How to boost reviews on Amazon without risking suspension

Having positive reviews on Amazon is one of the best ways to increase your online sales - but it is not without pitfalls.

increase Amazon Seller reviews

A rise in fraudulent reviews has seen Amazon clamp down on the activity, and it can lead to suspension or the closing down of accounts.

But there are still ways to earn genuine positive Amazon reviews that will significant aid your business by increasing sales.

Thompson and Holt’s managing partner Craig Gedey has vast experience of the best ways to use the platform, and has a number of tips in order to authentically increase the number of positive Product Reviews your account receives.

Gedey explained: “First of all it is important to identify which kind of reviews are the most important in terms of boosting sales.

“You have Seller Ratings, which are attached to your account and intended to assess your performance history. They are undoubtedly important because buyers will trust accounts with high ratings, and combined with strong Product Reviews that can be a powerful driver for increased sales

“Providing excellent customer service will lead to strong reviews, and if you are providing that then don’t be afraid to ask for feedback to boost your Seller Rating,

“But it is Product Reviews that are the most important for Sellers on Amazon, because they affect your search ranking and product visibility.

“Amazon Product Reviews are the star-rating reviews prominently featured on a product page, just underneath the product title, and you need to focus on gathering four and five star reviews to increase that product visibility.

“It’s important to understand how to receive those positive reviews and how to deal with any negative ones you might receive.”

Thompson and Holt managing partner Gedey has compiled a key list of ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ to follow over Amazon Product Reviews.

DO - Use Amazon’s automated order feedback system. You can set up your account to automatically send feedback request emails following order delivery, but be careful with the language you use. Tell the buyer that their feedback matters and is important, without trying to influence their review.

DON’T - Offer coupons for your site in exchange for positive reviews. This can lead to suspension or the closure of accounts.

DO - Contact buyers through your Seller Central Buyer Message system. Amazon prohibits sellers from contacting Amazon buyers outside of Amazon.

DON’T - Specifically ask for five-star or positive reviews. Again, this risks suspension or closure of accounts.

DO - Customise the messages that you send through the using your Seller Central Feedback Manager. Generic ones are less likely to receive the responses you’re aiming for.

DON’T - Ask a buyer to change a negative review. This is seen as influencing genuine feedback and is frowned on by Amazon.

DO - Create your own Review Email Marketing campaign. While you must not contact buyers outside of the Amazon platform, there’s nothing to prevent you from asking your own website customers to review your products on Amazon. A simple, customised email campaign can suffice and can quickly build your Amazon positive reviews.

Thompson and Holt’s Gedey concludes: “You have to use Amazon’s own system to get reviews and feedback from your customers on the website. But if you sell your products elsewhere, you can use your own customer lists to get Amazon reviews faster than waiting for organic ones to come in, and that is a valuable tool that you shouldn’t be afraid to use.

Always be careful of the language that you use on Amazon’s platforms and follow the guidelines above, and you should see your positive Product Reviews increase quickly.

“If your attempts to increase your Product Reviews does lead to suspension by Amazon, then Thompson and Holt are on hand to help you navigate the issues and get you back online selling as quickly as possible.”