform. So, you don’t need to be a professional to benefit from the Amazon search algorithm. Everything you need is to match customer’s query and satisfy his needs. Amazon believes that, if your listing works for the Amazon search algorithm, it will work for the customers too. 

Amazon A9 algorithm is a unique search formula that scans, reads, and analyzes data on the Amazon marketplace. In other words, it is a form of artificial intelligence that tracks all customer actions on a site. Amazon takes into account a variety of algorithms and metrics to show customers the most relevant search results to make them purchase more on a platform. When Amazon gets a clear message of customer needs and preferences, it directs them to products they will probably order. As all Amazon sellers have a buying intend when they search, a time they spend to research a required item should be reduced to the minimum. The fewer time customers have to think it over, the greater chance that Amazon will receive revenue. That is why Amazon automatically presents all search results based on customer behavior analysis based on the shopper’s past traffic activity. 

An A9 algorithm is a key of Amazon’s business model as it helps to maximize general revenue by assuring that the best-selling products with the most reasonable margins by the most customer-centric sellers are placed in front of searching shoppers who are ready to buy. 

Aspects assessed by Amazon A9 algorithm

It is the place where the most sellers feel frustrated due to the lack of available data as the Amazon’s best interest not to reveal the complete recipe. However, the plus is that Amazon search algorithm is monitoring and making determinations that are significant to your sales success. 

The following factors are assessed by Amazon A9 algorithm to determine the rank of the product on search results page:

• Click Through Rate (CTR)

To determine the product rank, Amazon tracks the data on where your potential customer clicks after they enter the search terms that pulled up your listing. It collects the amount of click on your listing from the search and checks the bounce rate and time a user spends on your product description page. That is why you need to make sure your listing is completed and professionally looking. 

• Conversion Rate

Your potential customers may click on your listing, but it is not a guarantee they will purchase the stuff you propose. That is why you need to work on your listing optimization to make it well-converted. There are a lot of factors that affect conversion. The essential listing optimization factors are product pictures (their size and quality), listing keyword optimization (comprehensive keyword research and their strategic usage), questions and answers section improvement, and so on. 

• Pricing Policy

Price is a significant ranking factor on Amazon. The reasonable and competing price can double your chances to win more sales and improve brand awareness. To increase a purchase probability, Amazon A9 algorithm looks for the best price for their customers. Moreover, it seeks for the listings representing the best margins for Amazon’s share. That is why keep your price in balance and stay competitive. If you are a new customer on Amazon, it is advisable, to begin with, a lower rate than the market average to attract more potential customers to your listing. Moreover, sell value in your listings as your primary niche competitors are the seller who does this well. 

• Account Health

If you want to be a successful seller on Amazon, you should care about your selling account. You must be familiar with this section of Amazon’s Seller Central. So, keep all things in order, and you will pass the algorithmic muster. 

• Listing Optimization

Listing is your business calling card on Amazon. It serves to meet more user queries and attract them to your product description. That is why I should contain great titles, feature-rich bullet points, engaging description, and professionally made pictures and videos. 

• Inventory

It is essential to keep your inventory always in stock. If you use Amazon fulfillment services, make sure Amazon is always stocked with your merchandise. If you stock out, you will most likely lose your customers and Amazon will reduce your rank on SERP. That is why you should be a prospective seller and provide for all contingencies. So, monitor your inventory on a regular basis and try to strike the balance of having just enough on hand at Amazon at all times. 

• Order processing

To continue the previous bullet about the significance to keep your inventory always in stock, I would like to say some words about order processing. It is essential to provide customers with free (or almost free) and fast (2-3 days max) delivery. It is advisable for Amazon FBA services for order fulfillment. In such a way you do not need to worry about delivery and shipping processes and concentrate on your business development. It is very convenient for sellers who retail their product in bulk on Amazon (at least more than 40 items per month). 

• Customer reviews and questions

Do your best to engage your customers to interact with you. It is essential for your business development on Amazon. The more reports you generate, the better social proof you will get, and the more customers will trust you as a seller. You should create a customer-first experience for people browsing your listing. That is why it is essential to strive for favorable feedbacks. You should engage your customers to leave organic reviews, as all incentivized feedbacks that customers write for something like discount or gift are forbidden. You can do it by providing high quality after sale customer support.

To maximize your business effectiveness, you can implement one of the review tracking tools available on the web. Using such software, you will get automated alerts each time somebody leaves a review on your Amazon account. Do not avoid negative reviews as they play a crucial role in your brand image. You should always respond to such feedbacks and try to solve customer issues as soon as possible. Make it right, despite the costs. It means a lot to Amazon. 

Moreover, show how your customer community is engaged in how they not only post questions but answer them for each other. You can also ask some questions by yourself if it is needed. Make sure all your questions are answered in positive and kind tone. 

The above list presents only a few of the algorithmic factors that are taken into account by Amazon to determine your listing’s raking. So, you should keep in mind that Amazon A9 ranking algorithm can never be all-knowing. So, use the above-listed factors to make your Amazon listing more efficient in ways not measurable by algorithms. 

Useful tricks to help the Amazon algorithm drive converted traffic to your products

Amazon ranking algorithms can seem to customers like it is reading their minds. At the initial stage of Amazon product research when a customer inserts his query in a search box, Amazon provides his with the significant suggestions on how to correctly formulate their queries. It helps Amazon better understand the meaning of customer words and transform them into a real searchable query that will meet a lot of relevant search results. 

In this paragraph, we are going to discuss some tricks you can apply to help A9 algorithm connect your ASIN with customer queries. So, let us have a close look at some of them:

• Put the primary accent on your title optimization. Use some strong search terms at the beginning of your title, but keep it readable and not stuffed. It will help to categorize your offering, and better position it among competitors. 
• Make sure your product listing is completed and designed according to Amazon Guidelines regarding images, layout, and word count specifications. All these guidelines you can find on Amazon Seller Central page. They are available for all users. Listing completeness can directly affect your rank on Amazon search results page. It will either boost your sales and double your business revenue or reduce your chances to attract customers and win the Buy Box. If your listing is incomplete, weak, and not descriptive, it won’t be indexed for Amazon’s search. 
• Price your products competitively, taking into account the average market price, seasonal price changes, and industry novelties. Track your competitor pricing policies to stand out from the crowd of similar offerings. 
• Another key ranking factor is sales velocity. This metric is updated by Amazon every 24 hours. To boost your sales velocity, you can implement the number of optimization and promotion techniques such as Amazon-based promotions, pay per click advertising, or sales encouraging techniques like discount coupon codes, giveaways, etc. 
• The quality and condition of products you sell should correspond the information presented in your listing. Do not try to game your potential customer of Amazon systems. It may cost you your business. Moreover, you should be ready for negative responses, high bounce rate, and low ranking position. 
• High quality and professionally made images are also matter on Amazon. It is a critically significant element of your product listing that converts search traffic to paying customers. You should have at least five photos of each product to show your customers all details. Moreover, it significant to follow Amazon Image Guidelines where you can find some strict requirements for the quality and the size of the photos you upload to the system. If your primary images are not as good as your competition, you are already missing your opportunities to win paying leads. 

So, as you can see everything you need is to apply what Amazon says it wants on your product pages and profitably harness Amazon’s search engine.