How Many Reviews Do I Need to Sell on Amazon? (And How to Get Them the Right Way)

Do you need a certain number of reviews?

No. Amazon does not ask for a minimum number of reviews before you can sell. A new product can sell with zero reviews.

But shoppers think about trust. When two products look the same, many people pick the one with more reviews and a better star rating. So reviews do help. The right goal is not a magic number. The goal is a good product, a good page, and real reviews that come in slowly and honestly.

What is not allowed

Amazon takes review rules very seriously. These things are banned:

• Paying for reviews. This includes small gifts, gift cards, and refunds in return for a review.
• Review swaps. "You review mine, I review yours" is not allowed.
• Reviews from people close to you. Family, friends, and staff should not review your product.
• Asking only happy buyers. You cannot filter and ask only people who will say good things.
• Asking for a good review. You can ask for a review. You cannot ask for a positive one.
• Fake reviews from review groups or paid services.

The risk is real. Amazon can remove reviews, remove your listing, or close your selling account. A few fake reviews are not worth that.

Safe ways to earn reviews

1. Make a good product and a clear page. Many bad reviews come from a page that promised something the product did not do. Honest photos and text help.
2. Use the Request a Review button. In Seller Central, you can ask a buyer to leave a review after an order. It is made for this and it is allowed.
3. Join Amazon Vine, if you qualify. Vine lets trusted reviewers get free units and write honest reviews. It can help a new product get its first reviews. Amazon sets the rules. At the time of writing, a branded product needs Brand Registry, must be sold with FBA, and must have fewer than 30 reviews. Amazon may charge a fee for each product, and you give the units away for free. Check the current Vine page in Seller Central before you plan.
4. Use good packaging and a simple insert. A short thank-you card is fine. Do not offer anything in return, and do not ask for only good reviews. Read Amazon's current rules on inserts.
5. Answer problems fast. A buyer with a problem who gets a quick, kind answer may not leave a bad review. Do not pay or pressure them to remove one.
6. Fix the cause of bad reviews. Read your 1-star and 2-star reviews. They show you what to fix in the product or the page.

What to do while you have few reviews

Reviews take time. While you wait, you can help shoppers trust you in other ways:

• Use clear photos that show size and use.
• Write plain, honest bullet points.
• Answer questions in the Q&A section.
• Keep prices fair.
• If you are a brand owner, join Brand Registry so you can use stronger page tools.

Ads can also bring the first visitors to your page. But ads will not fix a page that has problems. If your sales are low, see why your Amazon sales may be low.

A simple example

Imagine a brand that sells silicone baking mats. The product is new, and it has two reviews. The owner sends a thank-you card in the box, with no request for a good review, and uses the Request a Review button for each order. The owner also reads a 2-star review that says the mat is too thin, and later changes the page to show the real thickness.

After some weeks, the reviews grow slowly and the new ones are more positive. This example is made up to show the steps. Real results will differ, and nothing here is a promise.

What if a bad review hurts you?

You cannot remove a review just because you do not like it. You can ask Amazon to look at a review that breaks their rules, such as one with abuse, a hidden ad, or a review about shipping only. For fair but bad reviews, reply to the buyer with a polite, helpful comment and fix the cause.

Where the other options fit

You can build reviews yourself. It takes patience and good habits. Some brands choose a partner who helps with listing quality and ads. AceeNova is a Calgary-based Amazon partner. We buy brand products, improve listings, and pay for ads, with no fee to the brand. It is not the right fit for every brand. See Sell on Amazon Yourself, Hire an Agency, or Sell to a Reseller?

Quick checklist

• Do not pay, swap, or gift for reviews.
• Do not ask only happy buyers.
• Use the Request a Review button.
• Check if Amazon Vine fits your brand.
• Read your bad reviews and fix the cause.
• Keep photos and text honest.

If you want help with your own page and reviews, we are happy to talk. Book a free call