Amazon Prohibited & Restricted Words: A Checklist to Avoid Takedowns
Amazon Listing · 6 min read
Certain words in a listing do not just read as hype — they can trigger suppression or a takedown. You do not need to memorize Amazon's policy library; you need to know the three buckets of risky wording and scan before you publish.
1. Prohibited promotional language
Amazon disallows superlative and certainty claims that it cannot verify. Common triggers:
#1, best, top, most popular, 100% (as a quality claim)
guaranteed, free gift, sale, discount (pricing belongs in the price field, not copy)
Time-based urgency like limited time or today only
2. Regulated & medical claims
Products in health, supplement, beauty, and child categories are tightly watched. Avoid:
Implied FDA / CE endorsement ("FDA-approved" unless the product genuinely is, and even then restricted)
Disease or symptom claims on items not licensed to make them
3. Trademark & third-party brand risk
Using another brand's name to ride search — "compatible with Nike", "iPhone case" without authorization — can draw an IP complaint. Name the fitment generically ("for 6.1" phones") unless you are authorized.
Bucket
Examples
Typical outcome
Promotional
best, #1, guaranteed, 100%
Warning, sometimes suppression
Regulated
cure, treat, FDA-approved
Suppression or takedown
Trademark
Unauthorized brand names
IP complaint, possible suspension
Scan before you publish: a free compliance check (ListingGood /scan) flags known prohibited terms, regulated claims, and category risk in your title, bullets, and description — no sign-up. It is a rule-based first pass, so review edge cases manually too.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What words are prohibited on Amazon? A: The main buckets are prohibited promotional language ("best", "#1", "guaranteed", "100%"), regulated or medical claims ("cure", "treat", unverified FDA wording), and unauthorized use of other brands' trademarks. Amazon's policy library is the authoritative source.
Q: Will prohibited words get my listing suppressed? A: Yes, especially regulated claims and trademark misuse, which can lead to suppression or a takedown. Promotional superlatives more often trigger a warning, but repeated or egregious use can also suppress.
Q: How do I check my listing for banned words? A: Run a free compliance check (ListingGood /scan) that scans your title, bullets, and description for known prohibited terms and category risk — no account needed. Always review borderline cases yourself.
Q: Is "100%" always prohibited? A: Not always, but "100%" used as a quality or performance claim (e.g. "100% effective") is risky. Used for a factual attribute like "100% cotton", it is generally fine — context decides.