Search Amazon for a hairdryer or a phone case and you will often see a wall of ALL-CAPS brand names nobody has heard of, selling near-identical products. Knockoff Shopping is a Chrome extension that tries to clean that up by dimming or hiding those listings, so established brands are easier to spot.
Here is how it works, how to set it up, and what to watch for before you trust any filter.
What Is Knockoff Shopping?
Knockoff Shopping is a browser extension from creator Josh Pigford. It says it filters "trademark-squat pseudo-brands" out of Amazon search results, so what remains are brands with a reputation to lose. In plain terms, it targets generic, shout-y brand names that often appear to be low-cost marketplace products listed under many different labels.
- Platform: Google Chrome today. Safari and Firefox versions are said to be coming soon, with no word yet on Microsoft Edge.
- Where it works: Amazon search results.
- Cost: The source does not state pricing, so check the official site.
How to Use It
- Install it: Go to the official site, knockoff.shopping, and follow the link to the Chrome extension.
- Set your Allow list first: Before searching, add brands you trust so they are never filtered. The reviewer used Anker and Ugreen as examples.
- Choose dim or hide: Dim keeps suspect listings visible but faded. Hide removes them. Dim is the better starting point while you train the tool.
- Teach it as you go: Block a brand permanently, or add a trusted one to the Allow list, directly from the results.
- Compare what is left: The reviewer noticed that many dimmed listings sat at similar prices, and chose to pay a little more for a more established option.
Dim vs. Hide
| Mode | What It Does | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Dim | Fades flagged listings but keeps them visible | Early use, catching false positives, building your lists |
| Hide | Removes flagged listings from the page | Once you trust the filter and have tuned your lists |
Limits and False Positives
A filter like this works by judging brand names, so it can get things wrong. Creator Josh Pigford has already pointed out some brands that may be filtered by mistake. The reviewer named two that appear to be genuine Korean skincare brands, BIODANCE and LANIEGE, and would allow-list them. If you shop in a niche category, expect to adjust your lists.
Install Browser Extensions Safely
- Use official links only: Open the extension from the creator's own site or the official store listing. Copycat extensions with similar names exist for popular tools.
- Read the permissions: An extension that runs on shopping pages can see what you view there. Confirm the permissions match what it claims to do.
- Keep your extension list short: Each one adds some load to the browser. If Chrome feels sluggish afterward, see our Chrome high memory usage fix.
Why This Matters
Low-quality listings crowding out reputable products make basic shopping slower and riskier. The reviewer's own experience shows the cost: two near-identical cleaners from different no-name brands both failed within a week. Tools like this signal that shoppers want better control over search results, though a third-party filter can only work around the problem, not fix how the marketplace ranks products.
Official source: knockoff.shopping.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does Knockoff Shopping do?
It is a Chrome extension that dims or hides Amazon search results from what it identifies as pseudo-brands, so established brands stand out.
Which browsers does it support?
Only Google Chrome right now. Safari and Firefox are planned, and Edge has not been mentioned.
Can it hide a good brand by mistake?
Yes. The creator has noted some brands that may be filtered by accident. Use dim mode and the Allow list to correct it.
Does it guarantee a product is good?
No. It filters by brand, not by product quality. Still check reviews, the seller, and return terms.
Where should I download it?
Start from the official site, knockoff.shopping, to avoid look-alike extensions.
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