Finding brands on Amazon is easy. Finding ones that will actually partner with you? That’s where it gets tricky.
SmartScout makes that process faster through its brand hunting tools, which let you search, filter, and evaluate real brands that are active on Amazon but not locked down by Amazon Retail or exclusive sellers.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to use SmartScout’s brand database to spot opportunities and start conversations that lead to long-term supply relationships.
Key Takeaways
- SmartScout shows over 240,000+ Amazon brands with sales and seller data you can act on.
- Use filters to find brands that aren’t locked down by Amazon or exclusives.
- Pitch as a partner, not just a seller, to get real replies and open accounts.
What Is Brand Hunting and Why You Need It?
Brand hunting is a method of finding real brands already selling on Amazon that are likely open to working with third-party sellers – either through distributors or directly. The goal isn’t to chase trending products or undercut prices. It’s to identify stable brands with consistent demand and long-term potential.
This approach works for both wholesale and brand-direct sellers.
For example, a wholesale-focused seller might use brand hunting to spot smaller home improvement or kitchen brands that are well-established in retail but barely present on Amazon – indicating untapped potential.
On the other hand, a brand-direct seller might look for listings with poor images, missing A+ content, or no sign of Brand Registry. These are signs that the brand could use help managing its Amazon presence – and might be open to partnering with someone who knows how the platform works.
And SmartScout? It’s your filter. Instead of wasting hours digging through random listings or storefronts, you’re using data to find brands that match your criteria from the start.
Deep Dive Into SmartScout’s Brands Feature
Most sellers know how tough it is to fully evaluate a brand just by browsing Amazon listings. Key factors such as Buy Box ownership history, seller distribution, pricing dynamics, or whether Amazon itself competes as a seller are difficult or impossible to quickly determine without manual digging or specialized tools.
SmartScout solves that by giving you direct access to more than 242,000 brands in its searchable database, complete with the metrics that actually matter. You can compare revenue, average price points, seller count, Amazon’s involvement, and even how well the listings are optimized – all from one dashboard.
There are two ways to get started:
- Search for a specific brand – If you’ve already got a lead, just plug it in. You’ll immediately see whether it’s worth pursuing based on actual data.
- Use filters to uncover new opportunities – This is where SmartScout really shines. You define what kind of brand you want to work with, and SmartScout gives you a shortlist that fits (more about it later).
For example, say you’re focused on Kitchen & Dining – a category with plenty of demand but also a lot of noise. You don’t want to waste time pitching brands that are already working directly with Amazon or tied up in exclusive deals. So you set filters to find brands doing $20K–$75K in monthly sales, with at least three FBA sellers, and low Amazon in-stock presence. In seconds, you’ve got a curated list of brands that are likely open to new seller partnerships and worth reaching out to.
What Filters to Use for Brand Hunting?
To use SmartScout’s brand hunting feature effectively, you need to apply filters that highlight brands with real potential for wholesale or brand-direct outreach. Without filters, the tool defaults to showing the full database – including giants like Apple, LEGO, or Samsung. These are not the brands you want to spend time contacting. They’re already locked into exclusive deals or selling directly on Amazon at massive scale.
Filters help you avoid wasting time on brands that were never a fit to begin with. Once applied, they highlight brands with real sales activity, a manageable level of competition, and a higher chance of being open to new seller relationships.
The table below shows the filter setup I recommend based on my own testing and insights shared by experienced Amazon sellers who’ve successfully sourced brands through SmartScout:
| Filter | Recommended Setting | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon In-Stock Rate | Max 50% | Filters out brands where Amazon controls inventory most of the time. Lower rates suggest better Buy Box opportunities for third-party sellers. |
| Dominant Seller Sales% | Max 50% | Prevents targeting brands dominated by one seller – often a sign of exclusivity or brand control. |
| Average FBA Sellers | Min 3 | Indicates the brand already works with multiple resellers and isn’t locked to a single distribution channel. |
| Monthly Revenue | $20,000–$100,000 | Focuses on brands that are established but still approachable. High enough to show demand, low enough to start a conversation. |
| Average Price | Min $25 | Filters out low-priced items that don’t leave room for healthy margins or pricing stability. |
| Average Rating | 3.5+ | Avoids poor-quality products while leaving room for listing improvement if needed. |
| Total Ratings | Min 10 | Ensures at least some sales history and customer feedback. |
| Seller Country | United States | Helps you avoid brands dominated by overseas sellers – especially relevant if you're navigating tariffs or sourcing logistics. |
Once applied, these filters give you a shortlist of brands that are active, accessible, and likely to be open to new seller relationships. From there, it’s about doing your homework and reaching out with the right approach.
Once you’ve set your filters, don’t start from scratch next time. Just click “Save” at the bottom of the filter panel (right between “Reset” and “Apply”). Drop in a quick name for your filter set and reuse it anytime you’re brand hunting again. Smart, simple, and a real time-saver.
How to Contact Brands?
Reaching out to a brand is where the real work begins – and how you do it often makes the difference between getting a reply or getting ignored.
Finding Contact Info
Start by Googling the brand name plus keywords like “wholesale”, “reseller program”, or “authorized distributor”. If that doesn’t lead anywhere, check the brand’s official website – look in the footer, under “Contact,” or in their FAQ section. For smaller brands, you might also find contact emails on LinkedIn or use tools like Hunter.io to identify key decision-makers.
Export Your Lead List
SmartScout allows you to export your filtered brand list in both Excel (.xlsx) and CSV (.csv) formats – a feature available on the Business plan and above. You can open either file in Google Sheets, Excel, or your preferred spreadsheet tool to organize leads, collect contact info, and track outreach. It’s a simple way to turn brand research into a structured outreach pipeline.
Once exported, you can:
- Add columns for contact info, website URLs, and LinkedIn profiles
- Track outreach status and responses
- Log notes on whether a brand works direct or via distributors
This gives you a clear system to manage responses, follow-ups, and distributor leads – without needing extra tools.
Outreach Strategy That Works
When reaching out – whether by email, form, or phone – avoid opening with “I’m an Amazon seller.” That line tends to shut doors fast.
Instead:
- Position yourself as an ecommerce partner or distributor
- Explain that you help brands improve their Amazon presence
- Mention specific services you offer: listing optimization, pricing strategy, brand protection
This positions you as someone adding value – not just another seller looking for access.
What If They Don’t Sell Direct?
Sometimes a brand will say they don’t sell directly to resellers. That doesn’t mean the lead is dead. Ask if they work with any authorized distributors you can contact instead. Many sellers get accounts this way – it’s just one step removed from the source.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Brands Are in Smartscout’s Brands Tool?
As of 2025, SmartScout’s Brands tool includes over 242,000 brands, covering a wide range of categories and marketplaces. The database is updated regularly.
Can I Contact Brands Directly Through Smartscout?
SmartScout doesn’t offer built-in messaging, but you can export your brand list and use that data to find contact info via Google, LinkedIn, or email tools like Hunter.io.
Are There Alternatives to Smartscout for Brand Hunting?
There are a few other tools that offer brand and product research features, like Helium 10, Jungle Scout, and Keepa. However, none of them are built specifically for brand-level sourcing like SmartScout. Most focus on individual products or listing analysis, while SmartScout is designed to help you filter and compare entire brands – making it far more efficient for brand hunting.
Find Better Brands, Faster
SmartScout helps you move past scattered research and focus on brands that actually fit your selling strategy. With the right filters and a clear outreach plan, you can build a repeatable process that leads to real partnerships – not just one-off wins.
If you’re ready to turn brand hunting into something strategic and sustainable, SmartScout is built for exactly that.
Click my exclusive link and use code REVENUEGEEKS25 to get 25% off your first 3 months. Save time, skip the guesswork, and start reaching out to brands that actually want to work with sellers like you.
