Understanding Amazon’s Review Approval Process: Why Your Video Is “Under Review” or Rejected
If you’ve ever submitted an Amazon video or written review only to see it stuck “under review,” or worse — rejected — you’re not alone. Amazon’s review approval process can feel confusing and frustrating, especially when you’re putting in the effort to create quality content and you’re waiting for it to go live (and start earning!). The good news is, once you understand how the review queue works, what Amazon is actually checking for, and how to avoid common rejection reasons, the entire process becomes much smoother.
👉 If you’re ready to skip the trial and error and want step-by-step trainings, scripts, and templates to fast-track your success, check out my courses and resources that I personally used and recommend inside my Stan Store.
How the Amazon Review Queue Works
Every review or video you submit — whether it’s written, photo-based, or video — goes through Amazon’s automated system before it appears on the product page. This process is called the review approval queue.
Here’s what happens when you hit “submit”:
- Automatic Filtering Begins
Amazon uses automated systems powered by AI to scan your review or video for certain words, phrases, links, and behaviors that may violate guidelines. This happens instantly and determines whether your review is:
- Approved immediately
- Sent to manual review
- Rejected or removed
- Status Changes to “Under Review”
If your video or written review requires extra verification, it enters the “under review” phase. This usually happens when:
- You’re a new reviewer or new to posting Amazon videos
- You’ve submitted multiple reviews in a short time
- The algorithm detects possible guideline violations (tone, wording, claims, etc.)
- Manual Review (Sometimes)
If the system can’t make a final decision, it may be flagged for human moderation. Real people from Amazon watch the video or read the review to ensure it meets Amazon’s Community Guidelines and Customer Review Policies. - Approval or Rejection
- If approved, your review goes live on the product page and in your Amazon profile.
- If rejected, it disappears or shows the notification: “Your review does not meet our guidelines and cannot be posted.”
What Does “Under Review” Actually Mean?
Seeing your Amazon video or written review stuck at “under review” doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. It simply means Amazon’s system is still checking it before approval.
Common reasons a review gets stuck under review:
- You’re posting from a new account or haven’t made a purchase history yet
- You submitted multiple reviews within hours or days (Amazon limits quantity per time)
- The product is in a sensitive category (health, supplements, baby, medical devices)
- You included words like “sponsored,” “gifted,” “in exchange for,” or pricing/discount mentions
- You added social media handles, hashtags, or website links
How long does it stay under review?
- Most reviews are approved within 24–72 hours
- Occasionally, it can take up to 7 days, especially for new reviewers or flagged content
- If it’s longer than 7 days, it’s likely rejected or stuck — but you won’t always get notified
Why Was My Amazon Video Rejected? (Top Reasons)
SEO keywords used here: “Amazon video rejected,” “why my Amazon video isn’t showing.”
If your Amazon video isn’t showing up, here’s what likely went wrong:
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1. You mentioned pricing or discounts
Amazon wants reviews to stay evergreen. If you say, “This was only $29.99” or “Use my coupon code”, it will almost always be rejected.
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2. You used promotional language
Anything that sounds like you’re selling instead of reviewing will trigger rejection. Words like:
- “Buy now”
- “Link in my bio”
- “Use my affiliate link”
- “Shop my storefront”
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3. You admitted it was gifted or sponsored
Even though we disclose gifting on social platforms, Amazon does not want you to say:
- “I received this free in exchange for a review”
- “This was sent to me by the brand”
- “Sponsored by…”
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4. You included personal info or external links
No Instagram usernames, YouTube mentions, websites, or hashtags are allowed in Amazon reviews or videos.
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5. You haven’t spent $50 on Amazon in the last 12 months
This one surprises many people, but Amazon restricts review privileges if your account hasn’t made at least $50 in purchases using a valid credit or debit card within the past year.
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6. Background audio or images violated rules
- Using copyrighted music, TikTok audio, or logos in the background
- Showing personal information, kids’ faces, license plates, mail, or branding not related to the product
How to Avoid Rejections Every Time
Want your review approved quickly? Follow these guidelines:
Keep it honest and unbiased
Describe your real experience — how you use the product and what you like/dislike about it.
Avoid pricing, promo codes, or time-sensitive details
Instead of saying, “I got this for $25 on sale,” say:
👉 “It’s affordable and good quality for the price.”
Don’t say gifted or sponsored
If you received the item for free, Amazon already knows internally. Do not mention it in the video or review.
Stay neutral — no selling language
Replace “Go buy this now!” with:
👉 “If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, this one has worked well for me.”
Use clean backgrounds and clear audio
Keep it distraction-free. Use natural lighting or a ring light and avoid loud music or copyrighted sounds.
Focus on value
Include things like:
- How it works
- What surprised you
- Who it’s best for
- Any tips for use or assembly
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Amazon take to approve a video?
Most take 24–72 hours. If it’s still pending after a week, it was likely rejected.
Why can’t I post reviews anymore?
You may have:
- Violated guidelines too many times
- Posted too many reviews in a short window
- Not spent $50+ in the past 12 months
Can I resubmit a rejected video?
Yes — but make edits first. Shorten it, remove pricing and gift mentions, and try again.
Amazon’s review approval process might feel confusing at first, but once you understand what “under review” means, why videos get rejected, and how to structure your content correctly, it becomes 10× easier to get approved consistently. And the faster your videos go live, the faster you can start earning from Amazon’s Influencer Program, commissions, and storefront traffic.
👉 If you want templates, scripts, on-screen text ideas, and the full Amazon Review training that I used and loved, you’ll find everything inside my Stan Store — created to help you save time and get approved faster.
Want More Help? Read These Next:
If this post was helpful, make sure you click over to some of my other blog posts! I have tutorials on how to film Amazon reviews, beginner-friendly guides to making passive income, and tips for growing your Amazon storefront. These posts all connect—so if you’re serious about turning Amazon reviews into real income, don’t stop here. Each one will help you take the next step with confidence.