As an Amazon seller, knowing which keywords to avoid can mean the difference between a thriving product listing and a suspended one. If you’re trying to make money on Amazon, understanding Amazon’s strict policies on keywords is essential to keep your listings active and compliant.
At EHP Consulting Group, we’ve helped countless sellers remove Amazon fakes, optimize their listings, and drive Amazon sales without falling into these common pitfalls. Let’s dive into the keywords that can get your listings shut down and how to avoid them.
Video Breakdown:
1. Red Zone: Keywords That Will Get Your Listing Removed Immediately
Some keywords will instantly trigger Amazon’s automated system, leading to a suspended listing. If you’re selling on Amazon, avoid these at all costs:
🚫 Medical & Drug-Related Terms
- “Cures cancer”
- “FDA-approved” (unless you have official documentation)
- “Viagra” or “female Viagra”
- Any prescription drug names
🚫 Violent or Dangerous Terms
- “Kills rats instantly”
- “Eliminates pests permanently”
- Any reference to weapons like “gun,” “knife,” “stun gun”
🚫 Sexual Content & Adult Keywords
Even innocent words like “love” can flag your listing as adult content, which means you won’t be able to run Amazon PPC ads.
🚫 Trademarked & Brand Names
- Never say your product is “just like McDonald’s” or “the Apple of XYZ products“
- Instead, use: “Compatible with Apple iPhone” (but be cautious—this can still trigger a flag)
How to Check for These Keywords?
Before you list a product, run your listing through ChatGPT with this prompt:
“Please act as an Amazon specialist. Review the list of keywords I’ll provide and identify any prohibited terms to ensure compliance.”
This is an easy way to double-check your work before Amazon flags your listing.
2. Gray Zone: Keywords That Might Get Your Listing Suspended
These keywords aren’t outright banned, but they may require documentation or trigger Amazon’s review team:
⚠️ Pesticides & Insect Repellents – “Repels mosquitoes” (You’ll need EPA approval)
⚠️ Medical Claims – “Helps with Alzheimer’s” (Requires scientific proof)
⚠️ Made in USA – Must have official documentation to claim this
⚠️ Shark Tank Mentions – Saying “As Seen on Shark Tank” could get your listing flagged for trademark violation
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re unsure, create a dummy listing with a different UPC code to see if Amazon flags it.
3. Yellow Zone: Keywords That Affect Ads but Won’t Get You Suspended
These words might be allowed in your product listing, but they can limit your ability to run Amazon ads:
🔸 “Love” (Amazon may categorize your listing as adult content)
🔸 “Best” (Amazon doesn’t like exaggerated claims)
🔸 “Eco-friendly” (Amazon might ask for documentation)
🔸 “Biodegradable” (Check with Amazon first before adding this term)
At EHP Consulting Group, we’ve helped Amazon sellers navigate these issues and ensure their ads get approved without hidden restrictions.
How to Remove Amazon Counterfeits & Avoid Fake Listings
If you need to remove Amazon fakes, you’ll want to avoid using counterfeit-related terms that can get flagged:
🚨 Avoid using:
- “Amazon fakes”
- “How to remove fakes on Amazon”
- “Counterfeit removal on Amazon”
Instead, use terms like:
✅ “How to identify unauthorized resellers”
✅ “Protecting your brand on Amazon”
✅ “Brand registry enforcement”
If you need help with Amazon counterfeit removal, our team at EHP Consulting Group specializes in removing fake products and protecting your brand.
How to Check If Your Listing is Safe?
1️⃣ Use ChatGPT to scan your listing for prohibited words
2️⃣ Contact Amazon Seller Support and ask for clarification (but be prepared—they might not always know their own policies)
3️⃣ Create a dummy listing before making changes to your real one
Final Thoughts
Avoiding banned keywords on Amazon is crucial for keeping your listings active and increasing your Amazon sales. If you’ve ever had a listing suspended for keywords, let us know in the comments how long it took to fix!
If you need Amazon PPC expert help, counterfeit removal, or advertising optimization, book a consultation with us at EHP Consulting Group.
🔹 Save time, protect your brand, and increase your Amazon sales with the experts.
💬 Have you ever had a listing flagged for keywords? Drop a comment below! 🚀
Written By: Joshua Hackett
Sponsored By: Amazon Advertising
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ehpconsultinggroup.com
Phone: 925-293-3313
Date Written: March 29th, 2025