What words are restricted on Amazon listings?
Amazon restricts medical claims (cure, treat, prevent), superlative claims without proof (best, #1), guarantee language (lifetime guarantee), and category-specific restricted terms (FDA claims on supplements, EPA claims on cleaning products). Using them can suppress the listing or trigger account review.
The obvious ones
Cure, treat, prevent, heal, diagnose (medical). Best, #1, top-rated, most-recommended (superlative without proof). Lifetime guarantee, unconditional refund (implied promise beyond Amazon's own policy).
The category-specific ones
Supplements: FDA claims. Cleaning: EPA claims. Electronics: safety claims that require certification. Kids and baby: safety claims without evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Are these words hard-blocked?
Some are hard-blocked at listing creation. Others survive until enforcement flags them.
Can I say 'natural' or 'organic'?
Yes if backed by certification. Organic without USDA certification is a compliance risk.
What if a competitor uses banned words?
Report the listing through Report Abuse; enforcement is uneven but does happen.
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What is the right way to use Amazon backend keywords?
Fill the 250-byte search terms field with lowercase, comma-free tokens. No duplicates, no brand names you do not own, no misspellings Amazon already corrects, no competitor names. Include synonyms, use-cases, and Spanish or French translations if you sell in bilingual marketplaces.
What is the difference between suppressed and stranded inventory on Amazon?
Suppressed listings are missing required attributes or violate a policy, so they do not show on Amazon. Stranded inventory is FBA stock without an active listing (usually because the listing was suppressed or deleted). Suppression usually causes stranding, but not always.
What are Amazon's main image requirements?
Main image must be a pure white background (RGB 255,255,255), product filling 85% of the frame, no text, no logos, no props, no lifestyle context. At least 1000 px on the longest side to enable zoom, 1600 to 2000 px recommended. Violations can suppress the listing without warning.
How should I structure Amazon variations (color, size, pack size)?
Group by attributes that shoppers actually compare in one purchase decision. Color and size for apparel: yes. Pack size and scent for consumables: usually yes. Unrelated products or wildly different price points: no. Bad variation grouping suppresses the parent and burns review equity.
How many reviews do I need to compete on Amazon?
Category baseline plus 20% is a good rule. In most private-label categories that lands between 200 and 800 reviews for a competitive hero SKU. Reviews compound with velocity: 3 to 8 new reviews per week is enough to keep momentum for most non-hero SKUs.