When an account gets flagged under Section 3 for related accounts, you need to u
By Chris McCabe · September 15, 2026 · Curated by George's Blog
When an account gets flagged under Section 3 for related accounts, you need to understand the difference between a "weak link" and a "strong link" before typing a single word of your appeal.
Amazon’s investigative tools look at everything from shared Wi-Fi networks to bank account numbers, but they don't carry equal weight:
Weak links: An IP address overlap from two years ago, a shared coffee shop network, or a third-party contractor who logged in once. This is an algorithmic misfire. It’s a weak link that requires a factual dispute proving zero operational connection.
Weak links like former employees? Their account recently got deactivated?
That's a dispute, you don't even work with them anymore, and whether they quit or you fired them. Either way, loads of useful documentation.
Strong links: Shared tax IDs, overlapping beneficial owner names, identical warehouse addresses, or shared credit cards, mobile numbers, you get the idea.
You can't just claim "I don't know this entity" when your corporate filings say otherwise. If you used a mobile number on multiple accounts, or a street address or office network, denying the relations will be tough.
If you don't know which type of data point triggered the flag, you can't build an effective defense. Don't guess, or they'll deny and move on.
And don't make up silly stories denying any knowledge of an old suspended account.
Get that one reinstated first, when it's obvious you know who they are.
Figure out the actual strength of the link before you start sending Seller Support case appeals in. They'll auto-deny them if your story isn't adding up.
Need us to review it, before you appeal? We worked on those teams for years, and we know how the tools work. DM or email me!