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Introduction
Amazon is very intentional about prohibiting misleading product claims. Any products sold on the Amazon platform must adhere to the company’s guidelines, which are often somewhat strict, but are put in place to protect customers from false advertising and other deceptive practices.
It’s important to understand these guidelines and make sure your products comply with them. Failure to do so could result in your products being removed from the Amazon marketplace, or worse, being subject to legal action.
So what are these guidelines, and what do they mean for your success with Seller Central? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at them.
When creating listings for products that make health claims, it is important to use language that is both accurate and legally permissible. Unfortunately, this can often be a difficult balance to strike. Words like “cancer,” “Coronavirus,” and even “anti-bacterial” are often seen as red flags by marketplace platforms like Amazon. If a listing is found to be using prohibited language, it can be suspended or even removed entirely.
This is why it is so important to use language that explains the general effects of your product, without making specific disease or organ claims that have not been FDA-approved. By doing so, you can help to ensure that your listing remains in compliance with marketplace guidelines and avoid any potential issue with suspended listings.
Types of Claims
When it comes to making claims about a product, there are two main types: explicit and implicit. As their names suggest, explicit claims directly address the disease or condition that the product is supposed to help with. For example, “This supplement will cure your diabetes.”
Implicit claims, on the other hand, focus on the symptoms of the disease without actually mentioning the disease itself. For example, “This supplement will help with unwanted weight gain or loss, and nerve pain.”
In this instance, the implicit claim addresses some of the symptoms of diabetes, without actually naming the condition.
Both types of claims are prohibited as they can be interpreted as misleading to consumers. A more general statement might say something like, “This supplement is designed to help combat the negative effects of excess sugar on the body.”
Medical Language
It is also important to avoid medical language that is often referenced in everyday conversation. For example, referencing “fatigue” and “anxiety” may flag Amazon’s system, because though they are often used to reference general tiredness or nervousness, they are medical terms that often require some kind of medical attention.
Even terms like “pain,” “stress,” and “bacteria” can be problematic if said language claims to cure or prevent a disease, and has not gone through the proper FDA channels prior to your use of them on your listing. Avoiding these mistakes can make all the difference in the health and status of your listings.
By avoiding specific language, you can help prevent false or misleading claims from being made about your product. To ensure that your proposed listing copy is in line with Amazon guidelines, reference the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s article, “Small Entity Compliance Guide on Structure/ Function Claims.”
Guidelines for Avoiding Restricted Claims
When creating product listings on Amazon, it’s essential to adhere to their strict guidelines to avoid potential issues like listing removals or account suspensions. This guide outlines words and phrases to avoid, ensuring your product descriptions remain compliant and effective.
1. Health-Related Claims
Avoid making any claims about the health benefits of your products unless they are explicitly supported by scientific evidence or approved by relevant authorities (e.g., FDA). The following terms should be avoided:
Prohibited Health Action Terms:
- Cure, Treat, Heal, Prevent, Diagnose
- Alleviate, Remedy, Combat, Eliminate
- Therapeutic, Medical-grade, Prescription strength
Avoid Mentioning Specific Health Conditions:
- Autism, Anxiety, Insomnia, Depression
- ADHD, PTSD, Sensory Processing Disorder
- Arthritis, Diabetes, Cancer, Concussion
- Nano Silver, Lupus, Muscular Dystrophy, Lymphoma
- Cystic Fibrosis, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
2. Environmental Claims
Unless your product is certified by recognized environmental authorities, refrain from using terms that imply environmental friendliness or biodegradability:
Prohibited Environmental Terms:
- Eco-friendly, Biodegradable, Compostable
- Degradable, Environmentally friendly
- Home compostable, Marine degradable
3. Product Safety and Efficacy Claims
It’s important not to make unverified claims about the safety, non-toxicity, or effectiveness of your products, especially regarding their ability to repel or kill harmful organisms:
Prohibited Safety and Efficacy Terms:
- Anti-microbial, Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal, Antiseptic
- Germ, Repel, Repellent, Non-toxic, Harmless
- Non-poisonous, Insecticide, Mold, Resistant
- Mildew resistant, Contaminants
4. Marketing and Sales Phrases
Overused or exaggerated marketing phrases can mislead customers and violate Amazon’s guidelines. Steer clear of terms that promise superiority, discounts, or guarantees without solid backing:
Avoid Overused Marketing Phrases:
- 100% natural, 100% quality guaranteed
- Award-winning, Best selling, Best price
- Huge sale, Limited time offer, On sale
- Perfect for, Perfect gift, Top rated
- Satisfaction, Buy now, Free shipping
5. Legal and Controlled Substances
References to legal substances, especially those regulated or controlled, should be avoided unless your product is officially approved to contain such substances:
Prohibited Substance Terms:
- CBD, Marijuana, Cannabis, THC
- Drug, Prescription, Pharmaceutical, Rx
- Narcotic, Opioid, Steroid, Cocaine, Heroin
Summary
By avoiding these restricted words and phrases, you ensure that your product listings remain within Amazon’s compliance guidelines, reducing the risk of penalties and enhancing the credibility of your product descriptions.
Article last updated September 2024. If you find this information to be out of date, please contact [email protected]