Top 10 Amazon Compliance Mistakes Brands Make (and How to Fix Them)
Success on Amazon isn’t just about keyword rankings, PPC campaigns, or high-quality images. The foundation of long-term growth is compliance. One policy violation can tank a listing, trigger account suspensions, or even cause permanent brand damage. Unfortunately, many brands learn this the hard way.
Below, we’ll break down the top 10 compliance mistakes brands make on Amazon — and, more importantly, how to fix them before they cost you sales.
1. Using Prohibited Keywords in Listings
The Mistake: Brands often add restricted words like “FDA-approved,” “cure,” “guaranteed,” or competitor brand names. These trigger policy violations and suppress listings.
The Fix: Build keyword lists from approved sources only. Use tools like Helium 10 or Amazon’s own Search Term Report, but cross-check every keyword against Amazon’s restricted terms list. Avoid medical, drug, or competitor references entirely.
2. Ignoring Character Count and Formatting Rules
The Mistake: Titles over 200 characters, bullet points crammed with keywords, or emojis in product descriptions all risk suppression.
The Fix: Follow Amazon’s style guides by category. Stick to 200 characters for titles, 350–400 characters for bullets, and 1,000–1,200 characters for descriptions. Prioritize readability — not stuffing.
3. Misclassifying Products in the Wrong Category
The Mistake: Some sellers intentionally put items in less competitive categories or accidentally misclassify them, leading to suppressed search visibility or even removal.
The Fix: Use the correct browse node and ensure category alignment with GS1 barcodes, packaging, and product intent. If unsure, open a case with Seller Support to confirm.
4. Incomplete or Inaccurate Product Identifiers
The Mistake: Using incorrect UPC/EAN codes, non-GS1 barcodes, or duplicating identifiers across products. Amazon is cracking down on this, and mismatches can cause listing removal.
The Fix: Purchase GS1-certified UPCs only. Verify UPCs against Amazon’s database, and keep a core data sheet of your catalog with each product’s identifier, dimensions, and brand owner details.
5. Neglecting Image Compliance
The Mistake: Lifestyle images with text overlays, logos, or props that mislead buyers can be flagged. So can missing white-background hero images.
The Fix: Follow strict image requirements:
- Hero Image: Pure white background (RGB 255, 255, 255), no text or props.
- Secondary Images: Lifestyle, infographic, or comparison shots are fine but must reflect the actual product.
- Minimum Resolution: 1,000 x 1,000 pixels to enable zoom.
6. Failing to Control Unauthorized Resellers
The Mistake: Even if your listings are compliant, unauthorized resellers can hijack them with lower-quality images or incorrect information. This damages your brand and leads to poor customer experiences.
The Fix: Enroll in Amazon Brand Registry. Use programs like Transparency to serialize products and leverage Report a Violation tools to remove unauthorized sellers.
7. Overlooking Country-Specific Regulations
The Mistake: What’s compliant in the U.S. may not be in Europe or Canada. For example, chemical labeling requirements (CLP) differ in the EU.
The Fix: Before expanding internationally, review Amazon’s compliance guidelines for each marketplace. Ensure your packaging, labeling, and descriptions match local laws.
8. Ignoring Packaging and Prep Requirements
The Mistake: Brands send inventory into FBA without following prep standards — such as polybagging, suffocation warnings, or expiration date labels. This leads to stranded inventory and chargebacks.
The Fix: Always review Amazon’s FBA Prep and Packaging Requirements. Train warehouse teams or work with a 3PL that specializes in Amazon compliance.
9. Failing to Manage Customer Claims Properly
The Mistake: Negative reviews mentioning “expired,” “fake,” or “unsafe” products can escalate into compliance investigations. Ignoring them risks listing suspension.
The Fix: Monitor reviews and feedback daily. If a claim arises, open a proactive case with Seller Support to provide documentation proving compliance (COAs, invoices, GS1 certificates). Show Amazon you take safety seriously.
10. Not Keeping Documentation on File
The Mistake: Many brands assume Amazon won’t ask for compliance documents until there’s a problem. When requested, they scramble — and often fail to provide proof in time.
The Fix: Maintain a compliance binder with digital copies of:
• Certificates of Analysis (COAs)
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• GS1 certificates
• Trademark and brand registry documentation
• Lab test results (where applicable)
Being able to submit these within 24 hours can mean the difference between a listing reinstated or permanently removed.
Final Thoughts
Compliance isn’t optional on Amazon — it’s the baseline for survival. The marketplace is only getting stricter as it grows, and enforcement is faster than ever. Brands that treat compliance as an afterthought often find themselves locked out of their own revenue streams.
The good news? Every mistake above is fixable with a proactive system. By maintaining clean data, following style guides, monitoring resellers, and keeping documentation ready, you can avoid the most common pitfalls.
In a world where Amazon’s algorithms and compliance policies evolve constantly, the safest brands are those that treat compliance as part of their daily operations — not a one-time checklist.
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