Published On: 19. August 2024|5 min read|
MacBook Air showing the landingpage of Amazon Marketplace/ Amazon Shopping/ Amazon Prime. The MacBook is sitting on a small uplifted desk in a coffee place environment with a couple plants in front of the window.

Mastering Amazon’s A9 and A10 Algorithms: A Guide to Boosting Your Product Rankings

In the world of e-commerce, Amazon takes the lead, with millions of customers turning to its Marketplace platform to satisfy their shopping needs. To succeed on Amazon, understanding and optimizing for its search algorithms—A9 and the more recent version A10—is crucial. These algorithms are in some ways gatekeepers of visibility, determining which products appear at the top of Amazons search results and which are put back to the end of the ranking. In this post, we'll explore the inner workings of these algorithms, the challenges they present to Amazon vendors (1P), and how you can optimize your listings to maximize your success with Amazon.

Understanding Amazon’s A9 and A10 Algorithms

The core of Amazon’s search functionality was the A9 and now is the A10 algorithm. These complex systems are designed to rank products based on their relevance to a customer’s search query and overall performance metrics. While the A9 algorithm emphasized keyword relevancy and advertising spend, A10 has now shifted the focus toward customer experience and product performance, making it imperative for vendors (1P) to adapt their strategies accordingly.

Main Ranking Factors: How Amazon Decides Which Products to Feature

Product Relevance: Matching the Customer’s Search Intent

Keyword Relevance

Amazon’s algorithm (A10) prioritize products that closely match the search terms entered by users. This makes the placement of keywords in your product title, bullet points, and description critically important. Moreover, when customers choose your product after viewing a competitor’s listing, it enhances your keyword strength and overall relevance.

Collaborative Filtering

Amazon employs collaborative filtering to predict customer preferences based on their behavior and the behaviors of others with similar interests. This advanced analysis extends beyond simple purchase history and takes connections between various listings and customers habitus into the equation. This results into further refines your product relevance.

Sales Performance: The Power of Conversion Rates

Sales Velocity and History

Products that consistently sell well are rewarded with higher rankings. Because higher sales mean higher revenues for Amazon, which is promoted by Amazon.
Sales generated through organic searches (as opposed to paid ads) are particularly valued, emphasizing the importance of a strong, authentic sales history.

Conversion Rates

Metrics like ‘add to cart’ actions and actual purchases are critical to Amazon’s ranking criteria.
High conversion rates indicate strong customer interest and are a significant factor in determining product visibility.

Customer Experience: One Key to Winning Amazon’s Favor

Customer Satisfaction

Amazon places great emphasis on customer satisfaction, factoring in positive reviews, competitive pricing, and labels like “Amazon’s Choice.” These indicators of trust and popularity can significantly boost your product’s ranking. With this more visibility of your products comes along.

Behavioral Analysis and Retargeting

Amazon continuously monitors customer behavior, using thousands of data points to enhance the shopping experience. Retargeting customers who have shown interest in a product (e.g., those who added it to their cart) is a common strategy that helps maintain relevance and visibility.

On-Page Optimization: Fine-Tuning Your Product Listings

Product Title and Description

The accuracy and detail of your product listing are very important when it comes to address the needs of your customers. Your product titles, descriptions, and other key details should not only be comprehensive but also optimized with relevant keywords. This improves both your search ranking and the likelihood of conversions.

The common challenges of Amazon Data. Disorganization, Data syncing, Manual Tracking, Missing the whole picture.

Overcoming the Challenges of Amazon Data Management

While optimizing for Amazon’s latest algorithm Sellers (1P) often face issues related to data disorganization, syncing, and visibility, which can hinder performance and the overall attempt to opimize for Amazons A10.

The sheer volume of data available to sellers (3P) and vendors (1P) can be overwhelming. Without proper organization and insights, key metrics like performance and conversion rates can be difficult to manage effectively. This often leads to mistakes, such as mismanagement of inventory which can lead to missed sales opportunities.

A common issue for many sellers (3P) and vendors (1P) is the lack of real-time data synchronization across teams and between Amazon and their data solutions. For example, if your supply chain team is not immediately aware of a sudden spike in sales, you risk stockouts that could damage your ranking and customer satisfaction.

Manually tracking your product performance is not only time-consuming but also prone to errors, especially during peak shopping seasons like Black Friday or the Amazon Prime Day. With Amazon’s algorithm and data points updating daily, sellers (3P) and vendors (1P) need to rely on automation to stay competitive.

Amazon does not provide sellers (3P) and Vendors (1P) with all the data they might need to make informed decisions. As a result, you need to use external tools or software to fill in the gaps, ensuring you have access to the deep, granular data necessary for optimizing your strategies.

Overcoming the Challenges of Amazon Data Management

To navigate the complexities of Amazon’s algorithm and data intransperency, sellers (3P) and vendors (1P) should adopt a holistic approach to optimization.

Centralized Data Management: The Power of a Singular View

Consolidating all relevant data points into a single, holistic view is critical if you want to ensure keeping a close eye on your data. This includes integrating sales reports, inventory levels, customer behavior insights, and pricing data. A centralized data management system allows for consistent monitoring and daily optimization of your ASINs (Amazon Standard Identification Numbers).

Summary Tool in the AMVisor Global Dashboard showing Key KPIs per Country to maximize sales

Leveraging External Tools: Enhancing Your Amazon Strategy

Helium 10

This powerful tool is essential for keyword research, competitor analysis, and optimizing product listings. Helium 10 provides features like a reverse ASIN lookup, keyword planner, and AI-assisted software, making it an invaluable resource for sellers.

Keepa

A browser extension that tracks price history and alerts you to price drops, Keepa helps sellers make informed pricing decisions and identify sales trends. This tool is particularly useful for developing pricing strategies and understanding market dynamics.

Conclusion

Understanding and aligning with Amazon’s algorithms is crucial for any Amazon seller (3P) and Amazon vendor (1P) looking to succeed on the online marketplace platform. By focusing on product relevance, sales performance, customer experience, and on-page optimization, you can significantly improve your product rankings and visibility.

Overcoming the challenges of data management requires a strategic and holistic approach that includes detailed sales reporting, advanced tools like Helium 10 and Keepa or AMVisor. Most of all you need commitment to continuous optimization.

By mastering these elements, you’ll not only enhance your sales performance with Amazon but also unlock new opportunities for growth and creativity within your team. Success on Amazon isn’t just about keeping up with the algorithm—it’s about staying ahead of it.

  • Linda Halfter Customer Success @AMVisor

    Linda Halfter

    CCO

    Since 2021, Linda focuses on client relationship management, onboarding, customer support, and optimizing customer satisfaction at AMVisor.

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