# How to Start a Listing on Amazon: Step-by-Step Guide for 2026 > Learn how to start a listing on Amazon from scratch. Covers Seller Central setup, listing optimization, A+ content, keywords, pricing, FBA vs FBM, and AI video tools. Amazon Selling • Guides * * * # How to Start a Listing on Amazon: Step-by-Step Guide for 2026 \============================================ Published by [VEONIB](https://veonib.com) • Updated July 4, 2026 • 12 minute read **Quick answer:** To start a listing on Amazon, create a Seller Central account, navigate to **Catalog > Add a Product**, select "I'm adding a product not sold on Amazon yet," enter your product details (title, brand, GTIN/UPC, images, description, keywords), set your price and quantity, then submit. Most listings go live within 24 hours. To make your listing stand out and boost conversions, add a product video — [VEONIB](https://veonib.com) generates professional Amazon product videos from any product URL in under 60 seconds, no editing skills needed. This guide walks through every step in detail. In this article [\[Why Amazon in 2026\]](#why-amazon) [\[What you need before listing\]](#prerequisites) [\[Step-by-step listing process\]](#step-by-step) [\[Listing optimization & SEO\]](#optimization) [\[A+ Content explained\]](#a-plus) [\[Pricing & FBA vs FBM\]](#pricing-fba) [\[Adding product video to your listing\]](#video) [\[Common mistakes to avoid\]](#common-mistakes) [\[Tools to automate the process\]](#tools) [\[FAQ\]](#faq) ## 1\. Why Amazon in 2026 Amazon remains the largest ecommerce marketplace in the United States, capturing roughly 38% of all online retail spending. In 2026, the platform hosts over 2.5 million active sellers and serves more than 310 million active customer accounts. For brands and entrepreneurs, having a well-optimized Amazon listing is no longer optional — it is table stakes for ecommerce success. What has changed in 2026: Amazon's algorithm increasingly favors **complete, high-quality listings** with A+ Content, multiple image angles, video, and strong keyword relevance. Bare-minimum listings that worked in 2022 now struggle to rank. The top 10% of listings capture over 70% of sales in their categories. For a broader strategy overview, see our [guide to AI ecommerce content](https://veonib.com/s/guides/ai-ecommerce-content-generator-guide). ## 2\. What you need before you start Before you create your first Amazon listing, gather these essentials: Item Details Seller Central account Register at **sell.amazon.com**. Choose Professional ($39.99/month) or Individual ($0.99 per sale). You will need identity verification and tax information. GTIN / UPC A product identifier from GS1 (or an approved brand registry exemption). Brand name Your brand must be registered or you list as "Generic." Brand Registry unlocks A+ Content and Sponsored Brands. Product images At least one 1000x1000 px image (required for Amazon zoom). Ideally 6+ including lifestyle, infographic, and comparison shots. Product video Highly recommended — listings with video see 15-25% higher conversion rates. [VEONIB](https://veonib.com) generates product videos from any URL in under 60 seconds. Compelling copy Title (max 200 chars), 5 bullet points, and a product description. Keywords Relevant search terms for your backend search terms field. **Pro tip:** Apply for **Amazon Brand Registry** before creating your first listing. It unlocks A+ Content, more control over your detail page, and protection against hijackers. The process takes 1-2 weeks, so start early. ## 3\. Step-by-step: How to create an Amazon listing ### Step 1: Log into Seller Central Go to [sellercentral.amazon.com](https://sellercentral.amazon.com) and sign in. Complete identity verification and banking details if you haven't already. ### Step 2: Navigate to "Add a Product" From the main menu, go to **Catalog** > **Add a Product**. You can either search for an existing listing (for resellers) or create a new listing (for brand owners). ### Step 3: Select "I'm adding a product not sold on Amazon yet" - **With GTIN/UPC:** Enter directly. - **With Brand Registry exemption:** Use _Brand Name + Model Number_. - **As Generic:** You can skip GTIN, but lose access to A+ Content. ### Step 4: Fill in the Vital Info tab - **Product title** — The most important ranking factor. 150-180 characters. Format: _\[Brand\] + \[Key Feature\] + \[Product Type\] + \[Size/Color\]_. - **Brand name** — Must match Brand Registry. - **Category** — Select the most specific category for best browse visibility. ### Step 5: Write your bullet points Five bullet points, up to 500 characters each. Focus on benefits, include keywords naturally, and lead with the strongest differentiator. **Simple way to think about it:** Your bullet points are your elevator pitch — the 5 reasons a shopper scanning on mobile should buy your product instead of the competition. ### Step 6: Upload images Main image must have a pure white background (RGB 255,255,255) with no text or logos. Secondary images can show lifestyle scenes, infographics, and size charts. ### Step 7: Add a product video Products with video convert 15-25% better. If you don't have footage, [VEONIB](https://veonib.com) generates professional product videos from any product URL — just paste your link, choose a style, and download in under 60 seconds. See [section 7](#video) for more. ### Step 8: Add description and backend keywords The **Product Description** supports up to 2,000 characters. Use it to tell a fuller story. **Backend Search Terms** are invisible to shoppers but indexed by Amazon's algorithm — include synonyms and related terms. ### Step 9: Set price, quantity, and fulfillment Choose **FBA** (Amazon handles storage and shipping) or **FBM** (you handle fulfillment). See the [pricing section](#pricing-fba) for a full breakdown. ### Step 10: Review and submit Double-check all fields. Click **Save and Finish**. Amazon typically publishes within 15 minutes to 24 hours. ## 4\. Listing optimization & Amazon SEO Amazon's ranking algorithm (A9 / Cosmo) considers these factors: Factor Impact How to optimize Keyword relevance High Include target keywords in title, bullets, and backend terms. Click-through rate High Strong main image, compelling title, competitive price. Conversion rate Very High A+ Content, product video, positive reviews. Sales velocity Very High PPC ads, promotions, consistent sales history. Reviews Medium 15+ reviews with 4.0+ stars before aggressive PPC. ## 5\. A+ Content explained **A+ Content** (formerly EBC) lets brand-registered sellers replace the plain description with rich multimedia modules. It increases conversion by 5-15% and reduces returns. Navigate to **Advertising > A+ Content Manager** in Seller Central to create modules including comparison charts, lifestyle images, and video. ### A+ Content best practices - Lead with a lifestyle hero image. - Use comparison modules for multi-variant products. - Keep text scannable — shoppers skim A+ modules. - Include a video module to maximize conversion uplift. ## 6\. Pricing & FBA vs FBM ### Amazon's fees breakdown - **Referral fee:** 8-20% of sale price (most categories: 15%). - **FBA fulfillment fee:** Per-unit based on size and weight. - **Storage fee:** $0.75-$2.40 per cubic foot. ### FBA vs FBM Factor FBA FBM Prime Automatic Only with SFP Buy Box Higher odds Lower (unless price-low) Shipping Amazon handles You handle Best for Small-medium, high volume Large, low volume, high-margin ## 7\. Adding product video to your Amazon listing Video is one of the most underutilized competitive advantages on Amazon. Products with video see **15-25% higher conversion rates** compared to image-only listings. Video helps shoppers understand product usage, size, and features more effectively than static images. ### How to get product video for Amazon - **Hire a videographer** — $500-$5,000 per video, several days turnaround. - **Film yourself** — Low cost but requires equipment and editing skills. - **Use an AI video generator** — [VEONIB](https://veonib.com) generates professional Amazon product videos from any URL in under 60 seconds with no editing required. Choose from 6 styles: brand, lifestyle, studio, luxury, UGC, and minimal. ### Video best practices for Amazon - Keep videos under 60 seconds. - Show the product in use within the first 3 seconds. - Include text overlays for key features (many watch without sound). - Use a consistent video style across your catalog for brand recognition. ## 8\. Common mistakes to avoid - **Incomplete listings** — Missing images or weak bullets kill conversion. - **Keyword stuffing** — Triggers Amazon spam detection. - **Wrong category** — Hides product from browse traffic. - **No product video** — Leaving 15-25% of conversions on the table. - **Ignoring mobile** — 60%+ of purchases happen on mobile. - **Skipping Brand Registry** — No A+ Content or brand protection. - **Set and forget** — Refresh listings every 30-90 days. ## 9\. Tools to automate and optimize your Amazon listings - **[VEONIB](https://veonib.com)** — AI product video generator. Paste any product URL, choose a video style, and get a cinematic Amazon-ready video in under 60 seconds. - **Helium 10** — Keyword research and listing optimization. - **Jungle Scout** — Product research and sales estimation. - **Sellercard** — Profitability and PPC analytics. ### Create professional Amazon product videos with VEONIB VEONIB turns any product URL into a cinematic ecommerce video in under 60 seconds — no editing skills needed. Choose from 6 video styles and export in Amazon-compatible format. Perfect for boosting conversion rates on every listing. [Generate your Amazon product video](https://veonib.com) For more AI tools across ecommerce, read [our AI ecommerce content guide](https://veonib.com/s/guides/ai-ecommerce-content-generator-guide). ## 10\. Frequently asked questions **How do I start a listing on Amazon as a beginner?** Create a Seller Central account, go to Catalog > Add a Product, choose "I'm adding a product not sold on Amazon yet," fill in your product details, set your price, and submit. Amazon typically publishes within 24 hours. **What information do I need?** A seller account, GTIN/UPC, product images (1000x1000 px minimum), title, bullet points, description, category, keywords, price, and quantity. **How long does it take to go live?** 15 minutes to 24 hours for most standard listings. Restricted categories may take 2-5 business days. **Can I create a listing without a UPC?** Yes, if you have a Brand Registry UPC exemption. Use brand name + part number as the product identifier. **How do I add a product video?** Through Seller Central or A+ Content modules. [VEONIB](https://veonib.com) generates product videos from any URL in under 60 seconds. **How much does it cost?** No per-listing fee. $39.99/month (Professional) or $0.99/sale (Individual), plus referral fees (8-20%) and optional FBA fees. * * * This article references:  [\[VEONIB\]](https://veonib.com)  [\[Amazon A+ Content Guidelines\]](https://sellercentral.amazon.com/help/hub/reference/G200141480)  [\[Amazon Advertising Blog\]](https://advertising.amazon.com/blog/amazon-seo/)  [\[GS1 UPC Standards\]](https://gs1us.org/upcs-barcodes)  [\[VEONIB Content Guide\]](https://veonib.com/s/guides/ai-ecommerce-content-generator-guide)