Amazon's Review Crackdown and a New Way to Save on Global Payouts
Amazon sellers face two major updates that could significantly impact their operations. First, Amazon has revised its Vine review program policy—and it’s closing a loophole sellers have long relied on. Previously, sellers could submit multiple child ASINs through Vine, each receiving up to 30 reviews, and then merge them to artificially inflate total review count. That tactic no longer works. Amazon now caps Vine-generated reviews at 30 per parent listing, regardless of how many variations went through the program. Only the platform’s algorithm-selected “highest quality” reviews will remain post-merge. This change curbs review manipulation and will require brands to rethink their launch strategies, especially for products with multiple variations.
The second update introduces a smarter way for international sellers to manage payouts. Traditional platforms like Payoneer or Amazon Wallet often charge up to 1% in currency conversion or transfer fees, which adds up quickly—especially for high-volume sellers. A newly highlighted tool, Airwallex, offers a compelling alternative. It allows sellers to open foreign currency accounts in multiple countries at no cost and only charges a low flat-rate transaction fee (e.g., $7 on a $25,000 transfer). This approach can save thousands of dollars annually for sellers receiving revenue in euros, pounds, or other currencies, by avoiding unfavorable exchange rates and unnecessary service fees.
Together, these changes represent both a challenge and an opportunity. As Amazon tightens its policies around reviews, brands must double down on quality and transparency. At the same time, embracing smarter financial tools can help protect margins and improve cash flow for global sellers.
Watch the full video below to learn more about these two key updates and how they could affect your business strategy.