How many of us have gotten this email, "Your review could not be posted on Amazon.com" ( Some of us more than others)? I'm just going to assume that it's likely bullet point number three that's tripping everybody up.
- We do not allow profane or obscene content. This applies to adult products too.
Let's face it; it's hard not to use strong language when you're feeling overly emotional about a book. It's hard not to refer to sexual terms in a review when the book is predominately about sex, but what exactly is "profane or obscene"? I need a list dammit!
I have to hand it to Amazon, they have become more laxed (a lot more laxed) lately in what they're allowing through the screening process, but it's the screening process that has me all confused. So I decided to do something about it. I spent some time posting mock reviews which included some commonly used "naughty" words. I basically used trial and error to create a list of Amazon approved words by posting, reposting, and posting again (and again...and again) until I knew exactly what was allowed and what wasn't.
So here's your guide to go live!
Amazon approved words
Anal
Ass
Bad ass
Bastard
Bitch
Boobs
Breast
Clit
Cock
Dammit
Damn
Dick
Douche
Goddammit
Hump
Jackass
Orgasm
Penis
Piss
Pussy
Sex
Sexy
Shit
Son of a bitch
Tits
Vagina
Profane or obscene content
Asshole
Ass hole
A$$hole
Cocksucker
Cunt
Fuck
F**k
F**king
Twat
*Amazon is very smart. Notice, that using symbols as an alternative doesn't always work. If you are wanting to use the "f" word, leaving in the letter "k" somehow trips the "naughty" alarm.
Alternatives that do work
A-hole
F#$*
F***ing
**I tried each word individually trying to make this list as accurate as possible. I even put all "approved" words in one review just to make sure it went live. It lived!
I hope this helps and makes your review life a little easier!
READ ON!
you crack me up
ReplyDeleteThis is going to help me!! I bitch every time I get that email.
ReplyDeleteAbout two months ago I had one denied b/c I wrote that the heroine was a 'bad-ass' :/
ReplyDeleteI went and changed it to 'she was a BA' (hoping ppl understood) and it let me post it.
Oh, and I thought it was funny that a few days later I posted a review for a pretty risque MMF BDSM book. The review had a breakdown of the content warning (which I'm sure you can guess had a heck of a lot of taboo words) and it didn't give me any problem. lol. Amazon's filter is so weird.
Amazon is now accepting bad ass...YAY! Lately they have been lifting a lot of their restrictions. However, it makes no sense to me that you can post shit and bitch, but not asshole.
DeleteIn the past, I've spend just as much time on an Amazon review as I did writing the original. I would sit there and wonder, "wth did I say that's bad?" and not be able to figure it out and just giveup. Keeping your list handy for future reference. Thanks for ths post!
ReplyDelete