How Amazon’s Algorithm Works for Merch by Amazon

 

Amazon’s A9 algorithm (used for search rankings) is different from Google. It prioritizes:

  1. Relevance – How well does the listing match the customer’s search?
  2. Click-Through Rate (CTR) – Are customers clicking on your listing?
  3. Conversion Rate (CVR) – Are people actually buying after clicking?
  4. Sales Velocity – More sales = Higher ranking.
  5. Customer Satisfaction – Reviews, returns, and engagement.

Amazon does not rely on backlinks or external SEO signals like Google. Instead, the title, brand, and bullet points play the biggest role in search visibility.


1. How Amazon Uses the Title, Brand, and Bullets

1.1. Title (Most Important for Ranking)

  • Amazon prioritizes keywords in the title for search ranking.

  • The title must be concise, descriptive, and keyword-optimized.

  • The first 5-7 words are the most important because they are visible in mobile search results.

  • Example of a strong title (Evergreen):
    "Funny Cat Lover Shirt - Cute Pet Owner Gift for Men & Women"

    • The main keyword ("Funny Cat Lover Shirt") is placed first.
    • Secondary keywords are included for better ranking.
  • Example of a strong title (Event-Based):
    "St. Patrick's Day Shirt - Funny Irish Drinking T-Shirt for Men"

    • The event keyword ("St. Patrick's Day Shirt") is first.
    • Secondary keyword (Funny Irish Drinking T-Shirt) helps rank for multiple searches.

1.2. Brand Name (Secondary Ranking Factor)

  • The brand name is indexed, meaning it can help with ranking.
  • Many sellers use brand names that include extra keywords (but avoid keyword stuffing).
  • Example (Evergreen): "Funny Cat Shirts by PetLovers"
  • Example (Event-Based): "St. Patrick’s Party Tees Co."

1.3. Bullet Points (Helps Conversion + SEO)

  • Bullets are indexed for search but have less weight than the title.

  • Amazon scans them for relevance, so they should include:

    • Related keywords
    • Emotional appeal
    • Call-to-action
  • Example Bullet Points (Evergreen - Funny Cat Shirt)

    • 🐱 This hilarious cat lover t-shirt is perfect for men, women, and kids who love their furry pets. A great gift for birthdays and Christmas!
    • 🎁 Looking for a unique cat-themed present? This cute and comfy tee is great for cat moms, dads, and all feline enthusiasts!
  • Example Bullet Points (Event-Based - St. Patrick’s Day Shirt)

    • 🍀 Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day in style with this funny drinking shirt. Perfect for pub crawls, parties, and festive gatherings!
    • 🎉 Makes a great St. Patrick’s Day gift for men and women who love beer, whiskey, and all things Irish!

2. Should You Use Full Optimization (Title + Brand + Bullets) or Just Title + Brand?

For Evergreen Designs (Long-Term Sales)

Use Full Optimization (Title + Brand + Bullet Points)
🔹 Why?

  • Evergreen niches are highly competitive.
  • Customers read bullet points before purchasing.
  • Bullets improve conversion rate (CVR) → Higher sales → Higher ranking.
  • Amazon indexes bullet points, helping with long-tail keywords.

📌 Best Strategy:

  • Title: Strong primary and secondary keywords
  • Brand Name: Extra keywords if possible
  • Bullet Points: Benefits + emotional appeal + secondary keywords

For Event-Based Designs (Short-Term Sales)

Prioritize Title + Brand (Short, Focused Bullets or None)
🔹 Why?

  • Event-based shirts have a short lifespan, so they need to rank fast.
  • Most customers buy quickly without reading bullet points.
  • Amazon ranks fast-selling shirts higher (Sales Velocity > Bullets).
  • You don’t want to over-optimize, as ranking is mainly based on the title.

📌 Best Strategy:

  • Title: Super optimized with the event name first.
  • Brand Name: Keyword-based but still natural.
  • Bullet Points: Short and to the point (or skip them for faster ranking).

3. Does Amazon Treat Events and Evergreen Shirts Differently?

Yes! Amazon adjusts its search algorithm based on buyer behavior:

  1. Event-based designs get a ranking boost during peak seasons.
    • Amazon prioritizes recent uploads that get sales quickly.
    • Older designs lose ranking if they don’t sell fast.
  2. Evergreen designs compete on long-term sales, reviews, and SEO.

So, for events, ranking depends more on timing and strong titles.
For evergreen designs, long-term optimization wins.


4. Final Verdict: Which Strategy is Best for Faster Sales?

StrategyEvergreen (Long-Term)Event-Based (Short-Term)
Title✅ Must be highly optimized✅ Super optimized (Event first)
Brand Name✅ Should include keywords✅ Should include keywords
Bullet Points✅ Necessary (boosts conversions)🚫 Optional (focus on speed)
Ranking Speed⚡ Slow at first but stable long-term⚡⚡⚡ Fast but short-lived
Sales StrategyFocus on SEO + ConversionsFocus on Ranking Fast

📌 TL;DR:

  • Evergreen shirtsUse Full Optimization (Title + Brand + Bullets)
  • Event-based shirtsUse Short Optimization (Title + Brand, short/no bullets)

5. Pro Tips to Sell Even Faster

For evergreen:

  • Target sub-niches (Funny Nurse Shirt instead of just Funny Shirt).
  • Avoid overused keywords (e.g., "Best Dad Ever" is too competitive).

For events:

  • Upload 2-3 months before the event to get indexed early.
  • Use Ads (Amazon PPC) for quick ranking.

Final Answer:

For evergreen, use full optimization (Title + Brand + Bullet Points).
For events, focus on Title + Brand (bullets optional).