In the ever-evolving world of Amazon analytics, understanding how to measure competition and opportunity is essential. One metric that is set to dominate 2025 (in our humble opinion) is the median, especially when evaluating first-page products. But why choose median over averages? Let’s break it down.
Why Median Matters More Than Average
When assessing the competition in a niche, many sellers look at the average number of reviews/price/revenue for products on the first page. However, averages can be misleading due to the presence of outliers.
Example:
Imagine the first page of search results for a niche with these review counts:
- Product 1: 2000 reviews
- Product 2: 3000 reviews
- Product 3: 50 reviews
- Product 4: 60 reviews
- Product 5: 80 reviews
- Product 6: 100 reviews
- Product 7: 120 reviews
- Product 8: 150 reviews
- Product 9: 200 reviews
- Product 10: 250 reviews
Calculating the average gives us 601 reviews. For a new seller, this seems like a highly competitive niche. But the median tells a different story.
Finding the Median
To find the median, we first sort the numbers: 50, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150, 200, 250, 2000, 3000
With 10 products, the median is the average of the 5th and 6th values: (120 + 150) / 2 = 135.
This means half of the products on the first page have fewer than 135 reviews. Suddenly, the niche looks far less daunting.
Real-World Example from Amazon Analytics
Let's analyze an actual dataset from Amazon's Next Big Niche tool.
In the 'Clock Radios' category, the search term sunrise clock has an average review count of 2,000. But the median review count is 116 — significantly lower. This means while a few products have thousands of reviews, most products on the first page have far fewer, making the niche more approachable for new sellers.
Similarly, for sunrise alarm, the average reviews are 2,000, but the median is 118. This again highlights the power of the median metric — revealing a less competitive reality than the average suggests.
On the other hand, sunrise lamp in the 'Night Lights' category shows an average review count of 3,000, but the median is only 48. This demonstrates that even with seemingly high competition, many products have relatively low review counts.
Adding More Dimensions to Median Analysis
In addition to reviews, consider using median values for:
- Revenue on the first page: Helps estimate where you might land with initial sales if you have a competitive product.
- Price points: Reveals the true pricing strategy most listings follow, rather than being influenced by unusually high or low prices.
Median: The Fairer Metric
The median provides a more accurate picture of the market by mitigating the effect of outliers. In Amazon analytics, this means you can:
- Identify realistic competition levels.
- Uncover niches that seem highly competitive but are actually accessible.
- Make data-driven decisions without being skewed by extreme values.
Why Median is the Metric of 2025
In 2025, the Next Big Niche tool is placing a stronger emphasis on median values. With increasing competition on Amazon, sellers need a more reliable metric that reflects the true state of the market. Median values ensure you are not intimidated by outliers and help you spot genuine opportunities.
The median is your best friend when evaluating Amazon niches. It offers a realistic snapshot of the competition and helps you make smarter, data-driven decisions. As 2025 unfolds, expect the median to become the go-to metric for successful Amazon sellers.
Ready to Find Your Next Big Niche? 🚀
Discover NextBigNiche, the first Amazon analytics tool focused on identifying high-potential niches rather than individual products. Our simplified approach helps you save valuable time and focus on growing your Amazon business.
Start your 7-day free trial today and explore trending niches without risk.
Don't miss out—your Next Big Niche is waiting for you!