The Candy Collection

How to Improve Your Amazon Account Health Rating in 2024

Written by Marija Cvetkovic | July 26, 2024

Running an FBA business? Then you probably know how crucial it is to keep an eye on your Amazon account health. Neglect it, and you could see your sales dip—or worse, face a suspension.

Why risk your profits? Our guide is here to help. We've broken down the essentials, making it easy to monitor and boost your overall account health rating. 

Want to make your FBA journey smoother and more successful? Keep reading. We're diving into the must-knows and must-dos that could save your business from hitting a snag.

 

What is The Amazon Account Health Rating (AHR) 

The Amazon Account Health Rating (AHR) is a metric used to monitor your Amazon account health in Amazon Seller Central. 

Factors that affect Amazon’s account health rating include:

  • Order Defect Rate: Are your customers satisfied?

  • Shipping Performance: How quickly are orders going out?

  • Pre-Fulfillment Cancellation Rate: How often do you cancel orders before shipping?

What’s a Good Account Health Rating on Amazon 

So, what does a good AHR look like? Much like traffic lights, your health rating will display 

in three colors plus scores. Let’s dive into what they mean for your business:

  • Green - Healthy: Scoring between 200 and 1,000? You're in great shape! This means you're meeting or beating Amazon’s rules. It’s like acing an exam—keep it up!

  • Yellow - At Risk: Find yourself in the 100 to 199 range? Consider this a yellow light—caution. It's time to step up your game and fix things before they slide further.

  • Red - Unhealthy: Below 99? Red alert! Your account is in critical condition, and Amazon may deactivate it. You need to take immediate action to get back on track.

Don’t just sit back—make your AHR a priority. Remember, regular checks and quick fixes improve your account health, keeping your business healthy and competitive. Got any concerns or need tips on maintaining good account health? Let’s chat—we’re here to help you stay in the game and thrive

 

How to Find Your Amazon Account Health Rating

To view your Amazon Account Health dashboard in Amazon Seller Central, navigate to the account performance tab by following these instructions:

Step 1: Click on Account Health

Step 2: Go to Seller Central

Step 3: Choose the Performance Menu, then Account Health

In this section, you'll find a summary of your compliance with Amazon policies.

You can also examine negative feedback and chargeback claims on the Amazon Health page. This will help you understand areas for improvement and maintain a healthy account.

 

How is Your Amazon Account Health Rating Calculated

The Amazon Account Health Rating,  a crucial account metric, is calculated based on a score from 1 to 1000. The metric score is determined by taking into account various key performance indicators:

  • Order Defect Rate (ODR): You want fewer complaints, guarantee claims, and chargebacks—aim for less than 1%.

  • Late Shipment Rate: Ever waited too long for a delivery? Exactly. Ship on time; keep this rate below 4%.

  • Valid Tracking Rate: Send packages with valid tracking info and aim for at least 95% accuracy.

  • On-time Delivery Rate: Delivering on time builds trust. Hit a target of at least 97% to keep customers happy.

  • Policy Compliance: Adhering to Amazon’s policies is essential. Failure to adhere to Amazon’s guidelines could lead to account suspension or worse

The better you perform in these areas, the higher your score climbs. It’s as simple as that.

Amazon Account Health Assurance

In April 2024, Amazon introduced a new Account Health Assurance (AHA) feature for sellers who consistently maintain a high Account Health Rating (AHR). 

Here's the deal: This initiative prevents account deactivation while sellers work with Amazon to resolve any issues. Pretty sweet, right?

So, how do you get in on this? It's simple:

  • You need a pro account

  • Keep that AHR above 250 for at least half a year

  • Make sure you've got a valid emergency contact in Seller Central

If you tick all these boxes, you're automatically in the club. Want more details? Just hop over to their FAQ page.

 

8 Ways to Improve Your Amazon Account Health Rating

Keeping your Amazon account healthy isn't a one-and-done deal - it needs constant attention to stay in line with Amazon's ever-changing policies and metrics.

Want to set up a solid routine for account hygiene? Start with the basics. First, take a good look at your product catalog. Then, tackle any inventory that's stuck in limbo and address those pesky negative reviews.

The goal is to create a practical system that keeps your Amazon seller central account in tip-top shape without driving you crazy.

1. Review Your Entire Catalog

As your Amazon business grows, you'll naturally add more products to your catalog. That's great for scaling but can lead to a sneaky problem: old products you never meant to sell hanging around.

Sometimes, you might add products just to check if you meet certain requirements or permissions. But here's the catch - if it's sitting on your Manage Inventory Page, Amazon thinks you plan to sell it.

This can negatively affect your seller rating if you get hit with an IP complaint or a warning about restricted products. You could end up with a serious ASIN violation without even realizing it. And if you try to list that product later, not knowing about the policy violation, it'll ding your account. Rack up enough of these, and you're in serious trouble.

The fix? Simple but often forgotten: Close any products you're not actually selling. This way you can also boost your inventory performance score. So, take the time to tidy up your catalog. It's a small step that can save you big headaches down the road.

2. Deal With Stranded Inventory

Proper inventory management is crucial to address issues like stranded inventory, which can undermine your Amazon account's health. Staying on top of this issue will keep your inventory performance score high and your account in good standing.

So, how do you tackle stranded inventory on Amazon? Head over to the stranded inventory page in Seller Central and deal with each ASIN one by one. You might need to pull that inventory back to your warehouse or home, or even have Amazon dispose of it for you.

Sometimes, fixing stranded inventory is as simple as refreshing your screen. Other times, you might need to ring up Seller Support or even file an appeal with Amazon. While appeals are pretty common, it's always better to avoid getting your inventory stuck in this limbo in the first place.

3. Check Your Reviews 

Your Amazon seller reviews are like a report card for your selling performance. They're out there for all Amazon customers to see, and they can give their two cents after returning an order or through Amazon's feedback page.

Here's the tricky part: Sometimes, customers accidentally leave negative or neutral reviews in this section. And guess what? That can put a real dent in your feedback performance score.

Back in the day, you could zap these mistaken reviews by simply hitting a 'report feedback' button. But times have changed. Now, you've got to open a case file for each incorrect feedback to get it scrubbed. It's a bit more work, but it's worth it.

4. Amazon Listing Optimization

Want to boost your Amazon account health? Start by fine-tuning those product listings. It's all about smart keyword research - find the words your customers are using and weave them into your titles, bullet points, and descriptions.

Craft titles that grab attention and bullet points that showcase why your product is a must-have. Don't skimp on images - high-quality visuals can make or break a sale. Address customer needs and paint a picture of how your product fits into their lives in your product description. 

Another important thing to remember is to be extra careful with trigger words that might lead to account health violations.

Keep an eye on your pricing to stay competitive, and don't be shy about encouraging happy customers to leave positive reviews. It's not a set-it-and-forget-it deal, though. Stay on top of your performance metrics, and let the data guide your tweaks and improvements.

5. Respond to Customers Quickly

Want to boost your Amazon rating? It's all about quick responses. Amazon marketplace loves sellers who don't leave customers hanging, so aim to reply within 24 hours - or even faster if you can swing it.

But it's not just about speed. Your responses should be top-notch: professional, helpful, and to the point. The goal? Solve those customer issues pronto.

And here's a pro tip: Keep an eye on those returns, refunds, and chargebacks. The fewer, the better. How? Simple - make sure your customers are over the moon with what they're buying from you. Remember, a happy customer is more likely to become a repeat customer. 

6. Provide Accurate Product Descriptions

You know how frustrating it is when you buy something online, and it's not what you expected? Yeah, your customers feel the same way.

So here's the deal: Be real about your products. Tell folks what they're for, what they're made of, how big they are, how much they weigh—you get the idea. And don't forget to brag a little about why they're awesome!

People are more likely to hit that 'Buy Now' button when they know exactly what they're getting. Plus, you'll dodge those nasty surprise reviews that can tank your account health.

So go on, give your products the intro they deserve. Your customers (and your account health) will thank you for it!

7. Sell Quality Products

Let's talk about a surefire way to pump up your Amazon seller account health rating: Sell top-notch stuff.

Think about it - when customers click that 'Buy Now' button, they expect the cream of the crop. If they get anything less, well... let's just say they won't be throwing you a parade.

So, before you list anything on Amazon, give it the quality check. Is it something you'd be proud to put your name on? Would you be happy if it landed on your doorstep? 

Bottom line: Don't cut corners on quality. 

8. Read up on Amazon’s Policies

Amazon doesn't play games when it comes to keeping shoppers safe and happy. It has a whole playbook of rules covering everything from how to handle payments to what's okay in product reviews.

As a seller, it's on you to get cozy with these policies. Playing by Amazon's rules isn't just about avoiding trouble. It's about building a business that customers can trust. And trust? That's gold in the e-commerce world.

So, before you dive into selling, take your time to wrap your head around these policies. They might seem like a hassle at first, but trust us, they're there to help your business thrive in the long run. 

Remember, good account health on Amazon is a marathon, not a sprint. With a smart approach, you can make it a whole lot easier on yourself.

 

Secure Your Amazon Health Rating

Your Amazon Account Health Rating is more than a number - it's your ticket to staying in the game. Think of it as your seller report card, and trust us, you want straight A's.

Use this guide as your cheat sheet: We've broken down what makes your account tick and how to keep it in shape. Understanding your Account Health Rating isn't just about avoiding trouble - It's about setting yourself up to win.

Feeling overwhelmed? Let Seller Candy help you take control. We provide expert support to ensure your Amazon account remains healthy. From optimizing your listings to handling customer service and ensuring policy compliance, we've got you covered.

Ready to elevate your Amazon business? Contact us today and discover how we can help you achieve straight A’s in your Account Health Rating!