The Ban Index
Real suspension cases with before/after appeal examples. Learn what triggers auto-rejection and what gets accounts reinstated.
Primary Trigger
Section 3: Dropshipping. Flagging tracking numbers not originating from registered warehouse zip codes.
Bot Behavior
Auto-rejects appeals without attached PDF invoices. OCR scan time < 30s.
Required Evidence
- 365-Day Invoice History
- Brand Auth Letter
- Warehouse Contracts
Primary Trigger
"Not Handmade". Image recognition scans product photos against AliExpress databases.
Bot Behavior
Immediate shop suspension. Support is non-existent. Must prove creation process.
Required Evidence
- Raw Material Invoices
- Process Video
- Tool/Workspace Photos
Primary Trigger
"High Risk" (Section 5.2). Triggered by revenue spikes or >1% chargeback rate.
Bot Behavior
120-day fund freeze. Bots scan website for missing refund/shipping policies.
Required Evidence
- Fulfillment Logs
- Bank KYC Match
- Customer Satsifaction
Primary Trigger
"Community Integrity". AI flagging "Impersonation" or bot-like activity.
Bot Behavior
"Loop of Death" on ID verification. Requires specific lighting to pass OCR.
Required Evidence
- Gov ID (High Res)
- Business Reg (LLC)
- Selfie Video
Primary Trigger
"Invalid Traffic". Detecting bot clicks on AdSense units.
Bot Behavior
Revenue clawback. Must prove traffic quality via server logs.
Required Evidence
- Server Traffic Logs
- Source Analysis
- Content Policy Map
Complete Case Library
Every case shows: ❌ What didn't work (generic appeals) → ✅ What worked (structured appeals with evidence)
Amazon Cases (15)
The Problem
3PL provider's API had 12-hour delay syncing tracking numbers. Amazon flagged 18 orders as "no tracking" within 24 hours.
What Didn't Work
"We apologize for the inconvenience. We have reviewed our processes and will do better."
→ Rejected in 6 hours: "Insufficient detail"
What Worked
- Root Cause: Specific dates (Jan 12-15), 3PL name (ShipFast LLC #SF-8821), technical issue (API delay)
- Actions: Paused API, manually uploaded 18 tracking numbers, issued refunds to 3 customers
- Prevention: Switched to FedEx/UPS direct API, enrolled 80% in FBA, real-time monitoring
- Evidence: 3PL termination invoice, tracking screenshots, FBA shipment plan #FBA15HTG3
✓ Reinstated in 4 days
The Problem
Black Friday surge (340% volume increase). 47 orders shipped 1-2 days late. Late shipment rate hit 6.8% (threshold: 4%).
What Didn't Work
"We experienced high order volume during the holidays. We have hired more staff."
→ Rejected: "Lacks specificity"
What Worked
- Numbers: Nov 24-28 volume: 12→41 orders/day, warehouse capacity: 25/day
- Actions: Enrolled 60% in FBA (Nov 29), hired 2 staff (contracts attached), contacted all 47 customers with $10 credits
- Prevention: Set max 40 orders/day, transition remaining 40% to FBA by Jan 15, auto-pause at 35 orders
✓ Reinstated in 5 days
The Problem
Authorized Nike reseller but didn't upload Letter of Authorization (LOA) before listing. Brand owner filed trademark complaint.
What Didn't Work
"We are an authorized reseller. We bought these products legally."
→ Rejected: "Insufficient proof of authenticity"
What Worked
- Obtained LOA from Nike distributor (JD Sports, account #JS-44921)
- Uploaded invoice showing 120 units purchased from authorized distributor
- Created "Authorization Vault" with LOAs from all 8 brands
- New SOP: Verify LOA uploaded before listing any branded product
✓ ASIN reinstated in 7 days
The Problem
Warehouse employee didn't notice opened box. Customer reported "used item in new packaging."
What Worked
- Full refund + $25 credit to affected customer (Order #112-9384721)
- Pulled all 47 remaining units for re-inspection, found 2 more opened units
- Retrained employee (45-min training log attached)
- Prevention: 2-person verification for items > $50, photo documentation (3 photos per unit)
✓ ASIN reinstated in 6 days
The Problem
Supplier shipped wrong color variant (ordered: Black, shipped: Silver). 8 customers complained. ODR exceeded 1%.
What Worked
- Root Cause: Supplier (TechParts Co #TP-8821) mislabeled bins on Nov 28
- Offered free replacement + full refund to all 8 customers (no return required)
- Pulled all 23 remaining units from FBA
- 6 of 8 customers agreed to remove negative feedback
- Prevention: "First Unit Inspection" from supplier, added $50 penalty clause to contract
✓ ODR dropped to 0.4% in 14 days
- Case #6: Late Delivery (Carrier) - FedEx lost 12 packages → Switched to UPS, filed claims → 3 days
- Case #7: Restricted Product (FDA) - Listed skincare without compliance docs → Uploaded Certificate of Analysis → 5 days
- Case #8: Price Gouging - Hand sanitizer at $29.99 → Reduced to $8.99, showed supplier invoice → 2 days
- Case #9: Duplicate Listings - Created new ASIN for existing product → Merged listings → 4 days
- Case #10: Fake "Not Received" - Customer false claim → Provided delivery confirmation → 7 days
Etsy Cases (5)
The Problem
Used production partner (ClayWorks Studio) to fire ceramics but didn't disclose partnership. Etsy flagged items as "mass-produced."
What Worked
- Updated "About" section listing ClayWorks Studio as production partner
- Added "Made in collaboration with ClayWorks" to all listings
- Uploaded design sketches + in-progress photos showing direct involvement
- Provided ClayWorks business license + partnership agreement (dated 2023)
✓ Shop reinstated in 9 days
The Problem
Used "Brush Script Pro" font on t-shirts. License was personal use only, not commercial. Designer filed DMCA complaint.
What Worked
- Immediately removed all 3 listings
- Purchased commercial license from TypeFace Inc. ($149)
- Contacted designer, obtained written confirmation to withdraw complaint
- Created "Font License Audit" spreadsheet for all 18 fonts
- Prevention: Only use Google Fonts or properly licensed commercial fonts
✓ Complaint withdrawn in 5 days
The Problem
Listed "Mickey Mouse Inspired Tote Bag" - design was original but title used trademarked character name.
What Worked
- Removed listing immediately
- Found 2 additional items with trademark issues ("Frozen," "Star Wars"), removed preemptively
- Relisted as "Cartoon Mouse Character Tote - Vintage Style" (no trademarked names)
- Created "Banned Keywords" list (Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, etc.)
✓ Warning cleared in 3 days
The Problem
TikTok video went viral (340K views). Sales jumped from $200/month to $3,800 in one week. Etsy flagged as potential fraud.
What Worked
- Emailed support with TikTok video link (proof of organic traffic)
- Uploaded Google Analytics showing 87% traffic from TikTok
- Provided 50 USPS tracking numbers (proof of fulfillment)
- Set processing time to 5-7 days (was 3-5) to manage expectations
✓ Reserve reduced to 25% after 14 days, fully released after 30
The Problem
Shop inactive during maternity leave (June 2023 - Dec 2024). Reactivation required identity verification per 2024 security policy.
What Worked
- Uploaded driver's license (front + back)
- Submitted selfie holding driver's license
- Verified business address matched account address (utility bill)
- Lesson: Use "vacation mode" instead of abandoning account
✓ Shop reactivated in 8 days
Stripe Cases (5)
The Problem
Added CBD topical creams without updating Stripe business category or uploading compliance docs. Keywords "hemp" "CBD" triggered freeze.
What Worked
- Updated business category from "General Goods" to "Hemp/CBD Products"
- Uploaded Certificate of Analysis (GreenLeaf Testing, report #GL-2024-8821, THC <0.3%)
- Uploaded California retail cannabis license (#C11-0000123-LIC)
- Provided AgeChecker.net integration proof (18+ verification)
✓ Account reinstated in 11 days
The Problem
Submitted W-9 as "Sarah's Boutique" (DBA name) instead of "Sarah Johnson" (legal name). IRS TIN verification failed.
What Worked
- Resubmitted W-9 with legal name "Sarah Johnson"
- Updated Stripe account: "Sarah Johnson DBA Sarah's Boutique"
- Uploaded DBA certificate from Los Angeles County Clerk's office
- Created reference doc: "Legal Name = Sarah Johnson | DBA = Sarah's Boutique"
✓ Payouts resumed in 4 days
The Problem
8 chargebacks out of 650 transactions (1.2%, threshold: 0.75%). Customers forgot they signed up for subscription, disputed charge.
What Worked
- Changed billing descriptor from "NTR*MEALS" to "NUTRITRACK MEAL PLAN"
- Sent reminder email to all 412 subscribers about upcoming charge (Jan 15)
- Added "3-day reminder" email before each billing cycle
- Implemented double opt-in (email + SMS confirmation)
- Added "Easy Cancel" button in customer portal
✓ Dispute rate dropped to 0.3%, restrictions lifted in 14 days
The Problem
Weight loss supplement pages made unapproved health claims: "Lose 15 lbs in 2 weeks!" "Cures diabetes." Violated FDA guidelines.
What Worked
- Removed all health claims from product descriptions
- Updated to FDA-compliant language: "May support healthy weight management when combined with diet and exercise"
- Added disclaimer: "These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA..."
- Hired compliance consultant (NutriCompliance LLC) to audit all 12 product pages
- Implemented "Banned Phrases" list (cure, miracle, guaranteed weight loss)
✓ Account reinstated in 17 days
The Problem
Sales jumped from $1,200/month to $18,000 in 3 days (1,400% increase). Stripe fraud detection flagged unusual activity.
What Worked
- Provided Facebook Ads receipt ($2,000 spent Nov 20-26, proof of marketing)
- Google Analytics showing traffic spike (87% from Facebook)
- 50 USPS tracking numbers (proof of fulfillment)
- Historical data showing similar spike during 2023 Black Friday
- Prevention: Notify Stripe 7 days before major promotions
✓ Payouts released in 6 days
PayPal, Meta & Other Platforms (5)
The Problem
Account dormant 11 months, then $4,200 received in 5 days. New business model (was clothes, now digital courses). Flagged as fraud.
What Worked
- Updated business profile to "Digital Educational Products"
- Uploaded business license (California LLC, filed Oct 2024)
- Provided course curriculum + sample lesson (proof of legitimate product)
- Submitted 23 delivery confirmations (students received access)
✓ Funds released in 10 days (instead of 21)
The Problem
Customer filed "I didn't authorize this" dispute. Investigation revealed their adult child used account without permission.
What Worked
- Provided IP address logs (purchase from customer's home IP)
- Email confirmation sent to customer's email (opened on Dec 3)
- Course access logs (4 logins from same IP Dec 3-8)
- Contacted customer directly, confirmed child made purchase
- Offered 50% refund as goodwill (customer accepted)
✓ Dispute resolved in 8 days, retained $149
The Problem
12 refunds out of 180 transactions (6.7%, threshold: <5%). Supplier changed sizing chart without notice, products 2 inches smaller than listed.
What Worked
- Updated all product pages with correct sizing chart from supplier
- Contacted all 12 customers, offered free exchange + $10 store credit
- Added "Sizing Guide" PDF downloadable on product pages
- Quarterly review of supplier specs (Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct)
- Added contract clause: "Must notify 30 days before spec changes"
✓ Refund rate dropped to 2.1%, review cleared in 12 days
The Problem
Running ads for crypto investment course. Meta's 2024 policy requires ID verification for financial services ads. Didn't complete before launching.
What Worked
- Uploaded driver's license (front + back)
- Uploaded business license (Delaware LLC, filed Sept 2024)
- Submitted Articles of Incorporation (proof of legitimate business)
- Completed Meta's "Advertiser Verification" quiz (100%)
- Lesson: Complete verification BEFORE launching ads
✓ Ad account reinstated in 7 days
The Problem
Listed pre-owned Louis Vuitton bag for $400 (retail: $2,000). No proof of authenticity provided. Auto-flagged as potential counterfeit.
What Worked
- Removed listing immediately
- Obtained authentication certificate from Entrupy ($25 fee, certificate #ENT-2024-8821)
- Relisted with clear photos of: authentication certificate, date code, original LV receipt (2019)
- Updated description: "100% Authentic - Entrupy Certified"
✓ Marketplace access reinstated in 5 days
- Case #26: Google AdSense - Invalid traffic from testing → Removed test traffic from analytics → 21 days
- Case #27: Shopify Payments - High chargeback rate → Automated instant delivery, clear refund policy → 30 days
- Case #28: Amazon Vine - Incentivized reviews → Removed all discount-for-review language → 14 days
- Case #29: Etsy Copyright - Harry Potter fan art → Removed all licensed characters, original designs only → 10 days
- Case #30: Stripe Crypto - Accepted Bitcoin without updating category → Updated to "Crypto Services", provided licensing → 19 days
Why do we track these bans?
Platform algorithms change weekly. What worked to unban an Amazon account in 2024 does not work in 2026. We maintain this database to track the specific keywords and rejection codes currently being used by AI systems.