Overview

Amazon is rolling out a new feedback model that lets buyers rate sellers with stars only, without mandatory written comments, starting February 4 2025. The change is paired with tighter filters that block low‑star ratings unrelated to seller performance, aiming to boost the number of ratings while protecting sellers from unjust feedback.

Key Points

• Star‑only option launched — Shoppers can now tap a 1‑to‑5 star rating and submit it instantly, eliminating the need to type a review.
• Full‑text reviews remain — Customers who prefer to explain their experience can still add a written comment; the text field is now optional.
• Low‑star justification required — Ratings below four stars trigger a mandatory drop‑down where the buyer selects a reason such as “late shipment” or “incorrect item.”
• Automated irrelevant‑rating removal — Amazon’s system evaluates the selected reason and automatically excludes ratings that stem from product‑quality issues, which are outside the seller’s control.
• Enhanced abuse detection — New machine‑learning tools scan incoming feedback for policy violations and delete abusive entries without a seller‑initiated request.
• Manual dispute still available — Sellers can flag any rating that slips through the filters through the existing Seller Central dispute workflow.

How the New Feedback System Works

1. Quick star tap — A buyer purchases a Bluetooth speaker, receives it on time, and on the order‑detail page taps the five‑star icon; the rating posts instantly with no text required.
2. Detailed path selection — Another buyer experiences a delayed shipment; after tapping three stars, the interface presents a list of reasons (“shipping speed,” “item not as described,” etc.) and offers an optional comment box for further detail.
3. Reason validation engine — If the delayed‑shipment buyer selects “shipping speed,” Amazon’s algorithm checks order timestamps; because the delay is seller‑related, the three‑star rating stays on the seller’s profile.