As the global e-commerce ecosystem continues to expand, platforms face a growing challenge in managing the risk associated with high-violation product categories. Recognizing this need, LegitScript, a leader in merchant and product monitoring, has unveiled a comprehensive benchmarking program for e-commerce marketplaces. This initiative aims to equip platforms with comparative insights on policy enforcement and risk mitigation, helping them grow securely in a highly regulated digital commerce environment.

Through a combination of automated data analysis, risk scoring, and human verification, LegitScript delivers a unique view into the compliance performance of over 20 global e-commerce platforms, offering a first-of-its-kind industry benchmark.

1. The Purpose Behind Benchmarking

• Assess Risk in High-Violation Categories: LegitScript focuses on product verticals most likely to involve regulatory or policy infractions.

• Compare Against Peers: Clients can evaluate how their marketplace performance stacks up against industry leaders and laggards.

• Make Data-Backed Policy Decisions: With clear performance indicators, platforms are better equipped to evolve internal policy and compliance strategies.

• Enhance Confidence for Growth: Strong risk governance becomes a competitive advantage in scaling e-commerce operations safely.

2. Methodology and Risk Coverage

• The benchmark includes analysis across categories that typically draw regulatory attention:

  • Controlled substances

  • Prescription-only medications

  • Cosmetics and supplements

  • Tobacco, vape products, psychoactives

  • Weapons and firearms

• Risk levels are analyzed globally, allowing for regional comparisons and trend recognition.

• Proprietary scoring models and human verification ensure accurate classification and contextual understanding.

3. Findings from Initial Benchmarking

• 80% Lower Violation Rates on Monitored Platforms: Platforms using LegitScript's monitoring reported dramatically fewer infractions.

• Millions of Products Assessed: The scale and depth of the analysis cover both niche and large-scale e-commerce players.

• Highlights where risk control makes a measurable difference, especially in categories prone to abuse or evasion.

4. Most Frequently Violative Product Types

LegitScript uncovered a pattern of problematic products that dominate risk profiles across marketplaces:

• Weight loss drugs: Acxion, Terfamex, Redotex

• Anabolic steroids: Testosterone, Oxandrolone

• Sexual enhancement drugs: Tadalafil, Sildenafil

• Skin whitening creams: Goree Beauty Cream, Arche Pearl Cream

• Tainted supplements: Royal Honey VIP, Detoxi Slim, Ligandrol

These products are often linked to regulatory violations due to mislabeling, undisclosed ingredients, or illegal distribution.

5. Seller Evasion Tactics Identified

Sellers frequently employ creative methods to evade detection. LegitScript’s benchmarking identified the top strategies used across platforms:

• Deliberate misspellings: e.g., T4dalaf1l instead of tadalafil

• Blurring product images to evade visual detection algorithms

• Misleading categorization: Listing meds under “home goods” or “cosmetics”

• Bundling violative items with legal ones to confuse detection systems

• Coded language usage: Terms like “Candyland” for pill molds or paraphernalia

Understanding these tactics allows platforms to proactively tighten enforcement and detection protocols.

6. Why It Matters for the Industry

• Protects consumers from harmful, mislabeled, or counterfeit goods

• Reduces liability for e-commerce marketplaces

• Establishes industry standards for risk scoring and evaluation

• Provides a competitive edge to platforms that prioritize safety and compliance

LegitScript’s benchmarking program also complements its broader Platform Risk Solutions, helping clients develop a long-term risk management framework with actionable metrics.

In a time when e-commerce platforms face increased scrutiny and complex compliance challenges, LegitScript’s benchmarking program provides clarity and confidence. By evaluating millions of products across high-risk categories, the program empowers marketplaces to strengthen their risk posture, enhance trust with users, and accelerate compliant growth. As platforms vie for global reach and brand integrity, this new benchmarking capability becomes an indispensable tool for sustainable success.