Mastering Amazon SEO: A Beginner’s Guide for New Sellers

Author name

Selling on Amazon is more than just listing products, it’s about being found. Amazon functions as a search engine, and understanding Amazon SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is key to boosting your product’s visibility and increasing sales. If you want to stay ahead, ranking higher in Amazon’s search results should be a priority.

Optimizing your product listings using Amazon SEO principles can:

  • Improve keyword search rankings
  • Increase conversion rates
  • Drive more sales

This guide breaks down key strategies, best practices, and expert tips to help new sellers optimize their product listings for maximum visibility on Amazon.


What is Amazon SEO and Why Does It Matter?

Amazon SEO is the process of optimizing product listings with relevant, high-traffic keywords to improve ranking in search results. Most shoppers don’t scroll past the first few pages, so higher-ranking listings get more visibility, and of course — more sales!

Why is Amazon SEO crucial? If your product isn’t optimized for search, you’re missing out on potential sales.

Amazon’s ranking algorithm (A9) considers factors like:

  • Keyword relevancy – Ensuring your listing matches what customers search for
  • Sales velocity – The speed at which your product sells
  • Conversion rate – The percentage of visitors who make a purchase

Mastering these factors gives your product a competitive edge.


Understanding Amazon’s A9 Algorithm

The
A9 algorithm determines which products appear at the top of search results. Unlike Google, which prioritizes information retrieval, Amazon focuses on commercial intent, showing listings most likely to result in a sale.

Amazon itself states that rankings depend on:

  • Text match – How well your listing matches the search query
  • Price & availability – Competitive pricing and stock levels
  • Selection & sales history – Past sales performance

This means that relevance + performance = higher rankings. Amazon continuously updates A9, prioritizing listings with strong conversion rates and consistent sales.

How to Rank Higher on Amazon

While Amazon doesn’t reveal every detail of its A9 algorithm, successful sellers know that certain key elements impact ranking.

1. Keyword Research: The Foundation of SEO

Keywords connect your product to customer searches. Without the right keywords, your listing won’t appear in search results.

Use keyword research tools to:

  • Identify high-traffic, relevant keywords
  • Find long-tail keywords (specific phrases with lower competition)
  • Analyze search volume & ranking potential

Where to Use Keywords in Your Listing

Amazon uses the information in your listing to understand your product, categorize it correctly, and display it to the most relevant customers. To maximize visibility and conversions, ensure you strategically place relevant keywords throughout your listing:

  • Product Title: This is the most important field for keyword placement. Include your primary keyword as close to the beginning as possible while maintaining a natural, readable structure. Your title should be clear, informative, and within Amazon’s character limit to avoid truncation.

  • Bullet Points: These should highlight key product features, benefits, and differentiators. Use a mix of primary and secondary keywords naturally to improve discoverability while ensuring readability. Focus on answering common customer questions and addressing pain points.

  • Product Description: This section should be persuasive and informative, providing deeper insights into your product. Use storytelling, benefits-driven language, and secondary keywords to enhance relevance. If eligible for A+ Content, leverage enhanced visuals and formatting to improve engagement.

  • Backend Search Terms: These are hidden but crucial for ranking. Use them to include additional relevant keywords that may not fit naturally in the visible parts of your listing. Avoid repetition and include synonyms, alternate spellings, and related terms to broaden search visibility.

Optimizing these elements with strategic keyword placement ensures that your product listing is both search-friendly and conversion-focused, increasing your chances of ranking higher in Amazon’s search results and driving more sales.

2. Sales Velocity: Why Faster Sales Matter

Sales velocity refers to the speed at which your product sells over a given period. Amazon prioritizes fast-selling products because they indicate strong demand, leading to higher rankings in search results.

How to Increase Sales Velocity:

  • Run limited-time promotions – Discounts, coupons, and Lightning Deals can create urgency and drive more purchases. 
  • Offer competitive pricing – Ensure your product remains competitively priced within your category to attract more buyers. 
  • Use Amazon PPC ads to drive traffic – Paid advertising can increase visibility and bring more potential customers to your listing. 
  • Optimize your listing for better conversions – High-quality images, compelling bullet points, persuasive descriptions, and strong reviews all contribute to a higher conversion rate.

By improving your sales velocity, you create a positive feedback loop — higher sales lead to better rankings, which lead to even more visibility and sales. Prioritizing strategies to increase sales speed can help you stay ahead of the competition in the Amazon marketplace.


3. Conversion Rate: The Secret to Higher Rankings

Amazon rewards listings with high conversion rates—the percentage of visitors who buy your product. A higher conversion rate not only improves ranking but also increases sales potential.

How to Improve Your Conversion Rate:

  • Use High-Quality Product Images: Amazon is a visual marketplace! Clear, professional photos help customers make informed buying decisions.
  • Write Clear, Keyword-Rich Titles: Your title should be concise yet informative, including essential keywords naturally.
  • Include Persuasive Bullet Points: Focus on benefits, not just features. Address pain points and show how your product solves customer problems.
  • Gather Positive Reviews & Ratings: Social proof builds trust and influences buying decisions. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews.
  • Keep Pricing Competitive: Customers compare prices, so ensure your pricing is in line with market expectations.
  • Ensure Fast Shipping Options: Amazon Prime eligibility significantly boosts trust and increases the likelihood of conversions.

To monitor your conversion rate, check Seller Central under: Reports → Business Reports → Detail Page Sales & Traffic → Unit Session Percentage.

Improving your conversion rate not only increases sales but also enhances your listing’s ranking, creating long-term success in the Amazon marketplace.


Amazon SEO: Do’s & Don’ts

✅ Do This for Better Rankings:

  • Use High-Quality Product Images: Professional and clear visuals attract customers and can significantly boost conversion rates.
  • Optimize Titles & Descriptions: Craft keyword-rich and persuasive titles and descriptions to improve search visibility and appeal to potential buyers.
  • Encourage Customer Reviews: Positive reviews build trust and can enhance your product's ranking. Encourage satisfied customers to share their experiences.
  • Offer Competitive Pricing: Pricing your products competitively increases the likelihood of winning the Buy Box, leading to more sales.
  • Track Keyword Rankings: Regularly monitor and update your listing's keywords to maintain and improve search ranking positions.
  • Run Amazon PPC Ads: Utilize Amazon's Pay-Per-Click advertising to drive targeted traffic and increase product visibility.


❌ Avoid These Mistakes:

  • Keyword Stuffing: Overloading your listing with keywords can make it less readable and may deter potential customers. Focus on natural integration of relevant keywords.
  • Ignoring Backend Keywords: Neglecting hidden search terms can limit your product's visibility. Ensure you utilize backend keywords effectively to capture additional search traffic.
  • Making False Claims: Exaggerated or unverified claims can lead to negative reviews and potential policy violations. Always provide accurate and truthful information about your products.
  • Neglecting Competitor Analysis: Failing to study top sellers can result in missed opportunities for improvement. Analyze competitors to identify successful strategies and differentiate your offerings.
  • Forgetting to Track Performance: Without regular performance analysis, it's challenging to identify areas for improvement. Utilize analytics tools to monitor your listings and make data-driven adjustments.


By adhering to these guidelines, you can enhance your product listings, improve search rankings, and drive increased sales on Amazon.


Rank Higher & Sell More

Amazon SEO isn’t a one-time task but an ongoing process. By optimizing your product listings with the right keywords, improving conversion rates, and increasing sales velocity, you’ll build a strong foundation for success.

Want an easier way to manage your Amazon SEO? Chief Marketplace Officer’s team of experts are available to  help sellers like you become an A-player in Amazon. Reach out here or book a zoom call  today.

With the right strategy, your products can
rank higher, get more clicks, and make more sales. Start optimizing today and watch your business grow with CMO!




Amazon package with Prime tape and logo.
By William Fikhman February 2, 2026
From the inside, Amazon looks manageable. Listings are live. Ads are running. Sales are steady. On the surface, everything appears fine. From the outside—from an agency’s vantage point—it rarely is. That gap between perception and reality is where most Amazon growth stalls. Not because brands aren’t working hard, but because they’re too close to the machine to see where it’s leaking. Agencies don’t see Amazon the way brands do. They see patterns. Brands See Their Catalog. Agencies See the System. Most brands evaluate Amazon one SKU at a time: Is this listing converting? Is this keyword ranking? Is this campaign profitable? Agencies zoom out. They see how: One weak image suppresses an entire category One inconsistent title structure confuses AI systems One risky compliance shortcut creates long-term fragility One misaligned SKU drags down brand trust across the catalog Brands optimize pieces. Agencies optimize interactions . That difference changes everything. Brands See Performance. Agencies See Signal Quality. A brand sees: Clicks ACOS Sessions Revenue An agency asks: Why did the click happen? What signal did that click send to Amazon? Did the shopper hesitate? Did the listing reinforce intent—or dilute it? Did the ad amplify clarity—or expose confusion? Two brands can have identical metrics and wildly different futures. Because Amazon doesn’t reward activity. It rewards confidence signals . Agencies are trained to read those signals early—before performance drops show up in reports. Brands Fix Symptoms. Agencies Diagnose Structure. When sales dip, brands often react tactically: Add more keywords Increase bids Swap images Rewrite bullets Launch promos Agencies step back and ask a harder question: “What’s structurally misaligned?” Is the listing trying to serve too many use cases? Is the imagery saying one thing while the copy says another? Is the brand positioning inconsistent across SKUs? Is the catalog teaching Amazon what the brand isn’t ? Most Amazon problems don’t need more effort. They need better alignment. Brands Think Like Sellers. Agencies Think Like Amazon. This is the blind spot that matters most. Brands think: “How do I sell this product?” Agencies think: “How does Amazon decide when to show, trust, and recommend this product?” That mindset shift changes how everything is built: Titles are written for interpretation, not stuffing Images are designed for recognition, not decoration A+ content resolves doubt instead of adding features Ads reinforce positioning instead of chasing volume Agencies don’t optimize for Amazon. They optimize with Amazon’s decision logic in mind. Brands See Today. Agencies See the Compounding Effect. Small inconsistencies feel harmless in isolation. Agencies see how they compound: Slight messaging drift becomes brand confusion Minor policy risks become account fragility Inconsistent visuals weaken AI confidence Short-term wins erode long-term authority Amazon rewards brands that behave predictably over time. Agencies are paid to protect that predictability—even when it means saying no to short-term gains. Brands Focus on What’s Visible. Agencies Focus on What’s Silent. Some of the most dangerous Amazon problems don’t announce themselves. Agencies notice: When conversion friction increases before revenue drops When AI visibility softens without ranking loss When shoppers hesitate instead of bouncing When ads prop up listings that should stand on their own Silence on Amazon is rarely neutral. It’s usually a warning. Why This Perspective Gap Exists Brands live inside their product. Agencies live across hundreds of catalogs, categories, and outcomes. That exposure builds pattern recognition brands can’t develop alone—no matter how smart or experienced they are. It’s not about effort. It’s about distance. From Clicks to Conversions: Partner With Experts Who See the Whole Board At Chief Marketplace Officer , we don’t just execute tasks—we interpret systems. We see Amazon the way it actually works, not the way it appears from inside a single brand. Our team of Amazon specialists: Identifies structural issues before they show up in performance reports Aligns images, copy, ads, and A+ into one clear decision signal Designs listings for AI interpretation and human confidence Protects brand trust while scaling visibility and revenue Amazon sellers don’t fail because they don’t work hard. They stall because they can’t see what’s holding them back. That’s where we come in. Ready to Turn Browsers Into Buyers? 👉 Book Your Strategy Call with CMO Now Final Thoughts Most Amazon problems aren’t obvious. They’re systemic. And the hardest part isn’t fixing them—it’s recognizing them. Agencies don’t have better ideas because they’re smarter. They have a better perspective because they’re farther away. On Amazon, distance creates clarity. And clarity is what unlocks scale. Because the brands that win aren’t the ones doing more. They’re the ones finally seeing what’s been there all along.
Laptop screen with Amazon Seller Central logo, Account Health Auditing progress bar. Shopping bags, shopping cart.
By William Fikhman February 2, 2026
After a few Amazon audits, you start spotting mistakes. After a few dozen, you recognize trends. After hundreds, you stop looking at tactics altogether. You start seeing systems. At scale, Amazon success isn’t about clever tricks or isolated optimizations. It’s about how well a brand aligns with how Amazon evaluates , trusts , and recommends products over time. And after auditing hundreds of Amazon brands across categories, price points, and maturity levels, the lessons are surprisingly consistent. Most Brands Aren’t Broken—They’re Misaligned Very few brands we audit are “bad.” Many are talented. Well-funded. Experienced. But they’re misaligned. Their listings say one thing while their images imply another. Their ads chase keywords their listings can’t support. Their A+ content adds information but removes clarity. Their catalog grows without a unifying logic. On Amazon, misalignment doesn’t just slow growth—it quietly erodes trust. And trust is the currency Amazon cares about most. Conversion Problems Rarely Start With Copy Brands often assume low conversion is a wording issue: “We need stronger bullets.” “We need better keywords.” “We need more benefits.” But audits show something different. Conversion issues usually start before the copy: Images that don’t instantly define the product Main images that blend into the search results Visual stacks that force interpretation Use cases that aren’t obvious at a glance When shoppers hesitate visually, copy never gets a chance to work. High-performing brands don’t persuade harder—they clarify sooner. Most Listings Try to Say Too Much One of the most common audit findings is over-communication. Brands try to: Serve every use case Appeal to every audience Capture every keyword Preempt every objection The result is a listing that feels busy, vague, and exhausting. Amazon—and shoppers—reward decisiveness. Listings that win audits usually: Commit to a primary outcome Clearly define who the product is for Make tradeoffs obvious instead of hidden Remove unnecessary options Clarity isn’t restrictive. It’s liberating. Ads Expose Listing Weakness Faster Than Anything Else PPC performance is one of the fastest diagnostic tools in an audit. When ads struggle, it’s rarely because: Bids are too low Keywords are wrong Campaigns aren’t complex enough It’s because the listing can’t convert the promise the ad makes. Audits repeatedly show: High CPCs tied to unclear positioning Poor ROAS driven by visual mismatch Wasted spend propping up structurally weak listings Ads don’t fix problems. They reveal them. Brand Consistency Is the Hidden Growth Lever Across hundreds of audits, one pattern stands out clearly: Brands that scale smoothly feel predictable . Not boring—predictable. Their: Titles follow a consistent logic Images reinforce the same promise A+ content repeats—not reinvents—the story Reviews validate the same outcomes Catalog feels intentional, not accidental This predictability makes Amazon confident recommending them. Inconsistent brands don’t just confuse shoppers. They confuse the algorithm. Compliance Issues Are Usually Design Problems Most compliance risks we uncover aren’t malicious or careless. They’re structural. Claims hidden in images. Implications buried in icons. Language that feels “safe” in isolation but risky in context. Brands focus on policy rules . Audits reveal the importance of policy interpretation . Listings that feel restrained, clear, and factual convert better and survive longer. Compliance isn’t the enemy of creativity. It’s the framework that protects scale. The Best Brands Think Like Teachers After hundreds of audits, one truth becomes obvious: The strongest Amazon brands teach instead of sell. They: Explain what the product does in plain language Guide shoppers toward the right choice Reduce comparison fatigue Set expectations honestly Let confidence replace hype As Amazon leans further into AI-driven discovery and decision support, this teaching mindset becomes a competitive advantage. Amazon doesn’t promote confusion. It promotes understanding. From Clicks to Conversions: Partner With Experts Who See the Patterns At Chief Marketplace Officer , we don’t audit to generate checklists—we audit to reveal systems. Our experience across hundreds of Amazon brands allows us to see: What quietly suppresses growth What signals Amazon trusts What patterns repeat across winning catalogs What breaks long before revenue does Our team of Amazon specialists: Diagnoses structural misalignment, not surface-level issues Aligns images, copy, ads, and A+ into one cohesive decision signal Builds catalog-level consistency that scales safely Designs listings for long-term trust—not short-term spikes Amazon sellers don’t need more tactics. They need perspective earned through repetition. That’s where we come in. Ready to Turn Browsers Into Buyers? 👉 Book Your Strategy Call with CMO Now Final Thoughts Auditing hundreds of Amazon brands teaches you one thing above all else: Success isn’t accidental—and failure is rarely sudden. Most outcomes are earned quietly, through alignment, restraint, and clarity. The brands that win aren’t doing more. They’re doing fewer things better —and doing them consistently. On Amazon, experience isn’t just knowledge. It’s pattern recognition. And pattern recognition is what turns effort into scale.