Beat the Amazon Email Marketing halt with top Amazon Email Marketing alternatives

Early last year, sellers witnessed Amazon officially discontinuing its Amazon email marketing feature as part of the removal of Manage Your Customer Engagement (MYCE).

This feature enabled brand-registered Amazon sellers to email Amazon store followers product launch-related announcements, sales and offers, product spotlights, holiday/seasonal promotions, and promotional content.

If you, as an Amazon seller, relied on MYCE’s Amazon email marketing feature, you most likely felt the sting of losing a direct line of communication with your most engaged Amazon customers.

But fret not. Here’s the good news.

While MYCE’s direct Amazon email marketing capabilities are suspended, you can build an Amazon email list externally using social media or sign-up forms on your DTC store to nurture customer relationships, drive repeat purchases, and build brand loyalty. What you need to do now is find Amazon email marketing alternatives that will serve the same purpose.

Most importantly, these Amazon email marketing alternatives are far more effective than relying on Amazon’s native tools to build an email list. The best part? You have complete control over how you use the Amazon email marketing alternatives. For example, if you launch a new product, you can instantly direct your subscribers to the listing, giving it the initial traction it needs.

Let’s dive into how Amazon email marketing alternatives work, how to use them to make the most, and how authentic brands thrive using these tactics.

Smart use of insert cards (Without violating Amazon’s terms)

While Amazon Seller Central tools such as Brand Tailored Promotions and Brand Customer Reviews offer on-platform ways to re-engage buyers, some sellers also explore physical cards within the package to encourage off-platform engagement and essentially collect emails.

This means redirecting them to landing pages to encourage signups as part of their Amazon seller email marketing. After all, we aim to establish lines of communication with the customers.

But beware. This Amazon email marketing strategy replacement or Amazon email marketing alternatives comes with strict compliance requirements from Amazon’s side.

Complying with Amazon’s Terms of Service is crucial when inserting cards into your packaging. Amazon prohibits messaging encouraging customers to leave the platform and make future purchases.

Even if Amazon email marketing is out of reach and you want to make the most of your Amazon email marketing alternatives, there is no way you can add messages that direct them to external websites for discounts or collect personal information. By this, we mean you can’t ask them to “Sign up on our official website for a 20% discount”.

Additionally, insert cards (as a part of your Amazon email marketing alternatives) must not ask for or incentivize product reviews, especially positive ones, as this is considered manipulation. To make Amazon business email marketing replacement strategies easy for you, here’s a list of what Amazon prohibits in insert card messages:

Don’t ask directly for positive reviews to beat the absence of Amazon email marketing.

Don’t offer discounts, freebies, refunds, or any sort of incentive in exchange for reviews.

Don’t send messages with a direct intention to make people purchase from your website instead of Amazon.

Don’t blatantly write a message asking for personal data (emails, phone numbers) like “Sign up for our email list” in your Amazon email marketing alternatives.

That being said, not all insert cards are off-limits.

What’s allowed as insert card content for the Amazon packaging?

Amazon allows insert cards if they enhance the product experience without manipulating reviews or trying to take business off-platform.

The strategy for your Amazon email marketing alternatives must be subtle. Instead of blatantly siphoning the crowd, you can invite them to your brand’s website and suggest they voluntarily sign up for marketing communications. It’s acceptable to include:

A thank-you note for a successful purchase.

Instructions, user guidelines, helpful product usage tips, or videos to help them have a better experience with the product.

A QR code linking to a tutorial video, installation help, or product registration for warranty

An invitation to contact customer support (especially regarding setup or troubleshooting)

A link to a landing page that offers free value (like an eBook or bonus content) where users may voluntarily opt in to enter your email list.

These types of communication, as a part of your Amazon email marketing alternative, improve product satisfaction, reduce the chances of return, and demonstrate good customer care, all things Amazon wants to encourage.

If you aim to develop an email list and carry out marketing communications akin to what Amazon email marketing services provide, guide customers to a neutral landing page (without breaking Amazon’s terms and conditions) that offers something genuinely useful, like a product manual, bonus content, etc.

Once there, let them voluntarily opt in to receive more helpful content. That is a golden chance for Amazon sellers to collect email IDs to add to the email list.

If you want your Amazon email marketing alternatives to work in your favour, remember to stay compliant with the policies to protect your seller privileges.

Include insert cards that say something like:

“Scan the QR code to sign up for a free PDF guide on how to use this product.”

“Scan the QR code to claim your 10% loyalty reward for your next purchase. ”

“Scan the QR code to join our VIP group for exclusive tips and content.”

These messages in your Amazon email marketing alternative insert card may vary, but always be something to urge users to sign up for the email list, voluntarily, of course. And it looks like this.

If well executed, insert cards bridge Amazon and your owned audience. And while it’s not traditional Amazon email marketing, it’s a compliant, value-first strategy that earns trust and long-term loyalty.

Note: You can create a QR code using platforms like Uniqode, QR.io, or QR Code Monkey to start off with.

Build an Amazon email list with your DTC site to replace Amazon email marketing

Email marketing becomes a fair game once sellers drive Amazon customers to their brand’s websites through compliant insert cards, organic social media, or retargeting ads.

(we’ve mentioned how to retarget ads in the following sections.)

Now, when email marketing for Amazon sellers requires third-party platforms like Klaviyo, Mailchimp, and Omnisend, the limelight is on these services that can automate email communication from the collected contacts.

Then you incorporate these tools within your Amazon email marketing alternatives, allow you to send personalized email flows that boost conversions, increase customer lifetime value (CLV), and keep your brand under their radar. If you aim to build a replacement for Amazon seller email marketing, you’re at the right place.

Let’s break down how these platforms can replicate and even surpass what Amazon’s discontinued email feature offered, and what the right way to use them is.

DTC email automation tools allow for full ownership of customer relationships. You get:

Complete control over messaging and content

Audience segmentation at its best

Advanced data insights on open rates, click rates, and ROI

And most importantly, you own the list made out of the Amazon email marketing alternatives.

That means even if your Amazon account faces an issue, your direct relationship with your buyers remains intact.

Collect customer data by encouraging customers to voluntarily opt out of Amazon while complying with Amazon’s policies.

Steps to build your email list as a substitute for Amazon email marketing

Create a compelling lead magnet using Amazon email marketing alternatives.

Offer valuable content, such as an eBook, video, or exclusive discount code, in exchange for the customer’s email address. There, you have it. You’re one step closer to your potential/ existing customers, even in the absence of the Amazon email marketing service.

Use popups and signup forms as a part of your Amazon email marketing alternatives.

Implement popups and embedded forms on your landing page to collect email addresses. Ensure they are user-friendly, non-intrusive, and consented. As a part of your Amazon email marketing alternatives, these forms and pop-ups must contain a line like “Yes, I want to receive text updates and exclusive offers from [Your Brand],” along with a check box.

Note: Email automation tools work only when you ethically and strategically collect emails from Amazon. Insert cards, value-driven packaging, and retargeting are the most scalable ways to do use Amazon email marketing alternatives, without breaking the rules.

Certainly! Here’s the optimized blog segment that incorporates your requested keywords naturally, while keeping the creative and engaging tone:

But what happens in the background?

Once they hit “Submit,” a few magical things happen (if you’ve set it up right). Their email is securely stored in your email platform (like Mailchimp, Klaviyo, or ConvertKit) and tagged based on which product or campaign they came from. This helps you personalize future messages.

For example, using Klaviyo’s automation tools, you can set up a flow that sends:

Email 1: “Thanks for joining! Here’s your setup guide.”

Email 2 (2 days later): “Pro tips to get the most out of your product.”

Email 3 (5 days later): “Join our insider club and get 10% off your next item.”

Each email builds trust, adds value, and deepens the customer’s connection with your brand, which is far beyond what a post-purchase experience on Amazon could do.

Packaging, a contact collecting pathway: Amazon email marketing substitute

Your packaging does more than just protecting your product, it’s one of the smartest ways to collect email contacts of your converted customers as an Amazon email marketing strategy substitute. Your customer is already convinced, engaged, and practically holding your brand in their hands. Although it is very similar to card inserts, it relieves you from overthinking that goes into the content of it.

Thus, it’s the perfect moment to ask, “Want 10% off your next order? We got you.” or “Register for your warranty perks. Scan the code to begin.” And just like that, you’re not just making a sale, you’re laying a foundation to stay in touch with them. It is the future of email marketing for Amazon sellers now that MYCE has revoked its Amazon email marketing feature.

This simple tactic feeds directly into your Amazon seller email marketing funnel. When customers scan the code, they’re taken to a mobile-optimized landing page. Ideally, integrated with your CRM and tailored to your Amazon business email marketing flow.

Nobody gives their email away for nothing. So give a reason well enough for your audience to find it irresistible. So to practice the best use of Amazon email marketing alternatives, offer them entry into giveaways, discounts on future purchases, warranty or exclusive upgrade perks, etc.

Make signups effortless. Just ask for the name and email. Avoid multi-step forms. This frictionless opt-in sets the stage for “off Amazon email marketing strategies” to shine.

Stay tuned because in the next segment, we’ll dive deep into how to integrate these collected emails with your CRM tools, automation workflows, and Amazon email marketing alternatives tips to keep the conversation (and conversions) going strong.

Developing a multi-channel engagement strategy to beat the absence of Amazon email marketing

Relying on a single communication channel is letting opportunities slip through your fingers. How? Let us explain.

Platforms like Amazon are tightening the rules around how sellers communicate with buyers. That’s where a multi-channel engagement strategy comes in because sellers or brand owners must use every touchpoint possible to maximize engagement.

You create better opportunities to build loyalty, trust, and long-term brand awareness by meeting your customers where they are. Communication can be the best alternative to Amazon email marketing strategy.

Here’s how you can diversify and strengthen your customer relationships using social media channels as a substitute for Amazon email marketing:

Social media

Your customers are already spending hours on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Why not be a part of their scroll? Social media allows you to connect with your audience more relaxed and personally.

Use stories and reels to show up on their feed without being pushy. Engage over comments and DMs. Your product may evoke interest in many. At this point, you can collect email IDs of lukewarm leads and direct them to sign up for maybe a freebie on their next purchase. How? Let’s learn from a client’s brand as they used their social media presence to beat the absence of the Amazon email marketing feature.

The haircare brand used Instagram to get the word out regarding a secret discount coupon they’re distributing. When people notice the post and click on the CTA button, they’re redirected to a site where there’s a gamified section, say a spinning wheel.

They used the “Spin the Wheel” plugin, or you can use any widget that’s integrated with your email marketing software. They spin the wheel, land a custom coupon, and when they claim the coupon, the system asks for an email ID to which it is sent. And voila! That’s how you can get in touch with interested customers.

Options for using this feature may include Wheelio (Shopify), OptinMonster, Privy, Tada or Gleam.io. You can set up the prize segments (e.g., they did a 7% OFF, 10% OFF, 15% OFF, and Free Shipping).

The email ID entered is integrated with your CRM or email marketing tool, such as Klaviyo, Mailchimp, ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign, etc. You can also use Sync with Facebook Pixel or Meta Events Manager to retarget spinners who didn’t convert.

How to make the most of your email marketing list (collected outside Amazon)

Now that you have the email ids, using the Amazon email marketing alternatives, you’re on the right track. You can segment your audience based on the product they bought or which QR code they scanned in from. Your email platform can tell you:

Who opened your emails

Who clicked

Who’s most engaged

Who’s ready for an upsell or cross-sell

This data gives you real insight into customer behavior compared to Amazon, which never shares such data with sellers. More importantly, it helps you build your own audience. You can even sync your email list to Meta or Google Ads and run retargeting campaigns to these customers.

Summing up, here’s what you’ll need to put this strategy into action:

Purpose | Tools | Action
QR code creation | Uniqode, QR.io, QR Code Monkey | Generate scannable QR codes that link to a separate landing page.
Landing page builder | Unbounce, ConvertKit, Mailchimp | Collect emails in a mobile-friendly manner
Email marketing platform | Klaviyo, Mailchimp, ConvertKit | Stores, sorts, automates, and manages customer emails. Provides in-depth insights.
Automation/CRM | Zapier, ActiveCampaign, Shopify Flows | Automate tagging, segmentation, and follow-ups.

While Amazon’s MYCE tool gave you access to past buyers, creating a strategy including Amazon email marketing alternatives, with emails collected outside of Seller Central’s features, gives you the autonomy, drives repeat sales to your DTC store. This creates a brand experience that Amazon can’t interfere with.

And most importantly, you’re doing it ethically, with full customer consent, while delivering real value. But when you sync those emails to Meta (Facebook & Instagram) or Google Ads, you unlock an entirely new level of customer targeting, both for re-engagement and customer acquisition.

Let’s break it down step by step:

What does “syncing emails to ad platforms” mean?

When someone opts into your email list (via your QR-code landing page), their email address is stored in your email platform— like Klaviyo, Mailchimp, or ConvertKit.

By syncing that list to ad platforms (Meta or Google), you’re doing two things:

Uploading those emails as a “custom audience” so you can run ads directly to them.

Using that audience to create “lookalike audiences” — finding new people with similar traits to your buyers.

This is the bridge between email collection and ad performance. It lets your packaging do way more than just drive retention — it feeds the top of your funnel too.

How to set up the sync?

Option 1: Direct integrations (Recommended for Klaviyo & Mailchimp users)

Platforms like Klaviyo and Mailchimp have native integrations with Meta and Google.

Option 2: Zapier automations (More Flexible, Great for DIY Tools)

If you want more control, you can use Zapier to automate syncing. Zapier acts like glue between platforms. Here’s a common automation (Zap):

Trigger: New subscriber added to a Google Sheet, Typeform, or custom landing page.

Action: Add that subscriber to a Facebook Custom Audience.

What can you do with synced email audiences?

Here are two high-impact use cases:

1. Run retargeting ads to customers who opted to sign up for it

Retargeting ads are ideal to keep your brand top-of-mind and drive repeat purchases. For example, “Thanks for buying. Get 15% off your next order!”, “New accessories just dropped for your last purchase” or “Want help setting up your item? Watch our 2-min guide”.

By showing these ads to people who already opted in, you not only spend less, but in a way directly impact the conversion rates, as you’re hitting the soft ground.

You can

Upload your customer email list to create custom audiences and serve up friendly follow-ups using Facebook & Instagram ads like “15% off your next order.”

Run Google Ads using Google’s Customer Match to upload opted-in customer data and retarget through display banners or short YouTube videos.

TikTok isn’t just for discovery; it’s powerful for retargeting too. So use TikTok Ads. Upload your email list or use TikTok Pixel data to re-engage past buyers with punchy, entertaining videos.

Email is the most cost-effective way to retarget. You can create automated flows based on when and what someone bought. Try sending reorder nudges (like, “Running low?”) or exclusive loyalty rewards. It’s direct, personalized, and often the highest converting channel.

Note: to make the best use of your Amazon email marketing alternatives, segment your ad audience by product type or purchase date to make your messaging hyper-relevant.

2. Create lookalike audiences for acquisition campaigns as a part of your Amazon email marketing alternatives

Find new customers who behave like your current buyers to meet new potential customers.

To tell you how it works as a better alternative to Amazon email marketing, Meta or Google analyzes your uploaded email list, from which it finds common patterns in behavior, demographics, interests, etc. of customers.

Then it creates a “lookalike” audience who are new users with common browsing traits. So at the end of the day, you’re not guessing who to target, you’re using buyer data legitimately that helps you scale by obtaining higher-quality leads.

Final thoughts

In a world of noisy inboxes and fleeting attention spans, Amazon email marketing can set your brand apart when paired with innovative SMS strategies and a strong DTC presence. Creating a strategy using Amazon email marketing alternatives is not just about selling more; it’s about building a brand that customers return to.

Email marketing for Amazon sellers used to be one of the most helpful assets, but now, by integrating social media, packaging inserts, and value-driven messaging, you’re not only promoting your DTC site, you’re creating a customer experience that outlives any single selling platform.

Additional Readings:

Amazon Message Center

What is Amazon Phishing and how can sellers protect themselves from it?

Top 15 Ecommerce Marketing Tools You Should Use to Optimize Your Business Strategies

A Step-by-Step Guide to Transfer Amazon Seller Account Ownership