How to Protect Your Amazon Sales with a Dummy Listing
If you’re an Amazon seller looking to make money on Amazon and scale your business without risking account suspension, creating a dummy listing is a game-changer. Many sellers don’t realize that using the wrong keywords in their product listings can lead to suspensions, suppressed listings, or even account bans. By testing keywords and optimizations with a dummy listing, you can avoid costly mistakes and drive Amazon sales safely.
At EHP Consulting Group, we help Amazon sellers optimize their listings while ensuring compliance with Amazon’s policies. If you’re struggling with counterfeit removal on Amazon, need help with Amazon PPC, or want an Amazon consultant to guide you, we’re here to help.
Video Tutorial:
What is a Dummy Listing?
A dummy listing is a separate product listing used to test keywords, product titles, and descriptions before making changes to your main listing. This method ensures that your primary listing is not penalized or suppressed due to restricted keywords or incorrect categorization.
Why Create a Dummy Listing?
- Avoid Listing Removal – Using the wrong keyword can get your listing flagged as adult content or violate Amazon’s policies. A dummy listing allows you to test keywords first.
- Protect Sales Revenue – If a high-performing product gets taken down, you could lose thousands of dollars while fighting for reinstatement.
- Prevent Amazon Mistakes – Even Amazon experts have had listings incorrectly flagged. A dummy listing prevents unexpected suspensions.
- Test Keywords for SEO – Ensuring optimized Amazon SEO with the right keywords can increase your ranking without risking your real listing.
Example of a Costly Mistake
One of our clients was selling a hiccup straw, making $160,000 per month. After optimizing their listing with new keywords, their product got removed by Amazon. It took over a month to reinstate, costing them thousands in lost revenue. If they had used a dummy listing first, they could have avoided this disaster.
How to Create a Dummy Listing on Amazon
Follow these steps to safely test keywords and product optimizations before applying them to your real listing.
Step 1: Duplicate Your Listing
- Go to your Amazon inventory and find the product you want to optimize.
- Click “Copy Listing” to duplicate it.
- If copying doesn’t work, go to Catalog > Add Product and manually create a new listing.
Step 2: Enter Test Keywords
- Modify the product title, bullet points, and description with new keywords.
- Example: If you’re selling male enhancement pills, test keywords like:
- “Male XL Enhance”
- “Sex Pills”
- “Amplify Male Size”
- Submit the dummy listing and wait 24 hours.
Step 3: Activate & Monitor the Listing
- Switch it to FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) and set inventory to 1 unit to make it live.
- Increase the price significantly so no one buys it.
- Wait at least 72 hours to see if Amazon flags or removes the listing.
Step 4: Evaluate the Results
- If Amazon removes or flags it, don’t use those keywords in your main listing.
- If it remains live with no issues, it’s safe to optimize your real listing with those keywords.
Where to Get Cheap UPC Codes for Dummy Listings
Creating a dummy listing requires a UPC code, but using an official GS1 UPC can be expensive. Instead, use discounted UPCs for test listings.
Best Places to Buy Cheap UPC Codes
- eBay UPC Sellers – Buy 100 UPCs for as low as $25.
- SnapUPC – Affordable bulk UPC codes for test listings.
- UPCBarcodes.com – Purchase single-use UPCs for dummy listings.
Protect Your Listings from Counterfeits
Beyond listing optimization, you must protect your brand from counterfeiters. Many sellers face issues with fake products and Amazon counterfeit removal is crucial for long-term success.
How to Remove Fake Products on Amazon
- Report unauthorized sellers using Amazon’s Brand Registry.
- Use Amazon Transparency Program to verify authentic products.
- Hire an Amazon counterfeit removal expert like EHP Consulting Group to handle enforcement.
If you’re in Florida and need Amazon help, our team specializes in removing Amazon fakes and protecting your brand.
Final Thoughts: Stay Smart with Amazon Listing Optimization
Using a dummy listing is a simple yet powerful way to test keywords, avoid penalties, and drive Amazon sales. Many sellers neglect this step, but the risk of listing suppression or account suspension is too high.
If you’re an Amazon seller looking to scale your business while avoiding costly mistakes, EHP Consulting Group is here to help. As Amazon experts, we specialize in:
✅ Amazon PPC & ads optimization
✅ Listing SEO & keyword research
✅ Amazon counterfeit removal
✅ Full account management
📞 Need expert guidance? Contact us at EHP Consulting Group today!
Have you ever had an Amazon listing removed? Share your experience in the comments!
Written By: Joshua Hackett
Sponsored By: Youtube
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ehpconsultinggroup.com
Phone: 925-293-3313
Date Written: February 8th 2025