Unlocking Amazon's Restricted Keywords: Insights for Sellers

Navigating the vast world of Amazon is akin to exploring a rainforest—full of possibilities. But like any adventure, you need a guide. In this case, a guide to crafting compelling detail page content that scales your business while adhering to Amazon’s rules and guidelines. Consider utilizing Amazon account management services to enhance your strategy and ensure compliance. Let's dive into decoding the mystery of restricted keywords in Amazon listings—your ticket to successful e-commerce!

Deciphering Amazon Restricted Keywords

Restricted Keywords - Definition 

Restricted keywords are some particular terms or phrases that Amazon prohibits in any product listings, descriptions, and A+ content. These restrictions are in place to ensure a superior customer shopping experience, preventing sellers from exploiting or manipulating search results. 

Instances of prohibited keywords encompass trademarked terms such as "Addidas," "iPhone," "Amazon," "Kindle," etc. 

Reasons Behind Such Restrictions in Keywords 

There can be multiple reasons for Amazon to prohibit a keyword in their listings and these are - 

• Keeping people from manipulating the search results

The idea is to ensure that the sellers or marketers cannot influence the product’s search rankings on Amazon or engage in keyword stuffing into their listings. Hence, Amazon restricts certain keywords such as “FREE,” “Best Seller,” etc. 

This practice is important to maintain the platform's credibility among shoppers and sellers by having a fair marketplace where buyers can find the most relevant items they look for. 

• Preventing unauthorized reference to competitors

Adding the competitors or their product titles to your Amazon listing can confuse the buyers into choosing the right product for them. This can also give an unfair advantage to the products. 

Hence, in spite of comparing your goods with others, it’s important to focus on highlighting its distinct features.  

• Protecting trademarks

Trademarked words or phrases are flagged on Amazon because using them without authorization can lead to legal complications. It also misleadingly suggests connections between products, services, or companies.

For example, unless you get permission from the authorized parties, you cannot use “Captain America” in a listing of your product. 

Identifying Restricted Keywords in an Amazon Listing 

For any Amazon seller, staying informed about the list of restricted keywords is essential, as it can impact the visibility and search ranking of your product on Amazon. Sellers must follow the list to avoid violating the policies of the marketplace. Failure to adhere to these restrictions may lead to the removal of listings, suspension of accounts, or imposition of penalties.

Let’s now dive deeper into the banned keywords and learn more about how to recognize them. 

How do you recognize prohibited keywords on Amazon?

It’s pretty easy. As a seller, you just need to follow certain tactics. These are - 

Evaluating the Trademarks - 

Alright, let's break it down. Before you use certain words or phrases, make sure they aren't like brand names with legal protection. It's like checking if a name is already taken before you use it for your own thing. 

This way, you avoid accidentally stepping on someone else's toes and getting into trouble. It's a bit like making sure you're not accidentally borrowing someone else's cool catchphrase.

Analyzing the Competitor’s Listings - 

When you're setting up your product on Amazon, take a peek at what words other sellers are using. See what's popular. 

But here's the trick: avoid using the same words too much, because Amazon has this list of flagged words. It's like looking at what others are saying but making sure you don't use the exact same words that could get you into trouble. 

Examining the Context - 

While describing your product, take a good look at what you're saying. Make sure you're not talking about other books, authors, or stuff that you're not supposed to. It's like telling the story of your product but making sure you're not name-dropping things that could get you in trouble with Amazon. 

Just keep it focused on your own awesome product without mentioning things that you're not allowed to. It's like playing by the rules to keep everything smooth!

As an Amazon seller, you can leverage certain Amazon keyword research tools to get the right words to use in your product listings, thereby adhering to the guidelines. By keeping an eye on these guidelines, you can fine-tune your listings without worrying about getting into any trouble and keep your Amazon business thriving and trouble-free!

What are some of Amazon’s Restricted Keywords?

Words that talk about being eco-friendly 

When it comes to saying your product is environmentally friendly, Amazon has some rules. They want you to be specific, not just throw around vague claims. If your product is green, you need to shout about it in detail, like "made from 20% recycled materials." 

And don't forget, if you claim your product is good for the planet, you need to be clear about which part exactly is so eco-friendly – is it the whole thing or just the cool bottle cap?

Also, you have to be careful with state rules. For instance, if you're selling plastic products in California, you can't call it "biodegradable" or "degradable." Amazon even says they might stop you from selling those products there. We're not sure how strictly they stick to this, but you should know what could happen. 

Keywords to Avoid in Your Listing 

• Environmentally-friendly
• Earth-friendly
• Eco-friendly
• Green
• Recyclable
• Biodegradable

Words Related to Safety

In general, steer clear of directly stating that your product is safe. It might seem obvious, but you can't promise it's safe for every person because you don't know their individual situations, like allergies. 

Plus, you can't predict how someone will use your product. It might be harmless when untouched, but who knows what happens when it's exposed to high temperatures? Amazon's bots are on the lookout for these safety-related terms. Except for BPA-Free, it's a good idea to skip these words, no matter what your product is.

Keywords to Avoid in Your Listing 

• Safe
• Non-poisonous
• Non-injurious
• Harmless
• Non-toxic
• All Natural
• BPA-Free

Words Related to Pesticides

Amazon is now really serious about validating any terms related to pesticides, mainly after the COVID-19 Pandemic. Avoid using any pesticide claim like products marketed to disinfect, bed bug control, repel insects/pests, remove allergens mold, mildew, or prevent or kill bacteria, fungi, etc. 

Also, avoid words that may be considered pesticides, allergens, toxic, resistant, insects, products marketed to control or mitigate any disease, inflammation, infection, or pathological condition, cross-contamination, etc. 

Keywords to Avoid in Your Listing 

• Anti-inflammatory 
• Antimicrobial
• Anti-microbial
• Antifungal
• Anti-fungal
• Antibacterial
• Anti-bacterial
• Anti-Fouling
• Contamination
• Microbe
• Microbial
• Insecticide
• Pesticide
• Insect
• Pest
• Repellent
• Repel
• Antiseptic
• Germs
• Germ-free 
• Virus
• Bacteria / Bacterial
• Fungus / Fungal
• Fungicide
• Mold
• Mold-resistant
• Mildew

Words Related to Guarantee 

Amazon adheres to federal guidelines regarding warranties and guarantees in advertising. Hence, you need to be ready to support the promises you put out there. 

If your listing boasts "Satisfaction Guaranteed" or "Money-Back Guarantee," make sure you're prepared to provide a full refund. 

Again, as a seller, you cannot inaccurately promote the "Lifetime Warranty" of a product if it has restrictions on its warranty duration or specific terms/criteria that must be fulfilled.

Keywords to Avoid in Your Listing 

• 100% natural
• 100% quality guaranteed
• Authentic
• Free shipping Guaranteed
• Guarantee
• Guaranteed
• Money back guarantee
• Patented
• Professional quality
• Proven
• Recommended by
• Tested
• Top-notch
• Top-quality
• Top-rated
• Top-selling
• Validated

Words Related to Claims and Awards 

Products with certification on Amazon demonstrate a particular degree of authenticity and trustworthiness. Hence, make sure your product - 

• Meets USDA Organic Regulations for production and handling if you label it as Organic.
• Ensures ethical sourcing and fair prices for producers if these are Fair Trade goods.
• Meets strict energy efficiency standards, promoting savings and environmental protection if they have Energy Star certification. 

Amazon expects its sellers to be truthful in their claims to avoid negative consequences and potential account suspension. If you are a seller, it's crucial for you to ensure that your marketing materials and product descriptions honestly represent the product's features, benefits, and certifications.

Keywords to Avoid in Your Listing 

• Award-winning
• Bestseller
• Bestselling
• Certified
• FDA
• FDA Approval

Time-sensitive Language

Never use words and phrases in your Amazon product listing or advertisement that create a sense of urgency or a limited-time offer. For example, if you say, "Buy 1 Get 1 Free,” “Buy Now,” or “Don’t Miss Out,” you're using time-sensitive language to encourage potential buyers to act quickly. 

Other such words to avoid are - 

• % off
• Add to cart
• Arrive faster
• Big sale
• Buy with confidence
• Get yours now
• Huge sale
• Limited time offer
• Massive sale
• Must try
• On sale
• Ready to ship
• Ships faster
• Shop with us
• Special offer
• Special promo
• Spring sale
• Super sale
• Supplies won’t last
• This Weekend Only
• Top selling
• Within hours

Words Related to Disease 

• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
• ADHD
• AIDS
• Alzheimer's
• Anxiety
• Attention Deficit Disorder Drug
• Biological contaminants
• Cancer
• Cancroid
• Cataract
• Coronavirus
• Covid
• COVID-19
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Cure
• Cytomegalovirus
• Dementia
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Diabetic
• Diabetic Neuropathy
• Disease
• Diseases
• Detoxifying
• Flu
• Glaucoma
• Gonorrhea
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Herpes
• Herpes Simplex Virus 1
• Herpes Simplex Virus 2
• HIV
• Hodgkins Lymphoma
• HPV
• HSV1
• HSV2
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• Human Papilloma Virus
• Inflammation
• Influenza
• Kidney Disease
• Liver disease
• Lupus
• Lymphogranuloma Venereum
• Lymphoma
• Meningitis
• Mononucleosis
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Mycoplasma Genitalium
• Nongonococcal Urethritis
• Parasitic
• Parkinson
• Parkinson's
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Public lice
• Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Stroke
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Tumor

Price-related Words to Avoid

• Added value
• Best deal
• Best price
• Big sale
• Discounted price
• Fall Sale
• Save $
• Save cash
• Save money
• Special promo
• Unbeatable price
• Wholesale price

Miscellaneous Restricted Keywords on Amazon

• Brand new
• Buy with confidence
• Closeout
• Close-out
• Concussuion
• Crabs
• Detoxify
• Detoxification
• FedEx
• Filter
• Flawless
• Free gift
• Gift idea
• Great as
• Great for
• Green
• Hassle free
• Heal
• Hot item
• Imported from
• Lasting quality
• Made in
• Mail rebate
• Make excellent
• Makes awesome
• Makes great
• Makes perfect
• Makes spectacular
• Makes the best
• Makes wonderful
• Marine degradable
• Native American
• Native American Indian or tribes
• Natural
• Newest version
• Noncorrosive
• Now together
• Perfect for
• Perfect gift
• Platinum
• plus free
• recommended by
• Remedies
• Remedy
• Retail box
• Sad
• Sanitize
• Sanitizes
• Satisfaction
• Seen on tv
• Summer sale
• Super sale
• The Clap
• Treat
• Treatment
• Tribes
• Trich
• Used
• Weight loss
• Winter sale
• World’s best

Made in the USA - It's advisable to include this phrase in your listing when the majority or entirety of your product is manufactured in the US. If only a minor portion is US-made, it's better to omit it.

Product Names - While not a direct assertion, mentioning banned products, such as CBD, can lead to your listing being flagged.

FDA Approved/FDA Cleared – If you make these claims, make sure you have valid and required proof to support your claim. 

Apart from these, adding reviews, quotes, or testimonials to your product descriptions or using obscene or offensive language in your listings can cause severe repercussions. 

Consequences of Using Restricted Keywords on Amazon

Amazon has this list of banned words to keep things legit and make sure customers have a good time shopping on the marketplace. Hence, sellers must play by the rules, or you might get hit with penalties—could be a suspension for your listing or, worst-case scenario, a permanent ban from Amazon. So, stick to the guidelines and watch your business flourish!

Incur Penalties 

Using restricted keywords can have profound effects on your business and penalties might include the following - 

• Prior Warning

While describing their products, if sellers use certain flagged words in their listings, Amazon might give them a warning. This is like a gentle tap on the shoulder, saying, "Hey, you're not supposed to use those words. Do fix it." It's just Amazon informing the sellers that they made a mistake and asking them to rectify it.

• Temporary Suspension of the Product

If things go south, Amazon might take a time-out on your product listings or even shut down your seller account for a bit. It's like a temporary freeze. 

The tricky part is, that when this happens, you can't sell anything on the platform. It's like your products are on a break, and you can't do business. So, it's crucial to play by the rules to avoid Amazon giving you a digital timeout.

• Permanent Ban

If sellers keep ignoring the rules on Amazon, even after getting a bunch of warnings, they could end up getting kicked out of the platform for good. It's like a final, no-second-chance ban. Hence, it's super important for sellers to follow the policies to avoid getting the boot from Amazon forever.

The Process of Suspension and Reinstatement

When a seller's product listing on Amazon gets temporarily suspended, they have to go through a specific process to fix things and get back into action. This process usually includes doing certain tasks or meeting certain requirements such as - 

• Amazon Sends Suspension Notice

The Amazon seller will get a suspension message from Amazon with all the details explaining what went wrong and why they suspended the listing. It's like getting a report card. Then the seller has to review the details to understand exactly what happened. 

• Sellers to Fix the Mistake

Sellers need to correct any errors in their product listings or A+ pages, like using words they're not supposed to. It's like cleaning up your act.

• Make a Smart Plan of Action and Submit it to Amazon

Sellers have to create a detailed plan telling Amazon how they fixed the issue and what steps they'll take to avoid trouble in the future. It's like promising to do better.

• Let Amazon Decide

Amazon reviews the plan. If it looks good, they lift the suspension. But if not, sellers have to modify the plan and resubmit it for further review. 

Remember, keeping up with the rules on Amazon is crucial. Knowing which words to avoid and following the platform's guidelines is like playing by the game's rules – it keeps your account in good standing and makes customers happy. 

Need help with your Amazon listings? Opt for our Amazon account management services and let our ex-Amazonians do the rest. 

How to Avoid Such Consequences?

It’s pretty simple. Before you start setting up your products on Amazon, go through the listing rules properly, understand them, and make sure you adhere to the guidelines set by the platform. Here are some steps - 

• Assess the Guidelines Set by Amazon 

Get to know the listing rules and guidelines to steer clear of any violations. Make it a habit to check these rules from time to time, as they could be subject to changes.

• Keep Track of Your Listings 

Keep a close eye on your product listings and make sure that your content aligns with the given rules. If you spot any violations, make sure to update them right away.

• Verify Keywords That Are Restricted 

Refer to the Amazon Restricted Keywords List consistently to spot any updates or new additions. If you find any, eliminate such restricted keywords from your listings accordingly.

• Write Precise, Easily Understandable Content 

Your content can make or break your business. Hence, make sure your product description is brief, accurate, easy to understand, and includes all the necessary details without relying on misleading terms.

• Seek Approval For Restricted Goods 

As a seller, make sure you seek Amazon's approval before listing your product if it belongs to a category that is restricted on Amazon and needs approval before selling. 

Amazon Listing Optimization Techniques that Help You Grow

Optimizing your Amazon listing goes beyond a simple touch-up—it's about fine-tuning different elements to boost search visibility and captivate potential customers. Crucial aspects include creating attention-grabbing titles, crafting concise product descriptions, and selecting top-notch images. 

Title 

A finely tuned product title speaks volumes to potential buyers, swiftly delivering crucial details. Make sure it's brief, informative, and packed with key keywords. 

Take, for instance, the effectiveness of a title like "Pacific Plus Globe, 12" Blue Ocean-Style World Globe, Up-to-Date Reference Globe for Home and Office Decor.”

Tips for writing an effective product title 

• Make sure the titles are within 200 characters, including spaces.  
• There should not be any promotional phrases, like “100% quality guaranteed,” or “free shipping”. 
• It should not have any characters for decoration including ~ ! * $ ? _ ~ { } # < > | *; ^ ¬ ¦ 
• However, there should be information that helps buyers clearly identify the product, such as “globe” or “earbuds”. 

Bullet Points and Long Product Descriptions - 

Bullet Points should highlight what makes your product special and how the product helps you address your needs. The description should give an overview of its uses, features, benefits, and how it fits in its category. Sprinkle in some keywords to boost your search visibility while keeping it easy for people to understand.

Tips for writing effective bullet points and descriptions 

• Write a maximum of 5 bullet points. 
• Each bullet point should have more than 10  characters but less than 255 characters, including spaces.
• The long product description should have between 100 to 200 words. 
• Ensure there is a space between digits and measurements (e.g., 60 ml, not 60ml).
• Avoid special characters like ™, ®, €, …, †, ‡, o, ¢, £, ¥, ©, ±, ~, â.
• Omit ASIN numbers and phrases like "not applicable" or "NA."
• Don’t use harmful, harassing, defamatory, invasive of privacy, hateful, racially objectionable, or unlawful content in any way. This includes but is not limited to gambling, pornographic, obscene, or offensive material.
• Contact details of some external parties such as phone numbers, physical addresses, email addresses, social media handles, website URLs, etc.
• Exclude prohibited guarantee phrases like "Full refund" or "If not satisfied, send it back" or "Unconditional guarantee with no limit."

Our Amazon SEO experts are here to help you scale your business by optimizing the product detail page content on the world’s largest online marketplace. Reach out to us now! 

A+ Content 

Enhancing your product with rich and unique A+ content can boost customer engagement by showcasing features, educating them about your products, and creating excitement about your brand. This is crucial for driving sales and increasing brand awareness. 

Tips for writing effective A+ content 

• Use unique, high-quality images and multimedia to visually showcase your product.
• Craft concise yet informative text to highlight the unique selling points of your product. 
• Focus on key benefits, and use exclusive, easy-to-understand language that resonates with your target audience.
• Organize your A+ content with a well-structured layout. 
• Use headers, bullet points, and short paragraphs to make the information easily scannable. 
• Be careful not to use any claims related to the environment, satisfaction, health, etc. 
• Award and certification claims must be backed by a note in the text with certifying or awarding body, study, publication, or other proof, and year.
• In the Comparison Widget, make sure you exclusively showcase products within the same brand's lineup.
• Don’t use hyperlinks, external web links, or any language attempting to redirect to other sites, both within and outside of Amazon. 

An effective Amazon advertising strategy can take your business to the next level! Talk to our Amazon account managers now! 

Wrapping Up

As Amazon tightens up on misleading product claims, it's a good idea to add a quick check to your regular listing optimization. Take a look at your Amazon listing, both the front and back ends, to make sure you're not using any restricted keywords that might put your listing in trouble.

And if you find any, make sure you've got some solid proof that Amazon would nod approvingly at. When you're going through your listing words, keep in mind that even if you're just using them to describe your product, Amazon might give you the side-eye.

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About the Author

Meet Paulami Karmakar, an Amazon Content Expert, who specializes in strategizing and crafting powerful SEO content that enhances product visibility, enriching customer experience, and boosting sales on Amazon and Walmart across continents. With a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence, Paulami consistently creates customized strategies that achieve measurable success. Outside of her work, she finds joy in painting, handcrafts, yoga, and music.