What Is Amazon BSR (Best Seller Rank)?

Amazon Best Seller Rank (BSR), often simply referred to as Amazon Sales Rank, is a scoring system established by Amazon to represent the popularity of a specific product within its category. This rank is calculated based on the sales history of the product and is relative to other products in the same category or sub-category.

The Concept of Amazon BSR

In the simplest of terms, a product’s BSR, which is updated hourly, indicates how well a product is selling on Amazon. It is a dynamic, comparative metric that allows sellers and buyers to understand a product’s sales performance in the marketplace. Lower BSR numbers imply better performance: for instance, a product with a BSR of #1 is currently the best-selling product in its category.

How is Amazon Best Sellers Rank Calculated?

Amazon is not entirely transparent about the specifics of the algorithm it uses to calculate Amazon Best Seller Rank (BSR). However, it is generally understood that several key factors go into determining this metric:

• Current and past historical sales 
• Promotions and change in price
• Competing products performance 

BSR is calculated relative to other products within the same category or sub-category. This means that a product’s BSR is heavily influenced by the size and competitiveness of its category. For example, a product may sell hundreds of units per day but have a relatively high BSR if it’s in a highly competitive category. Conversely, a product selling just a few units per day might have a low BSR in a less competitive category.

How to Find Amazon Best Sellers Rank?

Amazon Best Sellers Rank (BSR) can be found directly on the product detail page. Here is how you can locate it:

1. Search for a product on Amazon: Use the search bar at the top of the page to search for the product you’re interested in.
2. Click on the product name: From the list of search results, click on the name of the product you want to check. This will take you to its product detail page.
3. Scroll down to the “Product Details” section: On the product detail page, scroll down until you find the “Product Details” section. This is typically located towards the bottom of the page.
4. Find the Amazon Best Sellers Rank: In the “Product Details” section, you’ll see a field labeled “Amazon Best Seller Rank”. The BSR will be displayed here, often with the main category and any relevant subcategories.

It’s also worth noting that some products may not have a BSR. This is typically the case for very new products that haven’t made many sales yet, or for products listed in categories that Amazon does not track for BSR.

What is a good Best Seller Rank?

The interpretation of a “good” Best Sellers Rank (BSR) on Amazon can vary greatly depending on the category or subcategory in question. In general, a lower BSR means that a product is selling better relative to other products in the same category. A product with a BSR of #1, for instance, is the top-selling product in its category.

As a rule of thumb, a product with a BSR under #10,000 is often considered to be selling relatively well, as it is in the top 10,000 best-selling products in its category. However, this can fluctuate significantly depending on the competitiveness and size of the category.

In highly competitive categories, such as Electronics or Books, being in the top 10,000 might still mean substantial sales due to the large number of products in those categories. On the other hand, in smaller, less competitive categories, a BSR of #10,000 might not translate into significant sales volume.

A “good” BSR can also depend on your business objectives and product niche. For some sellers, a BSR in the top 1% of their category might be excellent, while for others, a BSR in the top 10% might be satisfactory. Understanding your product niche, competition on Amazon, and your business goals can help you determine what a good BSR is for your specific situation.

What Is a ‘Best Seller’ Badge And How to Get It?

The Amazon “Best Seller” badge is a small orange flag that appears next to a product’s title on the search and product detail pages. This badge indicates that the product is currently the top-selling item in its category or sub-category, based on Amazon Best Seller Rank (BSR). It’s a valuable asset because it gives the product a high degree of visibility and credibility, often leading to increased sales.

So how can a seller get a “Best Seller” badge? Brands can only get “Best Seller” badge by consistently selling more units in specific category over a certain period of time than any other competitor.

The process of achieving this goal involves a well-rounded strategy that focuses on increasing sales by utilizing Amazon PPC,  and Amazon SEO listing optimization.

Limitations of BSR

While BSR is a helpful indicator of a product’s relative sales performance on Amazon, it has limitations. Firstly, the BSR is highly volatile as it is updated hourly and it reflects the sales of a product relative to others in the same category. A product’s rank can fluctuate drastically within a day based on its sales and the sales of other products.

Secondly, BSR does not provide an absolute sales number, making it a somewhat opaque measure of a product’s actual sales volume. For instance, two products could have similar BSRs but vastly different sales volumes depending on the size and competitiveness of their category.

Lastly, while BSR can suggest product demand, it doesn’t consider product profitability. High sales volume does not always equate to high profitability, especially if the product costs are high or the selling price is low.

Importance of BSR for Sellers

BSR is a vital metric for Amazon sellers. By understanding their product’s BSR, sellers can gain insight into the performance of their products compared to others in the same category. This can help them make informed decisions about inventory management, pricing strategies, and marketing initiatives.

Moreover, a high-performing BSR can increase a product’s visibility on the platform. Products with better BSRs often appear more frequently in Amazon search results and recommendations, which can lead to more sales and further improve BSR.

Conclusion

The Amazon Best Sellers Rank is a valuable tool for understanding a product’s sales performance relative to its competition. While it has its limitations and should not be the sole metric for making business decisions, it can provide key insights for sellers looking to increase their product visibility and sales on Amazon. It’s a complex metric, and understanding its nuances can aid sellers in crafting more effective Amazon strategies.