Amazon’s Crackdown on Fake Reviews in 2025: What Sellers Must Know
Jan 12, 2022
Introduction
In early 2025, Amazon made it clear that its tolerance for fake reviews is officially over.
Across Amazon seller forums, social media groups, and Slack channels, the buzz is impossible to ignore. Hundreds of seller accounts have been suspended, entire ASIN catalogs removed, and sellers with five-star ratings are now under investigation. While Amazon has always claimed to take review manipulation seriously, what we are seeing in 2025 is an entirely new level of enforcement.
If you are an FBA seller, private label brand, or third-party vendor using Amazon as your primary ecommerce channel, this article outlines what has changed, how it may impact your account, and the exact steps you need to take to stay compliant and protect your business from losing visibility or facing suspension.
The Scope of the Fake Review Problem in 2025
Let’s begin with the numbers.
As of Q1 2025, Amazon reports more than 250 million reviews across its global marketplaces. Internal audits show that up to 16 percent of those may be fake or manipulated. This includes:
Review swapping between sellers
Third-party services offering fake “verified purchase” reviews
Incentivized reviews disguised as thank-you gifts or sample exchanges
Internal manipulation using friends, bots, family members, or VA networks
This matters because customer trust is the foundation of Amazon’s business model.
After class-action lawsuits, viral TikTok videos showing fake product testimonials, and increased pressure from U.S. and EU regulators, Amazon was forced to overhaul its approach to detecting and penalizing manipulated feedback.
Amazon’s 2025 Enforcement Tactics: What’s New
Let’s begin with the numbers.
As of Q1 2025, Amazon reports more than 250 million reviews across its global marketplaces. Internal audits show that up to 16 percent of those may be fake or manipulated. This includes:
Review swapping between sellers
Third-party services offering fake “verified purchase” reviews
Incentivized reviews disguised as thank-you gifts or sample exchanges
Internal manipulation using friends, bots, family members, or VA networks
This matters because customer trust is the foundation of Amazon’s business model.
After class-action lawsuits, viral TikTok videos showing fake product testimonials, and increased pressure from U.S. and EU regulators, Amazon was forced to overhaul its approach to detecting and penalizing manipulated feedback.
How This Impacts Sellers (Even Honest Ones)
Let’s begin with the numbers.
As of Q1 2025, Amazon reports more than 250 million reviews across its global marketplaces. Internal audits show that up to 16 percent of those may be fake or manipulated. This includes:
Review swapping between sellers
Third-party services offering fake “verified purchase” reviews
Incentivized reviews disguised as thank-you gifts or sample exchanges
Internal manipulation using friends, bots, family members, or VA networks
This matters because customer trust is the foundation of Amazon’s business model.
After class-action lawsuits, viral TikTok videos showing fake product testimonials, and increased pressure from U.S. and EU regulators, Amazon was forced to overhaul its approach to detecting and penalizing manipulated feedback.
What Amazon Wants You to Do Now
Let’s begin with the numbers.
As of Q1 2025, Amazon reports more than 250 million reviews across its global marketplaces. Internal audits show that up to 16 percent of those may be fake or manipulated. This includes:
Review swapping between sellers
Third-party services offering fake “verified purchase” reviews
Incentivized reviews disguised as thank-you gifts or sample exchanges
Internal manipulation using friends, bots, family members, or VA networks
This matters because customer trust is the foundation of Amazon’s business model.
After class-action lawsuits, viral TikTok videos showing fake product testimonials, and increased pressure from U.S. and EU regulators, Amazon was forced to overhaul its approach to detecting and penalizing manipulated feedback.
Practical Steps to Stay Compliant
Let’s begin with the numbers.
As of Q1 2025, Amazon reports more than 250 million reviews across its global marketplaces. Internal audits show that up to 16 percent of those may be fake or manipulated. This includes:
Review swapping between sellers
Third-party services offering fake “verified purchase” reviews
Incentivized reviews disguised as thank-you gifts or sample exchanges
Internal manipulation using friends, bots, family members, or VA networks
This matters because customer trust is the foundation of Amazon’s business model.
After class-action lawsuits, viral TikTok videos showing fake product testimonials, and increased pressure from U.S. and EU regulators, Amazon was forced to overhaul its approach to detecting and penalizing manipulated feedback.
Real Case Studies: Who Got Suspended and Why
Let’s begin with the numbers.
As of Q1 2025, Amazon reports more than 250 million reviews across its global marketplaces. Internal audits show that up to 16 percent of those may be fake or manipulated. This includes:
Review swapping between sellers
Third-party services offering fake “verified purchase” reviews
Incentivized reviews disguised as thank-you gifts or sample exchanges
Internal manipulation using friends, bots, family members, or VA networks
This matters because customer trust is the foundation of Amazon’s business model.
After class-action lawsuits, viral TikTok videos showing fake product testimonials, and increased pressure from U.S. and EU regulators, Amazon was forced to overhaul its approach to detecting and penalizing manipulated feedback.
Expert Strategies for Reinstatement If You’re Hit
Let’s begin with the numbers.
As of Q1 2025, Amazon reports more than 250 million reviews across its global marketplaces. Internal audits show that up to 16 percent of those may be fake or manipulated. This includes:
Review swapping between sellers
Third-party services offering fake “verified purchase” reviews
Incentivized reviews disguised as thank-you gifts or sample exchanges
Internal manipulation using friends, bots, family members, or VA networks
This matters because customer trust is the foundation of Amazon’s business model.
After class-action lawsuits, viral TikTok videos showing fake product testimonials, and increased pressure from U.S. and EU regulators, Amazon was forced to overhaul its approach to detecting and penalizing manipulated feedback.
Future Outlook for Review Policies
Let’s begin with the numbers.
As of Q1 2025, Amazon reports more than 250 million reviews across its global marketplaces. Internal audits show that up to 16 percent of those may be fake or manipulated. This includes:
Review swapping between sellers
Third-party services offering fake “verified purchase” reviews
Incentivized reviews disguised as thank-you gifts or sample exchanges
Internal manipulation using friends, bots, family members, or VA networks
This matters because customer trust is the foundation of Amazon’s business model.
After class-action lawsuits, viral TikTok videos showing fake product testimonials, and increased pressure from U.S. and EU regulators, Amazon was forced to overhaul its approach to detecting and penalizing manipulated feedback.
Conclusion
Let’s begin with the numbers.
As of Q1 2025, Amazon reports more than 250 million reviews across its global marketplaces. Internal audits show that up to 16 percent of those may be fake or manipulated. This includes:
Review swapping between sellers
Third-party services offering fake “verified purchase” reviews
Incentivized reviews disguised as thank-you gifts or sample exchanges
Internal manipulation using friends, bots, family members, or VA networks
This matters because customer trust is the foundation of Amazon’s business model.
After class-action lawsuits, viral TikTok videos showing fake product testimonials, and increased pressure from U.S. and EU regulators, Amazon was forced to overhaul its approach to detecting and penalizing manipulated feedback.
