Using "Amazon" in domain name? Is this OK?

27 replies
Hi all,

I'm looking at setting up an Amazon store for a specific niche.

One of the low-competition keywords I've found is "Amazon <niche keyword>".

There is a matching domain name for this, so is there any reason (legal or otherwise) why I couldn't use "Amazon" as part of the domain name?
#amazon #domain
  • Profile picture of the author Paul Gram
    I would definitely not use it in the domain name. Instead, get a different domain name and create a page off the main domain.
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  • Profile picture of the author aaronclancy
    Do not build your business around a trademark. I know people who have had them pulled from them. Don't waste your time.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Originally Posted by aegorov View Post

    Hi all,

    I'm looking at setting up an Amazon store for a specific niche.

    One of the low-competition keywords I've found is "Amazon <niche keyword>".

    There is a matching domain name for this, so is there any reason (legal or otherwise) why I couldn't use "Amazon" as part of the domain name?
    Yes ... the reason is that Amazon owns it. It's their trademark and they will take it from you sooner or later.
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    • Profile picture of the author JRCarson
      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      Yes ... the reason is that Amazon owns it. It's their trademark and they will take it from you sooner or later.
      And the way they "take" it is by closing your account and keeping all accrued earnings. At that point you'll have transfer the domain to them and beg for your account back.

      At least that's what happened to me.

      Just don't use an Amazon trademark in your domain, despite the hundreds of people doing it online. They all have ticking time bombs for Amazon accounts.
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  • Profile picture of the author davezan
    Originally Posted by aegorov View Post

    Hi all,

    I'm looking at setting up an Amazon store for a specific niche.

    One of the low-competition keywords I've found is "Amazon <niche keyword>".

    There is a matching domain name for this, so is there any reason (legal or otherwise) why I couldn't use "Amazon" as part of the domain name?
    Because users might "confuse" your site with the commercially successful online
    store. Also:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...main-name.html

    http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ringement.html
    Signature

    David

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  • Profile picture of the author vjboc
    I would not do this practice. All your hard work would be wasted.
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  • Profile picture of the author JSProjects
    Yeah, I wouldn't build a business around a trademark. You risk losing all of your hard work with the blink of an eye.
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  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    Not okay, unless you want to get sued and in the end, hand your domain over to Amazon, lose your Amazon account, and potentially have to pay additional penalties as determined by the courts.
    Signature
    Bill Platt, Oklahoma USA, PlattPublishing.com
    Publish Coloring Books for Profit (WSOTD 7-30-2015)
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  • Profile picture of the author mywebwork
    You already have 9 identical answers, I doubt you need a tenth one.

    Why not pick another relevant domain name that does not infringe on either Amazon's or the product manufacturers name. Then create a subdirectory using your golden keyword.

    Just a thought

    Bill
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  • Profile picture of the author Gaz Cooper
    Amazon are anally protective of their trademark more so than many other brands and if you register amazon as part of your domain name (unless its a site about the Amazon river) you will FOR SURE be getting a letter from the lawyers asking you to take the site down and transfer the domain.

    Steer clear of trademarks in domains it just not worth the wasted time, effort and money especially when you can build just a good site without using a trademark in domain.

    Kickin it on Amazon

    Gaz Cooper
    Amz Training Academy
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    Beginners Guide to getting started in CRYPTO, FREE Ebook on a Massive Opportunity as the World shifts to Digital payment http://amzauthorityzone.com

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  • Profile picture of the author hustlinsmoke
    NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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  • Profile picture of the author agc
    I really don't understand why people don't just read the documents Amazon provides to Affiliates.....

    https://affiliate-program.amazon.com...agreement.html

    2. Enrollment

    To begin the enrollment process, you must submit a complete and accurate enrollment form. In your enrollment form, you must describe the application you intend to develop and use with the Product Advertising API or on which you intend to display Product Advertising Content. We will evaluate your enrollment form and notify you of its acceptance or rejection. We may reject your enrollment form if we determine that your application is unsuitable. Unsuitable applications include those that:

    (a) do not have as their principal purpose advertising and marketing the Amazon Site and driving sales of products and services on the Amazon Site;

    (b) promote or contain sexually explicit materials;

    (c) promote violence or contain violent materials;

    (d) promote discrimination, or employ discriminatory practices, based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or age;

    (e) promote or undertake illegal activities;

    (f) include "amazon," "endless," "kindle," "javari," or any other trademark of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, or variations or misspellings of any of them, in their URLs to the left of the top-level domain name (e.g., ".com," ".net," ".co.uk") - for example, a URL such as "amazon.mydomain.com," "amaozn.com," "amazonauctions.net," "endless.mydomain.com," "endlss.com," "kindle.mydomain.com," or "kindel.com" would be unsuitable; or
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    • Profile picture of the author wolfmmiii
      Originally Posted by agc View Post

      I really don't understand why people don't just read the documents Amazon provides to Affiliates.....
      Now, what fun would that be? You wouldn't get to read all of the "woe is me, I got banned for no reason" threads.

      Come on guys. I know this is an IM forum and its intent is to stimulate debate but this is easy stuff. Read the TOS when you sign up.
      Signature
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  • Profile picture of the author Noel Cunningham
    I would never use a trademark in a domain name - there is always the risk you'll receive a call and you'll have to take the site down.

    As said above use Amazon as the name of a page like www.keywordhere.com/amazon etc.

    You'd be running a risk having Amazon in the domain so steer clear mate..
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    • Profile picture of the author Penn86
      before i realized that using a trademarked name (amazon) in a domain name I tried to register it with namecheap which showed it was available but upon checkout they flagged it. they would have manually processed the url i was interested in but you have to prefund the account first and they stated that the trademark holder may come calling and no refunds would be issued. live and learn i guess.
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  • Profile picture of the author cbader
    If you are talking about the river, than probably. If you are talking about selling products, then probably not.
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  • Profile picture of the author centurion81
    I don't think so...I wouldn't even risk it.

    They are pretty clear in TOS about that...read it.
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  • Profile picture of the author stoneyj
    nope I had a domain with Amazon in it and they wernt overly happy!


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  • Profile picture of the author playhard
    Nooooooooooooooooooooo, they will eventually come and take it off you, and there will be nothing you could do about it.
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    • Profile picture of the author RobertoM
      You risk too much. Not only to get banned but also some eventual legal consequences. I wouldn't positively use it
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      • Profile picture of the author wordwizard
        Uh-oh. I've had a couple of domains with Amazon in it - they're not affiliate sites but are promoting a giveaway book and an ebook about selling on Amazon.

        What to do? I guess I got a bit too good at keyword optimization before I learned about the problem with brand names.

        Should I just move my stuff and let the names expire?

        Elisabeth
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        FREE Report: 5 Ways To Grow Your Affiliate Income

        Let Me Help You Sell: Sales Letters, Email Series, Pre-Sell Reports... PM me & we'll talk!
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  • Profile picture of the author JabMonkey
    Well....Amazon does NOT own the sole right to the dictionary word "amazon", so YES, you could use amazon in any domain you want. But if your amazon domain has anything to do with the site called Amazon, which yours clearly does, then NO, you can't use the word in a domain.
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  • Profile picture of the author andrealhendrick
    Id be careful, I know they have that name trade marked
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  • Profile picture of the author Samozain
    there is wp theme i will looking for it
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  • Profile picture of the author tweakr
    Thomas linked to a good post above. That makes the point I came here to say; not only should you not register a domain name with amazon in it, make sure there is no trademarked content within.

    This will not only save you a lot of trouble down the road; but amazon as many businesses do take trademarks very seriously and won't hesitate in denying you from there programs because of it.
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