What is Top Rated Plus?

Top Rated Plus is a visible badge or label applied by some online marketplaces to sellers and listings that meet a defined set of performance and service criteria. For a beginner, think of it as a trust mark that tells buyers: “This seller reliably provides fast shipping, accurate listings, good customer service, and clear return options.” Marketplaces use Top Rated Plus to highlight sellers who consistently deliver a smoother shopping experience.

At its core, the badge combines two ideas: seller performance metrics (ratings, time-to-ship, defect rates) and customer-facing guarantees (free or easy returns, fast delivery options, valid tracking). When both of those are in place, a seller may earn the Top Rated Plus designation. The badge can appear on a seller’s profile, on individual listings, and in search results to increase visibility.

Why marketplaces use Top Rated Plus

• To reward reliable sellers and encourage higher standards.
• To give buyers an easy visual cue when evaluating trustworthiness.
• To improve the overall buyer experience, reducing disputes and returns.

Benefits for buyers

• Clear expectations about shipping speed and return policies.
• Lower perceived risk — buyers feel safer purchasing from a Top Rated Plus seller.
• Often better customer service and more consistent problem resolution.

Benefits for sellers

• Increased visibility in search results and on category pages.
• Higher conversion rates — shoppers preferentially choose sellers with trust badges.
• Possible fee incentives, featured placements, or promotional benefits from the marketplace.

What typical criteria look like

Different marketplaces set different thresholds, but common criteria include:

• High positive feedback score over a rolling evaluation period (for example, 98% positive ratings or higher).
• Low defect rate and few or no cases opened against the seller.
• Consistently on-time shipping within the promised handling and delivery windows.
• Valid tracking provided for shipped orders.
• Free returns or a clear, buyer-friendly returns policy for eligible items.
• Meeting minimum sales or transaction volume requirements in some programs.

Real-world example (beginner-friendly)

Imagine you’re shopping for a laptop bag on a marketplace. Two sellers offer the same bag at similar prices. One seller has the Top Rated Plus badge and promises free returns and 1–2 day shipping with tracking; the other seller has no badge and standard shipping. Many buyers will choose the Top Rated Plus seller because the peace of mind—fast delivery, clear return terms, proven track record—makes the purchase decision easier.

How to recognize a Top Rated Plus listing

• Look for a small badge or label near the seller name or on the product page that says Top Rated Plus or similar wording.
• Check the shipping and returns section of the listing — Top Rated Plus listings often highlight fast handling times and easy returns.
• Review seller ratings and the number of sales; Top Rated Plus sellers usually have a history of positive feedback.

Limitations and what it doesn’t guarantee

While the badge signals high standards, it is not an absolute guarantee. Things can still go wrong: a shipped item might be damaged in transit, or a rare exception could cause a delayed delivery. The badge reduces risk but doesn’t eliminate it. Buyers should still read the listing details and product descriptions, and sellers should keep up the practices that earned the badge.

Beginner tips

• If you are a buyer, use the badge as one of several decision factors: price, shipping, and return terms still matter.
• If you are a seller, focus first on consistent order fulfillment, accurate listings, and transparent returns — that’s what builds eligibility for Top Rated Plus.

In summary, Top Rated Plus is a marketplace tool that helps buyers quickly find reputable sellers and helps sellers stand out for providing reliable, buyer-friendly service. For beginners, it’s a helpful shortcut to trustworthiness when shopping online.