The Impact of Customer Reviews and Feedback on Sales Performance on Amazon and Walmart: A
Deep Dive by RootAMZ
In the world of online retail, trust is currency, and few factors influence trust more than customer reviews and
feedback. Whether you're selling on Amazon or Walmart, customer sentiment plays a central role in shaping
buyer decisions, determining product visibility, and ultimately driving revenue. Reviews are more than just a
reflection of product satisfaction—they’re a strategic asset that can either fuel your growth or stall your
momentum.
At RootAMZ, we’ve worked with hundreds of e-commerce
brands, and we’ve seen firsthand how reviews can
Elevate
listings or sink them. In this detailed guide, we’ll unpack exactly how customer reviews and feedback
work.
Impact sales on Amazon and Walmart, and what sellers can do to harness this feedback to their advantage.
Why Reviews Are the Lifeblood of Online Sales
Before diving into individual components, it’s important to understand the macro-level impact of
the customer
reviews. Online shoppers lack the sensory experience of a physical store—there’s no touching the product, no
trying it out, no in-person conversations. Instead, they rely on what others say about it. Reviews are the next
best thing about
word-of-mouth in the digital age.
A staggering 77% of Amazon shoppers and 79% of US online shoppers read product reviews before making
a purchase. In a marketplace environment where multiple sellers offer similar products, it’s not just about price
Or
shipping—reviews are often the deciding factor.
1. Reviews Influence Purchase Decisions
The Customer Journey Begins with Social Proof
When customers land on a product page, one of the first things they check,
often subconsciously, is the Purchasing is
review count and average star rating. Even a well-optimized listing can fail to convert if it lacks sufficient
reviews or has a low rating. Conversely, a product with a strong base of positive reviews builds instant
credibility and makes the shopper feel more secure in their decision.
Consider this: if two similar products are side by side, but one has 1,200 reviews and a 4.6-star rating while the
other has only 25 reviews and a 3.9-star rating, the vast majority of shoppers will gravitate toward the first. This
phenomenon is not just preference—it’s psychology. People trust other people, and social proof drives behavior.
At RootAMZ, we emphasize early review generation as part of every product launch. Whether through post-
The follow-ups, review request automation, or programs like Amazon Vine, the goal is to build momentum
quickly and convert hesitant browsers into confident buyers.
2. Reviews Establish Trust and Brand Credibility
Authenticity Drives Long-Term Growth
Reviews don’t just impact immediate sales—they shape how your brand is perceived over time. A well-
reviewed product becomes a signal of quality, reliability, and trustworthiness. This is especially true on
platforms like Walmart, where customer expectations mirror those of traditional retail.
On both Amazon and Walmart, a high volume of authentic, helpful reviews can serve as a surrogate for brand
recognition. For smaller or emerging brands, this is an especially valuable advantage. Without the resources of
national brands, sellers must earn trust organically,
and customer reviews are the fastest way to do that.
Reviews that include details,
such as customer use cases, before-and-after photos, and testimonials,
go even
further. They address common objections, validate claims, and reinforce the buyer’s belief that they’re making
The
right choice. In many cases, a well-written customer review is more persuasive than the product description
itself.
At RootAMZ, we help sellers implement feedback collection strategies that encourage detailed, honest
responses. We also provide creative services to showcase top reviews within A+ Content and Brand Stores.
Making the most of every positive customer voice.
3. Reviews Directly Affect Search Rankings and Visibility
The Algorithm is Listening
Both Amazon and Walmart prioritize customer experience, and their algorithms reflect that priority. Products
With
higher ratings, more reviews, and better customer sentiment are given preference in search results. Why?
Because platforms want to surface products that shoppers are more likely to buy, reviews are a reliable
signal of product quality.
In Amazon’s A9 algorithm and Walmart’s listing quality score, reviews play a pivotal role. A product with 100
Reviews and a 4.7-star rating are
more likely to rank higher than a similar product with fewer or lower-rated reviews
reviews. This visibility creates a flywheel effect: better reviews lead to higher rankings, which lead to more
sales, which lead to more reviews.
Moreover, customer reviews also contribute to relevance. If your reviews frequently mention a specific
keyword or use case, this can increase the product’s contextual alignment with customer searches.
RootAMZ integrates review data into our SEO and keyword optimization strategies. We extract high-
performing terms from customer reviews and incorporating
them back into listing content to boost organic
relevance and discoverability.
4. Reviews Impact Buy Box Performance
The Link Between Feedback and Sales Acceleration
On Amazon, the Buy Box is the holy grail of product visibility. It’s the default option customers see when they
Click
“Add to Cart,” and it drives the vast majority of sales for any product with multiple sellers. While pricing
and fulfillment method are major factors in winning the Buy Box, customer feedback also plays a critical role.
Sellers with consistently high ratings and strong customer feedback are more likely to win or retain the Buy
Box. Negative reviews or a low seller rating can disqualify you from this position, even if your price is
competitive. Amazon wants to ensure that the seller with the best overall customer experience gets top billing.
RootAMZ monitors Buy Box metrics in real time and uses review performance as an early warning system.
When we see a dip in reviews or a pattern of negative feedback, we act quickly—either by improving
the listing
quality, resolving order issues, or adjusting customer communication.
5. Reviews Fuel Sales Velocity—A Key to Marketplace Growth
The Momentum of Positive Sentiment
Sales velocity—the speed at which a product sells over a given time—is a powerful indicator in
the marketplace
algorithms. It affects everything from ranking to Buy Box eligibility to eligibility for advertising placements.
And one of the key drivers of sales velocity is review volume.
The more positive reviews a product has, the faster it tends to sell. This is partly due to increased trust, but also
because review-rich listings benefit from higher click-through rates and conversions. Over time, this
compounds, creating a performance loop that elevates the product’s status across the board.
At RootAMZ, we help brands capitalize on this momentum. Our team aligns review-building initiatives with
broader marketing and promotional campaigns to ensure that every new sale contributes to long-term listing
health.
How Feedback Management Impacts Brand Performance
While reviews are public-facing, feedback,
particularly negative feedback, is an opportunity for improvement
and customer retention. Managing it effectively separates top-performing sellers from the rest.
6. Negative Feedback Can Harm Sales and Reputation
Silence is Not a Strategy
When left unaddressed, negative reviews can have an outsized impact on customer perception. A single one-
star review—especially one that goes unanswered—can seed doubt in the mind of potential buyers. It signals
that the seller is either unaware of issues or doesn’t care to resolve them.
Negative feedback also impacts seller performance metrics, such as order defect rate (ODR) and customer
satisfaction score. These can lead to account warnings, listing suppression, or even suspension if not properly
managed.
RootAMZ takes a proactive approach to negative feedback. We flag harmful reviews, identify root causes, and
Work with sellers to resolve issues internally or via customer outreach. Where appropriate, we also assist in
submitting removal requests for reviews that violate platform guidelines.
7. Proactive Feedback Management Improves Customer Satisfaction
Turning Complaints into Opportunities
Every piece of feedback is a chance to learn and improve. Sellers who embrace this mindset not only fix
existing problems but often uncover ways to improve operations, packaging, logistics, and product quality.
More importantly, addressing customer concerns shows future buyers that you stand behind your products.
RootAMZ sets up custom feedback monitoring dashboards and auto-alerts, ensuring no comment goes
unnoticed. We also help our clients establish workflows for customer follow-up, review response, and issue
escalation—tools that are essential for maintaining high ratings and reducing churn.
8. Feedback Resolution Drives Loyalty and Repeat Business
From First-Time Buyers to Brand Advocates
One of the most underutilized aspects of feedback management is turning dissatisfied customers into loyal ones.
When a customer leaves a negative review but receives a prompt, empathetic, and effective response, they’re
more likely to give your brand another chance—and may even update or remove the negative review.
These interactions can be incredibly powerful. They show future customers that your brand values service and
accountability. Over time, this builds not only credibility but community,
turning one-time buyers into repeat
customers and advocates for your brand.
RootAMZ supports clients with templated response strategies, escalation protocols, and brand voice alignment
so that all communication is consistent, professional, and effective.
Conclusion: Make Reviews and Feedback a Core Part of Your
Growth Strategy
Customer reviews and feedback are not just a byproduct of e-commerce—they are a core driver of performance
on Amazon and Walmart. From increasing visibility and improving conversion rates to influencing
the Buy Box
Ownership
and fostering brand trust, reviews hold immense strategic value.
Sellers who actively manage their customer feedback, build review volume, and respond to criticism with
Transparency is
the ones who win in the long term.
At RootAMZ, we incorporate review and feedback optimization into every service we provide, whether it's
listing management, advertising, or brand development. If you're ready to turn your customer feedback into a
competitive advantage, connect with us today for a custom audit and action plan.