#564 – Amazon Product Inserts 101
Amazon’s Product Review Policy now covers printed inserts. Allowed content includes brand story, usage tips, or a neutral QR‑code link to a tutorial, while asking for a 5‑star review in exchange for a 10% discount or mentioning Amazon/Buy Box is prohibited. Violations trigger automated notices and can lead to temporary suspension.
Overview
Amazon allows sellers to place printed inserts inside a product’s packaging, but the material must follow Amazon’s communication policies. Violating those rules can lead to warnings or account suspension, so sellers need a clear understanding of what is permissible. This guide outlines the dos and don’ts, explains how inserts are treated under Amazon’s policies, and provides concrete steps to stay compliant while still encouraging post‑purchase engagement.
Key Points
- Allowed content — Inserts may share brand story, usage instructions, or a neutral request for feedback that does not mention Amazon, the “Buy Box,” or any specific rating.
- Prohibited content — Directly asking for a positive rating, offering coupons, discounts, or any incentive in exchange for a review, and linking to external marketplaces all breach Amazon’s rules.
- Policy scope — Amazon’s Product Review Policy applies to any printed material that reaches the buyer, meaning inserts are subject to the same standards as email or messaging.
- Best‑practice example — A kitchen‑tool seller prints a QR code that links to a video showing how to use the gadget, without requesting a review or mentioning Amazon.
- Risk illustration — A seller who printed “Leave a 5‑star review on Amazon for a 10 % discount” received a policy violation notice and later faced a temporary suspension.
How Product Inserts Work
- Design and print — The seller creates a compact card, flyer, or booklet that fits inside the product box. Example: A cosmetics brand designs a 4 × 6 inch card featuring its logo, a short brand story, and a QR code that leads to a makeup‑application tutorial.
- Insert placement — The printed material is placed in the package during the fulfillment process, either at the seller’s own prep center or through Amazon’s FBA prep service. Example: An electronics vendor ships a “Thank you for your purchase” card with every unit via an Amazon‑approved prep center, ensuring the card is inside the sealed box.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
Printed inserts are scanned by Amazon’s automated tools; a seller who asked for a 5‑star review for a 10% discount received a violation notice and a temporary suspension. Staying compliant protects account health and avoids revenue loss from suspensions.
Key Takeaways
- Allowed insert content: brand story, usage instructions, neutral review request without Amazon or Buy Box mention.
- Prohibited content: requesting specific star rating, offering 10% discount or coupons for reviews, linking to external marketplaces.
- Violations trigger automated alerts in Seller Central and can result in temporary account suspension.
- Inserts fall under the same Product Review Policy as email and messaging, so the same compliance rules apply.
Recommended Actions
- →Log into Seller Central > Performance > Account Health and review any policy violation notices related to product inserts.
- →Edit all existing insert designs in your design files or prep center instructions to remove any language requesting specific star ratings or offeri...
- →Create new inserts that include QR codes or brand‑specific short URLs to instructional videos, ensuring no mention of Amazon, and upload a sample i...
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