BSR in Helium 10: What It Is & Things You Need to Know

Let’s dive right into what BSR Helium 10 is and everything you need to know about this functionality in Helium 10.

Key Takeaways

• Helium 10’s suite of tools leverages Amazon Best Seller Rank (BSR) data to empower sellers in product research, competitor analysis, and listing optimization.
• A “good” BSR is relative, depending on the product category and niche. Generally, lower is better, but specific targets vary.
• Understanding BSR trends and fluctuations is key to making data-driven decisions for your Amazon business.

What is BSR in Helium 10?

BSR (Best Seller Rank) in Helium 10 is a metric that helps Amazon sellers see how well a product is selling compared to others in its category. A low BSR means the product is selling well, while a high BSR means it’s not selling as well. 

Helium 10 integrates BSR data into several of its powerful tools:

• Black Box: This product research tool lets you filter by BSR to uncover high-demand, potentially profitable niches.
• Xray: This Chrome extension displays BSR and estimated sales directly on Amazon product pages, enabling quick assessment of a product’s marketplace performance.
• Trendster: By showing historical BSR trends, Trendster helps you understand a product’s sales performance over time.

To better understand what Helium 10 BSR is, you can take a look at this video:

What is considered a good BSR? 

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as a “good” BSR varies significantly. A BSR under 1,000 is often considered excellent in highly competitive categories like electronics, while under 10,000 is still quite good. In less crowded niches, like artisanal crafts, a “good” BSR might be higher. 

So, your target BSR should align with your overall sales goals and the specific niche you’re operating in.

How is Helium 10 BSR Calculated?

Amazon keeps the exact BSR calculation formula a secret, but it primarily relies on recent sales velocity within a product category and marketplace. Here’s what we know influences Amazon BSR:

• Recent Sales: The more units sold recently, the lower (better) the BSR.
• Sales History: Consistent sales over time can give a slight edge over recent spikes.
• Product Category: BSR is calculated relative to other products in the same category.
• Marketplace: BSR varies across different Amazon marketplaces (e.g., .com, .ca, .co.uk).
• Frequency of Updates: BSR is updated hourly, reflecting real-time changes in sales.

Important Note: 

BSR is a valuable indicator, but it’s not the sole measure of success. It doesn’t account for factors like profit margins or advertising costs. Always consider BSR alongside other metrics for a comprehensive view.

How BSR helps for Amazon product rankings

BSR is a key component of Amazon’s A9 algorithm, which determines product ranking in search results. A better BSR can significantly enhance your product’s visibility and organic traffic. 

Here’s the breakdown:

1. Visibility and Discoverability: Products with a lower BSR (better sales rank) are more likely to show up on the first page of search results and in category best-seller lists. This means more people see them, leading to higher organic traffic and potential sales.
2. Amazon’s A9 Algorithm: BSR is part of Amazon’s A9 algorithm, which decides the order of product listings in search results. Even though we don’t know exactly how much BSR matters, a better BSR can help a product rank higher, especially when paired with good keywords and positive reviews.
3. Consumer Trust and Perception: BSR acts as social proof for buyers. If a product is ranked high in its category, it can make people trust its quality and popularity more, leading to more clicks and purchases.
4. Eligibility for Special Programs: A good BSR can make a product eligible for special programs like Amazon’s Choice or Best Seller badges, which can boost its visibility and credibility even more.
5. Sales Velocity and the Flywheel Effect: A high BSR shows strong sales, creating a positive loop. More visibility leads to more sales, improving the BSR further and attracting even more buyers.

Strategies to improve a product’s BSR using Helium 10’s tools

Here are some strategies and tactics you can implement using Helium 10:

1. Product Research and Optimization:

• Black Box: Use Black Box to find high-demand, low-competition niches with good BSR potential. For example, you might find a niche in eco-friendly kitchenware with low competition. Filter products by BSR, search volume, and other criteria to identify profitable opportunities.
• Xray: Analyze competitor listings to identify their keywords, pricing strategies, and review patterns. Suppose a competitor’s eco-friendly kitchenware has a lot of reviews mentioning “BPA-free.” You can use this keyword to optimize your listing and better compete, improving your BSR.
• Cerebro: Discover high-performing keywords that your competitors rank for. If competitors in your niche rank high for “biodegradable kitchen products,” incorporate these keywords into your listing to increase visibility and attract more potential buyers.

2. Keyword Research and Optimization:

• Magnet: Find relevant, high-volume keywords that buyers use to search for products like yours. If “sustainable kitchenware” is a high-volume keyword, include it in your title, bullet points, and product description to improve your search ranking.
• Frankenstein: Refine your keyword list and identify the most relevant terms to target. For example, from a long list of keywords, you might narrow it down to “compostable utensils” and “reusable kitchen items.” Optimize your listing with these keywords to improve your BSR and drive more organic traffic.

3. Listing Optimization:

• Scribbles: Ensure your listing is fully optimized with relevant keywords, compelling copy, and high-quality images. A well-optimized listing, like one with a clear title, detailed bullet points, and vibrant images of your biodegradable utensils, can improve your conversion rate, leading to increased sales and a better BSR.
• Listing Analyzer: Evaluate your listing’s performance and identify areas for improvement. For instance, if your images are not high quality, updating them could enhance your listing’s visibility and sales.

4. Inventory Management and Pricing:

• Inventory Protector: Prevent inventory depletion, which can negatively impact your BSR. Set alerts to restock inventory before it runs out. For example, if your stock of reusable straws is low, restock promptly to maintain sales and BSR.
• Profits: Track your profit margins and adjust your pricing strategy. Competitive pricing can attract more buyers. If your eco-friendly cutlery set is slightly cheaper than competitors, it might lead to increased sales and a better BSR.

5. Marketing and Promotion:

• Portals: Create landing pages and promotional campaigns to drive external traffic to your Amazon listing. For instance, a landing page showcasing your bamboo kitchenware can attract more customers, boosting sales and improving your BSR.
• Audience: Build email lists and target specific customer segments with personalized promotions. Sending special offers on your compostable plates to previous customers can increase engagement and drive repeat purchases, improving your BSR over time.

6. Monitoring and Analytics:

• Keyword Tracker: Monitor your keyword rankings and track your progress over time. If “eco-friendly kitchen tools” drives a lot of traffic and sales, focus on it and adjust your strategy accordingly.
• Alerts: Set up alerts for changes in competitor pricing, inventory levels, and BSR. If a competitor drops their price on reusable kitchen items, consider adjusting yours to stay competitive and maintain a strong BSR.

Where Can You Find BSR on Amazon Product Listings? 

Using X-ray on Helium 10:

Step 1. Turn on X-ray: Make sure the X-ray tool is on in the Helium 10 Chrome extension.

Step 2. Search for a Product: Type what you want to find in the Amazon search bar.

Step 3. See BSR Numbers: Look at the search results. The X-ray tool will show BSR numbers.

Note: A product can have more than one BSR because it is listed in different categories.

Optional Step:

• Click the small graph icon next to the BSR number to see how the BSR has changed over time.

Manually Checking BSR:

1. Open the Product Listing: Click on the product you want to check.
2. Scroll Down: Go to the “Product Information” section to find the BSR.

Checking BSR manually takes more time if you have many products to look at.

Important Considerations:

• Not All Products Have a BSR: New or low-selling products might not have a BSR displayed until they accumulate enough sales history.
• BSR is Category-Specific: The BSR reflects a product’s ranking within its specific category and subcategory. A product might have multiple BSRs if it’s listed in multiple categories.
• BSR is Dynamic: BSR is updated hourly based on recent sales data, so it can fluctuate throughout the day.

How to analyze BSR trends and fluctuations

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to analyze BSR trends:

Gather Historical BSR Data:

• Use tools like Helium 10’s Trendster to collect historical BSR data for your product and competitors over several months to a year.
• Export this data into a spreadsheet or data visualization tool for easier analysis.

Visualize BSR Trends:

• Create line graphs or charts to see BSR over time. This helps identify patterns, seasonality, and trends.
• Compare your product’s BSR trend with competitors to see how you perform in the market.

Identify Key Fluctuations:

• Look for big changes in BSR and investigate why they happened. These could be due to:
  • Seasonal changes in demand (like holiday shopping or summer products)
  • Promotional activities (like discounts or advertising campaigns)
  • Competitor actions (like new product launches or price changes)
  • External events (like news articles or product reviews)

Analyze Seasonal Patterns:

• Check if your product shows seasonal trends in BSR. This helps plan inventory, adjust pricing, and optimize marketing.

Compare Against Competitors:

• Benchmark your product’s BSR against competitors to find your strengths and weaknesses.
• Study competitors’ BSR changes to understand their strategies and anticipate their next moves.

Look for Correlations:

• See if BSR changes correlate with factors like:
  • Price changes
  • Advertising campaigns
  • Keyword ranking changes
  • Review ratings and volume

Set BSR Benchmarks and Goals:

• Use your analysis to set realistic BSR goals for your product. This helps track progress and make data-driven decisions.

Monitor BSR Regularly:

• BSR can change often. Use tools like Helium 10 to monitor it regularly and respond quickly to any changes.

Additional Tips:

• Segment Your Analysis: Analyze BSR trends by different marketplaces, product variations, or time periods for deeper insights.
• Consider External Factors: Account for industry trends, economic conditions, and consumer behavior that might influence BSR.
• Don’t Rely Solely on BSR: While BSR is useful, consider it along with other factors like sales volume, profit margins, and customer reviews for a complete understanding of your product’s performance.

What Is the Difference Between BSR and Organic Rank?

BSR (Best Seller Rank) and Organic Rank are two distinct metrics on Amazon, each serving a different purpose and calculated differently:

How Can You Improve Your BSR?

Improving your BSR means increasing your product’s visibility, trustworthiness, and sales potential on Amazon. Here are some of our suggestions:

Optimize Your Product Listing:

• Keyword Research: Use tools like Helium 10 Magnet to find high-volume search terms. Include these keywords in your product title, bullet points, description, and backend keywords.
• Compelling Product Description: Write a persuasive description that highlights the benefits and features of your product, addressing customer questions and pain points.
• High-Quality Images: Use professional, high-resolution images showing your product from multiple angles and highlighting its key features.
• Competitive Pricing: Research your competitors’ pricing and set a competitive price. Offer discounts or promotions to attract more buyers.
• A+ Content: Enhance your listing with A+ Content to create an appealing and informative product page, which can improve conversion rates.

Drive Traffic to Your Listing:

• Amazon Advertising: Use Amazon’s advertising options (Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, Sponsored Display) to increase visibility and drive targeted traffic.
• External Traffic: Promote your product on social media, your website, or through influencer marketing to bring external traffic to your Amazon listing.
• Email Marketing: Build an email list and send targeted email campaigns to promote your product.

Increase Sales Velocity:

• Promotions and Discounts: Offer limited-time discounts, coupons, or bundle deals to boost sales.
• Lightning Deals: Participate in Amazon’s Lightning Deals to offer your product at a discounted price for a limited time, increasing visibility and sales potential.
• Inventory Management: Ensure you have enough inventory to meet demand and avoid stockouts, which can negatively affect your BSR.
• Positive Reviews: Encourage customers to leave positive reviews by providing excellent customer service and addressing any issues quickly.

Utilize Helium 10 Tools:

• Black Box: Find high-demand, low-competition product niches with good BSR potential.
• Xray: Analyze competitor listings for insights on keywords, pricing, and reviews.
• Trendster: Track your product’s BSR history to identify trends and optimize strategies.
• Cerebro: Discover high-performing keywords used by competitors.
• Magnet: Generate a comprehensive list of relevant keywords for your listing.
• Scribbles: Ensure your listing is fully optimized with relevant keywords and engaging content.

Additional Tips:

• Focus on Conversion Rate: Optimize your listing to convert visitors into buyers with persuasive copy, clear calls to action, and a seamless checkout process.
• Offer Excellent Customer Service: Respond promptly to customer inquiries and address any issues to encourage positive reviews and repeat purchases.
• Join Amazon Brand Registry: If you’re a brand owner, enroll in the Amazon Brand Registry to access additional tools and features to protect your brand and enhance your listing.

FAQs: BSR Helium 10

Conclusion

I hope this article about BSR Helium 10 is helpful! Please let me know if you have any other questions.