The Importance of Accurate Product Descriptions

When buying online, customers heavily rely on product photographs, videos, and descriptions to help them make a purchase. As such, misleading, irrelevant, or false product advertising negatively impacts a customer's buying experience.

What is a 'Significantly Not as Described' product (SNAD)?

A Significantly Not as Described (SNAD) product is a violation reason given to shops when customers receive products that are not as described or do not match the seller's product description/listing pages.
In general, sellers will receive a SNAD violation in the following non-exhaustive scenarios:

• The delivered item was significantly different from the product's description/listing page.
  • customer buys phone; however, the seller sends the customer a towel.
  • customer buys red pants; however, seller sends the customer green pants.
  • customer buys M-sized t-shirt; however, the seller sends the customer an L-sized t-shirt.

• The delivered item was significantly lower in value than the advertised price on the product's description/listing page.
  • customer buys an iPhone 12; however, the seller sends the customer an iPhone 8.
  • customer buys a product advertised as "buy one get one free"; however, the seller only sends 1 item to the customer.

• The delivered item (or components of the item) was missing, or the seller sent an empty package.
  • A customer buys a keyboard; however, the seller sends an empty package.
  • There were missing items/product/components not sent to the customer (that were promised on the product's description page)

How to prevent SNAD violations?

• Ensure your product description page matches your product stock (shape, color, functionality, etc.).
• Provide sizing guidance or charts to avoid customer confusion.
• If you send a product in random color, ensure you state this clearly on your description page and communicate this with your potential customer.
• Do not use misleading product names and descriptions that do not describe your product.
• Always ensure the condition of your products is acceptable and perform quality control before sending them out to customers.
• Solve any customer complaints and product issues as soon as possible.

What happens if I breach these guidelines?

If you are found to violate these guidelines, you may have enforcement actions taken against your account. You should note that repeated offenses will result in more significant penalties.
Please see our Violation Reasons, Points & Enforcement Actions for Sellers article and Seller Terms of Service for more information. If you think an enforcement action has been taken against you in error, please raise an appeal via the Seller Center. Please read our Seller Appeal Guidelines article for more information.
Please click here to read our TikTok Shop Significantly Not As Described (SNAD) Item Guidelines.