Last Updated: November 28, 2025
Want your products to stand out on Amazon’s crowded search results? The Amazon Editorial Recommendations program once gave sellers exactly that edge, and understanding how it worked can still teach crucial strategies for visibility and credibility
Amazon regularly introduces tools and programs to help sellers boost exposure and sales. Understanding these features can give sellers the edge they need in a crowded marketplace like Amazon.
With so many programs available, it can be confusing to know which ones are worth focusing on, including Amazon Editorial Recommendations. Learning how this program works gives sellers insight into improving product visibility, trust, and conversions.
This guide explains what Amazon Editorial Recommendations are and how they help sellers increase visibility, credibility, and sales. We also cover qualification requirements, strategies to get featured, and the 2023 update, discontinuing the program.
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The Latest on Amazon Editorial Recommendations
Amazon Editorial Recommendations are no longer featured on search results pages, and there is no clear indication that the program will return soon. The program, which highlighted products through curated content from trusted publishers, was officially discontinued by Amazon.
For years, this program has allowed publishers to feature top-rated products in prominent sections of the search results, giving sellers high visibility and credibility. Sellers often worked with PR firms to get featured, but the program’s impact on actual sales was inconsistent.
Amazon is now focusing on alternative ways to collaborate with publishers and deliver valuable content to shoppers. While the search result placements are gone, editorial reviews still exist on book pages, allowing authors and publishers to share expert insights in a dedicated section above customer reviews.
What Are Amazon Editorial Recommendations
Amazon Editorial Recommendations are product placements on Amazon search pages curated by third-party publishers. These recommendations are designed to guide shoppers by highlighting products alongside expert insights, making them more likely to be noticed and trusted.
Unlike sponsored ads, Amazon doesn’t create this content itself. Instead, independent publishers in the Onsite Associates Program write the recommendations and earn a commission if customers click through and make a purchase, giving your products a credibility boost.
These recommendations often appear in specialized sections like “Most Wished For” or “Top Picks”, giving featured products prime placement on the search results page. Being included in these sections can increase click-through rates, attract more potential buyers, and strengthen your product’s overall presence on Amazon.
Why Amazon Editorial Recommendations Matter for Sellers
Getting featured in Amazon Editorial Recommendations is important because online shoppers increasingly trust third-party recommendations, with 80% saying an influencer’s advice has impacted their purchase. As more products are showcased through trusted publisher content, sales and brand visibility can grow significantly.
But aside from that, here are the reasons why Amazon Editorial Recommendations matter for sellers:
- They give your products prime placement on the first page of search results, boosting visibility.
- Being featured alongside reputable publishers enhances credibility and trust with shoppers.
- Increased visibility and trust can lead to higher click-through rates and more sales.
- Products included in these recommendations are more likely to improve in organic rankings.
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How Sellers Qualify for Amazon Editorial Recommendations
Before sellers can enjoy the benefits of increased visibility and credibility from Amazon Editorial Recommendations, there are specific requirements that need to be met. By meeting these qualifications, sellers can increase their chances of being featured and maximize the program’s impact on their sales.
1. Minimum Customer Reviews
Products must have at least 100 reviews. This demonstrates that the product has a proven track record and enough social proof to justify being recommended.
2. Product Rating
Listings must maintain an average rating of 4 stars or higher. High ratings signal quality and reliability to both Amazon and potential buyers.
3. Sufficient Inventory
Sellers need enough stock to handle a surge in demand. Running out of inventory could negatively affect visibility and future recommendations.
4. Sales Performance and Keyword Ranking
Products should perform well on key search terms and have strong organic rankings. This ensures that recommendations highlight products already relevant and popular with shoppers.
5. Restricted Categories
Products cannot be related to religion, sex, or drugs, and listings must not include medical claims. This keeps recommendations focused on safe, broadly appealing items.
6. Seller Experience
Editorial Recommendations are designed for established sellers, not beginners. A proven track record of sales and product performance increases the likelihood of being selected.
Crafting an Effective Strategy for Amazon Editorial Recommendations
There are ways to increase your chances of getting featured and driving sales through Amazon Editorial Recommendations. By implementing an effective strategy that targets the right keywords and leverages external traffic, you can boost visibility and improve overall performance.
1. Mid-Tail Keyword Strategy
Target lower search-volume, specialized keywords to increase the chances of appearing in Editorial Recommendations. These keywords are less competitive, making your product more likely to be featured while still attracting relevant, interested customers.
Each mid-tail recommendation builds brand awareness and can drive sales that improve your product’s Best Seller Ranking (BSR). Over time, consistent performance on these keywords can help your product compete for higher-volume, short-tail search terms.
2. Offsite Traffic Strategy
External traffic from large publishers and affiliate networks can signal to Amazon that your product is valuable. Being featured on trusted websites, email newsletters, and social media drives clicks that demonstrate demand and relevance.
This increased external engagement can improve your product’s overall performance metrics. As a result, Amazon is more likely to recognize the product as high-quality and relevant, which can support visibility in programs like Editorial Recommendations.
3. Short-Tail Keyword Strategy
Once your product gains traction with mid-tail keywords, target high-volume, short-tail keywords for broader visibility. Performing well on these keywords helps your product appear on the first SERP for competitive searches and maximizes your share of voice.
Optimizing your sponsored ads alongside short-tail Editorial Recommendations further strengthens your presence on high-traffic pages. This full-cycle strategy, from mid-tail to offsite traffic to short-tail, helps sellers maximize visibility, credibility, and sales potential.
FAQs About Amazon Editorial Recommendations
Why Understanding Amazon Editorial Recommendations Matters
Amazon constantly rolls out features and programs that can impact how your products are seen and sold. Staying on top of these updates is key, and knowing how editorial recommendations worked can give you a strategic edge.
Amazon Editorial Recommendations used to give products premium visibility and credibility by pairing them with trusted publishers. Even though the program is no longer on search pages, the lessons from it still show how strategic placements and trusted endorsements drive sales.
Want to boost your product visibility, credibility, and sales on Amazon? Contact our full-service Amazon agency and let our experts craft strategies that put your brand in front of the right customers.
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