AMAZON'S STAR-ONLY RATINGS SYSTEM SIMPLIFIES FEEDBACK BUT CREATES RISKS FOR SELLERS - JULY 31, 2025

Starting August 4, 2025, Amazon will update the seller feedback system to allow customers to leave star-only ratings with optional written feedback.

What this means for FBM and hybrid sellers

• Customers can now rate you using just a star rating. No comment required
• This change is meant to increase feedback volume, but also comes with trade-offs
• You cannot appeal star-only reviews through Feedback Manager
• If you believe the star-only rating violates Amazon's guidelines, you'll have to use Report a Violation instead, which is slower and less reliable

Why does this matter to sellers

• Expect a higher volume of ratings, both good and bad
• Without written feedback, there's no context behind 1-star reviews
• Abuse risk increases: black hat tactics like fake 5-star purchases or 1-star bombs can become harder to detect and fight
• Honest feedback will become harder to verify. A single vague rating could affect your account health or seller performance metrics

Amazon says making written text optional will encourage more submissions and help buyers evaluate sellers more easily. But for sellers, this means reduced control and fewer protections, especially when dealing with unfair feedback.

Need help managing seller feedback, review health, and compliance under these new rules? Talk to our Amazon account managers. We help you stay ahead of policy shifts that impact your performance.