T E Lawrence book removed due to content
The following book has just been removed from the site as it was found to be in violation of Amazon’s content guidelines - T.E.Lawrence Correspondence with Bernard and Charlotte Shaw, 1922-1926: v.1. No idea why as I have already sold a few copies via the site. They also removed ‘Boats for The RAF’ by Lawrence, although I have no copies left.
Any ideas, fellow book seller?
T E Lawrence book removed due to content
The following book has just been removed from the site as it was found to be in violation of Amazon’s content guidelines - T.E.Lawrence Correspondence with Bernard and Charlotte Shaw, 1922-1926: v.1. No idea why as I have already sold a few copies via the site. They also removed ‘Boats for The RAF’ by Lawrence, although I have no copies left.
Any ideas, fellow book seller?
52 replies
Seller_BS5lg2keRs2QO
Because what is acceptable changes so Amazon change the rules - Little Britain, Dr Seuss etc etc. Plus sometimes (most of the time?) the bots remove things in error.
i’d either appeal or more probably wait a week or so to see if it has become acceptable again. Then i’d list it on Ebay.
Seller_QVpjrN1BsybDT
Could it be the bots think that T.E.Lawrence is D.H.Lawrence?
Seller_DROodOAYHftnc
I had a book from a Nigel Tranter trilogy removed because of the content - yet the other two books in the trilogy were still allowed !
Seller_LKjg1QRrO36Yq
I see it is still for sale on Abe. Seems quite rare.
As a matter of interest, what was the exact reason they gave for the suppression?
This bot-driven censorship on Amazon is quite sinister.
Seller_YSVJTvJFHSin4
The content gudielines are here, but who knows? https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201995150.
I wonder if Amazon does this in response to deliberately coordinated, targeted complaints. It would help if they specified how the content guidelines have been breached. But if “offence” is broadly understood to mean “anything that offends somebody or might possibly do so” then lots of stuff, lots of very famous stuff, could be removed. I’m personally offended that it is removed, though of course it’s up to them… but it’s utterly silly.
Seller_eX5PU1b0GGPXn
I have searched for TE Lawrence books .The search engine keeps changing to TH Lawrence or the Lawrence which is not helpful Do the bots scan the books or just if someone complains ? There are a lot of titles about or by him including Kindle versions
Seller_0Dj5eDRgqvsRA
Thanks all for your thoughts. None of what Amazon has done, as Jillyb has said, makes any sense but in the crazy world we’re living in, what does? I am now going to read the book from cover to cover to see if I can find the word or words that Amazon find offensive. I may be some time.
Just an idea. I wonder what would happen if I tried to list it from scratch.
And as for the other book they have removed - Boats for the RAF - all the copies I had were sold through Amazon.
Seller_IotgWgSZV4UrT
I tried the appeal button, stating I’d already listed and sold mine about 12 years ago.
Got this reply, no idea what it means.
Hello from Amazon Selling Partner support,
Thank you for contacting us about ASINs B000O8C6SC, B0000CLKGL, B0007JGWB0 and B00109R6G6.
I understand your ASINs has been restricted because it is identified as one that violates our content guidelines for books and you would like to reinstate it.
Upon researching, I see that the ASINs are restricted for has been identified as one that violates our content guidelines for books. As a result, we have removed this book from our stores.
I have checked the detail page information and have found that those contents are not removed for these ASINs. We need to get in touch with another team in order to get the information corrected.
We have contacted our internal team in this regard and we are expecting to get a reply within 2-7 calendar days.
From your correspondence I can see that this is vital for your business and I understand the same. At the same time, I would like to inform you that some ASINs require additional steps depending on the source of contribution for the attribute in question. This adds to the work and dependency on internal teams which are required for the ASIN reinstatement.
Requesting your patience in this regard.
Thank you for selling with Amazon.
Seller_LKjg1QRrO36Yq
Are there any phrases that might trigger a human response, I wonder?
I’ve been going round in circles attempting to get SS to see why a product image I uploaded last week isn’t appearing. I’ve had about six replies so far, mostly irrelevant identikit cut and paste jobs, none addressing the issue.
Seller_GPLxAbyNPI33I
You mentioned RAF, I have an MOD license to reproduce Army, RN & RAF gifts & they have taken 100s down based on “breach of policy, goods that may lead to impersonation of law enforcement are not permitted” search “IMPERSONATE” on the forums. Oh & BTW under kids dress there is a listing for a “SPECIAL POLICE BADGE” being sold by guess who? yes Amazon themselves!
