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Entering the world of natural skincare, I was (and still am) excited to share my creations and their benefits with a wider audience. However, my journey on a certain online platform—let's call it Platform E—has been fraught with unexpected challenges. Despite understanding the importance of avoiding medical claims, I found myself constantly battling against unwarranted listing removals.
In the realm of natural skincare, it's essential to be cautious about making medical claims. Terms like eczema and psoriasis can be touchy subjects, and rightly so. Misleading claims can lead to serious legal repercussions, and it's crucial to ensure customers are not misinformed. However, simply listing ingredients and their known benefits shouldn't be a cause for concern. Yet, on Platform E, some of my posts were removed despite meticulously avoiding any language that suggested healing or medical treatment.
Inconsistent Enforcement
What's particularly eyebrow raising is the apparent inconsistency in rule enforcement. While my listings were taken down for merely listing beneficial ingredients, top sellers on the platform continued to use terms like eczema and psoriasis freely, often making direct claims about their products' effects on these conditions. It raises a significant question about the integrity and fairness of the platform's policies. If I took screenshots of all the top sellers' listings that included such claims, I would have a mountain of evidence showing this discrepancy.
Interestingly, my experience on other platforms has been vastly different. On eBay, Pinterest, and even my Facebook business page, I have had no issues sharing my products and their benefits. This inconsistency across platforms highlights a significant gap in how rules are enforced and begs the question: why is Platform E so stringent, yet inconsistent?
Watching a video of a long-time seller leaving Platform E due to similar frustrations was a turning point for me. This seller, who had been with the platform for years, decided it was time to build her own playground. Her story resonated deeply with me and motivated me to stop dragging my feet and take control of my business's future. It's time to invest in ads and bring traffic directly to my website, where I can share my products and their benefits without the fear of arbitrary censorship.
While I understand and respect the need for regulations to prevent misleading medical claims, the rules need to be applied consistently and fairly. It's disheartening to see smaller or newer sellers like myself being disproportionately targeted while top sellers continue business as usual. As I move forward, I am committed to providing honest, high-quality natural skincare products and educating my customers about their benefits in a transparent manner. Investing in my website and advertising will allow me to build a direct relationship with my customers, free from the restrictive and inconsistent policies of Platform E.
To my fellow natural skincare entrepreneurs, I say this: don't let arbitrary restrictions stifle your passion. Build your playground, invest in your own platforms, and continue to share the benefits of your creations with the world. The journey might be challenging, but the reward of creating a space where you can thrive on your terms is worth it.
And remember, never put all your eggs in one basket. Diversifying your platforms and strategies is the key to a sustainable and resilient business.
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