What is the most common type of account suspension right now? In the years I’ve been asked that question, the answer has never been clearer: Amazon linked accounts.
Since September 2021, Amazon linked accounts have dominated the Amazon seller account suspension types worked on at Riverbend Consulting. Keep reading to discover what triggers linked account suspensions and how to safeguard your business against this type of suspension.
What are Amazon linked accounts?
Amazon linked accounts refer to the connection between multiple Amazon seller accounts that share certain commonalities, such as ownership, business operations, or other identifiable links. Amazon closely monitors and identifies these connections to maintain the integrity of its marketplace and prevent abusive practices.
When accounts are linked, Amazon can treat them as one entity in terms of policy enforcement. For instance, if one linked account is suspended for policy violations, the other accounts may also face suspension. This strict approach ensures sellers cannot bypass rules by operating multiple accounts.
Accounts may be flagged as linked for several reasons:
- Shared financial information: If two accounts use the same bank account, credit card, or tax information, Amazon may flag them as linked.
- Common login information: Using the same email address, phone number, or IP address for multiple accounts can lead to a connection.
- Operational overlap: Amazon may also link accounts if they detect shared resources such as customer service representatives, warehouses, or inventory management systems.
If you run multiple businesses or have partners, managing linked accounts is essential to avoid unintended consequences. Always be transparent with Amazon about your business operations to prevent Amazon seller account suspension and ensure compliance with marketplace policies.
Are you allowed to have more than one Amazon seller account?
Third-party sellers can have more than one account on the Amazon Marketplace. But there are rules. A seller must have a valid business reason for operating multiple accounts. For example:
- Selling in different categories, such as an account with health and beauty products and another account with pet products
- Maintaining separate accounts for various brands
- Operating one account that is private label and another that is for reseller goods
Each account should genuinely operate as a separate entity. It should have its own LLC, bank account and credit card. Funds should not be co-mingled.
Why do Amazon linked accounts often result in account suspension?
Amazon may have a problem with sellers maintaining multiple or linked accounts for a few reasons.
First, a single person or entity cannot sell the same ASIN. Amazon and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission consider this a vehicle for price-fixing. If Amazon believes inventory is being shared across related accounts, it raises a red flag.
Second, many linked account suspensions occur because one account has been closed by Amazon in the past. In other words, Amazon shut down an account for enforcement reasons, and the seller opened another account. This isn’t allowed– you get one shot. If you blow it, Amazon doesn’t want you on the platform.
For example, if a seller’s account is suspended for inauthenticity or condition problems, Amazon doesn’t want that questionable inventory moved to another new account to be sold again. Or, if a seller is deemed untrustworthy because of platform manipulation or other offenses, Amazon won’t trust the seller with a different account.
Is everyone who is suspended for Amazon linked accounts guilty?
Not everyone suspended for linked accounts violated Amazon’s policies. There are many false positives picked up by Amazon’s artificial intelligence (AI) and investigators.
Dozens of factors can link accounts. Amazon doesn’t reveal its formulas and technologies, but Amazon does link accounts by factors such as:
- Computer “fingerprint,” including software versions, screen size, resolution, etc.
- IP address
- Phone number
- Addresses
- Credit card and bank information
- Email addresses and logins
Sometimes, sellers are linked to other closed accounts by some of these – or different – factors. But they aren’t always related to the account.
Step-by-Step: What to do if your Amazon seller account is suspended for linked accounts
Navigating an Amazon seller account suspension due to linked accounts can be daunting, but with a systematic approach, you can improve your chances of reinstatement. We’ve worked with hundreds of clients who have experienced Amazon seller account suspension for linked accounts. Here’s what we commonly find:
- Some linked account suspensions are false positives
- Some are sister companies allowed to have separate selling accounts under Amazon’s rules
- Some are related to past accounts closed by Amazon for disciplinary reasons
Here are some examples:
- An Amazon Seller who forgot to ship the college textbooks he sold a decade ago. When he tried to open a new seller account for his brand-spanking-new brand, Amazon linked the two and shut him down.
- An electronics seller who was shut down years ago for Order Defect Rate. When his newer – and successful – account was popped for inauthentic, Amazon also found the relation to the old account.
- A supplement seller works as a consultant to other supplement sellers – and logs into their accounts. Amazon detected the activity and assumed there was shared ownership.
Step #1 Stay calm and review the notification
The first step is to read the Amazon suspension notice carefully. Understand the reason for the suspension, as Amazon often provides information on the linked accounts that triggered the action. Avoid rash decisions or attempts to create a new account, as this could further complicate your situation.
Step #2 Identify the Amazon linked accounts
Amazon may not always specify which accounts are linked, so you may need to conduct your own investigation. Consider any other Amazon seller accounts you can access, whether for personal use, other businesses, or accounts managed by others on shared devices or networks. Look for overlaps in IP addresses, billing information, or login locations that might have caused the linkage.
Step #3 Gather documentation
Compile all relevant documentation that proves the legitimacy and independence of your account. This could include business licenses, tax information, invoices, and any other paperwork that distinguishes your business from others that might be linked. If you believe the linkage was a mistake, gather evidence to support this, such as unique IP addresses, different business addresses, or separate payment methods.
Step #4 Draft a concise and professional Amazon appeal
Clarity and professionalism are essential when drafting your appeal. Begin by acknowledging the suspension and stating that you understand the reason provided by Amazon. Next, explain your findings from your investigation, emphasizing the steps you’ve taken to ensure your account’s independence. Provide the necessary documentation and request the reinstatement of your account.
Step #5 Submit the appeal and wait patiently
After you’ve reviewed your appeal and attached all supporting documents, submit it through the appropriate Amazon Seller Central channels. While waiting for a response, refrain from contacting Amazon repeatedly, as this may slow down the process. Use this time to ensure that your operations comply with Amazon’s policies and prevent future issues.
Step #6 Follow up If necessary
You may need to follow up if you are still waiting for a response or if your appeal is denied. Be patient but persistent, and consider refining your appeal with any additional information that clarifies your situation.
Step #7 Evaluate and adjust your business practices
Finally, take the suspension as an opportunity to review and improve your business practices. Implement measures to avoid any potential account linkages in the future, such as using dedicated devices for different accounts, ensuring that your business information is unique, and regularly reviewing your Amazon seller account activity.
Will Amazon reinstate the linked account after you appeal?
If your account is genuinely linked to the suspended account—whether through shared ownership, management, or another direct relationship—Amazon may require you to demonstrate a “legitimate business need” to reinstate the suspended account.
Amazon permits sellers to have multiple accounts under the following legitimate business needs:
- Distinct product lines/brands: Separate accounts may be allowed to manage utterly different product lines or brands to maintain brand identity and manage inventory more effectively.
- Different business entities: Amazon may permit a separate account if you own multiple legal entities, each with its own tax ID and operations.
- Expanding into different marketplaces: Amazon may allow separate accounts for other regions to simplify logistics and compliance when expanding into international markets.
- Wholesale vs. retail models: Separate accounts might be justified if you operate wholesale and retail businesses with different customers and operational needs.
- Operational requirements: Complex logistics or specific business divisions may necessitate additional accounts to ensure smooth operations.
- Regulatory compliance: Certain industries or regions may require separate accounts to comply with differing regulatory frameworks.
Always seek Amazon’s explicit permission before opening a second account to avoid suspension. If Amazon has incorrectly identified your account as linked to another or if the relationship no longer exists, you should be able to reinstate it. Clear, documented evidence is critical to successfully challenging an Amazon linked accounts suspension.
Can these tricky suspensions be solved? Yes. But it’s not easy. It takes detective work, patience, and sometimes a plan of action for every account involved. (Sometimes, that means two accounts. Sometimes it means five.)
Every situation is different and requires a unique plan of action sent to Amazon. Here are some tips on how to write a winning plan of action for Seller Performance:
- If Amazon didn’t provide the first three letters of the linked account’s name, ask for it.
- Don’t deny the connection – even if it’s a false positive.
- Explain why the connection occurred and why it shouldn’t have shut down your account.
- If there is an older closed account you’ve been linked to, solve that account suspension first. Then, ask to have your current account re-opened.
Navigating Amazon linked account suspensions with confidence
Whether you’re managing multiple accounts, working with an agency, or simply trying to protect your business, the stakes are high. Only those with a strong business case for operating multiple accounts should do so. And even then, don’t commit the cardinal Amazon sins. Use separate bank accounts, separate credit cards, separate LLCs, and carry separate inventory.
If you’ve found yourself in this situation and, even after reading this, aren’t sure where to start, contact our Amazon seller account suspension experts, fill out the form, and take your first step toward reinstating your Amazon Seller account. The good news is that you don’t have to navigate this challenging situation alone. We’re here to help.
Seller Account Health. Solved.
