Amazon may block reviews due to eligibility, account flags, or item-level limits; fix it by meeting spend rules and correcting account issues.
You hit “Write a review,” the box won’t open, or a warning pops up. The cause isn’t random; Amazon ties review access to rules that weed out spam and keep ratings useful. Below you’ll find the common blockers, what they mean, and how to get your review posted without guesswork.
Reasons You May Be Unable To Post A Review On Amazon
Amazon gates reviews behind account-level eligibility, marketplace settings, product-level limits, and content rules. One or more of these can trip the system.
Account Eligibility Fails The Spend Requirement
In some regions, you need a minimum amount of recent purchases on the account to contribute to customer features. In the U.S., the policy requires at least $50 in purchases on a valid debit or credit card within the last 12 months. Gift card redemptions and promotional credits don’t count toward that threshold. If you see a message that you haven’t met eligibility, this is the usual reason. The rule sits in Amazon’s Community Guidelines.
“Unusual Reviewing Activity” Flags The Account Or Listing
Amazon monitors patterns like review bursts, identical text, or off-site incentives. When the system thinks a pattern looks suspicious, it can wipe past reviews and lock the account from posting, or limit a product to verified purchase reviews only. If your account was flagged, you’ll see a notice about unusual activity and a link to appeal.
Product Limited To Verified Purchase Reviews Only
Some listings get locked so that only buyers who placed the order on Amazon can review. This usually happens after fraud detection trips. If you bought the item elsewhere, you won’t be able to post on that listing while the limit stands.
Review Content Breaks The House Rules
Amazon’s moderation screens for profanity, personal data, price complaints, shipment issues, and links to outside sites. Content that targets the seller instead of the product belongs in seller feedback, not a product review. If moderation blocks the text, the post won’t go live. Amazon lays out the content details on the Submit a Review page.
Wrong Place: Seller Feedback Instead Of Product Review
Many buyers want to rate shipping speed or packaging. That goes to seller feedback. Product reviews should cover the item itself: quality, fit, accuracy of description, and durability.
Marketplace, Region, And Device Mismatches
Accounts are tied to regional stores. If you bought on one marketplace and try to review on another, the system may stop you. The same goes for child profiles, business accounts with restricted permissions, and users who are logged out on one device but not another.
Common Error Messages And What To Do
The table below maps the messages you’ll see to practical steps.
| Error Or Message | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| “This account has not met the minimum eligibility requirements.” | Spend threshold not met in the last 12 months. | Place qualifying orders with a debit or credit card until the threshold is met. |
| “We noticed unusual reviewing activity on this account.” | Fraud detection flagged your patterns. | Stop review requests, remove canned text, and appeal through the link in the notice. |
| “Due to activity, only verified purchase reviews are allowed on this product.” | Listing locked to buyers only. | Review from the account that bought the item on Amazon, or wait for the lock to lift. |
| “Your review could not be submitted.” | Moderation rejected the text. | Remove links, pricing, profanity, personal data, and seller-service complaints. |
| Review button disabled or missing. | Logged out, child profile, or wrong marketplace. | Sign in, switch to the correct regional store, or use an adult profile. |
Fixes That Work For Most Buyers
Meet The Eligibility Threshold The Right Way
Place normal orders using a debit or credit card until your rolling total clears the line. Digital gift card loads and promotional credits don’t move the needle. Once the system refreshes, the review box usually returns.
Use The Correct Path To Post
From Your Orders, pick the item and select “Write a product review,” or visit the listing and select “Write a review.” This route ensures the post attaches to the right variation and shows the Verified Purchase badge when eligible.
Split Product Feedback From Seller Feedback
If your complaint is late delivery, wrong item, or packaging, post it under the seller’s profile. For product performance, stick to the item page. Mixing the two is a common rejection trigger.
Trim The Review To What Amazon Allows
Keep it about firsthand use. Avoid pricing, shipping time, competitor mentions, external URLs, coupons, and contact info. Stick to details a shopper can test: fit, finish, battery life, setup steps, and durability over time.
Wait Out Listing-Level Locks
When a product faces a wave of questionable posts, Amazon can pause or restrict reviews. These locks lift once the signal cools down. If you purchased the item on Amazon, your review should still pass.
Step-By-Step: Post A Compliant Review
On Desktop
- Open Your Orders and find the item.
- Select “Write a product review.”
- Pick a star rating that matches your experience.
- Add text that covers use, specs, and outcomes. Keep it free of links and pricing.
- Attach photos or a short video if they add proof.
- Submit once the preview looks clean and specific.
On The Mobile App
- Go to Your Orders.
- Open the order and tap “Write a review.”
- Follow the same content rules. Avoid seller-service details.
How To Write A Review That Stays Up
A clean review doesn’t just post; it avoids removal later. Use the checklist below while writing.
Stick To Firsthand Use
Describe what you did with the product. Add measurements, model numbers, and timeframes. Short videos and clear photos help reviewers and often pass moderation faster.
Be Specific And Testable
Swap vague adjectives for measurable facts. If a blender handles frozen fruit without stalling, say how many cups and at what setting. Precision reads as useful and lowers the chance of a takedown.
Keep Tone Neutral
Plain language beats hype. Readers want clear pros and cons and a grounded star rating that matches the text.
Use Variations Correctly
Make sure you’re on the exact color, size, or pack that you bought. Posting on the wrong child ASIN can trigger removal later if Amazon merges or splits variations.
Add Media That Proves Use
Photos of wear points, size comparisons next to common items, or short clips of the product in action add trust. Keep faces, addresses, and private info out of the frame.
Troubleshooting Checklist And Timelines
Work through these steps in order. Most posting problems resolve inside a week once the real issue is fixed.
| Step | Action | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Confirm you’re signed in to the correct regional store and adult profile. | Immediate |
| 2 | Check eligibility and recent spend against the policy. | Immediate |
| 3 | Post from the Your Orders page for the correct variation. | Immediate |
| 4 | Edit content to remove blocked elements like links or pricing. | Same day |
| 5 | Pause bulk requests and canned text; wait if the listing is restricted. | 3–7 days |
| 6 | If locked out with an unusual activity notice, use the appeal link in the email. | 1–14 days |
If Your Review Disappears After Posting
Sometimes a post shows on your profile, then vanishes. That can happen when a moderator checks the text later, a variation merge moves the post, or a listing gets restricted. Copy your text before submitting so you can edit and re-post if needed once the listing reopens.
Where To Look For It
Check your profile, the product page, and the order page. Posts can take time to render across views. Star ratings without text often don’t affect the overall score until you add words or media.
Edge Cases That Trip Buyers
Child Profiles
Child accounts can’t post in community features. Switch to the household manager’s profile before writing the review.
Company-Managed Accounts
Business accounts sometimes block community actions. Use a personal account if the company admin keeps posting locked down.
Pre-Release Or Invite-Only Products
Some items take posts only from invited reviewers or from buyers after a release date. If you see a limit, wait until the date passes or the item exits invite status.
Category Rules
Certain categories face tighter screens due to safety, claims, or compliance. Keep claims about health or regulated features measured and tied to your own use.
What A Helpful Review Looks Like
Think like a buyer standing in a store aisle. Short, concrete details win trust and pass moderation fast. Use this simple shape:
A Simple Template You Can Copy
Use case: one line on how you used it. Setup: what you had to do to make it work. Performance: a few facts with numbers where you can. Quirks: anything that surprised you. Who it fits: a quick note on the ideal user.
Details That Help Shoppers Decide
- Measurements in plain units and any sizing notes.
- Battery life based on your own timing.
- Materials, fit, or finish that stand out.
- Photos that show scale, ports, or wear points.
Where The Official Rules Live
The two pages that settle most questions are Amazon’s Community Guidelines and the Submit a Review help page. Read both if you’re unsure which rule blocked the post.
Bottom Line For Shoppers
If you can’t post, check spend eligibility, remove blocked content, post from the order page, and wait if a listing is under restriction. Those steps solve the problem in most cases without back-and-forth.