When you sell on Amazon, you need to put serious effort to develop items and build a brand reputation. Amazon Listing Hijacking is a severe problem that can negatively impact sellers on the Amazon marketplace. It causes a great loss of revenue and reputation for that particular brand. In this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know about listing hijacking and how you can prevent Amazon listing hijacking and protect your listings.
What is Amazon Listing Hijacking?
Amazon listing hijacking is when an unauthorized seller lists a counterfeit version of your product to your listing. Usually, they offer a much lower price than yours. Because of that, it entices shoppers to purchase that duplicate product from that hijacker. When the product fails, customers respond to bad reviews on your listing. These counterfeit products can occupy your product listing’s Buy Box or appear in the other sellers on the Amazon section of your listing.
Negative Impact of Amazon Listing Hijacking
Amazon brand owners should be alert of listing hijacking. It can cause them so much damage without them even knowing about it. The negative impacts of listing hijacking are stated below:
- Loss in revenue
- Brand reputation damage
- Poor reviews and ratings
- Increase competition
- Lose buy box
Prevent Hijacking – 5 Essential Tips & Tricks
There are 5 ways to protect Amazon product listings from hijacking. You can follow these tactics to protect your brand, sales, and revenue on the Amazon marketplace.
- Amazon Brand Registry for Business
The Amazon Brand Registry program is one of the most supportive ways to avoid Amazon hijacks. By enrolling in this program you can have some special features offered by Amazon. You have verified control and authority over your brand and buyers can easily trust you. Amazon will help with brand infringement and other issues. Also, if you have any other issues after joining Amazon Brand Registry, you can get help from Amazon Seller Support.
You can enroll in Brand Registry program if you have a registered text or image-based trademark from one of the following countries:
- USA
- Brazil
- Canada
- Mexico
- Australia
- India
- Japan
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Turkey
- Singapore
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Saudi Arabia
- United Kingdom
- Sweden
- European Union
- United Arab Emirates
Your process which you can start via your Amazon Seller or Vendor account must include the following:
- Brand name
- Trademark registration number
- List of relevant product categories
- Add Brand Name to Product and Packaging
Besides the Amazon Brand Registry program, your brand name and logo should be attached to your product and packaging. Make them harder for fake sellers to copy your product and easy for shoppers to identify your product from a knock-off.
- Trademark Products
A trademark is one of your best ways to combat Amazon hijacking. If you don’t already have it, then trademark your products as soon as possible. Don’t waste to get one. In most cases, US trademark applications and brand registrations need 9 to 18 months to complete. After getting your trademark, don’t forget to enroll in Amazon Brand Registry.
- Bundle Products
You can also use product bundling to decrease the chances of Amazon product listing hijacking. With product bundling, you pack multiple products together for customers. So, if someone wants to copy your listing, they need extreme effort. If you decide to bundle your products, clarify your original product.
For example, the seller’s bundle is a Minecraft Backpack 4 Piece School Set. This school set Includes a lunch bag, water bottle, and pencil case, which makes sense when thinking about the desired purchase. Do a similar bundling process with your product.
- Sell Products on Official Website
With this strategy for protecting against Amazon listing hijacking, keep a reference that Amazon can use to verify your brand and forfeit the counterfeit seller. Some businesses use this tactic to create a product page without e-commerce functionality.
If you’re trying to earn more sales and revenue for your company, you should make it possible for customers to visit your official website and purchase your product. That way, people who identify your business through the website and other channels can become customers. Even better, you will succeed in making a new revenue source for your brand.
Final Thoughts
It is tough to be an established seller and gain positive reviews on Amazon. Do not let hijackers ruin your hard work with cheap duplicate items. Enroll as a brand, that’s the easiest way to prevent a hijacker and get the best reviews from your customer. We hope this article will be helpful for you. If you still find difficulties with Amazon Listing Hijacking, feel free to comment below. We are always ready to help you with any e-commerce-related solution.
