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Why Are Reviews So Important as An Amazon Seller?

Reviewed By Jason Guerrettaz

Written By Nate Lind

Published May 5, 2020

Updated March 13, 2025

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Growing an Amazon FBA list is probably at the top of your priorities this year. As Amazon FBA has become more competitive and has had to adapt in light of the recent pandemic, more people than ever are taking this opportunity to step back and look at their big-picture strategy of how they continue to use Amazon.

The Power of Social Proof

Reviews are one of the leading ways that customers decide whether or not to do business with you. Social proof is the very reason why we are enticed to purchase. We look at the reviews and experiences of people who’ve bought the item before making the decision to purchase.

Checking out what other people have to say about the product is a phenomenon called social proof. It is what affects our decision to purchase.

Amazon studied this behavior, so it’s no wonder the ecommerce giant has really taken over the industry, changing how we shop online. A big part of what makes it work so well is its social proof features that give us helpful insights into products and sellers.

Impact on Search Rankings

Products with a larger number of positive reviews are often seen as more appealing to shoppers, which boosts the visibility of an Amazon business. The algorithm favors these products, interpreting positive feedback as a reflection of both customer satisfaction and Amazon product quality.

As a result, items with better product reviews have a greater chance of showing up at the top of search results, as the platform prioritizes products that customers are more likely to trust. At the end of the day, sellers should maximize the benefits of reviewing on Amazon to improve product ranking, which eventually will be the driver of more sales.

The Amazon Ranking/Review System

Within the Amazon review system, the company ensures reviews are authentic by requiring customers to have spent at least $50 in the past year to post reviews. All submissions are checked against Community Guidelines, including rules against paid reviews.

Verified Purchase labels are applied when applicable, and a combination of automated systems and human checkers block fake reviews during the Amazon review process. Legal action is taken against groups promoting fraudulent feedback.

Amazon Ratings and Reviews: How to Get Them

Collecting reviews on Amazon can be challenging, but they’re something you need to strive to get to increase your sales. Products with reviews tend to sell more frequently. In fact, a study showed that having just five reviews can boost a product’s purchase likelihood by 270%.

So, how can your business gather more reviews on Amazon? We discuss the methods in the following sections.

Building Trust With Potential Customers

How do you build trust with customers? The quick answer would be to get good Amazon consumer reviews. If you want positive feedback, it starts with offering high-quality products. However, that’s just the beginning.

Providing excellent customer support and actively encouraging buyers to leave reviews are equally important. Customer reviews give potential customers insight into how a product performs, covering key factors like quality, usability, and overall satisfaction, which helps them make informed decisions before purchasing.

Feedback for Product Improvement

When selling on Amazon, consider adding a leaflet or card as a product insert with the following:

  • A product guide with warranty or guarantee information
  • A message thanking the buyer and encouraging them to provide suggestions for improving your product.

Follow Amazon’s ToS by keeping the language neutral when asking for feedback. Never use manipulative scripts, such as “support American-made.”

Customer Engagement and Loyalty

Although the main goal is to sell products, sellers also need to remember that selling will only be successful if you’ve established good relationships with consumers. Here are a few recommended ways to increase engagement and turn buyers into loyal customers.

  • Make product listings accurate to a T.
  • Gain more visibility through Amazon ads.
  • Use Amazon’s engagement tools:
    • Amazon Live
    • Amazon Posts
  • Create loyalty programs that keep customers coming back.
  • Deliver stellar customer service.

Strategies for Encouraging Reviews

  • Personalize Review Requests Using Amazon’s Request a Review. While Amazon automatically asks for reviews, sending a personal follow-up can make all the difference. Use the ’Request a Review’ button within 4-30 days after delivery to reach out directly to your customers. Don’t want to do this manually? We suggest tools like eDeskFeedback or Jungle Scout to automate this process. Personalize the message by including the customer’s name, linking to the product page, and sharing why their feedback means so much to you. Just remember, no incentives for reviews—Amazon doesn’t allow it!
  • Connect Through Your Own Marketing Channels. If you already have an email list or social media following, take advantage of that connection. Add a friendly note in your emails or social posts, inviting your most loyal customers to leave Amazon online shopping reviews. You might not see a flood of reviews, but the ones that come in will likely be from your biggest fans, giving you quality feedback over time.

Qualifying for Amazon Programs

An Amazon seller should always take advantage of the tools that Amazon provides to increase sales. Among those programs is Amazon Vine.

It is designed to generate high-quality, good reviews, allowing customers to make informed purchasing decisions. After joining the program, you provide products to a trusted group of reviewers, known as Vine Voices, who receive the items for free and, in return, share their honest feedback.

To participate in Vine, sellers must have a Professional selling account, be eligible for FBA products, and be part of the Amazon Brand Registry or offer generic items.

Handling Negative Reviews

Show that you genuinely care about your customers when you see 1-star ratings and negative reviews. Acknowledge their concerns, explain how you’ve fixed the problem, and reassure them it won’t happen again.

Reach out through the Buyer-Seller Messaging Service to offer personal support and help resolve the issue.

Boosting Conversion Rates

When you boost conversion rates, you generate more sales. And with more sales, you strengthen your social proof, as happy customers are more inclined to write positive reviews for your offerings. Some of the best practices include:

  • Feature professionally photographed images that show the product’s most important aspects
  • Optimize the pricing.
  • Test different discounts and promotions and determine which ones bring the most sales.

Competitive Advantage

As an FBA seller, you might see yourself eventually selling your business down the line. Keeping your competitive advantage gives you the chance to maximize the selling price of your company. Talk to the brokers at WebsiteClosers.com to know how you can make the most out of the exit. Call now!

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