Amazon Transparency: A Crystal Clear Layer of Protection for Your Brand’s Integrity

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In his mission to safeguard his brand’s integrity in Amazon’s bustling marketplace, John Mark took a crucial step: enrolling in Amazon’s Brand Registry. With this strategic move, he effectively minimized unauthorized resellers, reclaiming control over his hard-earned brand. But, this was merely the beginning of his journey towards preserving brand integrity.


As he delved deeper into the realm of brand protection, John Mark stumbled upon a game-changing discovery: Amazon’s Transparency Program. A chance encounter with a fellow brand owner enlightened him about this innovative initiative, sparking his curiosity to explore its potential further.


In this article, we will take you through the process of getting your brand enrolled in Amazon’s Transparency Program. Discover the transformative power of this cutting-edge program as we delve into its remarkable benefits for your business.


What is Amazon’s Transparency Program?


It is a unique serialization service by Amazon that assigns individual codes to each unit. It enables both Amazon and its customers to verify the product’s authenticity before they are even shipped out. In essence, it empowers brands to safeguard their integrity and consumers to shop with confidence, knowing that what they are getting is the real deal every time.


How to Enroll in the Program?


Eligibility Check


Before proceeding to the enrollment process, check if your brand meets Amazon’s eligibility criteria for the Transparency Program. Generally, brands must be registered with the Amazon Brand Registry and hold trademarks for their products in the countries where they intend to enroll.


So if you haven’t registered your brand with the Brand Registry, best that you do this first. Brand Registry provides access to tools and features designed to protect intellectual property and enhance brand presence on Amazon. We can assist you in this step just contact us here or book a zoom call.


Sign up for Transparency


Once you have successfully registered your brand with the Brand Registry, navigate to the ‘Contact Transparency’ section in your Seller Central Account. Follow the prompts to start applying to the Transparency Program. You will need to provide information about your brand and contact information.


Verification and Approval


Once you have completed your application, Amazon will review the provided information to verify your eligibility and compliance with program requirements. This may take some time, so be very patient. Once your application is approved, the Transparency team will send you a notification and instructions on how to proceed.


Register your Products


Once approved, you will need to start registering the products you want to enroll in the Transparency Program. Not all products are eligible for transparency so it’s best to check with Amazon on this. Also, bear in mind that this program comes with a cost so it is better to study which of your products goes into the program.


Product Serialization


After you have registered your products, the next step would be to serialize your products. You may start requesting unique Transparency codes from Amazon and apply them to each of the products. Ensure that the transparency code label is applied to the corresponding products during the manufacturing or packaging process.


How Does it Work?


This cutting-edge measure works in two effective ways. One, it prevents resellers from shipping counterfeit products. Products are scanned by Amazon and if the barcode labels don’t match the ones in their system, that product is flagged and investigated for possible counterfeit. Two, customers can download the Amazon App or Transparency App to scan the barcode labels of products they purchased to verify the authenticity of their orders.


What Do You Gain?


Fights Counterfeiting


Transparency ensures that only authentic products sourced from legitimate manufacturers get into the market. It is also a deterrent for unauthorized resellers, as they are likely to sell counterfeit or unauthorized products that can easily be identified and verified by customers.


Enhanced Brand Trust and Reputation


Transparency provides a way for consumers to verify the authenticity of products, fostering trust in brands that participate in the program. It helps business owners protect their brand reputation by ensuring that customers receive genuine products, reducing the risk of negative reviews or experiences due to counterfeit products.


Increased Sales


When consumers can verify the authenticity of products, they are more likely to trust the brand and make purchases with confidence. Increased trust can lead to higher conversion rates and repeat purchases, and ultimately drive up sales. It also helps minimize the likelihood of returns and refunds due to dissatisfaction with counterfeit items. By reducing the proliferation of bad actors and unauthorized resellers, brand owners can protect their market share and maintain sales revenue.


In conclusion, Amazon's Transparency is a crystal clear layer of trust and integrity for protecting brand reputation. By empowering brands to authenticate their products and providing consumers with the assurance of authenticity, Transparency fosters a marketplace of trust, transparency, and reliability. Transparency offers advantages to both the brand and the customer, from combatting counterfeits and safeguarding brand integrity to elevating the overall shopping experience. 


Feeling overwhelmed by the enrollment process for the Transparency program but eager to get your brand on board? Don’t worry we got you covered. Our team of experts is just a click away if you need any assistance. Contact us here or book a zoom call.


Here at Chief Marketplace Officer, we help brands like yours succeed on Amazon so you can focus on developing your products to grow your business.

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Hijacked Listings on Amazon: How to Detect, Prevent, and Take Action

By William Fikhman • July 1, 2025
Imagine this: You spend months building your Amazon listing—crafting compelling copy, optimizing keywords, gathering reviews, and designing top-notch A+ Content. Then one morning, your branded product is replaced with a suspicious version from another seller, your bullet points are butchered, and the Buy Box is gone. You’ve just been hijacked. Hijacked listings are a nightmare for legitimate sellers, especially brand owners. They compromise your reputation, confuse customers, and eat away at your revenue. Worst of all, if left unchecked, they can destroy the trust you’ve built with your buyers. In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to detect hijackers, prevent attacks on your listing, and take swift action when it happens. What Is a Hijacked Listing on Amazon? A hijacked listing occurs when an unauthorized seller jumps on your product detail page and starts selling what appears to be your product—often a counterfeit, knockoff, or gray-market version. In some cases, they even edit your listing content, change the images, or undercut you to win the Buy Box. This usually happens to sellers who: Use FBA without brand registry Sell private label or white-label products Have generic packaging that’s easy to replicate If you’re not actively monitoring your listings, it’s easy to miss a hijacker until the damage is done. Why Hijacking Is So Dangerous Hijacked listings don’t just cost you a few sales—they can ruin your brand: Lost Buy Box = lost revenue Negative reviews from fake products impact your rating Suppressed listings from customer complaints Account health issues if Amazon sees you as the problem Permanent damage to your product’s SEO and conversion rate And if you're a brand-focused seller, hijacking is a direct assault on your intellectual property. How to Detect a Hijacked Listing Spotting a hijack early is critical. Here’s how to monitor your listings like a hawk: 1. Check the “Sold By” Section Go to your product page and look at the Buy Box. If it doesn’t say your store name (or it’s being shared), you’ve got company. Click on “Other Sellers on Amazon” to see who else is listing your product. If you see unknown sellers offering your SKU at unusually low prices—red flag. 2. Monitor Price Fluctuations A sudden drop in price could mean a hijacker is undercutting you to win the Buy Box. Track pricing changes daily. 3. Use Alerts & Tools Use software like: Helium 10 – Alerts Keepa – Price tracking Sellerboard – Hijack monitoring Bindwise – Listing change alerts These tools notify you when new sellers jump on your listings or your content gets modified. 4. Watch for Content Changes Hijackers may swap your images, title, or bullets to match their counterfeit version. Use the “Manage Inventory” section to regularly audit your listing content. How to Prevent Listing Hijackers Prevention is the best defense. Here’s how to make your listings tougher to hijack: 1. Enroll in Amazon Brand Registry This is your strongest line of defense. Brand Registry gives you: Listing content control Access to Amazon’s Report a Violation tool Brand support team access Transparency program eligibility Without Brand Registry, anyone can edit your listing. With it, you hold the keys. 2. Use Amazon Transparency Transparency is a product serialization program that lets Amazon verify your item before shipping it. Only units with valid Transparency codes can be shipped—making it nearly impossible for hijackers to pass off fakes. 3. Include Branded Packaging & Logos Generic packaging invites counterfeiters. Make sure your product and packaging include: Clear brand logos Unique identifiers (model #, UPC, batch code) Branded inserts Also, include “Ships in branded packaging” in your listing to warn copycats and inform customers. 4. Stay Off Generic/Shared Listings Never piggyback on existing generic ASINs. Always create your own unique listings and protect them with Brand Registry. How to Take Action Against Hijackers If your listing has been hijacked, act fast. The longer the unauthorized seller stays on your listing, the more reviews and revenue they can poison. Step 1: Document Everything Take screenshots of: The listing (with the hijacker’s store name) Product differences (if it’s a counterfeit) Customer complaints or reviews related to the hijacker Your original product and packaging Step 2: Send a Cease and Desist Message You can message the hijacker through Amazon Seller Central. Be professional and direct. Sample message: Hello, You are currently listing a product under our protected ASIN: [ASIN]. We are the brand owner and manufacturer of this product. Your listing is unauthorized and violates our intellectual property rights. Please remove your offer within 24 hours to avoid a formal complaint to Amazon’s Brand Protection team. Sincerely, [Your Brand Name] Some hijackers back off immediately. Others don’t. Step 3: File a Report with Amazon If the seller doesn’t respond, use Amazon’s Report Infringement tool: Go to Brand Registry > Report a Violation File under "Unauthorized Seller / Counterfeit" Submit all documentation If you're not enrolled in Brand Registry, file a general support case and include your proof. Step 4: Escalate If Needed If Amazon doesn’t act, escalate: Contact Seller Support with a violation report Call Amazon’s Brand Registry support line Loop in an IP attorney if necessary You can also file a DMCA takedown request if content is being used without authorization. What If You're Not Brand Registered Yet? While Brand Registry is best, you can still take some protective actions: Use strong brand presence on packaging File infringement cases manually Include trademarked brand name in your title (this can help in Buy Box disputes) Register your trademark ASAP to unlock Brand Registry Pro Tip: Watch Your Competitors Too If you're in a competitive niche, hijackers may be targeting your rivals too. Study how they respond, monitor their listings, and prepare your own defenses. Final Thoughts: Own Your Listing, Own Your Brand A hijacked listing is more than a nuisance—it’s a threat to everything you’ve built on Amazon. But with the right vigilance, tools, and legal backup, you can protect your turf. Detect quickly Act immediately Prevent permanently You’ve worked hard to build your brand. Don’t let someone else steal it overnight. Need help removing hijackers or setting up Brand Registry and Transparency? Our team can audit your listings, take enforcement action, and keep your brand protected across all Amazon marketplaces. Let’s talk.
An amazon prime day box is sitting on a blue surface.

Win Big on Amazon Prime Day

By William Fikhman • June 30, 2025
Are you ready to make the most out of Amazon Prime Day 2025? Whether you're a new Amazon seller or have a few Prime Days under your belt, preparation is key to success. Prime Day is one of Amazon's biggest shopping events of the year, and smart planning can help you drive major traffic, boost conversions, and clear old stock. Here’s a simplified, step-by-step guide to help you get ready for Prime Day 2025 and make it your most profitable event yet. A Simple and Effective Guide to Prepare for Amazon Prime Day Step 1: Make a Plan Use past sales data (if available) to see what worked and what didn’t. Start early. Expect lower conversions before Prime Day as shoppers are researching and wish-listing. Make sure your listings are ready 3 weeks before the big day. Repeat winning strategies Avoid low-performing tactics If you're a new seller, know that shoppers browse listings weeks before buying Step 2: Choose Which Products to Focus On If you have a large catalog, focus on: High sellers Well-reviewed items Items that can compete in price and popularity These are the popular Prime Day categories: Smart home gadgets Electronics & accessories Health & hygiene products Cleaning tools Kitchen items If you don’t sell these, promote your top-sellers and bundle average items with better ones. Step 3: Create Irresistible Deals Prime Day is all about offering big discounts that attract more buyers and drive conversions. Sellers can take advantage of several types of deals to stand out during the event.  Coupons are a great option, as they display a visible orange tag on listings and are proven to boost conversion rates. Lightning Deals are short-term promotions that offer high visibility by appearing on Amazon’s “Today’s Deals” page for a limited time. Deal of the Day promotions run for 24 hours and showcase your products with a special badge, increasing exposure. Lastly, Prime Exclusive Discounts appear directly in the search results and on product detail pages, clearly showing the slashed prices to Prime members. Step 4: Manage Your Inventory Running out of stock during Prime Day means missing out on major sales opportunities. Make sure your FBA inventory arrives earlier and have a backup plan just in case. Tips: Monitor current stock levels Use a backup fulfillment method Consider old stock removal options Step 5: Optimize Your Listings Retail readiness is all about making sure your listings are in top shape before Prime Day. This means your titles, bullet points, and product descriptions should be rich in relevant keywords to help you rank higher in search results. Use clear, high-quality images that showcase your product and highlight key features. Make sure your listings answer common customer questions to reduce confusion and hesitation. Don’t forget to address complaints found in customer reviews — this can help prevent returns and negative feedback. Also, keep your A+ Content and product descriptions up-to-date so shoppers have a seamless and engaging experience. Address customer complaints from reviews Update A+ Content and product descriptions Step 6: Create Virtual Product Bundles Boost your average order value by bundling slower-moving items with your top-sellers. With Amazon's Virtual Product Bundle Tool, Brand Registered Sellers can group up to five ASINs together without physically packaging them — Amazon handles the fulfillment for you. No need to physically bundle items Up to 5 ASINs Available for Brand Registered Sellers Step 7: Clear Out Old Inventory Prime Day is the perfect opportunity to clear out aging inventory and free up valuable warehouse space. By offering deep discounts on older or slower-moving products, you can turn stagnant stock into fresh sales and improve your inventory turnover. Offer deep discounts on older items Clear warehouse space Turn stale stock into sales Step 8: Update Brand Store, Posts, and A+ Content With increased traffic expected during Prime Day, your Brand Store needs to be ready to capture attention and convert shoppers. Create a dedicated Prime Day page to showcase your best deals, highlight top-performing products, and update your A+ Content with fresh visuals and persuasive messaging. Use Amazon Posts to generate buzz—these can be created from your existing social media content and help drive additional discovery from within your storefront. Step 9: Boost Your PPC Campaigns Run Amazon Ads to maximize visibility. Use: Sponsored Products (for top keywords) Sponsored Brands (with promo callouts) Sponsored Brand Videos (for high engagement) Pro Tips: Increase budgets from 4 PM onward (peak shopping time) Use budget rules to automate spending Track search term reports to optimize performance Step 10: Don’t Ignore Off-Amazon Marketing Spread the word outside Amazon. Channels: Social media (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook) Influencer marketing Email campaigns Take advantage of Brand Referral Bonus: earn up to 10% bonus on qualified sales driven through external links. Step 11: Start Early Promotions Start building excitement three weeks before Prime Day by teasing your deals through email and social media. Launch Amazon ads early to build product awareness and bid on high-performing keywords to boost your organic rankings ahead of the surge in traffic. Step 12: Final Prep – One Week Before Prime Day Confirm all deals, ads, and inventory are good to go Double-check listings, images, and bullet points Test campaigns to ensure performance and placement Be Ready, Stay Agile Prime Day can be a game-changer for your business. But success isn’t just about big discounts. It’s about being smart, strategic, and staying ahead of the competition. If this sounds overwhelming, you don’t have to do it alone. Why Chief Marketplace Officer (CMO) is the Key Chief Marketplace Officer brings full Amazon brand management under one roof. From inventory planning to ad strategy, listing optimization, to marketing, CMO handles it all. All you have to do is focus on growth. With the right partner, your Prime Day isn’t just good. It’s record-breaking. Ready to dominate Prime Day 2025? Let Chief Marketplace Officer lead the way.