Amazon Acronyms: The Complete Seller Dictionary

2025-09-11

What is an Amazon Seller Acronym?

Amazon sellers use specialized shorthand terms to communicate about the platform's features, processes, and metrics quickly. These abbreviations aren't official Amazon categories but have naturally evolved as the e-commerce selling community grew. Sellers use this technical vocabulary to simplify discussions about inventory management, advertising, fulfillment, and performance analytics.
The term "acronyms" actually refers to two types of shortened expressions. True acronyms can be pronounced as words (like ASIN), while initialisms are pronounced as individual letters (like FBA). Some of these terms aren't unique to Amazon's platform. You'll find many of them used in e-commerce, accounting, and supply chain management, while others specifically relate to Amazon's own products and services.
To cite an instance, ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) is a unique number Amazon assigns to identify products in its marketplace. SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) is an alphanumeric code retailers create to track their inventory. GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) works on an international scale and helps track products through worldwide supply chains.
Amazon's terminology becomes vital when you use the platform's seller programs and features. The glossary covers everything from account management to advertising, product listing, fulfillment, and performance metrics. FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) means Amazon handles storage, shipping, and customer service for third-party products. FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) shows that sellers manage these tasks themselves.
The platform's vocabulary includes advertising terms such as PPC (Pay-Per-Click) for campaigns where sellers pay when shoppers click their ads. ACoS (Advertising Cost of Sale) measures how well these ads perform. Performance metrics use terms like BSR (Best Seller Rank) to show product popularity and ODR (Order Defect Rate) to measure customer satisfaction.
Amazon's terms also include program-specific shortcuts like SC (Seller Central), the main hub for third-party merchants, and BR (Brand Registry) that protects registered trademarks. Technical integrations use MWS (Marketplace Web Services) to access Amazon's selling platform programmatically.
Becoming skilled at using these Amazon abbreviations helps sellers communicate better with other marketplace participants. They can understand platform documentation easily and interpret performance metrics better. This glossary serves as a vital reference for Amazon sellers at all experience levels who want to succeed in the e-commerce world.

Common Fulfillment & Logistics Acronyms

Amazon's operational system runs on fulfillment and logistics acronyms. These technical terms help sellers understand how products move from their warehouses to customers' doorsteps.

FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon)

FBA is Amazon's complete fulfillment service that takes care of storage, picking, packing, shipping, and customer service. Sellers just need to send their products to Amazon's warehouses. When customers place orders, Amazon staff pack and ship these items. The service works on a simple pay-as-you-go model. Sellers pay for storage and fulfillment per unit and order. FBA lets sellers offer free two-day Prime shipping, which can boost their sales. The service also includes Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF). This means sellers can use Amazon to ship orders from other sales channels too.

FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant)

FBM, also called Merchant Fulfilled, puts sellers in charge of their own storage, packaging, and shipping. Sellers handle everything themselves - from customer service to returns. This option works great for small businesses, low-margin items, or unique products. Sellers keep direct control over their inventory and shipping. The costs depend on the seller's own systems and shipping partners rather than Amazon's fixed fees.

FC (Fulfillment Center)

Amazon's Fulfillment Centers are high-tech warehouses that act as distribution hubs. These centers use advanced robotics, scanning tech, and computer systems to handle millions of products each day. Amazon runs more than 175 of these centers worldwide. Most are in North America and Europe. The centers stay at home-like temperatures and use skylights with artificial lighting to create bright spaces. They also process returns - checking and evaluating items before restocking or disposal.

LTL (Less Than Truckload)

LTL shipping lets sellers book partial trailer space when they don't need a full truck. Amazon Freight's LTL service works smoothly with full truckload and intermodal shipping. The service uses Amazon's network of 60,000+ trailers and thousands of routes across the country. Right now, Amazon Freight LTL mainly helps customers ship to Amazon's fulfillment centers. It makes shipping more efficient by combining pallets in the network.

SFP (Seller Fulfilled Prime)

SFP lets sellers show the Prime badge on items they ship from their warehouses. Sellers must prove themselves through a tough qualification process. This includes a trial period where they ship at least 100 Prime packages in 30 days. They need to hit specific targets: 93.5% on-time delivery, 99% tracking accuracy, and less than 0.5% cancelations. They must also cover nationwide delivery and weekend shipping. After passing the trial, sellers get Prime branding. This shows they can provide fast, free delivery and returns to Prime customers. Prime badges help sellers become Featured Offers and can lead to better sales.

Product Listing & Catalog Acronyms

Product identification is the backbone of Amazon's catalog system. Specialized acronyms control how items get tracked, listed, and managed across the marketplace. These standard codes create universal identifiers that sellers and Amazon's systems use to organize millions of products.

ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number)

Amazon's Standard Identification Number is a unique 10-character code that combines letters and numbers for every product in Amazon's store. This identifier works as Amazon's own barcode system to organize and track millions of products worldwide. Most products start with "B0", though books might begin with a number. Rebecca Allen, an Amazon software engineer, designed this 10-character format in 1996 to work with Amazon's database systems built for ISBN fields. ASINs are vital to the platform's operation. They help with product identification, search optimization, inventory management, and boost the customer experience. Sellers use ASINs as a great way to get market insights, optimize listings, track inventory, and run targeted marketing campaigns.

SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)

A Stock Keeping Unit is a unique code retailers use to manage their inventory. Unlike ASINs that Amazon creates, sellers can make their own SKUs or let Amazon generate them. Custom SKUs give sellers big advantages. They can include details like manufacturer, origin country, condition, price, and color. The core team can quickly see product details at a glance. Amazon will create SKUs for sellers who don't make their own, but these automatic codes mainly help Amazon's internal systems and might make it hard for sellers to identify products and track inventory.

UPC (Universal Product Code)

A Universal Product Code is a standard 12-digit number shown as a barcode on retail products. These codes identify products uniquely in stores and online. Amazon needs UPCs (or similar identifiers) to create new product listings accurately. The platform checks UPC authenticity through the GS1 database - the non-profit group that manages legitimate product barcodes globally. Amazon strongly suggests getting UPCs directly from GS1 or the product's original manufacturer instead of third-party sellers. This verification keeps the catalog accurate and prevents listing problems that could suspend accounts.

EAN (European Article Number)

The European Article Number is a 13-digit product code used mostly outside North America. This international standard works like UPCs but has one extra digit. EANs are vital for sellers in international markets because Amazon requires these codes in regions using this standard. Like UPCs, valid EANs must be registered with GS1 for unique global recognition. Though structured differently, UPCs and EANs share the same basic purpose - they uniquely identify products in global commerce.

Parent ASIN vs Child ASIN

Parent-child relationships in Amazon's catalog let sellers group related products with different variations. A parent ASIN works as a non-buyable umbrella identifier that connects variant products. You'll only see this listing in Seller Central search results as it links related items. Child ASINs represent specific product variations that customers can buy, like different colors, sizes, or styles. This structure offers major benefits. It improves product visibility through combined search ranking and optimizes the customer experience by showing all options on one page. Reviews are shared across all variations, which builds social proof more effectively.

Advertising & Marketing Acronyms

Amazon sellers use specific marketing acronyms to track their advertising performance and campaign efficiency. These technical terms help sellers optimize their strategies and get better returns on their investment.

PPC (Pay-Per-Click)

Pay-Per-Click is an advertising model where sellers pay a fee when customers click on their ads. PPC works as a system where brands pay for each ad click, and Cost-Per-Click (CPC) measures these clicks. This bidding system helps products show up more in search results, social media, and Amazon's marketplace. Amazon PPC works as an internal advertising system that third-party sellers can use to create product campaigns, and they only pay when shoppers see their ads.

ACoS (Advertising Cost of Sale)

Advertising Cost of Sale shows how ad spend relates to revenue. You calculate it by dividing total ad spend by attributed sales and multiplying by 100. This metric tells you if your campaigns are cost-efficient by comparing PPC spending to earnings. A lower ACoS means more efficient advertising because you're spending less of your sales on ads. The standard ACoS is around 30%, though most Amazon sellers want to hit 15-20%.

ROAS (Return on Ad Spend)

Return on Ad Spend works as the flip side of ACoS. You get ROAS by dividing total sales by advertising spend. The ratio shows your revenue per advertising dollar as an index number instead of a percentage. While ACoS looks at cost percentage, ROAS shows return efficiency. To cite an instance, a ROAS of 5 means you make $5.00 in sales for every $1.00 spent on ads. Most sellers see a ROAS of 2:1, but the sweet spot is between 3:1 and 4:1.

CTR (Click-Through Rate)

Click-Through Rate measures how many users click your ad after seeing it. The calculation divides clicks by impressions and multiplies by 100. CTR reveals your listing's appeal and relevance to customers. Amazon PPC ads usually see a 0.4% CTR, with 0.5-1% being good performance. Anything above 1% shows a highly engaging listing. A high CTR tells Amazon's algorithm that your listing connects well with customers, which can boost your ranking.

DSP (Demand-Side Platform)

A Demand-Side Platform is a tool that makes media buying easier across multiple sources. Amazon's DSP lets advertisers buy display and video ads programmatically both on and off Amazon. Unlike regular Sponsored Ads, DSP reaches upper-funnel audiences through better targeting options like in-market, lifestyle, demographics, and retargeting. This technology makes cross-channel ad buying smoother through immediate bidding. It can deliver better ROAS - studies show Amazon DSP's ROAS beats Sponsored Display by 43% and Sponsored Brands by 9%.

Performance & Sales Metrics Acronyms

Performance metrics help Amazon sellers track and review their business health through standardized measurements. These indicators show how products perform, cost efficiency works, customer satisfaction rates, and transaction values stack up.

BSR (Best Seller Rank)

Best Seller Rank shows how well a product sells compared to others in its category. Products get this metric after their first sale, and lower numbers mean better sales volumes. The numbers change many times each day based on recent and past sales data. A product ranked #1 leads sales in its category. Products can have different BSRs in various categories and subcategories. BSR doesn't directly affect organic search rankings, but both these metrics link to sales performance.

COGS (Cost of Goods Sold)

Cost of Goods Sold shows what sellers spend to make or buy products they sell in a given time. You can calculate it like this: COGS = (beginning inventory + purchases) - ending inventory. COGS covers procurement costs, production expenses, packaging, handling fees, freight costs, inventory storage, listing fees, and taxes. Operating costs like rent, utilities, insurance, and marketing don't count. Sellers who understand their COGS can figure out profit margins, watch profitability, set better prices, and find ways to save money.

ODR (Order Defect Rate)

Order Defect Rate tells you what percentage of orders had customer service problems in a 60-day window. This vital metric has three parts:
  • Negative Feedback Rate (orders with 1-2 star ratings)
  • A-to-z Guarantee Claim Rate (customer refund requests)
  • Credit Card Chargeback Rate (payment disputes)
Amazon wants sellers to keep their ODR under 1%. Higher rates might lead to account restrictions or suspension. Sellers need to watch this metric closely to keep selling on Amazon.

AOV (Average Order Value)

Average Order Value shows how much customers typically spend per order. You get this number by dividing total revenue by order count. This helps you understand buying patterns and see if your pricing strategy works. Right now, Amazon's U.S. marketplace has an AOV of about USD 52.00. A higher AOV makes advertising more efficient because costs spread across more revenue. It also speeds up cash flow and cuts per-order fulfillment costs. Sellers can handle rising ad costs better while keeping their profits healthy with a higher AOV.

Seller Tools & Program Acronyms

Amazon sellers need platform tools and management programs to run their business operations. These systems provide account management features, brand protection, data integration, and help generate reviews.

SC (Seller Central)

Seller Central is the main platform where third-party merchants sell products directly to Amazon's customers. Sellers can create individual or professional accounts here. Professional accounts need monthly subscriptions but come with better analytics tools. The platform lets sellers pick different fulfillment methods like FBA, FBM, or Seller Fulfilled Prime. Sellers retain control of their product listings, pricing, and customer interactions.

VC (Vendor Central)

Vendor Central is Amazon's invite-only platform for first-party sellers who supply products in bulk. Vendors act as suppliers instead of retailers, unlike SC users. Amazon buys inventory at wholesale prices and sets retail prices. The platform offers standard payment terms and various advertising options through Amazon Marketing Services. However, vendors have limited control over product presentation and customer data compared to SC users.

BR (Brand Registry)

Brand Registry gives brands tools to protect their intellectual property and access exclusive marketing features. Brands need a registered trademark and must have their logo permanently attached to products to enroll. The system automatically detects and blocks suspected infringements. Registered brands can use better content features, advertising options, and customer engagement tools. Sales can increase up to 20% when brands use Premium A+ Content effectively.

MWS (Marketplace Web Services)

Marketplace Web Services includes APIs that let sellers automatically pull data and manage operations they usually do through Seller Central. The platform helps automate reports, inventory management, order processing, and advertising campaigns. Sellers need developer registration and API keys to use MWS, which helps save time on repetitive tasks across multiple sales channels.

VINE (Amazon Review Program)

VINE helps sellers get detailed product feedback from trusted reviewers. Selected reviewers (called Voices) can request free products and write honest, unbiased reviews. These reviews show a "Vine Customer Review of Free Product" badge. Enrollment costs range from free for up to 2 units to $200 for 11-30 units per parent product. Sellers only pay after getting their first review.

FAQs

Q1. What are some essential Amazon seller acronyms for beginners?
Some key acronyms for new Amazon sellers include FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon), ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number), PPC (Pay-Per-Click), BSR (Best Seller Rank), and ODR (Order Defect Rate). Understanding these terms is crucial for navigating Amazon's marketplace effectively.
Q2. How can I improve my product's visibility on Amazon?
To enhance your product's visibility, focus on optimizing your listing's keywords, utilize Amazon's advertising options like PPC campaigns, aim for a high Click-Through Rate (CTR), and work on improving your Best Seller Rank (BSR) through increased sales and positive customer reviews.
Q3. What's the difference between FBA and FBM?
FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) means Amazon handles storage, shipping, and customer service for your products. FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) means you manage these aspects yourself. FBA can offer Prime shipping benefits, while FBM gives you more control over inventory and shipping processes.
Q4. How do I calculate my advertising efficiency on Amazon?
To measure advertising efficiency, use metrics like ACoS (Advertising Cost of Sale) and ROAS (Return on Ad Spend). ACoS is calculated by dividing total ad spend by attributed sales, while ROAS is the inverse, showing how much revenue is generated for every dollar spent on advertising.
Q5. What tools does Amazon offer for brand protection?
Amazon offers Brand Registry (BR) to help protect intellectual property and provide access to enhanced marketing tools. Enrolled brands can detect potential infringements, access premium content features, and utilize customer engagement tools to potentially increase sales by up to 20%.
The Previous: Amazon FBA là gì? Hướng dẫn toàn tập từ A-Z cho người mới bắt đầu
The Next: How to Start Online Arbitrage on Amazon: A Beginner's Guide for 2025 Profits

User Comments

Avatar
  • Add photo
log-in
All Comments(0) / My Comments
Hottest / Latest

Content is loading. Please wait

Latest Article
Tags