How to identify and fix suppressed listings on Amazon

Amazon reigns supreme in the vast landscape of online marketplaces. With millions of sellers and products, it offers a massive opportunity for businesses to reach a global customer base. However, navigating the intricacies of selling on Amazon can be challenging, especially when faced with suppressed listings. In this blog post, we will delve into what suppressed listings are, the reasons behind their occurrence, and most importantly, provide you with actionable steps to fix and optimise your product listings on Amazon.

What are Amazon suppressed listings?

Amazon suppressed listings refer to product listings that have been deemed non-compliant with Amazon’s guidelines and policies. These listings are hidden from search results and cannot be purchased by customers unless the issue causing suppression is resolved. Suppressed listings can significantly impact your sales and visibility on the platform, making it crucial to understand and address the underlying issues.

Common reasons for suppressed listings

Understanding the reasons behind suppressed listings is the key to effectively fixing and optimising your product listings. Here are some common reasons for suppressed listings on Amazon:

• Incomplete or inaccurate product information: Amazon requires sellers to provide accurate and comprehensive product information, including titles, descriptions, bullet points, and images. With effective product listing optimisation you can create listings that strictly adhere to Amazon guidelines. Failure to do so can result in suppression.
• Violation of Amazon’s product category guidelines: Different product categories on Amazon have specific requirements and guidelines. Failure to adhere to these guidelines can lead to suppressed listings. For example, certain categories may have specific packaging or safety requirements that must be met.
• Pricing or availability issues: Amazon values competitive pricing and availability of products. If your pricing is significantly higher than the competition or you face challenges in fulfilling orders promptly, your listings may be suppressed.
• Intellectual property violations: If your product infringes upon trademarks, copyrights, or patents, Amazon may suppress the listing. It is essential to ensure that your products do not infringe upon any intellectual property rights.
• Quality or safety concerns: Amazon strongly emphasises product quality and customer safety. If your products pose a safety risk or fail to meet quality standards, your listings may be suppressed.
• Policy violations: Amazon has strict policies regarding prohibited content, review manipulation, and other unethical practices. Violating these policies can result in suppressed listings.

Diagnosing suppressed listings

Identifying suppressed listings
To identify suppressed listings, login to your Amazon Seller Central account and navigate to the “Inventory” tab. Under the “Suppressed” filter, you’ll find a list of your suppressed listings and the specific reason for suppression. Carefully review this list to identify the affected products and the associated suppression reasons.
Analysing suppression reasons
Once you have identified the suppressed listings, it’s essential to analyse the specific reasons provided by Amazon. Understanding the root cause of suppression will enable you to take appropriate steps to fix and optimise your listings. Thoroughly review the provided explanations for each suppressed listing to gain insights into the issues that need to be addressed.

Fixing Suppressed Listings

Fixing suppressed listings on Amazon requires a systematic approach to address the underlying issues. Here are some actionable steps to fix and optimise your suppressed listings:

Optimising product information

One of the most common reasons for suppressed listings is incomplete or inaccurate product information. To optimise your product information:

• Ensure accurate and complete product titles: Conduct in-depth Amazon keyword research and pick the most relevant keywords in your titles to improve visibility and search ranking. However, avoid keyword stuffing and ensure that your titles accurately describe the product.
• Craft compelling and informative product descriptions: Clearly describe the features, benefits, and specifications of your products. Use bullet points to highlight key information and make it easier for customers to understand your offerings.
• Update product images: Ensure that your product images meet Amazon’s image guidelines. Use Amazon infographic images and high-resolution visuals for an impressive presentation of your products. Images play a crucial role in attracting customers, so invest in professional product photography and Amazon photo editing services.
• Follow category-specific guidelines: Get well-versed with the guidelines and requirements for each product category. Ensure that your listings adhere to these guidelines, including package dimensions, materials, and safety certifications.

Addressing pricing and availability issues

Pricing and availability play a significant role in the success of your listings. To address pricing and availability issues:

• Regularly monitor and adjust your pricing: Stay competitive by monitoring the prices of similar products and adjusting your prices accordingly. Be cautious of pricing errors or sudden spikes that may trigger suppression.
• Maintain accurate inventory levels: Ensure that your inventory levels are updated regularly and synced with Amazon’s systems. Failure to fulfil orders promptly can lead to suppressed listings.

Resolving intellectual property violations

If your listings have been suppressed due to intellectual property violations, it is crucial to take immediate action to resolve the issues:

• Conduct thorough research: Ensure that your products do not infringe upon any trademarks, copyrights, or patents. Perform comprehensive searches to confirm the originality and uniqueness of your products.
• Respond to notices of infringement: If you receive a notice of infringement from Amazon or a rights owner, take prompt action to resolve the issue. Work with the rights owner to address their concerns and provide any necessary documentation to support your case.

Ensuring product quality and safety

To address quality and safety concerns:

• Perform quality checks: Regularly assess the quality of your products and ensure that they meet or exceed industry standards. This includes thorough testing, inspections, and certifications, where applicable.
• Address customer complaints or negative reviews: If you receive customer complaints or negative reviews regarding product quality or safety, take immediate action to investigate and resolve the issue. Addressing customer concerns demonstrates your commitment to quality and can help prevent future suppression.

Adhering to Amazon policies

Amazon has strict policies to maintain a fair and trustworthy marketplace. Violating these policies can result in suppressed listings. To ensure compliance:

• Familiarise yourself with Amazon’s policies and guidelines: Stay updated with Amazon’s policies and guidelines to avoid unintentional violations. Regularly review the Seller Central resources and seek clarification if needed.
• Remove prohibited content: Carefully review your listings for any prohibited content, such as restricted keywords or forbidden product claims. Remove any content that violates Amazon’s policies.
• Respond to policy warnings or notifications: If you receive policy warnings or notifications from Amazon, address them promptly. Take the necessary steps to rectify the issue and prevent future violations.

Preventing Suppressed Listings

Preventing suppressed listings is essential to maintaining a healthy and successful presence on Amazon. Here are some strategies to prevent future suppressions:

• Conducting regular listing audits: Regularly review your product listings to identify any potential issues that may lead to suppression. Stay up-to-date with Amazon’s guidelines and requirements to ensure compliance. Conducting regular listing audits helps you identify and fix issues proactively, reducing the risk of suppressed listings.
• Monitoring performance metrics: Monitor key performance metrics such as customer feedback, order defect rate, and account health metrics. By keeping a close eye on these metrics, you can identify and address any performance issues before they lead to suppressed listings. Regularly assess your performance and take necessary actions to maintain high standards.
• Leveraging Automation and tools: Consider leveraging third-party software or Amazon seller tools that can help automate listing optimisation, inventory management, and compliance monitoring. These tools can streamline your workflow and minimise the risk of suppressed listings. They can also provide insights and alerts to potential issues, allowing you to address them promptly.

Final thoughts

Dealing with suppressed listings on Amazon can be a challenge, but it is crucial to address the issues promptly to maximise your sales potential. To thrive in the highly competitive Amazon marketplace, continuous improvement, attention to detail, and providing an exceptional customer experience is the key. You can unlock the full potential of selling on Amazon by understanding the reasons behind suppressed listings, optimising your product information, adhering to Amazon’s policies, and implementing preventive measures. If you face difficulty in handling suppressed listings, you can seek guidance from our Amazon experts to create great listings and a hassle-free selling journey on Amazon.