How to Rank on Walmart: Understanding Walmart’s Search Algorithm for Higher Search Results

Walmart Marketplace continues to gain momentum as one of the most powerful eCommerce platforms in the U.S. With millions of customers searching Walmart.com every day, visibility in Walmart’s search results can make or break your success as a seller.

Walmart has its own proprietary search algorithm that rewards optimized listings, reliable fulfillment, and great customer experiences. Walmart's algorithm is unique compared to other platforms and requires specific optimization strategies, such as maintaining stock levels, competitive pricing, and accurate product attributes.

Let’s break down how Walmart’s search algorithm works, the key ranking factors, and actionable strategies to help your listings rise to the top.

Introduction to the Walmart Search Engine

Walmart essentially functions as its own search engine when a shopper uses the Walmart.com website. Walmart uses its own algorithms and logic to determine which products to display in response to a search query, rather than relying on a third-party search engine like Google.

Walmart search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing product listings to increase visibility on the Walmart Marketplace. By understanding how Walmart’s algorithm works and applying targeted strategies, sellers can get their products to rank higher and increase sales.

Implementing a robust Walmart SEO strategy involves optimizing various elements of your product listings, such as titles, descriptions, and attributes, to align with search engine optimization best practices. By focusing on these areas, sellers can improve their chances of winning the Buy Box, which is crucial for driving more sales. A well-executed Walmart SEO strategy not only boosts visibility but also enhances the overall shopping experience for customers, leading to higher conversion rates and increased sales.

Understanding Walmart’s Search Algorithm

Walmart’s search algorithm is designed to match customer intent with the most relevant and high-performing products. When a customer types a query into the search bar, the algorithm analyzes a variety of factors to determine which products to show and in what order.

The two main components of the algorithm are:

Relevance – How closely your listing matches the customer’s search query.

Performance – How well your product has sold (utilizing historical sales data), combined with how reliable you are as a seller.

Walmart’s goal is to deliver a seamless shopping experience, so the algorithm favors product listings that are not only relevant but also trustworthy and likely to result in a satisfied customer.

Product Visibility and Conversions

Product visibility is crucial for driving conversions on Walmart. To improve visibility, sellers should optimize their product titles, descriptions, and attributes with relevant keywords. This ensures that listings are easily discoverable by potential buyers. Using high-quality images and bullet points to highlight key features can also significantly increase conversions. High-resolution images showing the product from different angles and in various contexts can attract more attention and build customer trust.

Additionally, providing great customer service is essential, as positive customer reviews play a significant role in improving product visibility and driving sales. Encouraging positive feedback and maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction can boost your product’s ranking. By following Walmart’s guidelines and implementing a comprehensive Walmart SEO strategy, sellers can increase their product’s ranking, drive more sales, and improve their overall seller performance.

Key Ranking Factors on Walmart Marketplace

So, what are they key factors to rank on Walmart? Walmart listing optimization is crucial for improving product visibility and rankings on the Walmart Marketplace. To boost your rankings, you’ll need to optimize for the factors Walmart’s algorithm considers most important:

1. Product Title Optimization

Your product title is one of the most important on-page elements. It should be descriptive, keyword-rich, and formatted in a way that’s easy to scan.

Tips for title optimization:

• Include primary keywords at the beginning.
• Follow Walmart’s preferred title structure: Brand + Product Type + Key Attributes (e.g., size, color, quantity)
• Avoid keyword stuffing or using special characters.

Example:

✅ “Mainstays Queen Memory Foam Mattress, 10-Inch, White”

❌ “Best Cheap Bed Mattress Foam Queen Size - Buy Now!!!”

2. Bullet Points & Descriptions

Walmart uses your product description and key features (bullet points) to understand what your product is and how it satisfies customer needs. That is why it's important to ensure your product descriptions are detailed, informative, and optimized with relevant keywords.

Best practices:

• Use all key feature slots to highlight benefits, not just specs.
• Incorporate secondary keywords naturally.
• Write clear, concise, and easy-to-read descriptions.
• Avoid duplicate content across listings.

3. Back-End Attributes (Spec Sheets)

Behind-the-scenes product attributes (i.e. color, material, gender, etc.) help Walmart match your listing to long-tail search queries.

Why this matters: Walmart’s search engine places a heavy emphasis on structured data. The more attributes you fill out, the better your product can be indexed for relevant searches.

Pro tip: Use Walmart’s Listing Quality Dashboard in Seller Center to see which attributes are missing.

4. Pricing Competitiveness

Walmart prioritizes low prices for its customers. If your price isn’t competitive, your product is less likely to show up in the top search results. Ensure competitive pricing by regularly monitoring competitors and market trends to adhere to Walmart's unique pricing rules.

Tips:

• Monitor competitiveness with Walmart’s Buy Box Report.
• Use an automated Walmart repricer to dynamically adjust your pricing and maximize sales.
• Factor in shipping costs: Walmart compares the total price (item + shipping).

5. In-Stock Rate and Inventory Management

Make sure your Walmart listings remain visible and competitive by maintaining healthy stock levels. If your product is out of stock or low in quantity, your listing may drop in rankings or be hidden entirely.

Keep in mind:

• Maintain a healthy in-stock rate (ideally above 90%).
• Use inventory syncing tools to avoid overselling.
• Monitor your inventory levels regularly in Seller Center.

6. Fast and Reliable Shipping

Maintaining high on-time shipping rates is crucial for improving product rankings and customer satisfaction. Listings eligible for Walmart TwoDay or Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) tend to rank higher because they meet customer expectations for fast, free delivery.

Why it matters:

• Walmart badges your listings with smart tags (e.g., “2-Day Delivery”) which can improve click-through rates.
• TwoDay eligible listings often win the Buy Box and rank higher in results.

If you’re not yet using WFS, it might be worth exploring for fulfillment and ranking benefits.

7. Customer Reviews and Ratings

Products with strong reviews and high star ratings are more likely to convert, and the algorithm takes this into account.

How to improve:

• Use Walmart’s Review Accelerator program or follow up with customers post-purchase.
• Monitor and respond to customer reviews to maintain your reputation.
• Encourage positive reviews providing an excellent customer experience
• Address negative reviews to maintain a seller's reputation and potentially improve rankings.

8. Seller Performance Metrics

Walmart rewards sellers with strong performance metrics like:

• Fulfillment Speed
• Valid Tracking Rate (VTR)
• On-Time Delivery Rate (OTD)
• Cancellation Rate
• Seller Response Rate

Poor performance can lead to suppressed listings or decreased visibility. Stay within Walmart’s thresholds to avoid penalties and boost search trust.

Advanced Tips to Improve Your Walmart Search Rankings

Understanding and implementing Walmart SEO strategies is crucial to enhance product visibility and sales on the Walmart Marketplace. Now that you know the basics on how to rank on Walmart, let’s look at some more specific, higher-level strategies to stand out even more.

Use High-Quality Images and Rich Media

Visual content significantly influences click-through and conversion rates. Walmart allows multiple images per listing. Take advantage of this!

• Use at least 4 high-resolution images.
• Show the product from multiple angles.
• Include lifestyle shots when appropriate.
• Avoid watermarks or promotional text in images.
• Use Walmart Rich Media to increase conversion rates and search rankings

Optimize for Mobile Search

A large portion of Walmart shoppers use mobile devices. Make sure your titles and bullet points are concise enough to display properly on smaller screens for mobile shoppers.

• Front-load the most important information.
• Use short, scannable sentences in bullet points.

Leverage Seasonal Trends and Keywords

Keep your listings fresh and aligned with shopper behavior.

• Use keyword research tools to identify trending terms.
• Adjust your titles and descriptions based on seasonal demand. For example: “Back-to-School,” “Holiday Gifts,” etc.
• Consider updating your images with seasonal elements.

Monitor and Improve Listing Quality Score

Walmart provides a Listing Quality Dashboard in Seller Center that evaluates your listings based on content, discoverability, and conversion potential. Check this dashboard regularly and follow Walmart’s suggestions to improve scores across your catalog.

Measuring the Impact of Your Optimization Efforts

Walmart offers several tools and reports to help sellers track product rank, visibility and performance:

• Search Insights: See high performing keywords that are driving traffic to your listings, and lower performing keywords that may need optimizing.
• Buy Box Report: Identify which listings are losing the Buy Box due to pricing or fulfillment issues.
• Performance Dashboard: Monitor metrics like OTD, VTR, and customer reviews.
• Listing Quality Score: Track individual listing performance and recommended improvements.

Use these tools to test, refine, and iterate on your listing strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How long does it take to see ranking improvements after optimizing my listings?

Changes can start affecting search results within 24–72 hours, but consistent ranking improvements may take a couple of weeks. Regularly monitor your performance to assess progress.

Q2: Can I use the same keyword multiple times in a listing?

No need to repeat keywords excessively. Walmart’s algorithm is smart enough to detect relevance from one mention. Focus on natural placement and keyword variety.

Q3: Do sponsored ads help organic rankings?

Utilizing sponsored ads can significantly increase sales by enhancing product visibility and attracting more potential buyers. While Walmart Sponsored Ads don’t directly impact organic rankings, they can increase visibility and drive conversions—which in turn, improve your performance metrics and search rank over time.

Q4: How do I get the “Best Seller Rank” or “Popular Pick” badge?

These badges are algorithmically assigned based on sales velocity, customer satisfaction, and product popularity. Optimizing your listings and delivering excellent service can help you earn these designations.

Q5: What’s the best way to identify high-traffic keywords for Walmart?

Use third-party tools or Walmart’s own Search Insights reports to find relevant, high-volume keywords your customers are searching for.

Final Thoughts

Understanding how to rank on Walmart is critical to your success on the Marketplace. Walmart’s search algorithm is designed to reward sellers who create high-quality listings, offer great value, and consistently deliver excellent service. While there’s no magic formula to instantly rank #1, optimizing your listing content, pricing, and fulfillment methods will significantly improve your visibility and conversions over time.

Remember: ranking higher in Walmart search results is a marathon, not a sprint. Continual improvement to your product listings, data-driven decisions, and customer-first thinking are the keys to long-term success.