It is likely that many people have made purchases from this site, even if they are not regular customers.
In addition to being a popular shopping site, Amazon offers opportunities for both buyers and sellers to generate passive income.
Today, we will discuss an alternative method of earning money on Amazon, which involves promoting products sold by others through the Amazon affiliate program, commonly known as Amazon Associates.
This article will provide step-by-step instructions on setting up an Amazon Associates account, including obtaining your first affiliate link. Additionally, it will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using this platform as a source of affiliate income.
Lastly, we will discuss effective strategies to optimize your success in generating an affiliate income by promoting Amazon products.
What is the Amazon Affiliate Program?
The Amazon Affiliate program is an affiliate marketing program. It is free for website owners and bloggers to join. They can advertise products from Amazon.com by creating links on their sites. When customers click these links and make purchases on Amazon, they earn referral fees. If you are unsure about affiliate marketing or if it is right for you, you can find more information on the HubSpot blog.
What is Affiliate Marketing?
How does the Amazon Affiliate program work?
Associates in the Amazon Affiliate program earn commission by creating unique product links, promoting those links on their website, and generating referral traffic back to Amazon.
This is how it works.
- Unlock the full potential of your website by tapping into the incredible power of Amazon Affiliate!
- Unlock the power of your website with an exclusive Associate ID from the mighty Amazon!
- Once the application has been approved, associates are able to begin creating affiliate links within their Amazon portal.
- Associates then incorporate the links into their blog posts or other sections of their website.
- When a user clicks on the link and makes a purchase, the associate receives a commission.
The commission rate varies based on the product category. For example, if you have an automotive blog, you can earn 4.50% per sale. Selling three car parts at $1,000 each in a day would result in earning $135. If you sell the same product 30 times a month, you can make $1,350 monthly. It’s advisable to have additional income sources when starting as an Amazon Associate, as the initial numbers may be lower. Before signing up, review the commission rates for each product category to estimate your potential earnings based on your website’s niche.
Eligibility Guidelines for the Amazon Associates Program
To be eligible for the Amazon Associates program, certain criteria must be met. This includes having a valid Amazon account and the ability to promote Amazon products through an active website, mobile app, or social media account.
Now, let’s examine the eligibility criteria for each medium.
Website
Websites need to promote Amazon products on their website or blog, similar to most Amazon Affiliates.
- The applicant should be the owner.
- To meet the requirements, a minimum of 10 blog posts must be published, with the most recent one being within the last 60 days.
- Ensure that the information is accessible to the public without any restrictions or fees.
Mobile App
App versions of websites are also eligible for the Amazon Associates program, but there are specific requirements that must be met.
- The app is available for free on the Google Play, Apple, and Amazon app stores.
- Please provide new content.
- The appearance and functionality of Amazon’s shopping app are distinct from one another.
Social Media
Influencers have the opportunity to take part in the Amazon Associates program.
In order to qualify for the program, influencers do not need to have a website. Instead, they have the opportunity to earn commission by promoting Amazon products on their social media accounts.
To be eligible for this section of the program, certain requirements must be met.
- Applicants must have an active and public social media account, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, or Twitch.tv. Please note that those using Facebook and Instagram must have a business account.
- Having a well-established audience with meaningful interaction.
- There are at least 500 organic followers.
Please be aware that eligibility requirements for Amazon Associates may differ depending on the country. Therefore, it is advisable to review the specific requirements for your region.
Amazon Program Requirements and Rules
Becoming an Amazon Associate can be a beneficial way to monetize personal projects or generate additional income from your brand. It is important to be aware of the requirements that Amazon has for associates once you have been accepted into the affiliate program, so it is advisable to familiarize yourself with those guidelines before getting started.
After signing up, you must meet the requirements for the application review process. Amazon expects new affiliates to make at least three sales within the first 180 days. Failing to do so will result in account closure. However, you can reapply for the Amazon Associate program once you have made necessary adjustments to your site.
The Associates team also evaluates websites, mobile apps, and social network accounts. They seek consistent, fresh, and original content that provides value to Amazon customers.
There are additional requirements in place to ensure ethical promotion and prevent associates from exploiting the system. Failure to comply may lead to being banned from the program. Here are some important ones to consider:
- It is necessary to include a disclosure on your website or in your communication stating that you may earn from your recommendations.
- It is important to avoid making false or deceptive claims in your recommendations.
- Your website should not include inappropriate, explicit, or harmful content.
- It is generally recommended to avoid referencing prices, as they often fluctuate.
- Please refrain from using Amazon affiliate links in offline promotions, eBooks, or email.
- It is not advisable to use link shorteners on affiliate links.
- Please refrain from using unauthorized Amazon trademarked materials that could potentially mislead others about your affiliation with Amazon.
To access Amazon’s complete policy, please refer to the provided link. Additionally, it is recommended to review the operating agreement for associates to be aware of any other obligations.
1. Create a website or blog.
To become an Amazon Associate, it is necessary to have an active website, blog, app, or YouTube channel. Additionally, it is beneficial to have pre-populated content on the site to ensure it appears active and authentic to both users and Amazon.
As part of the application process, it is important to have a clear understanding of the purpose of your website, the target audience, and the strategies you will use to drive traffic.
To create a website at no cost, you can explore HubSpot’s CMS Hub. It offers a drag-and-drop website builder, customizable themes, and blog capabilities, enabling you to publish your own content quickly.
2. Navigate to the Amazon Associates homepage and click “Sign Up.”
3. Enter your Account Information.
4. Enter your website address.
5. Enter your preferred store ID.
Please provide your preferred store ID, a brief description of your website goals, and choose relevant Amazon topics for your links.
6. Explain how you drive traffic to your site.
Please explain the methods you use to drive traffic to your websites, how you utilize your website or apps to generate revenue, your typical approach to link building, and the monthly visitor count your site receives.
7. Choose your payment method.
Please select whether you would like to enter your payment (credit card) and tax ID information now or at a later time. Afterward, you may proceed to your dashboard.
8. Create Amazon Affiliate links.
After creating your account, you will be directed to your personal Associate homepage. Here, you can access your performance dashboard, which includes an overview of your earnings, a monthly summary, and total clicks.
The dashboard is also the place where you can search for relevant products to link to from your content.
How to Create an Amazon Affiliate Link
1. Log in to your Amazon Associate account.
By following this practice, you can create link text that connects the product you are endorsing with your account.
2. Click on Product Linking in the top banner and select Product Links.
This will provide you with a variety of options for creating your links, including the tools for linking to any page.
3. Use the Amazon Associates SiteStripe to generate Amazon Affiliate links.
One way to generate Amazon Affiliate Links is by using the SiteStripe bar, which appears on product pages while logged in to your Amazon Affiliate Panel.
To generate a link for your Amazon Affiliate promotions, simply click the Text button in the Get Link selector. In the popup, you have the option to create either a short or a full-length link. Once you’ve generated the link, copy it to your clipboard for use.
4. Try other product linking options to find and create affiliate links.
In addition to providing direct links to your preferred products on Amazon, there are several appealing options available that can enhance your outreach and captivate your audience.
Use the Idea Hub to find the best products for your audience.
Affiliates may run out of product ideas or be unsure about promotions that apply to their niche. The Idea Hub is a helpful resource. To access it, go to the Promotions banner and scroll to Idea Hub. Then, click on Filter & Sort and use the left-hand menu to narrow your search options. You can filter by featured content, categories, star rating, and more. For instance, if you’re unsure which products in your niche will be available for Prime Early Access, this tool can assist you in finding them.
Link to Favorite Destinations to highlight product lines or categories.
When using affiliate content, it can be helpful to focus on a product category rather than specific products. For instance, if you’re writing a blog about holiday shipping, you can provide a link to a page that offers various packing and shipping supplies. This simplifies the process for your audience, allowing for easy access to what they need with just one click. To utilize this tool, go to the top banner and click on Product Linking, then select Link to Any Page. Next, choose the Link to Favorite Destinations tab. From there, you can narrow down your search using the drop-down menus on the left. Give your link a name and click Get HTML.
A preview link will be displayed on the right side of the tab. You can click on it to view the appearance of the page.
Don’t forget to give that Highlight HTML button a little clickaroo at the end to snag your shiny new link!
Link to Search Results to highlight specific keywords within a product line.
Affiliates find success with targeted content. You can create links for specific keywords in your product category using this tool. For example, if you’re promoting spooky lawn decorations for Halloween, you can link to that specific search. This allows you to showcase multiple options to your audience simultaneously. To use the tool, go to Product Linking and select Link to Any Page. Then choose the Link to Search Results tab. Use the drop-down menus to narrow your search. Name your link and click Get HTML.
A preview link will be visible on the right side of the tab, allowing you to click and view the appearance of the page.
Afterwards, click the Highlight HTML button located at the bottom to copy your new link. Alternatively, you can click Text in the SiteStripe bar in your preview if you prefer to create a short link.
Link to Any Page to direct your audience to any Amazon link.
To find an alternative to the SiteStripe tool, you can also utilize the Link to Any Page tab to generate your affiliate links. To access this tool, simply click on Product Linking in the top banner and choose Link to Any Page.
5. Use the generated link on your site or other promotional materials according to Amazon’s standards.
Please be aware that according to Amazon’s guidelines, the use of links in offline promotions, email, and eBooks or PDFs is prohibited. Quality content is crucial for success in marketing and sales. Make sure to attract your audience with high-quality content and share relevant affiliate links on your website or YouTube channel.
When generating a link, a cookie will be attached to track your website visitors, increasing the chances of receiving a commission for the sale. However, it’s important to note that the cookie’s duration is limited.
How long does the Amazon Affiliate cookie last?
The Amazon Affiliate cookie has a duration of 24 hours from the moment a website visitor clicks on the affiliate link. During this time, the cookie remains in their browser, ensuring that any purchases made within the 24-hour period will be credited to you.
The Amazon Affiliate cookie is a method utilized by the Amazon Affiliate program to generate income. However, it is essential to attract visitors and encourage them to click on the link, which requires obtaining visitors initially.
How to Make Money with the Amazon Affiliate Program
The process of applying for the Amazon Affiliate program and becoming an associate is typically straightforward. However, the challenge lies in generating sufficient sales to transform your passion project into a source of income.
Here are some tips on how to earn money through the Amazon Affiliate program.
1. Choose a niche for your website.
If your website covers multiple topics such as home improvement, beauty products, and novel writing, it may not be advisable to become an Amazon Associate. To maximize the benefits of your affiliate partnership with Amazon, it is recommended to choose a single ecommerce niche for your website.
To successfully incorporate product links without appearing too promotional, it is crucial to choose a niche that genuinely interests you, such as paleo cooking or DIY educational activities for teachers. By selecting a niche that you can consistently write about without losing enthusiasm, you will have ample opportunities to naturally include product links.
Selecting a niche for your website can enhance its credibility with visitors, as focusing on one subject demonstrates expertise. Conversely, covering a wide range of topics may give the impression of creating content just for the sake of it. Additionally, by concentrating on a unique and specific topic, you are likely to face less competition from others.
2. Write product reviews and comparison posts.
One effective method to generate income as an Amazon Associate is to write product reviews and posts that compare two or more products. This provides you with the chance to include links to the products being reviewed.
One advantage is that these posts typically have high intent, indicating that the person seeking a review is likely close to making a purchase or already ready to buy. It makes sense, as someone wouldn’t search for a review of a product they have no intention of purchasing.
Product comparison posts provide a valuable opportunity to increase sales. By offering visitors multiple alternatives, you can cater to their preferences and drive more referrals to Amazon.
3. Blog consistently.
A key component of a successful Amazon Affiliate strategy involves maintaining a regular blog that allows for frequent product mentions and linking. Therefore, it is recommended that you maintain a consistent blogging schedule.
It is recommended to aim for one blog post per week, however, the quality of the content is more important than the quantity. By writing two well-reasoned posts per month, you may generate more qualified traffic to Amazon compared to writing eight poorly-written posts.
To enhance your blog posts’ relevance, develop a content marketing strategy that incorporates SEO fundamentals to effectively optimize your website for online search.
4. Create a storefront.
There is another option besides relying on editorial mentions to drive referrals to Amazon. You have the ability to create an Amazon Storefront, which serves as a comprehensive destination for your content and product recommendations. The key distinction is that it directs traffic directly to Amazon instead of your website.
Storefronts are a practical option as they require minimal maintenance and content creation. When visitors access your Storefront, they can easily navigate through the products. Additionally, the links are easily accessible and not hidden within other content.
One important task is to regularly check the links to ensure that your storefront is still generating referrals. Occasionally, product pages may change or products may be discontinued on Amazon. It is important to verify that every product is still accessible on the retailer’s website.
5. Advertise your website on social media and search engines.
Driving traffic to Amazon and earning commission requires more than just good content, SEO knowledge, and a content marketing strategy. It is important to cover all your bases.
You should consider investing in paid social ads and pay-per-click ads on Google. Advertising can be affordable, especially with the PPC model. You only pay when someone clicks on your ads, and you can set a budget. It’s a simple way of driving traffic, just create ad imagery using a tool like Canva.
Conclusion:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Amazon affiliates get paid?
On average, Amazon affiliates receive payments ranging from $100 to $20,000 in the Amazon affiliates program. The amount of payment is determined by the number of referrals you generate for Amazon. The Amazon affiliates program operates on a commission basis, meaning you earn a percentage of each sale you commission.
What percent do you get with Amazon affiliate?
Amazon has established fixed commission rates for specific products. The percentage you receive as an Amazon affiliate will vary depending on the product. For instance, shoes, handbags, and accessories will earn you a 4% commission, whereas Amazon games will earn you a 20% commission.
Is Amazon Affiliate free to join?
The Amazon Associates program is a free and user-friendly affiliate marketing program. It enables influencers, bloggers, and others to generate referral fees by creating links for customers to purchase products.
What is Amazon affiliate program?
The Amazon Associates program is an affiliate marketing program offered by Amazon. It provides an opportunity for content creators, bloggers, and business owners to monetize their traffic by using Amazon’s link building tools to direct audiences to their recommendations. A commission fee is earned each time someone makes a purchase using their affiliate link.
Does Amazon affiliate pay for clicks?
Amazon affiliates earn commissions by generating clicks that result in a sale within 24 hours on Amazon. To receive the commission, Amazon affiliates are required to utilize the Amazon affiliate link. The commission fee varies between 1% and 20% depending on the product category.
