To optimize your Amazon product listing in 2026, you need to nail five things: professional images, keyword-rich titles, compelling bullet points, A+ Content, and a smart advertising strategy that feeds your organic rankings. That's the short version. Below, I'm breaking down every step we use at Marknology to launch and optimize listings for brands selling millions on Amazon.
I'm Andrew Morgans, founder of Marknology, an Amazon brand accelerator based in Kansas City. We've been doing this for over a decade. I've personally optimized thousands of product listings across supplements, beauty, pet, food, electronics, and just about every category Amazon carries. This guide is the exact playbook we use with our clients.
Step 1: Do Your Keyword Research Before You Touch the Listing
Everything starts with keywords. Before you write a single word of copy, you need to know what your customers are actually searching for. And here's the thing most brands get wrong: Amazon shoppers search differently than Google shoppers.
On Google, someone types "how do I get a stain out of my shirt." On Amazon, they type "stain remover." That's the fundamental shift you need to understand. Amazon buyers are ready to purchase. They're not asking questions. They're looking for products.
As I explained on the Startup Hustle podcast, "Think about describing your product in the way that your mom would search for it." That simplicity is what wins on Amazon.
Here's what we do at Marknology:
- Use tools like Helium 10, Data Dive, and Brand Analytics to pull competitor keyword data
- Analyze competitor reviews to see how real customers describe the product
- Identify 8-10 primary keywords and 200+ secondary keywords
- Map primary keywords to listing copy and secondary keywords to advertising campaigns
Step 2: Write a Title That Sells and Ranks
Your title is the most important piece of text on your listing. It needs to do two jobs: tell Amazon's algorithm what you're selling, and convince a shopper to click.
Title optimization rules for 2026:
- Put your most important keyword within the first 80 characters
- Include your brand name at the front
- Every category has different character limits. Check your category's style guide.
- Think mobile first. On a phone screen, shoppers see roughly 75 characters. Put the money up front.
- Avoid keyword stuffing. It tanks your click-through rate.
Step 3: Invest in Professional Product Images
This is where most brands drop the ball. Not spending enough on images is the number one mistake I see, year after year.
"Raising your conversion rate by a couple of points because of good photos can be the difference in lots of money," I shared on Startup Hustle. And that's not an exaggeration. I've seen brands double their conversion rate by upgrading from phone photos to professional studio shots.
Here's the image strategy we use:
- Images 1-2: Clean white background, product only. This is Amazon's requirement for the main image and best practice for image two.
- Images 3-7: Mix of lifestyle photos, infographics, comparison charts, and customer review callouts
- Image 8+: Video (if brand registered)
- Alt text on every image. Amazon's been pushing this for years. It helps with accessibility and search.
I use what I call the "flashcard test." Show someone the image for two seconds. What did they remember? If they can't tell you what the product is and what it does, redo it. Your images have to work as thumbnails on a phone screen while someone's scrolling at full speed.
Step 4: Write Bullet Points That Convert
Your bullet points aren't a place to dump specs. They're your sales pitch. Each bullet should address a specific customer concern or highlight a benefit.
The framework we use at Marknology:
- Bullet 1: Primary benefit + primary keyword
- Bullet 2: How it works or what makes it different
- Bullet 3: Quality, materials, or certifications
- Bullet 4: Who it's for (target customer)
- Bullet 5: Guarantee, customer service, or brand story
Keep each bullet under 200 characters for mobile readability. Front-load the benefit before the feature.
Step 5: Build Out A+ Content (Enhanced Brand Content)
If you're brand registered (and you should be), A+ Content is non-negotiable in 2026. It lets you add rich media, comparison charts, and brand storytelling below the fold.
Brand Registry requires a trademark. Once registered, you control your listing content regardless of who else is selling your product. You also unlock storefronts, video uploads, and A+ Content.
A+ Content best practices:
- Use comparison charts to cross-sell your other products
- Include lifestyle imagery that shows the product in context
- Tell your brand story. Shoppers buy from brands they trust.
- Add alt text to every A+ image module
Step 6: Use Advertising to Accelerate Organic Rankings
Here's the connection most sellers miss: your advertising data should inform your listing optimization, and your listing optimization should improve your advertising performance. They work together.
We start with those 8-10 primary keywords in the listing. Then we run Sponsored Products campaigns targeting 200+ additional keywords. When we find advertising keywords that convert well, we rotate them into the listing copy. When listing keywords underperform, we swap them out.
Velocity matters on Amazon. The more units you sell, the higher you rank. Advertising drives velocity, which drives organic ranking, which drives more sales. It's a flywheel.
As I told Matt Watson on Startup Hustle, "If the advertising has a bunch of terms that are just doing great, think about switching those out and seeing... just continuing to be dynamic with it."
Step 7: Optimize Continuously. Never Set and Forget.
The brands that win on Amazon treat their listings like living documents. Every month, review your:
- Search term reports from advertising
- Conversion rate trends
- Competitor movements (new entrants, price changes, listing updates)
- Customer reviews for new language and objections
- Brand Analytics data for search frequency shifts
Amazon's marketplace changes constantly. What worked six months ago might not work today. The brands we work with at Marknology in Kansas City get monthly optimization cycles because that's what it takes to stay competitive.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Copying your website copy to Amazon. Different platform, different buyer intent, different optimization.
- Ignoring mobile. Over 70% of Amazon shoppers browse on mobile devices.
- Skipping competitor analysis. You can't optimize in a vacuum.
- Cheap images. The ROI on professional photography is massive.
- Not using Brand Registry. You're leaving tools and protections on the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to see results from Amazon listing optimization?
Most brands see measurable improvements in conversion rate within 2-4 weeks of a full listing optimization. Organic ranking improvements typically follow within 30-60 days, depending on the category competitiveness and advertising support.
How much does it cost to optimize an Amazon listing?
Professional listing optimization ranges from $500 to $2,500 per ASIN depending on complexity. This includes keyword research, copywriting, image direction, and A+ Content. At Marknology, we build optimization into our full-service brand management.
Do I need Brand Registry to optimize my Amazon listing?
You can optimize titles, bullets, and images without Brand Registry. But to access A+ Content, video, Storefronts, and listing control, Brand Registry is essential. It requires a registered trademark.
What is the most important part of an Amazon product listing?
Images and title are the two highest-impact elements. Your main image determines click-through rate from search results, and your title determines both ranking and relevance. Together, they account for the majority of your listing's performance.
Can I optimize my Amazon listing myself or should I hire an agency?
You can do basic optimization yourself using this guide. For competitive categories or brands doing $50K+ monthly, working with an experienced Amazon agency like Marknology saves time and typically pays for itself through improved conversion and ranking.
Ready to Optimize Your Amazon Listings?
If you're a brand owner looking to grow on Amazon, I'd love to talk. We've helped hundreds of brands optimize their listings and scale their Amazon business from our home base in Kansas City.
Book a free strategy call with me here.
About the Author: Andrew Morgans is the founder and CEO of Marknology, a Kansas City-based Amazon brand accelerator. With over a decade of experience helping brands sell on Amazon, Andrew is a regular host on the Startup Hustle podcast and a recognized expert in e-commerce strategy, Amazon SEO, and marketplace optimization.