Amazon Listing Hijacking: How to Spot It and Stop It

If you’re selling on Amazon, chances are you’ve worked hard to build your brand, earn positive reviews, and stay competitive. But what happens when a third-party seller hijacks your product listing—undercutting your price, stealing your sales, and damaging your brand? That’s what Amazon listing hijacking looks like—and it’s more common than you think.

What Is Amazon Listing Hijacking?

At its core, hijacking happens when someone unrelated to your brand starts selling a counterfeit or knockoff version of your product on your existing Amazon listing. Since Amazon lets multiple sellers list under the same ASIN, hijackers exploit this by offering a fake version—usually at a lower price.

They often win the Buy Box, which means customers end up buying from them instead of you. And when those customers receive a cheap imitation, your brand gets blamed through negative reviews and returns. The damage goes far beyond just missed revenue—it impacts your brand’s entire customer experience.

How to Tell If Your Amazon Listing Has Been Hijacked

Not sure if you’ve been targeted? Here are some telltale signs:

• A seller you’ve never heard of suddenly appears under your listing

• You unexpectedly lose the Buy Box to someone with lower prices

• You notice an increase in complaints about product quality or authenticity

These indicators should be taken seriously—they’re warning signs that your listing could be compromised.

How to Remove a Hijacker from Your Listing

Step 1: Contact the Seller

Start with a cease-and-desist message. Use Amazon’s messaging system to firmly ask them to take down their offer. Sometimes, this alone does the trick—especially if they know you’re serious.

Step 2: File a Report with Amazon

If your brand is trademarked, file an IP infringement complaint through Amazon’s portal. Having your trademark in place makes enforcement much faster and more effective.

Step 3: Buy the Product Yourself

Order the suspected counterfeit. Take detailed photos of the packaging, labeling, and any obvious differences from your real product. This kind of documentation gives Amazon the proof it needs to investigate and take action on your behalf.

Proactive Ways to Prevent Future Hijacking

If you want long-term protection, prevention is your best friend. Here’s how to secure your listings:

• Register with Amazon Brand Registry
  You’ll need a registered trademark, but this gives you access to powerful tools to control your listings and report abuse.

• Use Branded Packaging
  Make sure your product has unique, clearly visible branding. This not only helps customers recognize counterfeits—it also gives you an advantage in disputes.

• Bundle Products Creatively
  Consider grouping products in a distinctive way that hijackers can’t easily duplicate. Custom bundles give you an edge they can’t match.

• Monitor Your Listings Daily
  Use tools like Helium10, AMZAlert, or SellerSonar to watch for sudden changes in sellers, pricing, or listing content.

• Protect Your Product Information
  Brand Registry allows you to lock your listing content, keeping hijackers from editing titles, descriptions, or images.

• Have an Official Website
  A dedicated eCommerce site helps Amazon verify your legitimacy and gives you an additional sales channel that hijackers can’t touch.

Extra Layer of Protection: Amazon’s Anti-Counterfeit Programs

If you want maximum protection, look into Amazon’s advanced programs:

• Transparency – Adds scannable codes to each unit so only authentic products can ship

• Project Zero – Lets brands remove counterfeit listings instantly without needing Amazon’s approval

These tools are designed to give serious sellers more control over their listings.

Bottom Line: Stay Vigilant, Stay Protected

Hijackers don’t just cause lost orders—they quietly eat away at your brand’s trust and customer confidence. Don’t overlook the signs or delay action.

By taking control early and backing it up with the right tools and legal protections, you put your business in a much stronger position to outlast copycats and maintain customer loyalty.

And if all this feels overwhelming? That’s completely normal. Consider working with professionals who specialize in Amazon seller protection, especially when it comes to trademark filing or Brand Registry enrollment. It’s not just a smart investment—it’s peace of mind.