Understanding Amazon SEO: How To Optimize Amazon Listings,Get Found and Get Bought

Let’s cut to it. If you’re selling on Amazon, the game is simple: get seen, get clicked, get bought. But most brands trip over the first step because they don’t understand how Amazon search really works.

Amazon isn’t Google. It doesn’t care about content for content’s sake. It cares about selling. So your job? Build listings that are easy for Amazon to rank and irresistible for customers to click on. Optimizing your Amazon listings is all about the details, like choosing the best image, writing helpful copy, and building out A+ content. Let’s get into it. 

The Big Three: What Makes or Breaks an Amazon Listing

Before we geek out on SEO, understand this: your listing is only as strong as its three core pieces. The three most important things to include and optimize for in your Amazon listings are:

  1. Main image – This is your first handshake with a customer. If it doesn’t grab attention in the search results, nothing else matters.
  2. Listing copy – That’s your title, bullets, and description. It tells the story, answers objections, and moves people to buy.
  3. A+ content – This is the visual section mid-page that helps close the sale. It builds trust and boosts conversion.

If you ignore any of these, your SEO efforts won’t matter.

How Amazon SEO Works

Amazon’s algorithm, known as A9, is built to reward listings that convert. It wants to show the products that are most likely to result in a sale. That means everything from your title to your pricing plays a role in whether you rank.

Let’s walk through the buyer journey from search bar to purchase.

1. The Search Box

Most shopping journeys start with a search. Someone types in “low sugar granola” or “hiking water bottle” and Amazon returns what it thinks are the best matches. Your title, keywords, and category all influence whether you show up.

2. Filters and Sorting

After the initial search, shoppers often filter by price, customer ratings, brand, shipping options, or programs like Subscribe & Save. If your listing is missing key attributes, you might disappear from filtered results entirely.

3. The Search Results Page

This is where SEO really pays off. A few things that influence where you land:

  • Your product title and image
  • Pricing and stock availability
  • How well your listing converts compared to similar products

Tip: Make sure your main image is at least 1000x1000 pixels so Amazon enables the zoom feature. That alone can lift click-through rates.

4. Sponsored Products

These are paid ads that show up in the search results and on your competitor’s listings. They’re based on keyword relevance and your listing’s quality. If your SEO is tight, your ads will perform better and cheaper.

5. Amazon Sales Rank

Sales velocity affects how often your product shows up in organic searches. When your listing converts well, it builds momentum. More sales means better visibility, which leads to more sales. That’s the loop you want to be in.

How To Write Copy for Amazon That’s  SEO-Friendly (Without Sounding Like a Robot)

Start with Your Title

Use your primary keyword right up front. Then add the brand, product type, and key features like size, color, or use case. Keep it clean. Don’t stuff in every keyword you can think of. Write like a human but optimize like an operator.

Nail the Bullets

Use five bullets. Each one should focus on a specific benefit or feature. Start strong with a bold keyword and follow with a short explanation. Keep it clear and punchy. Think like a shopper, not a copywriter.

Write a Real Description

Use the description to go deeper into your product’s value. Tell a story. Show how and when someone might use your product. Keep it readable—short paragraphs, no fluff. And always include a subtle call to action at the end.

Backend Keywords Matter Too

These are the hidden search terms you enter in Seller Central. Use every byte of the 250-character limit. Add alternate spellings, common search terms, and anything you didn’t fit into your visible copy. No commas. Just space-separated words.

The Most Overlooked Tool in Seller Central

The Listing Quality Dashboard. If you’re not using it, start today. Amazon literally tells you what your listing is missing. It flags incomplete attributes, missing images, and even recommends ways to improve discoverability.

Take the hint. Fill in the gaps.

Always Use A+ Content

If you’re Brand Registered, don’t skip A+ content. It’s where your brand voice can shine with visuals, charts, and extra copy. Data shows it lifts conversion rates by 3 to 10 percent. That’s not hype. That’s free money.

Ready to Rank? Let’s Optimize Your Listings and Drive Real Sales

Amazon SEO isn’t just about showing up. It’s about showing up in a way that converts. Most brands leave money on the table because they don’t know how to speak Amazon’s language. That’s where SaleSurf Growth comes in. Whether you need sharper copy, stronger images, or a full SEO overhaul, we help you build listings that rank higher, convert faster, and actually reflect the quality of your product. Ready to stop guessing and start growing? Let’s make your Amazon presence work as hard as you do.

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