How Valuable Is Alibaba’s Merchant Star Rating for Global Buyers?

For global buyers sourcing on Alibaba, the Supplier Online Performance Index (SOPI)—also known as the Transaction Level or Merchant Star Rating—is a key metric on Alibaba.com. It evaluates and ranks suppliers based on their overall operational effectiveness. But as a buyer, how much weight should you really give it?

SOPI: 0-5 star rating

The core principle is telling: A supplier's final star level is set by its lowest score across four key capability pillars. This "barrel principle" ensures that top-rated sellers show balanced excellence in all critical areas, rather than excelling in just one or two.

The rating updates monthly on the 5th, based on the supplier's performance through the last day of the previous calendar month (in Pacific Standard Time, or PST).

Here's a breakdown of the four pillars that shape the Star Rating:

1. Product Popularity (Product Power)

This is a straightforward gauge of a supplier's high-quality inventory. It's calculated as the total number of "Premium" and "Hot" products currently listed in the store, plus their proportion relative to all products. This setup motivates suppliers to build a strong lineup of appealing, in-demand items.

2. Presentation Quality (Marketing Power)

This pillar evaluates a supplier's ability to attract and engage potential buyers. It consists of two sub-metrics:

• Business Opportunity Index: A composite score tracking the quantity and quality of unique "opportunity buyers" (those who sent inquiries, started TradeManager chats, or placed orders) over the last 30 days.

• Opportunity Conversion Rate: The percentage of total store visitors in the last 30 days who turned into "opportunity buyers."

3. Transaction Volume (Transaction Power)

This measures a supplier's proven sales performance and conversion efficiency.

• 90-Day GMV (Gross Merchandise Volume): The total transaction value from orders over the past 90 days.

• 90-Day Payment Conversion Rate: The share of "opportunity buyers" from the last 90 days who went on to complete payments.

4. Service Quality (Service Power)

This critical pillar assesses the supplier's post-sale reliability and customer service quality.

• Buyer Evaluation Score: The average rating from buyers over the past 365 days, covering product quality, seller service, and on-time shipping.

• 30-Day Average Response Time: The average time a seller takes to reply to a buyer's first inquiry each day.

• Abnormal Fulfillment Rate: A key indicator of serious order issues over the past 365 days, such as overdue shipments, faulty fulfillment details, or payments received without shipping within 180 days.

Four Pillars Radar Chart

The Alibaba’s Merchant Star Rating's real value comes from its rigorous, all-around evaluation—demanding strong performance in every pillar to hit 4-5 stars. For buyers, a high rating (like 4+ stars) points to a dependable partner who's less likely to fall short, helping minimize risks in international sourcing.

That said, its reliability isn't foolproof. Ratings can shift each month, and they don't account for outside factors like market shifts. New suppliers might score lower despite strong potential. Always pair it with other checks, such as Trade Assurance, verified badges, and direct chats, for a fuller view.

Main factors of reference

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