Introduction
Amazon is the world’s largest online marketplace, and millions of sellers sell their products. Amazon is a profitable platform, but it can also be competitive and dangerous. Many sellers face the alarming issue of ‘Amazon Hijacked My Listing. Listing hijacking is a problem that mostly affects those who are trying to build their own brand on Amazon or sell private-label products.
In this problem, another seller who is competing with you takes over your product listing and takes away your buy box. In this situation, the original seller’s sales are greatly affected, and his brand is damaged, and sometimes fake products are also sent to the customer. This is a very serious problem that not only causes financial losses but also affects relationships. In this article, we will see what listing hijacking is, how it happens, and what the ways to deal with it are.
What is Listing Hijacking?
Listing Hijacking occurs when another seller starts selling their products on your product listing, This is the nightmare scenario behind the phrase Amazon Hijacked My Listing. whether it is a product of the same brand or a counterfeit product. There is a listing for a product on Amazon artificially created with multiple sellers offering their own offers. Whenever you sell your products at a private level and another seller joins the listing without your permission, it is called Hijacking.
How does it happen?: When you brand your product and create its listing and add product description, images and price to it, after some time, another seller offers his product on the same listing on your website at a lower price. If its price is lower than the price of your products, Amazon gives it a buy box, which means that buyers will mostly buy from that seller and not from you.
Who is involved? Sellers who are copying selling products and engaging in drop shipping or orbital rule, or sellers who intentionally do this to harm competition, are a problem that is more prevalent in new markets where the brand registration system is weak or people are unaware of legal action.
Signs of Hijacking
Whenever you list your product on Amazon and start selling it, everything goes well at first, then suddenly your sales start dropping, reviews start getting negative, and the Buy Box goes to another seller. This is when sellers realize ‘Amazon Hijacked My Listing’ has occurred. These are all signs of listing hijacking. We are explaining the signs of listing hijacking.
Loss of control over the Buy Box: The Buy Box is a place where most buyers use the Buy Now button and make their purchases. If you are the only seller on your listing who has a Buy Box and suddenly someone else gets the Buy Box, then this is a red flag.
Appearance of an unknown seller: When you check your product listing and there is any name in “Other sellers on Amazon” that you are not familiar with, then this is also a sign of hijacking.
Negative Feedback: If your product suddenly gets negative reviews, like it is fake, the quality is very poor, or it is not original, then it is possible that another seller is selling a defective or copied product.
Price change: The hijacker offers a reduced price for your product so that they can get the buy box. For example, if your product was priced at 20 and now someone is listing it for 15, this is a clear indication that your listing has been hijacked.
Product description change: After a listing is hijacked, the images or description of your product may change, especially if you have not registered your brand, which confuses consumers and makes them unable to identify the original product.
Disadvantages of Hijacking
Listing hijacking is not just a problem for the seller when Amazon Hijacked My Listing happens, it affects the entire reputation of the brand, business confidence, and future growth.
Brand damage: Whenever a fake seller sells a fake or defective product, the customer thinks that the product is yours, and when that product turns out to be defective or counterfeit, it damages your brand reputation, and people lose trust in you.
Decrease in sales: After the Buy Box is hijacked, your sales almost end because more buyers buy from the Buy Box, which directly affects your income.
Increase in complaints and returns: If the products are sent by the hijacker as defective. the customers get angry and most of them also request returns and refunds, which also affects your metrics.
Account Suspension: Amazon’s system notes excessive negative reviews and complaints, and your seller account may be suspended, whether or not it’s your fault.
How to avoid hijacking
If you are creating your own private brand on Amazon, it is very important for you to take some precautions to avoid the nightmare of ‘Amazon Hijacked My Listing’. These steps will protect your brand from fake sellers and prevent your own ‘Amazon Hijacked My Listing’ scenario.
Get a brand registry: First of all, join Amazon’s brand registry program, which Amazon has created for sellers. Through this, you can protect the complete description, images, and control of your product, and can also report such fake sellers and can also access Amazon’s protection tool. For brand registry, it is necessary that your brand is legally trademarked. Many countries, including the United States, recognize Amazon’s trademarks.
Brand packaging: Whenever you pack your product, put your brand name or logo on its packaging. This proves that it is your product and no other seller can sell the product under this branding. If someone does this, then you will have to give Amazon permission. You can file a complaint
Trademark your product: You can legally register your product trademark with the Upbrand Register, which gives you legal protection. If any seller copies your trademark, you can take legal action against them.
Use SKUs and UPCs: Create SKUs and UPCs for each of your products. This protects the identity of your product and makes your listing secure.
What to do if a listing is hijacked
Although we take precautions, it is still possible to face Amazon Hijacked My Listing. If your listing is hijacked, you must take immediate and effective steps.
Report to Amazon: The first step after a listing is hijacked is to report it to Amazon using the Report Violation option in Seller Central, where you can file a complaint with Amazon against the hijacker.
File an IP Complaint: If your brand is also registered and you also have a trademark, you can also file an IP Complaint. This is a completely legal way for Amazon to take immediate action on your complaint.
Steps to return the Buy Box: Make your price competitive with other sellers so that you can get the Buy Box back. If you are using FBA, your position is strengthened because Amazon gives more preference to FBA sellers.
Appeal with evidence: When appealing against the hijacker, you have to provide Amazon with pictures of your product, its packaging, and branding details, and also share the seller report after the buy box was stolen, and present negative reviews from buyers as evidence.
Brand Registry and Legal Protections
To prevent the nightmare of Amazon Hijacked My Listing you want your product listing to be secure on Amazon and no other seller can hijack it, then you need to get a brand registry and legal protection. Brand registry not only gives you complete control over your listing but also strengthens your legal rights.
Benefits of Brand Registry: Amazon’s Brand Registry program is an important facility for private label sellers. When you register your brand, you get the following benefits:
Control over listing: You can completely change the title, description, images, and bullet points of your product, and no one else can make these changes except you.
Legal protection: If someone else misuses your brand, you can easily file an IP complaint and secure your brand.
Fake sales lists: After registering your brand, you get tools with which you can find fake sellers.
Fast response from Amazon Sports: Once you register your brand, Amazon takes immediate action on your complaints.
Legal actions: When you have a trademark and someone is still misusing your product, you can legally stop it.
Trademark infringement notice: You send a complaint to Amazon, clearly stating that someone is misusing your brand registration, which is affecting the reputation of your brand.
Case and decision: This is a legal notice that you send to the hijacker to remove your listing
Conclusion
Listing hijacking on Amazon is a very serious problem, especially for sellers building brands honestly. When evaluating Is Amazon FBA Worth It in 2025, this risk underscores the need for proactive measures. The good news is that you can take timely steps, legally protect your brand, and adopt the right strategy on Amazon, which can help you overcome the problem quickly. The first step to prevent hijacking is the brand registry.
Then, make your product safe and uniquely identifiable. If your product gets hijacked, don’t panic. Take immediate action with evidence and take legal action. Remember, selling your product on Amazon is not only about being successful, but also about protecting your property. The one who learns all these things at the time of sale is the one who remains successful for a long time.