If anything, Amazon sellers are people who adapt to different scenarios. How else can you maintain your relevancy on Amazon other than by constantly optimizing your listings? And keeping storage levels in check while providing great customer service. 

All of it can be eliminated instantly if your listings are suppressed: reduced sales, frustrated customers, and a whole world of problems to avoid. But what if it already happened, and you want to fix it? Well then, this article is for you.

Common reasons for listing suppression

When an Amazon listing is suppressed, it’s removed from search results. Not only does this represent a real blow to your visibility and sales, but a removed listing damages your brand’s reputation and IPI score. There are several reasons why an Amazon listing might be suppressed. The most common reason is that the listing violates one or more of Amazon’s Policies. 

Here’s a list of common reasons for listing suppression:

Misleading Information

This is a big one. Amazon strives to provide a trustworthy shopping experience, and the use of misleading information, which negatively affects customer confidence, is heavily penalized. Here’s what can trigger suppression:

• Titles that exaggerate features, make false claims, or use excessive keywords can get flagged. Stick to accuracy and clarity.
• Descriptions lack crucial details (dimensions, materials, functionalities) or contain irrelevant keywords. Provide clear and concise information that accurately reflects the product.
• Blurry, pixelated, or irrelevant images can create a negative impression. Ensure your images are high-resolution and well-lit, and showcase the product from multiple angles.

Policy Violations

Amazon has strict guidelines regarding what can and cannot be sold:

• Attempting to sell products on Amazon’s restricted list (e.g., hazardous materials, certain food items).
• Selling products that infringe on trademarks, copyrights, or patents is a serious violation. Ensure you have the proper rights to sell the products you list.

Product Performance Issues  

While a healthy dose of negative reviews is inevitable, a surge in negative feedback or a high return rate can trigger suppression. This could indicate issues with product quality, inaccurate descriptions, or poor customer service.

Inventory Issues

Stock discrepancies can create a frustrating experience for both you and the customer. Getting suppressed can be a consequence of:

• Out-of-Stock Products: If a customer orders a product listed as “in stock” only to find it unavailable, it reflects poorly on your business. Maintain accurate stock levels.
• Listing Inconsistencies: Mismatches between your listed stock and actual inventory can confuse customers and lead to order fulfillment problems. Ensure your listings accurately reflect available stock.
• Pricing Errors:  Unreasonable pricing can raise red flags for Amazon. This includes accidental typos, leading to ridiculously low or high prices that can trigger suppression. Prices significantly lower or higher than similar products might suggest an attempt to manipulate search results or mislead customers.

How to Fix a Suppressed Listing

It’s recommended that sellers routinely check their listings on Amazon Seller Central. This page allows you to see if any of your listings have been suppressed and the reasons why:

1. Identify the suppressed listing(s) in Seller Central’s “Manage Inventory” section.

1. Investigate the reason for suppression using Amazon’s “suppressed” section.
2. Select the listing and fix the issue (update information, correct errors, resolve policy violations). This is the only way to correct an inactive listing. In rare cases, Amazon may also flag a listing by mistake.
3. Appeal the suppression if you believe it’s a mistake (clear instructions might be found in the notification).
4. Press “Save and Finish” to exit or monitor the status of your appeal.

Preventing Listing Suppression

First of all it’s essential to guarantee that your product information is accurate and up-to-date. Focus on providing accurate and transparent information in your listings. Avoid exaggerating product features, making false claims, or using misleading imagery. 

After that, you can start optimizing your listing. Invest time in adding clear and accurate product descriptions. Utilize relevant keywords strategically and avoid keyword stuffing.

Stay updated with Amazon policies by regularly checking Seller Central for updates and announcements. Amazon’s policies and guidelines are subject to change, so keeping an eye on them is always a great practice.

It’s best for sellers to keep a close eye on their product performance metrics, including reviews and return rates. Address negative reviews professionally and investigate reasons behind high return rates by taking corrective action to improve product quality.

Finally, promptly update listings when stock becomes low or unavailable. Inventory management is crucial for a smooth customer experience and avoiding listing suppression. 

Conclusion

A single suppressed listing can disrupt your brand’s balance, leading to lost sales and frustrated customers. The good news is, with the knowledge you’ve gained in this article, you’re well-equipped to tackle listing suppression. However, gaining the visibility you once lost is a challenging task that requires time and expertise. Contact the BellaVix Team for professional assistance and boost your visibility on Amazon!

Keep up with the latest Amazon and Walmart news updates and subscribe to our BellaVix newsletter 👇👇👇