The First 20 Reviews Will Make or Break Your Product… Here’s How to Get Them (Without Getting Banned)
The difference between a product that converts and one that crashes? It’s all in the reviews.
You launched your product…
You set up PPC. You watched traffic hit your listing.
But the conversions? Crickets.
Here’s the problem:
It’s not just your title.
It’s not just your photos.
It’s not just your price.
Your reviews are doing all the talking.
And if you don’t have at least 20 of them, you're not in the game yet.
Why the First 20 Reviews Matter More Than Anything
These aren’t just vanity metrics. Your first 20 reviews set the tone for everything that follows:
✨ Conversion Rate: Shoppers don’t trust empty listings. But 20 genuine and detailed reviews create instant credibility.
🔍 Ranking Power: Amazon’s algorithm watches how fast you pick up reviews. Get momentum early, and you climb faster.
📈 Ad Performance: Ads can’t convert if your listing doesn’t look trustworthy. Reviews do the heavy lifting.
"We see sellers lose 25% to 50% of their sales just by dropping from 4.5 to 4.2 stars. The early reviews set the tone." — Danan Coleman, Amazon Seller & Review Removal Expert
A listing with 3 reviews and 5 stars? Feels fake 👎 A listing with 20+ and a 4.6 average? Feels like a winner 🏆
Here is What Not to Do
Let’s make one thing clear: Review manipulation is not worth it.
DO NOT:
Trade refunds for reviews
Ask your friends for 5 stars
Beg with follow-up messages
Amazon is cracking down harder than ever on fake reviews. Unless you want to get banned, don’t play games.
How to Get Reviews Ethically and Consistently
1. Turn Inserts Into Funnels
Your insert isn’t a pitch… It’s a gateway.
Use it to:
Thank the customer
Offer a bonus guide, recipe book, or how-to PDF
Invite them to register their product (email capture)
2. Drip Value, Then Ask
Once you have their email:
Send unboxing tips or how-to videos
Share a customer story or use case
Ask: “Would you mind sharing your honest feedback?” (That’s it. No bribes.)
3. Add a Real Human Touch
Who are you? Why did you make this product? Tell them. It’s disarming and powerful. The more you humanize your brand, the more people respond.
4. Follow Up (The Right Way)
Use Amazon’s Buyer-Seller Messaging to:
Thank customers again
Gently ask for feedback
NEVER ask for a specific star rating
Early Reviews = Long-Term Advantage
You can’t control every click or your competitors. But you can control your review strategy.
Without reviews?
You burn ad spend
You stall in rankings
You lose conversions
With 20+ reviews?
You build trust
You scale faster
You win long-term
Skip the shortcuts. Build smart. And let your reviews do the selling.
Need help protecting your listing or removing fake reviews?
Listen to the full podcast episode here →
Book a Free Call With Neil!
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