As May draws to a close, Amazon sellers are preparing for the upcoming Prime Day event, hoping to boost their mid-year sales. However, the peak season often brings unexpected challenges, including ongoing global supply chain disruptions, frequent logistics issues, and recent technical glitches on Amazon's platform—particularly concerning "Best Seller" tags and product image alterations that have left many sellers frustrated.
Mystery of the Proliferating "Best Seller" Tags
Many sellers have reported an unusual phenomenon where nearly all products in certain categories suddenly displayed "Best Seller" badges overnight—including new listings with minimal sales and poor rankings. One seller described how their newly launched product, with only a handful of reviews and a ranking in the hundreds of thousands, inexplicably received the prestigious tag alongside numerous competitors.
This anomaly wasn't limited to specific niches; even products like smart home mops were affected, with entire pages flooded with "BS" labels. When sellers contacted Amazon support for clarification, they were told the issue was likely due to a technical error, with representatives emphasizing that products ranked so low couldn't legitimately earn the badge.
While such bugs might provide temporary amusement, they raise concerns about Amazon's platform stability—especially when technical issues could further impact already struggling sales figures.
Sales Plummet After Mysterious Image Changes
Product images serve as the first point of contact between buyers and listings, directly influencing click-through and conversion rates. Recently, however, multiple sellers have reported unauthorized changes to their primary images—often replaced with what appears to be "Amazon-style" photography—resulting in significant sales declines.
One seller described discovering on May 17 that a top-performing SKU's main image had been altered. Amazon support claimed a third-party seller had uploaded a higher-quality image and gained editing control. Although the original seller successfully appealed by proving exclusive brand rights and restored their image, another SKU's pictures were modified again just a week later.
Analysis of affected listings reveals several common patterns:
- Images predominantly feature American models or non-model product shots
- The style closely resembles Amazon's in-house product photography
- All modified images share identical pixel dimensions (1969×2560)
These similarities have led some sellers to suspect Amazon itself may be behind the changes. Several reported sales drops of up to 30% after their images were altered, with conversion rates collapsing even after restoration.
Optimizing Product Images Within Amazon's Guidelines
Amazon maintains strict requirements for product images, automatically flagging listings with excessive props, blurry visuals, improper framing, or incorrect proportions. To maintain image control and prevent sales disruptions, sellers should:
- Prioritize image quality: Use professional photography and editing to create clear, visually appealing images that highlight product features.
- Select appropriate models: When using model shots, choose subjects that resonate with target demographics and convey product value effectively.
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Adopt optimal dimensions:
With mobile browsing dominating, sellers should follow these recommended specifications:
- Display ratio: 1:1.26 to 1:1.3 maximizes screen coverage
- Recommended size: 1580×2000 pixels or larger
By adhering to Amazon's policies while optimizing visual presentation, sellers can better protect their listings from unauthorized changes and maintain competitive conversion rates during critical sales periods like Prime Day.