Mastering Walmart’s Content Quality Score (CQS)
Walmart’s marketplace is growing rapidly, and with more sellers joining daily, standing out requires more than just a good product. Your content must be optimized, complete, and aligned with Walmart’s standards. Enter the Content Quality Score (CQS) – Walmart’s internal metric that evaluates how well your product listings meet the expectations for discoverability and conversion.
In this blog, we’ll take a deep dive into what the CQS is, how it’s calculated, and what you can do to improve it. Whether you're a first-time Walmart seller or a seasoned brand looking to scale, understanding and optimizing for CQS is essential.
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Key Components of Walmart’s CQS
1. Product Title
- Walmart favors concise titles: 50–75 characters.
- Must include brand, product name, and key attributes (size, color, etc.).
- Avoid keyword stuffing and promotional phrases.
- Example: “Acme Stainless Steel Travel Mug, 16 oz – Blue”.
2. Descriptions
- Walmart provides two fields:
- Short Description (Key Features): Bullet points listing top features/benefits.
- Long Description: Paragraph-style with usage info, specs, and brand story.
- Make sure content is original, relevant, and keyword-optimized.
- Avoid copy-pasting from other sites; focus on clear, informative writing.
3. Images
- At least 4 high-quality images are recommended.
- Main image: white background, the product fills ~80% of the frame, no logos or watermarks.
- Include alternate angles, close-ups, lifestyle shots, and use scenarios.
- Walmart supports rich media like 360° spins and videos (for select sellers).
4. Attributes & Specifications (Attribution)
- 40% of your score depends on backend attributes.
- Fill in all relevant fields: brand, material, color, dimensions, age group, etc.
- Even "optional" fields matter – fill them in if applicable.
- Accurate attributes improve filtering and shelf placement (Walmart's "Shelving").
5. Reviews and Ratings
- While reviews aren’t directly part of CQS, they impact the Listing Quality Score.
- More reviews and a solid rating = better conversion.
- Walmart may include reviews under the attribution portion in future updates.
- Enroll in Walmart review programs or encourage post-purchase reviews.
Walmart Content Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria
Content Effectiveness (Omni 5.0 Initiative)
- Walmart is shifting from content completeness to content effectiveness.
- Well-written, persuasive, error-free copy matters.
- Focus on how your descriptions drive conversions, not just fill fields.
Style Guides
- Walmart has category-specific style guides.
- Titles: No all-caps, no promo language.
- Bullet points: < 100 characters each, factual, and clearly formatted.
- Use these guides to avoid moderation issues.
Backend Keywords (Search Tags)
- Add up to 3 hidden search tags per item.
- Helps with discoverability for synonyms or regional terms.
- Not part of CQS explicitly, but affects Walmart search engine indexing.
Frequent Re-evaluation
- Walmart recalculates CQS regularly, especially after content or model updates.
- New attributes are added over time (jumped from ~15 to ~30+ in late 2023).
- Monitor Item 360 or Listing Quality Dashboard to stay up to date.
Listing Quality Dashboard
- Available in Seller Center: Growth > Listing Quality.
- Breaks down your scores into Content and Discoverability.
- Includes item-level insights and missing fields.
- Remember: Listing Quality Score also includes offer (price, availability) and reviews.
Strategies to Improve and Maintain a High Walmart CQS
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Fill Every Attribute Field
Walmart's scoring system rewards completeness. Each attribute field you leave blank is a missed opportunity to boost your discoverability and improve CQS. Even fields marked “optional” should be completed if they’re relevant. This includes things like material, pattern, theme, occasion, sports team, and more.
A fully filled item setup ensures your product shows up in the right filters and categories. Additionally, Walmart often updates the list of high-priority attributes—so keep an eye on Seller Center or Item 360 for these changes.
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Optimize Titles for Walmart’s Style
Unlike Amazon, which allows longer, keyword-packed titles, Walmart prefers shorter, cleaner titles that are easier for customers to read. Aim for around 50–75 characters. Start with the brand, followed by product type and key variant (e.g., size, color, flavor). Avoid promotional language like "Best Quality" or "Free Shipping."
Overstuffing your title with keywords not only reduces readability but may also lower your score or trigger content moderation. A Walmart-friendly title example: “Acme 16 oz Stainless Steel Travel Mug – Blue.”
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Provide Rich, Unique Descriptions
Walmart separates content into Short and Long Descriptions. For the Short Description, use 5 or more clear, concise bullet points that highlight the top features or benefits. Each bullet should be under 100 characters.
For the Long Description, write a detailed and engaging paragraph that includes use cases, product specifications, and your brand's story. Avoid duplicating content from other platforms—Walmart values original, effective copy that helps convert shoppers.
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Use High-Quality Images & Media
Visual content plays a major role in your content score. Start with a professional, high-resolution main image that follows Walmart’s standards: product centered on a white background, filling about 80% of the frame, with no text or logos.
Add at least 3–6 supplementary images showing the product from different angles, in use, or highlighting key features. If your category supports it, include 360° images or videos. Rich visuals not only help increase your CQS but also build shopper trust and improve conversion.
Creating this level of visual content consistently can be resource-intensive—but platforms like imagine.io make it simple. imagine.io enables sellers to generate high-quality, Walmart-ready product visuals using 3D rendering and AI tools. Whether you need clean white background shots, lifestyle renders, or 360° spins, imagine.io helps speed up visual production while maintaining compliance with Walmart’s content guidelines.
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Ensure Correct Category and “Shelving”
Walmart's "Shelving" refers to how your product is classified in the catalog. If your product is filed under the wrong category, it may not show up in relevant searches or filters.
For instance, listing a novelty mug under “Kitchen Storage” instead of “Drinkware > Mugs” can mislead both customers and Walmart's algorithms. Always check Walmart's category structure and assign your product to the most accurate subcategory. If you find a misclassification, request a category update through Seller Center.
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Leverage Walmart’s Content Insights
Walmart provides valuable tools like the Listing Quality Dashboard and Item 360 to help you monitor and improve your listings. Use these resources to identify products with low scores or missing content.
For example, the dashboard may highlight that a listing lacks a key feature bullet or proper sizing details. Act on these insights methodically by prioritizing your top-selling or high-traffic items first.
Also, stay updated on Walmart’s biannual model updates, which can shift the weight or importance of certain attributes.
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Aim for Quality Reviews
While customer reviews don’t directly count toward CQS, they are a key component of Walmart’s overall Listing Quality Score. A high CQS paired with poor or nonexistent reviews won’t convert as well as a listing with both strong content and a solid rating profile.
Encourage reviews through great customer service and participation in Walmart’s review generation programs. If reviews come in—especially negative ones—respond promptly and professionally to show potential customers you’re responsive and trustworthy.
Final Takeaway
Walmart’s Content Quality Score is more than a number. It’s a predictor of how well your product will perform in search and on the shelf. A high CQS makes your listings more discoverable, trustworthy, and conversion-friendly. By understanding the components of CQS and implementing Walmart’s best practices, you can:
- Boost your visibility
- Increase conversions
- Stay competitive in a growing marketplace
Need help creating Walmart-compliant visuals quickly and at scale? imagine.io offers AI-powered tools to generate high-quality images, 360° spins, and lifestyle renders—without the hassle of traditional photoshoots.
Book a Demo to see how imagine.io can help you elevate your product listings and improve your Content Quality Score today.