Amazon SEO vs Google SEO: Key Differences You Need to Know

If you’re selling anything online, you’ve most likely heard of the acronym SEO. But not all SEO is the same. Amazon SEO and Google SEO are two different types of strategies for two different ecosystems and behaviors of shoppers. It’s not hard to get the two confused, but understanding the differences between the two will help you get traffic, conversions, and sales faster.

In this guide, we break the differences down between SEO for Amazon and SEO for Google, why it matters to your business, and how you can optimize your strategy to win at both.

How is Amazon SEO Different from Google SEO?

While Google and Amazon are both search engines, they certainly do want different things, and their algorithms focus on very different components of what makes their search relevant.

• Google SEO is all about matching valuable content with the intent behind a user’s search. Google wants to provide users with answers, information, and resources. Google measures success by matching content to the search and ranking pages by relevance, authority, and engagement.
• Amazon SEO is product-based. The aim of Amazon is to match a user with the right product that they most likely will buy. Amazon measures success by sales velocity, conversions, and relevance to search terms.

In simpler terms: Google SEO drives traffic, while Amazon SEO drives sales.

Ranking Factors for Amazon SEO

Amazon SEO utilizes its own unique ranking signals, commonly referred to as A9 algorithm factors. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

1. Keywords in Product Listings – Product titles, bullets, descriptions, and back-end search terms must have the right keywords.
2. Conversion Rate – A higher sales velocity will improve a product’s ranking for relevant search queries.
3. Sales Velocity – Products that are selling more will also get more visibility.
4. Product Reviews and Ratings – The social proof in reviews helps to establish trust; (note: a leading volume of reviews compared to competitors helps as well).
5. Pricing and Availability – Competitive pricing, and having items in stock, helps discoverability.

Optimizing for Amazon SEO requires thinking like a shopper: what will make them click and buy?

Ranking Factors for Google SEO

When it comes to Google SEO, relevance, authority, and user experience will majorly affect rankings and influence the experience. Here are some key factors:

• Content Quality and Relevance – Pages must satisfy users search intent.
• Backlinks – In bound links from good quality relevant external sites linking back to your content establish authority.
• Technical SEO – Pages that load faster rank higher than pages that load slower; mobile-friendliness ranks higher than serving a desktop version of the site.
• User Engagement Metrics – Time on site, bounce rate, and pages/session tell Google how engaged users are, and plays into rankings.
• Structured Data & Meta Information – schema, meta titles, meta descriptions, etc., help Google to better understand content which affects overall rankings.

Google SEO rewards content that informs, engages, and builds credibility over time.

Why This Matters for Sellers

Understanding the differences between Amazon SEO vs Google SEO helps you tailor your strategy for the platform you’re on.

• On Amazon, your goal is to optimize listings for conversions. Focus on product images, keyword placement, competitive pricing, and strong reviews.
• On Google, your goal is to attract relevant traffic. Focus on content marketing, blogs, backlinks, and site performance.

Many DTC brands and Amazon sellers are running both strategies parallel by producing content that earns organic traffic through Google; which if the relevant content and position, when they choose to use Google as an expansion related to their brand and then ensure they optimize that content in marketplace to drive conversions.

Actionable Tips to Improve Amazon SEO

1. Conduct keyword research using tools like Helium 10 or Jungle Scout to find high-traffic terms.
2. Optimize your product title and bullet points with primary and secondary keywords.
3. Encourage reviews and ratings through follow-up emails and excellent customer service.
4. Monitor your conversion rate and adjust pricing, imagery, and descriptions as needed.
5. Keep inventory in stock to avoid losing visibility on search results.

Leveraging Google SEO to Support Amazon Sales

Even if your primary sales channel is Amazon, Google SEO can help boost your reach.

• Create blog posts that answer customer questions about your products.
• Include internal links to your Amazon listings.
• Optimize for both informational and transactional search intent.
• Use social media and external websites to generate backlinks to your content.

By combining Google and Amazon SEO strategies, you can create a full-funnel approach that drives traffic and maximizes conversions.

Conclusion

While Amazon SEO vs Google SEO share the basic principles of relevance and optimization, their focus and ranking factors are different. Amazon prioritizes conversions, sales, and product relevancy, while Google rewards authority, user experience, and high-quality content.

For brands looking to scale efficiently, understanding these differences is crucial.

If you want to take your Amazon listings to the next level and make sure your products rank, sell, and convert, reach out to Amify by Cart.com. Our team of experts helps brands optimize listings, boost organic traffic, and maximize sales across Amazon and beyond.