How to use Keepa for Amazon price tracking and product research

What is Keepa?

Keepa is an online service that tracks price history for Amazon products. It provides users with detailed historical price data, including changes in product prices, sales rank, and availability. This tool helps both consumers and sellers make informed decisions by giving insights into trends and pricing behavior over time.

Setting Up Keepa

Before diving into the functionalities of Keepa, let’s outline how to set it up:

1. Creating an Account:
   • While you can use Keepa without an account, creating one allows you to save your settings and access more features.
   • Visit the Keepa website and click on the registration option. Provide the required information, such as email and password.
2. Installing the Keepa Browser Extension:
   • For an enhanced experience, install the Keepa browser extension available for Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.
   • This extension provides quick access to pricing data while shopping on Amazon.
3. Using Keepa on the Website:
   • After setting up, go to the Keepa homepage. You can enter the ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) of the product you want to track or browse categories directly.

Understanding the Keepa Dashboard

Once you have accessed a product through Keepa, you will see the dashboard, which provides an array of information:

1. Price History Graph:
   • This is the centerpiece of Keepa’s functionality. The graph shows the historical prices of the product over time, including:
     • Amazon Price: The retail price set by Amazon.
     • Minimum Price: The lowest price at which the product has been sold (both by Amazon and third-party sellers).
     • Average Price: This represents the average price over a specific timeframe.
     • Sales Rank: Displays how well the product is selling in its category.
2. Price Type Selector:
   • Users can customize the graph to display various prices:
     • New: Price for new items.
     • Used: Price for used items.
     • Amazon: Price specifically from Amazon.
     • Third-Party: Prices from other sellers.
3. Date Range Filters:
   • You can adjust the time period of the graph to see trends over different durations, such as:
     • Last 30 days
     • Last 90 days
     • Last year
     • All-time
4. Product Availability:
   • Keepa tracks stock levels. You can see when a product is in stock or has been out of stock historically, giving you insight into supply trends.
5. Seller Information:
   • When you scroll down the page, Keepa will display a breakdown of sellers. This includes their pricing and ratings, which can be very useful for evaluating competition.

Price Tracking with Keepa

Price tracking is one of Keepa’s most powerful features. Here’s how you can maximize this function:

1. Setting Up Price Watches:
   • Users can set up alerts for price drops. When the price of a product drops to a specified threshold, Keepa will notify you via email.
   • To create a price watch, click on the “Track Product” button and set your desired price.
2. Discount Tracking:
   • Keepa allows users to track discounts and historical pricing trends. By analyzing this data, sellers can learn ideal times for promotional pricing or stock replenishment.
3. Comparative Pricing:
   • Track similar products to compare their price histories. This function is particularly useful for sellers trying to identify the best potential options for inventory.

Conducting Product Research

Now that you understand price tracking, let’s delve into how to use Keepa for comprehensive product research:

1. Identifying Emerging Trends:
   • Analyzing the sales rank and price history can help sellers recognize growth trends or products gaining popularity.
2. Evaluating Demand:
   • By examining the historical sales rank, you can ascertain demand for specific products. A consistently low sales rank indicates high demand, while fluctuating ranks may suggest a more volatile interest.
3. Profitability Analysis:
   • To calculate profitability, consider:
     • The product’s selling price.
     • The cost of goods sold (COGS).
     • Amazon fees (including FBA fees if applicable).
     • Use Keepa’s price history to estimate potential sale prices and discounts.
4. Product Variants:
   • Keepa can track variations of products, such as color or size. Understanding how different variants perform can guide your purchasing decisions.
5. Finding Gaps in the Market:
   • If you notice a consistent demand for certain products without adequate supply, that could be an opportunity for investment.

Advanced Research Techniques

To effectively leverage Keepa, consider these advanced research strategies:

1. Use of Filters:
   • Keepa allows filtering products by category, current price, or sales rank, helping you find exactly what you’re looking for.
   • Use these filters to focus on items that align closely with your research criteria.
2. Competitor Analysis:
   • Identify competitors in your desired niche by tracking their pricing strategies and stock availability.
   • Analyze how often they run promotions or discounts and how that affects their sales rank.
3. User Reviews and Ratings:
   • The Keepa interface also allows you to access product reviews directly. Analyze these reviews to gauge customer sentiment about products.
4. Cross-Referencing Data:
   • Utilize data from Keepa alongside insights from other tools (like Jungle Scout or Helium 10) to develop a holistic understanding of market conditions.

Keepa vs. Other Tools

While Keepa is a powerful tool, it’s essential to understand how it compares with others:

1. Jungle Scout:
   • More user-friendly for beginners with specific features for Amazon sellers.
   • Keepa provides deeper price history analysis but may not have all the features for listing optimization.
2. CamelCamelCamel:
   • Another price-tracking extension, but without the same depth of data and usability that Keepa provides. Keepa offers a more sophisticated interface and charting capabilities.

Best Practices for Using Keepa

To get the most out of Keepa, consider the following best practices:

1. Regular Monitoring:
   • Regularly check your tracked products and adjust price watch alerts as needed.
2. Stay Updated:
   • Keep up with Amazon policies and market changes that may affect pricing trends.
3. Combine Tools:
   • Use Keepa in conjunction with other research tools to gather a multifaceted view of product performance.
4. Proactive Strategy:
   • Don’t just react to price drops; proactively search for opportunities using historical data to guide your purchasing decisions.

Keepa is a powerful Amazon price tracking and product research tool that empowers users to navigate the complexities of Amazon’s marketplace effectively. By understanding its features in detail—from price history graphs to sales rank projections—you can vastly improve your buying and selling strategies.

Whether you aim to find the best deals as a consumer or identify profitable products as a seller, Keepa provides the information and insights needed to make informed decisions. Implement the strategies discussed in this guide, and you will be well-equipped to leverage Keepa to its fullest potential, enhancing your experience and success within the Amazon ecosystem.

For further exploration, consider engaging in forums or communities focused on Amazon selling and price tracking, as these networks can provide valuable ongoing insights and new methodologies to refine your use of Keepa