Amazon Best Seller Rank (BSR) Explained - Weekly Briefing #19
Also this week: updates on peak FBA fees, Prime Big Deal Days and a Pro Tip
Today’s Menu
Amazon news of the week: Peak Fees, Prime Big Deal Days, and MCF Upgrade
Deepdive on Amazon’s Best Seller Rank (BSR)
Tip of the Week: metadata in your images
News of the Week
Amazon Peak Holiday Fulfillment Fee Hike: Starting October 15, 2024, through January 14, 2025, Amazon will increase its fulfillment and storage fees to “peak rates.” Expect a 10% rise in FBA fulfillment fees, with storage fees tripling during this period.
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2024: Get ready for Amazon’s second major sales event of the year! As announced two weeks ago, the Prime Big Deal Days will take place on October 8-9, offering significant sales opportunities.
MCF Now Fulfills Social Commerce Orders via FBA: Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) has expanded its capabilities, now enabling automatic fulfillment of orders placed on social commerce platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest using your FBA inventory.
Deepdive: Everything You Need to Know about BSR
Introduction: What is Amazon’s Best Seller Rank (BSR)?
Amazon’s Best Seller Rank (BSR) is one of the most important yet often misunderstood metrics for sellers. It’s a dynamic figure that reflects how a product ranks in sales within its category and subcategories. Updated hourly, the BSR gives sellers a snapshot of their product’s sales performance relative to competitors. While many sellers know it’s an important number, fewer understand how it works or what it truly signifies. This week, I will break down the basics of BSR, explain how it’s calculated, and offer strategies for using it to your advantage.
How is BSR Calculated?
Amazon’s BSR is determined by both recent and historical sales data. Unlike other metrics, BSR doesn’t account for factors like product reviews or keyword relevance; it’s purely about sales. The algorithm behind it is a closely guarded secret, but we know that a product’s BSR improves with strong, consistent sales. Short-term sales spikes—like those generated by promotions—can lead to quick improvements in BSR, but maintaining a low (better) rank over time requires a stable flow of sales. Additionally, BSR is relative: your rank can change not only because of your own sales but also based on how well competing products perform.
The Impact of BSR on Product Visibility and Sales
Though BSR doesn’t directly influence your product’s search rankings, it can indirectly boost visibility in significant ways. A lower BSR (meaning your product is a top seller) often results in your product appearing in best-seller lists, or receiving the coveted Best Seller badge, which can increase customer trust and drive conversion rates. Shoppers are naturally drawn to products labeled as “Best Sellers,” and this badge can differentiate your listing in a crowded market. Furthermore, being ranked as a top seller may qualify your product for special placements on Amazon, boosting traffic to your listing and, in turn, driving even more sales.
BSR vs. Other Metrics: Why It’s Not the Only Number That Matters
While BSR is a useful indicator, it’s important not to fixate on it as the only metric for success. BSR can fluctuate frequently, especially in competitive categories where many sellers vie for the top spots. Other key performance indicators—such as keyword rankings, customer reviews, and conversion rates—can offer a more complete picture of your product’s performance. For example, a product may have a strong BSR but struggle with customer satisfaction due to negative reviews, which could limit long-term sales potential. By considering BSR alongside these other metrics, you’ll be in a better position to make well-rounded decisions for your business.
How to Leverage BSR for Competitive Analysis and Strategy
Tracking your own BSR is valuable, but monitoring the BSR of competing products is where the real strategic insight comes in. By keeping an eye on competitors’ ranks, you can identify patterns and trends that reflect shifts in demand, pricing changes, or the impact of new promotions. If a competitor’s BSR suddenly drops (for example because they are out-of-stock), it might signal an opportunity for you to push your product with more aggressive marketing or promotions. Conversely, if your BSR is slipping, it could be time to analyze your pricing, optimize your listing, or refresh your inventory strategy. Used correctly, BSR can be a powerful tool in fine-tuning your competitive edge on Amazon.
Conclusion
BSR is more than just a number—it’s a valuable indicator of sales success and market competitiveness. By understanding how BSR is calculated and leveraging it alongside other critical metrics, you can better position your products, optimize sales strategies, and maintain a competitive advantage. Keep a close eye on your BSR, but remember that a well-rounded approach to performance monitoring is the key to long-term success.
Tip of the Week: Add Metadata to Your Main Image for SEO
If you have been selling on Amazon for a while, there is good chance that your main listing image is already optimized to the max. However, you might have missed the invisible part: I am talking about the metadata of the image.
As you may know, Google indexes information from your Amazon listings, but it also indexes the metadata in your images. So if you want to boost your discoverability and SEO on Google, make sure to add keywords to your image metadata.
You can easily do that using Adobe or any free open source photo app alternatives.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s briefing. If you wish to learn more about 3fin, you can book a call or try it for free.
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