In 2021, Amazon sellers experienced a wave of account suspensions, bringing account security issues to the forefront. Facing increasingly stringent verification mechanisms, sellers struggle to protect their accounts and avoid frozen funds or inventory pile-ups. While operating multiple accounts serves as a potential solution, the high barriers to registration and verification difficulties leave sellers walking on thin ice.
The Verification Dilemma: Why Instant Rejections?
Amazon's secondary verification, commonly called "second review," represents a critical checkpoint designed to ensure seller authenticity and compliance while preventing fraudulent registrations. Its strictness surpasses even the KYC verification required for European marketplaces, deterring countless sellers.
The traditional verification process requires submission of:
- Business license
- Legal representative's identification
- Physical or digital address verification (utility bills, bank statements, etc.)
- Comprehensive account information query credentials for corporate or legal representative accounts
While these requirements appear straightforward, minor discrepancies often result in immediate rejection. Many sellers report experiencing "instant denials" without evidence of human review, exacerbating their frustration.
Video Verification: A Potential Breakthrough?
Amid these challenges, third-party services offering "video verification conversion" have gained attention. How does this method differ from traditional verification?
Video verification requires similar documentation:
- Business license
- Legal representative's identification
- Direct participation by the legal representative (or an authorized person carrying original documents)
The key distinction lies in the human element: Amazon reviewers conduct live video sessions to authenticate identities and credentials. This interactive approach enhances verification accuracy and reduces fraudulent submissions, resulting in higher approval rates compared to document-only reviews.
The Logic Behind Video Verification: Authenticity Matters
Both traditional and video verification share the same objective: confirming seller legitimacy to maintain marketplace integrity. Video verification's advantage stems from its ability to directly validate identities through real-time interaction, allowing reviewers to assess operational compliance more effectively while deterring document forgery.
Navigating Risks and Opportunities
While promising, video verification presents challenges. Legal representatives must participate directly or authorize others with original documents, which may prove difficult for some sellers. Additionally, the process tests language proficiency and adaptability, requiring thorough preparation.
Despite these hurdles, video verification offers a viable alternative for sellers facing repeated rejections. Current access primarily occurs through third-party services, though unconfirmed reports suggest global accounts registered via Amazon's official channels may trigger video authentication more readily.
Verification Strategy: Key Preparation Tips
Sellers can improve success rates by following these guidelines:
- Document readiness: Prepare all required materials, ensuring authenticity and validity.
- Process familiarity: Understand verification steps, including expected questions and document displays.
- Clear communication: Respond confidently and concisely during verification.
- Active cooperation: Comply promptly with reviewer requests.
Common verification questions include:
- Confirmation of identity and legal representative status
- Registration email verification (spelled character-by-character)
- Document presentation (ID and business license)
- Technical questionnaire about device and browser usage
Amazon's verification systems prioritize marketplace security. As requirements intensify, sellers must adapt by mastering compliance strategies. Video verification emerges as a promising alternative, offering prepared sellers an opportunity to overcome verification barriers and achieve sustainable e-commerce growth.