How to Detect Amazon Listing Hijackers with SellerMagnet API
Amazon marketplace offers vast opportunities, but also risks, including listing hijackers. These malicious actors can steal your Buy Box, alter product information, or even sell counterfeit items under your listings, damaging your brand and revenue. SellerMagnet API provides robust tools to detect and mitigate these threats, ensuring your Amazon business remains secure and profitable.
Understanding Amazon Listing Hijacking
Listing hijacking occurs when unauthorized sellers list products under your existing Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN). This can manifest in several ways:
- Buy Box Hijacking: A different seller wins the Buy Box, often by undercutting your price or offering questionable products.
- Product Detail Page Alterations: Unauthorized changes to product titles, descriptions, images, or other crucial information.
- Counterfeit Sales: Hijackers selling fake or inferior versions of your products.
Leveraging SellerMagnet API for Hijacker Detection
SellerMagnet API offers several powerful endpoints to proactively monitor your listings and identify potential hijackers. Here’s how to use them effectively:
1. Monitoring Buy Box Ownership with Amazon Product Statistics
The Amazon Product Statistics endpoint allows you to track who owns the Buy Box for your products over time. Sudden or unexpected changes in Buy Box ownership can indicate a potential hijacking.
Example request using curl:
curl --location --request GET 'https://sellermagnet-api.com/amazon-product-statistics?asin=B08N5WRWNW&marketplaceId=A1PA6795UKMFR9&api_key=YOUR_API_KEY'
Example Response:
{
"success": true,
"data": {
"asin": "B08N5WRWNW",
"amazonPrice": 2999,
"bestSellerRank": 1234,
"buyBoxPrice": 2899,
"buyBoxFulfillment": "FBM",
"buyBoxSellerIdHistory": [
["2025-06-15T10:00:00Z", "A123BC456DEFGH"],
["2025-06-14T10:00:00Z", "YOUR_SELLER_ID"]
],
"salesRankHistory": [
["2025-06-15T10:00:00Z", 1234],
["2025-06-14T10:00:00Z", 1000]
],
"trackingSince": "2023-01-01",
"graphs": null,
"metadata": null
}
}
By analyzing the buyBoxSellerIdHistory, you can identify unauthorized sellers winning the Buy Box. Use the Amazon Seller Review API to vet the legitimacy and performance of these sellers.
2. Monitoring Product Offers with Amazon Product Offers
The Amazon Product Offers endpoint provides a comprehensive list of sellers offering your product, including their prices, conditions, and fulfillment methods. This allows you to spot suspicious sellers who may be selling counterfeit goods.
Example request using curl:
curl --location --request GET 'https://sellermagnet-api.com/amazon-product-offers?asin=B08N5WRWNW&marketplaceId=A1PA6795UKMFR9&api_key=YOUR_API_KEY'
Example Response:
{
"success": true,
"data": {
"asin": "B08N5WRWNW",
"buyBox": {
"condition": "New",
"deliveryDate": "2025-06-28",
"fulfillmentType": "FBA",
"inventory": 30,
"positivePercentage": 0,
"priceWithoutShipping": 499,
"sellerId": "Amazon",
"sellerName": "Amazon",
"shippingPrice": 0,
"totalPrice": 499,
"totalReviews": 0
},
"currency": {
"code": "USD",
"name": "United States Dollar",
"symbol": "$"
},
"marketplaceId": "ATVPDKIKX0DER",
"offers": [
{
"condition": "New",
"deliveryDate": "2025-06-28",
"fulfillmentType": "FBA",
"inventory": 30,
"positivePercentage": 0,
"priceWithoutShipping": 499,
"sellerId": "Amazon",
"sellerName": "Amazon",
"shippingPrice": 0,
"totalPrice": 499,
"totalReviews": 0
},
{
"condition": "Used - Very Good",
"deliveryDate": "2025-07-07",
"fulfillmentType": "FBM",
"inventory": 10,
"positivePercentage": 78,
"priceWithoutShipping": 409.99,
"sellerId": "A17J18A7XABQI9",
"sellerName": "PRICE 2 SAVE",
"shippingPrice": 0,
"totalPrice": 409.99,
"totalReviews": 6892
}
],
"productLink": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL61F39H",
"productMainImage": "https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31kTNmpm6vL.jpg",
"productTitle": "PlayStation
5 console (slim)"
}
}
Pay close attention to sellers with unusually low prices, poor feedback, or those who are not authorized resellers of your products. Cross-reference their seller IDs with your authorized reseller list.
3. Verifying Product Information with Amazon Product Lookup
The Amazon Product Lookup endpoint retrieves detailed product information directly from Amazon. Periodically compare this information with your original listing to detect unauthorized changes to titles, descriptions, bullet points, or images.
Example request using curl:
curl --location --request GET 'https://sellermagnet-api.com/amazon-product-lookup?asin=B08N5WRWNW&marketplaceId=A1PA6795UKMFR9&api_key=YOUR_API_KEY'
Example Response:
{
"success": true,
"data": {
"productInfo": {
"additionalDetails": {
"ASIN": "B0CL61F39H",
"Batteries": "1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included)",
"Best Sellers Rank": "Nr. 31 in Video Games Nr. 1 in PlayStation 5 Consoles",
"Customer Rating": "4.7 out of 5 stars",
"Date First Available": "December 10, 2023",
"Item Weight": "10.6 pounds",
"Item model number": "CFI-2015",
"Manufacturer": "Sony",
"Number of Reviews": "7,092 ratings",
"Product Dimensions": "14 x 17 x 7 inches; 10.6 Pounds",
"Release date": "December 10, 2023",
"Type of item": "Video Game"
},
"asin": "B0CL61F39H",
"bestsellerRanks": {
"main_category": {
"name": "Video Games",
"rank": 31
},
"subcategory": {
"name": "PlayStation",
"rank": 1
}
},
"bulletPoints": [
"Model Number CFI-2000",
"Includes DualSense Wireless Controller, 1TB SSD, Disc Drive, 2 Horizontal Stand Feet, HDMI Cable, AC power cord, USB cable, printed materials, ASTRO
PLAYROOM (Pre-installed game)",
"Vertical Stand sold separately"
],
"buyBoxInfo": {
"currencyCode": "USD",
"currencyName": "United States Dollar",
"currencySymbol": "$",
"price": 444.99,
"sellerId": "A3853PJW50SJG8"
},
"categories": {
"bestsellerCategory": [
{
"id": "20972781011",
"index": 1,
"name": "PlayStation 5",
"url": "https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=dp_bc_2?ie=UTF8&node=20972781011"
},
{
"id": "20972796011",
"index": 2,
"name": "Consoles",
"url": "https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=dp_bc_3?ie=UTF8&node=20972796011"
}
],
"rootCategory": {
"id": "468642",
"name": "Video Games",
"url": "https://www.amazon.com/computer-video-games-hardware-accessories/b/ref=dp_bc_1?ie=UTF8&node=468642"
}
},
"description": [
"Model Number CFI-2000",
"Includes DualSense Wireless Controller, 1TB SSD, Disc Drive, 2 Horizontal Stand Feet, HDMI Cable, AC power cord, USB cable, printed materials, ASTRO
PLAYROOM (Pre-installed game)",
"Vertical Stand sold separately",
"The PS5 console unleashes new gaming possibilities that you never anticipated. Experience lightning fast loading with an ultra-high speed SSD, deeper immersion with support for haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and 3D Audio*, and an all-new generation of incredible PlayStation games. Lightning Speed - Harness the power of a custom CPU, GPU, and SSD with Integrated I/O that rewrite the rules of what a PlayStation console can do. Stunning Games - Marvel at incredible graphics and experience new PS5 features. Play a back catalog of supported PS4 games. Breathtaking Immersion - Discover a deeper gaming experience with support for haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and 3D Audio technology. Vertical stand sold separately. *3D audio via built-in TV speakers or analog/USB stereo headphones. Set up and latest system software update required."
],
"details": {
"ASIN": "B0CL61F39H",
"Batteries": "1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included)",
"Date First Available": "December 10, 2023",
"Item Weight": "10.6 pounds",
"Item model number": "CFI-2015",
"Manufacturer": "Sony",
"Platform": "PlayStation 5",
"Product Dimensions": "14 x 17 x 7 inches; 10.6 Pounds",
"Release date": "December 10, 2023",
"Type of item": "Video Game"
},
"hasAPlusContent": true,
"images": [
"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41ECK5cY-2L._SL1000_.jpg",
"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41srF-iY93L._SL1000_.jpg",
"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41tVr19I3zL._SL1000_.jpg",
"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41HMaO9jO3L._SL1000_.jpg",
"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61e8hPmeoYL._SL1000_.jpg",
"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61Gj1Kc5R5L._SL1000_.jpg",
"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61r6PutKGwL._SL1000_.jpg",
"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/717Id5h1fhL._SL1000_.jpg"
],
"link": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL61F39H",
"listedSinceDate": "2023-12-10",
"mainImage": "https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31kTNmpm6vL.jpg",
"marketplaceId": "ATVPDKIKX0DER",
"reviews": {
"averageRating": 4.7,
"reviewSummary": "4.7 out of 5 stars",
"totalReviews": 7092
},
"title": "PlayStation
5 console (slim)",
"variations": [
{
"asin": "B0F6968Y5G",
"attributes": {
"Pattern Name": "PS5 w/ Black Ops Bundle",
"Style": "PlayStation
5 Digital Edition (slim)"
}
},
{
"asin": "B0CL5KNB9M",
"attributes": {
"Pattern Name": "PS5 Only",
"Style": "PlayStation
5 Digital Edition (slim)"
}
},
{
"asin": "B0CL61F39H",
"attributes": {
"Pattern Name": "PS5 Only",
"Style": "PlayStation
5 console (slim)"
}
},
{
"asin": "B0F691TJTP",
"attributes": {
"Pattern Name": "PS5 w/ Black Ops Bundle",
"Style": "PlayStation
5 console (slim)"
}
},
{
"asin": "B0FD54CGQ8",
"attributes": {
"Pattern Name": "PS5 w/ $100 PlayStation Store GC",
"Style": "PlayStation
5 Digital Edition (slim)"
}
},
{
"asin": "B0FD4WGVH5",
"attributes": {
"Pattern Name": "PS5 w/ $100 PlayStation Store GC",
"Style": "PlayStation
5 console (slim)"
}
}
],
"videos": [
"https://m.media-amazon.com/S/vse-vms-transcoding-artifact-us-east-1-prod/8af0ddf1-55f5-4e71-9463-39602c3edbae/default.jobtemplate.hls.m3u8",
"https://m.media-amazon.com/S/vse-vms-transcoding-artifact-us-east-1-prod/50938d5c-2a9b-427a-b766-21b7cd63502e/default.jobtemplate.hls.m3u8"
]
}
}
}
Automate this comparison using DataPipeline for regular checks.
4. Converting ASINs and EANs with Amazon ASIN Converter
Use the Amazon ASIN Converter endpoint to correlate ASINs with EANs. This can help identify if unauthorized sellers are using your EAN to list counterfeit products.
Example request using curl:
curl --location --request GET 'https://sellermagnet-api.com/amazon-asin-converter?asin=B08N5WRWNW&marketplaceId=A1PA6795UKMFR9&conversion_direction=asin-to-ean&api_key=YOUR_API_KEY'
Example Response:
{
"success": true,
"data": {
"asin": "B0CLTBHXWQ",
"eanList": [
"0711719577294"
],
"listedSince": "2023-12-30 01:00:00",
"productTitle": "Playstation 5 Console Edizione Digital Slim"
}
}
Proactive Measures and Best Practices
- Regular Monitoring: Implement automated monitoring using SellerMagnet’s DataPipeline feature to check your listings regularly.
- Authorized Reseller List: Maintain an up-to-date list of authorized resellers and compare seller IDs against this list.
- Brand Registry: Enroll in Amazon Brand Registry to gain more control over your listings and report violations.
- Watermarking Images: Add watermarks to your product images to deter unauthorized use.
SellerMagnet API Benefits
- Real-time Data: Access up-to-date information to detect hijackers quickly.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Monitor various aspects of your listings, including Buy Box ownership, product offers, and product information.
- Automation: Automate monitoring tasks to save time and resources.
Conclusion
Protecting your Amazon listings from hijackers is crucial for maintaining your brand reputation and revenue. With SellerMagnet API, you can proactively monitor your listings, detect suspicious activity, and take swift action to mitigate threats. Try SellerMagnet API for free and safeguard your Amazon business today.