1. The Anatomy of a Keepa Chart
Keepa is the single most important software tool in an Amazon seller's arsenal. If you understand how to read a Keepa chart, you will virtually never buy bad inventory or lose capital on un-sellable stock.
The Core Lines Explained:
- Green Line (Best Sellers Rank / BSR): The lower the number, the faster the product is selling. A steep downward drop indicates a confirmed sale. Frequent drops confirm high velocity.
- Magenta / Pink Line (Buy Box Price): Shows the exact price at which the Buy Box was won over time. Look for smooth, horizontal consistency rather than erratic rollercoaster drops.
- Orange Shading (Amazon In-Stock): If the chart is solid orange, Amazon retail is in stock. Third-party sellers rarely win more than 10% of sales when Amazon is actively on the listing.
- Blue Line (New 3P Offer Count): Shows how many sellers are currently competing. When this line spikes upwards rapidly, price wars almost always follow.
2. How to Use the Buy Box Statistics Tab
Always click the Data → Buy Box Statistics tab in Keepa. Set the timeframe to 90 days. Check the percentage distribution:
- If one seller owns 95% of the Buy Box, the brand is likely restricting the listing.
- If 4 to 8 sellers each hold between 10% and 25% of the Buy Box, sales rotate fairly among FBA sellers. You can safely purchase stock.
3. Beware of Temporary Price Spikes
When Amazon goes out of stock, third-party sellers often inflate the price from $20 to $45. Many beginners make the mistake of calculating their profit based on the temporary $45 price. When Amazon restocks at $20, the margin vanishes. Always base your wholesale purchase on the 90-day average Buy Box price.