What is BSR on Amazon?

BSR, or Best Sellers Rank, is a ranking system on Amazon. It shows how well a product sells compared to others in its category. The lower the number, the better it sells. For example, a BSR of 1 means it’s the top seller in its category.

How is Amazon Best Sellers Rank calculated?

Amazon Best Sellers Rank (BSR) is calculated based on sales. Here’s a simple breakdown:

  • Sales are Key: BSR mainly depends on how many items are sold. More sales mean a better (lower) BSR.
  • Recent Sales Matter More: Amazon looks at recent sales data. This means newer sales impact BSR more than older ones.
  • Category Specific: Each product’s BSR is compared to others in its category. So, a product can have different ranks in different categories.
  • Dynamic and Constantly Changing: BSR updates hourly. This means it can change quickly based on how often a product is sold.
  • Not Influenced by Reviews or Ratings: Unlike some might think, customer reviews or product ratings don’t directly affect BSR.
  • Seasonal and Trend Impacts: During certain times, like holidays, sales patterns change. This can affect BSR.

In short, BSR is a reflection of recent sales compared to other products in the same category, constantly updating to show current sales trends.

What is a good BSR?

There’s no specific “good” Best Sellers Rank, and ultimately the lower a product’s BSR, the better.

But the BSR you might aim for on Amazon depends on a few things:

  1. Category Size: In big categories with lots of products, a lower BSR (like in the top 1000) is great. In smaller categories, being in the top 100 might be good.
  2. Marketplace: In high-volume marketplaces like the US, a higher BSR (e.g. in the top 1000) can mean equal or better sales than products with a lower BSR (e.g. in the top 100) in a lower-volume marketplace like Canada or Germany.
  3. Product Type and Competition: Some products are in super competitive categories. Here, even a BSR in the low thousands can have a lot of volume.
  4. Sales Goals: For big brands, a top 100 BSR might be the goal. But for smaller sellers, a higher BSR (like top 5000) might still mean good sales.
  5. Consistency Over Time: A BSR that stays good over time is better than one that jumps up and down a lot.
  6. Seasonal Changes: During holidays or sales, BSR can change a lot. So, what’s “good” can vary depending on the time of year.

In short, a good BSR isn’t just about a low number. It’s about how your product ranks in its specific category, how it matches your sales goals, and how stable it is over time.

NOTE

Remember that BSR is relative to the category a product is in. Just because a product’s BSR drops, doesn’t mean its sales volume has dropped. It may just be that other products around it have increased sales volume, perhaps due to seasonality.

How to check your Amazon Best Seller Rank

To check your Best Seller Rank, head to your product page on Amazon.

Scroll down to the ‘Product information’ section and under ‘Additional information’ you’ll find Best Sellers Rank:

amazon best sellers rank on a listing

This product is ranked number 30 in the sports and outdoors category which will be very lucrative.

In fact, BSR is the metric most Amazon seller tools use to estimate sales volume, and Helium 10 suggests this product is generating a cool $1.1m in monthly sales:

amazon best sellers rank sales estimates screenshot from helium 10

You’ll often see multiple categories listed, and these are usually the sub-categories a product is in along with its top-level category.

PRO TIP

Follow the link to see the top 100 products in the category to get an idea of what else is selling well in a given category.

How to improve Best Sellers Rank

To drive your Best Sellers Rank down as low as possible, try these tips:

1. Understand Amazon’s algorithm

Amazon’s algorithm is like a puzzle.

It looks at sales, customer behavior, and product details. To improve BSR, understand how sales impact rankings.

For example, if your product sells more in a short time, its BSR improves.

Remember, Amazon updates BSR hourly. So, quick sales changes can move your rank fast.

Keep in mind, sales history also matters. A steady seller might rank better than a one-time bestseller.

2. Optimize product listings

Your product page is your sales pitch. As such, it’s crucial to:

  • Use clear, attractive titles
  • Describe your product well and highlight key features
  • Use high-quality images that show your product in use

For example, if you’re selling a yoga mat, use images showing its thickness, texture, and someone using it.

Keywords are also key. Use words that customers might search for.

This can help your product show up in searches, leading to more sales and a better BSR.

MORE: Amazon Listing Optimization: The Ultimate Guide

3. Use effective pricing strategies

Price smartly.

Too high, and customers might skip your product. Too low, and you might not make enough profit.

Watch your competitors’ prices. If they drop prices, consider if you should too.

Offer deals and discounts on special occasions like holidays.

For example, a small discount during the holiday season can boost your sales and improve your BSR.

4. Leverage Amazon Advertising

Amazon’s advertising tools can put your product in front of more customers.

Use Sponsored Products to appear higher in search results.

For instance, if you’re selling sports shoes, an ad can show your product when someone searches for “running shoes.”

This can lead to more sales, which can improve your BSR. Remember, good ads need good keywords and attractive product pages.

MORE: Amazon PPC: A Beginner’s Tutorial

5. Drive external traffic to Amazon listings

Don’t just rely on Amazon for traffic.

Use:

  • Google Ads
  • Social media
  • Email marketing
  • Influencer marketing

…to bring customers to your Amazon product.

For example, share your product on your Instagram with a link to your Amazon page. More traffic can mean more sales, helping your BSR.

MORE: How To Drive External Traffic To Amazon Listings

6. Encourage customer reviews

Good reviews can make your product more appealing.

Ask customers to leave a review after they buy, but be sure to follow Amazon’s rules on this.

More positive reviews can lead to more trust and more sales, which can boost your BSR.

For example, automating a follow-up review request can be very effective.

MORE: How To Get Reviews On Amazon

7. Manage inventory effectively

Running out of stock can hurt your BSR, so keep an eye on your inventory.

Use Amazon’s tools to track how much you have left. Plan for busy times like holidays to have enough stock.

For example, if you sell toys, make sure you have more before Christmas.

Good inventory management means you’re always ready to make a sale, which keeps your BSR stable.

Each of these strategies requires careful planning and attention to detail, but they can significantly influence your product’s BSR on Amazon.

NOTE

Amazon Best Sellers Rank has no impact on future sales and is only an indicator of recent and historical sales history.

Amazon sales rank vs BSR

Improving Best Sellers Rank does not guarantee better sales in the future, but it is a byproduct of activities that will certainly improve future sales.

What will impact future sales is your organic ranking on Amazon.

Let’s look at the key differences between organic ranking and BSR.

BSR

  • Focuses on Sales: BSR shows how well a product sells compared to others in its category. It’s all about sales numbers.
  • Category-Based: Each category on Amazon has its own BSR. So, a product can have different ranks in different categories.
  • Updated Frequently: Amazon updates BSR regularly, often every hour. This means it can change fast based on sales.
  • No Direct Search Influence: BSR doesn’t directly affect where a product shows up in search results.

Organic Ranking

  • Search Result Placement: This is about where a product appears in Amazon’s search results when a customer searches for a keyword.
  • Based on Relevance and Performance: Organic sales rank considers how relevant a product is to the search and its performance (like customer feedback).
  • Influenced by Many Factors: Things like customer reviews, price, sales history, and how well the listing matches search terms affect this.
  • Aims to Match Customer Searches: The goal of organic ranking is to show customers products that match what they’re looking for.

For example, a product might have a high BSR (meaning it sells well) but not appear at the top of search results if it’s not seen as relevant to common search terms.

Similarly, a product could rank well organically for certain keywords but if they have low overall search volume and demand then the product may have a lower Best Seller Ranking.

Amazon Best Sellers Rank FAQs

BSR, or Best Sellers Rank, reflects a product’s sales performance in its category, based on recent sales and sales history. The lower the BSR, the better the product is selling. On the other hand, Amazon’s Choice highlights products that are well-priced, highly rated, and ready to ship immediately. Amazon’s Choice is influenced by customer behavior, including search terms. So, while Best Sellers Rank focuses on sales, Amazon’s Choice is about matching customer searches with quality products at good prices.

Amazon updates the Best Sellers Rank for products approximately every hour. This means the BSR is a dynamic and constantly changing measure, reflecting the most recent sales trends. Because of these frequent updates, a product’s Best Seller Rank can fluctuate significantly throughout a day based on how it and its competitors are selling.

A high BSR, indicating a lower numerical rank and higher sales volume, does suggest popularity, but it doesn’t directly guarantee future sales. The BSR is a historical snapshot, reflecting how well a product has sold compared to others in its category. It doesn’t account for factors like future market changes, competitor actions, or customer preferences. For example, a product might have a high BSR today but could drop if a new, more popular product is introduced or if market trends shift.

Yes, improving Best Sellers Rank isn’t just about lowering prices. Focus on optimizing your product listing with high-quality images and detailed, keyword-rich descriptions. Effective Amazon SEO practices can increase visibility, leading to more sales. Encouraging customer reviews can also enhance trust and attract more buyers. Using Amazon’s advertising tools to increase product visibility and driving external traffic to your Amazon listings are also effective strategies. All these factors can lead to increased sales and a better BSR without necessarily reducing the product price.

Seasonal trends significantly impact BSR. During peak seasons, like holidays, products relevant to the season can see a surge in sales, improving their Best Sellers Rank. Conversely, off-season products might experience a drop in sales and a worse BSR. For example, Christmas decorations will likely have a better BSR during the holiday season.

A high BSR in a main category usually indicates broader appeal and potentially higher sales volumes, as main categories are more competitive. However, achieving a high BSR in a main category can be challenging due to the number of competing products. A high BSR in a subcategory might be easier to attain and can target a more specific, possibly less competitive audience. For example, a high Best Sellers Rank in the general “Books” category is more significant than in a subcategory like “Mystery Romance,” but the latter could indicate a strong presence in a niche market.

Promotional events can have a substantial impact on BSR. Sales, discounts, or special events like Amazon’s Prime Day can temporarily boost a product’s sales volume, leading to a better Best Sellers Rank. However, this effect might be short-lived if regular sales don’t sustain post-promotion. For instance, a product might jump in Amazon Best Seller Rank during a promotion but could fall back once the event ends and sales normalize.