Leave a Comment:
63 comments
Hey Dennis, Amazon doesn’t allow link cloaking so I wouldn’t use it even if it’s an option within EasyAzon plugin. It’s clearly written in Amazon’s TOS that cloaking is not allowed so don’t do it.
ReplyI am very happy I found your blog. I have a question hopefully you know the answer. Once we join the Amazon Affiliate program, where do we have to list our websites,in my case multiple websites? I understand if you do know list your website, you will be banished, and all money will be kept!
ReplyHi Kim, I’m also very happy that you found it 🙂
As far as I know nowhere. When you apply for Amazon affiliate program you mention your main / current website. After that, if you build more sites you can use different affiliate ID, and even if you don’t, Amazon can still see which websites are sending traffic and buyers back to them. You won’t be banished or punished for that, that’s not in their TOS and is not breaking any Amazon aff rules.
ReplyHi,
Great article. It’s a must read for all Amazon associates.
I would like to point one thing. Since Amazon confirmed that
you’re allowed to use only those old buy buttons, it;s better
to obey them. You’re taking a big risk.
During the review of your account, It can be dangerous. Even some of
the high earners got their account banned for these mistakes.
Thanks
ReplyHi Drazen
It is a great article, a must read to all who wants to be an Amazon Associate. I spent a big part of today reading the Participation Requirement, Operating Agreement, Linking Agreement an a few links. It is long and hard to understand but some have been summarized by you. Thanks a lot!
I have a few questions.
1-When I signed up as an Amazon Associate, I used a temporary website. Now, I want to change the website to a new one. Can I change to a new site? Am I violating any Amazon TOS?
2-I signed up as a Professional Seller, a Buyer and an Associate roughly on the same day. My friend encouraged me. At that time, I have been researching about Amazon 2 months before signing up all three.. Am I violating any Amazon TOS by signing up all three?
3- I would like to outsource a Developer to build my Amazon Niche site. I am a newbie and not a Programmer. Can you suggest me a company/someone who can do a Custom Amazon Niche Site?
I really appreciate your help.
Thank you
ReplyHi Haneef,
1. Check here: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/help/node/topic/202049740
2. I don’t think so, but to make sure jump on live chat with them and ask.
3. Yes, I recommend Human Proof Designs, Dom is a great guy and he has awesome services for Amazon affiliates.
You are welcome 🙂
ReplyHi,
I accidently couple months ago I bought 2 products from my affiliate link, It was because i often test click my links to see it works properly and had the amazon cookie when I bought products.
You think im gonna get banned or a warning, or should I say it to the support?
thanks have a good day.
ReplyJust in case contact them through live chat. It’s a few minutes of your time and it might save you from trouble.
ReplyWell, I am using Easy azon. And it shows the price, Like : listed prices :$$$ Price: $$ you save :$ will it create a problem ? Also I am Using buy button by writing {LERAN MORE!) With (!) this sign will create any problem. Another thing is In my site i have some reviews like : best XYZ under 1000 dollar, but I saw some price goes a bit up like 1010, In this case If i change my title to “best XYZ under 1000 dollar and 1500 dollar” and make some changes on content will it create problem since the permalink is : http://www.example.com/best-xyz-under-1000/ will that create problem ? Lastly , Ha Ha Ha…. Thanks A ton for your valueable information. It helps me a lot . 🙂
ReplyHi Ahmed, the best would be to contact Amazon Associates live chat support and ask them for help directly if you are not 100% 🙂
If the prices are being pulled from Amazon’s API and updated daily you’ll be fine.
Anything misleading might lead you to trouble, for example saying that products cost below $1000 and they end up costing more. So be careful about that.
And you’re welcome 🙂
ReplyWow!
What a detailed Information about Amazon Affiliate rules, which is really important to Read and know about them before you start you Niche Site(Amazon)
Basically I started with Amazon from Squidoo, just applied with Amazon with one Article from Squidoo and got my Amazon Account.
I never Read their TOS and then used them in my Blogger Blog as well.
Now in my own Personal Niche Site-Ease Bedding, which is over a year, I am using only Amazon Affiliate Links.
Thanks God I followed their Rules without knowing anything at all and by reading at all.
Now I just started to read after using Amazon for couple of years.
I never used their any Buy Button, yes only in Squidoo, where it was ready made withing their Program.
I don’t write Prices, just give the Product information.
Thanks for sharing this amazing Information with all of us!
ReplyHey there,
I recently started a new website and I was looking for the answer of the same question that you answered here. I really want to thank you for this great post. I also subscribed your mailing list and hoping you’ll send some cool niches to me 😛 . Again thanks for this great post 🙂
Harry Goyal.
ReplyI’m closing in on the 180 days without sale, I wasn’t very skilled when I did my keyword research last year.
My website isn’t ranking and I’m kind of stressed I’ve worked for nothing.
Right now your article was the most comprehensive I could find, you’ve given me some ideas to force a sale. Initially I was thinking of paying someone to buy something through my link, but since I’m not in the US I’d have to trust a stranger, and the internet in not a kind place.
Now I think I’ll just put my money into facebook ads, worst case scenario Adwords, though I don’t have much experience with any. But the goal is to make a sale, not necessarily profit, so it should be doable.
Thanks a lot.
ReplyHi, if you’re using EasyAzon for all affiliate links and don’t make a sale in 180 days, do you need to change every individual link when you reapply for Amazon and get a new ID? Or do you just need to change the ID at the setting?
ReplyHi Drazen,
Thank you for taking out time to write this, it helps a great deal to the beginners.
I am planning on starting a blog just so that I can become an amazon affiliate, eventually driving sales via pinterest account, as I have heard that a website/ blog is required so that amazon approves the membership. The hosting, plug in to connect to amazon and pinterest etc., cost itself comes close to $100 so I want to make sure I am doing everything right.
Do I need to have a site set up with amazon links and people clicking on those links prior to applying for an affiliate program or just have my blog ready without links to amazon ?
It might seem like a stupid question, so sorry in advance ! Hope I get a response from you.
Hi Rashmi, that’s up to you, but it is better to have an established website and at least some traffic before you apply for Amazon affiliate account, that way you will get sales faster and your account will be approved faster as well. Don’t apply for Amazon affiliate account if your website is not yet finished. Add some content first and make it look nice and professional just to be sure.
ReplyHi Drazen,
Thank you for your info, Do you think button like this http://i.imgur.com/IMlWJS2.jpg against the rules? I’m not sure about check price button but I know if it is buy button, it will be ban from Amazon
Thanks
ReplyThank you very much for your endeavor. It is very helpful article for the beginners. Hope for some more good articles. Thank again
ReplyYes you can, and should do so as long as your total number of links remains reasonable. In text links often get higher click throughs though.
ReplyHello, Drazen – The product image Amazon supplies via its Site Strip is rather small, even the large one. I presume it’s not permissible to increase the size?
ReplyIf you increase the size without the resolution you will only end up with a blurred image. It may be possible to do, but i have not done it in Stripe previously. I use Easyazon (check out the tools page) and they provide a range of sizes when adding an image. You can then change the pixels to suit – but should only go smaller so the image stays crisp.
ReplyThanks for the info here. I’ve got a time-sensitive problem…I just got an email from Amazon saying they couldn’t verify my traffic sources for my associates account. I realized I hadn’t registered the sites I’m currently using (my ID is from an old defunct website). Whoops. I have 5 days to reply to them with info about my traffic sources. Do you think I should register my current sites I’m running under my current ID and then email them that info, or just let them kill my Associates ID and apply for a new one with the current sites?
ReplyI have to say Amazon is truly unfair to people. I worked for 3 solid months creating my website and it hadn’t been launched yet. I had the maintenance mode on and when Amazon couldnt access my website, they shut me down ! Its totally NOT fair whatsoever. They think people are working their asses off to make a living is a joke? I had to reapply and change all my links which was a major hassle and if it wasnt for the spreadr app, my store would have been closed because i added over 2000 products manually one by one myself . I swear i cried for days until spreadr told me that i could easily add my new associates ID and it would instantly fix every single product with my new associates ID. Amazon can be very cruel and i will deal with this for a while but my main goal is to sell a product of my own in the near future . Thats the best way to go. No one can tell you squat then
ReplyWe will always be at the mercy of Amazon, so yes selling your own product is a great long term goal to have. Until then, we will all learn some tough lessons along the way. It may not always be fair, but that’s the game unfortunately. All we can do is learn the rules and be as proactive as possible to make sure we are squeaky clean. It is still better than having no Amazon.
ReplyFirst of all great article I wanted to ask that easyazon plugin is actually allowed or not?Secondly if I use easyazon plugin and someone clicks and converts it from a different country then what?Thirdly if someone opens my website on mobile phone then how to redirect that person to app and also not loose my commissuo Thank you in advance.
ReplyI use EasyAzon on all my sites, but have been considering moving off it since Onelink was introduced by Amazon. EasyAzon and Onelink will answer your second question. You can register for the affiliate programs for each market and add them to your EasyAzon settings so that you are credited for the sale in that country. Just check your Analytics and cover the countries where you get significant traffic. I think Onelink is limited to US, CA and UK marketplaces for now. I have not checked this yet though.
ReplyAre you allowed to have links from other affiliate program on the same page where you have amazon affiliate links?
ReplyHey Dear,
Thanks a lot for your very useful article. I Just want to start and i’m newcomer so it’s very important for me and Thanks a lot again
Amazon has different rules for everybody. You can’t use your own graphic images to link to Amazon and you can’t use floating widgets, popups, and shit like that with affiliate links to Amazon. However, I know of a certain website that’s earning $50k per month and using custom graphics in the floating widget in the sidebar. And I know a website that’s earning $100k per month and is using a popup window on the user’s exit intent. I contacted the $100k website owner to remind him that using a popup window with affiliate links is against the Amazon TOS, but I got no reply. It seems that Amazon rules aren’t the same for everyone.
ReplyThis is true, but for Amazon a site referring $1 mil worth of traffic per month is probably worth more collaboration than people scraping together a few sales.
You see the same thing for sellers on the platform. Some brands are able to amazing things with their sales pages that are against the TOS for what your every FBA seller can do.
ReplyIt was so much helpful for me. I’m a newbie. I’m going to follow your tips
Many Thanks
Hi Drazen,
I have just created my own website to promote computer, mobiles and other gadgets and was thinking of getting started with the amazon affiliate program. This is one of the best blogs that I have found. It is really informative and helpful. I haven,t applied for the affiliate program as yet as there is still a lot of work to be done on the website. I am still in the process of uploading contents on my website. I just found some valuable information even before I have applied for the amazon affiliate program.
Thanks and Regards
Amit
I just discontinued adding content to a tech site. I found you don’t get a lot of long term value for your work because the products will become dated too quickly.
I now focus on more evergreen content and products. So I can produce the content once, rank it once, and it will stay relevant forever.
ReplyI am wanting to use videos on my niche sites however I can’t really find any information regarding this. Theres quite a few youtube videos I’d like to embed, but what are the consiquenses of them not being your own content?
ReplyYoutube videos can be embedded as you please. They are there to be shared.
A relevant video with good quality into can be great for increasing your time on site. Try not to put too many on a page though as it will slow your load time.
ReplyHey, Drazen !
I feel really lucky to have found this post in the very early stage of my affiliate venture. The way you have put up the content is quite engaging and simply offers tons of value. Precisely, a Must read for beginners. Awesome experience !! One thing though, I am confused at is Sr No. 7 above ” Don’t use Amazon affiliate links in email, ebooks or social networks”. To my limited understanding this is meant for avoiding basically Email spamming as articulated in Sr. #3 of Associates Program Local Associates Policy (“Local Associates Policy”). But does it prohibit allowing our visitor to subscribe our site. Just in case, my site http://flitmart.com is only a couple of weeks old and have some subscribers. Although I donot use any email Marketing tools such as Thrive lead/Get response/ Aweber or any service for that matter but somehow by feeds or by any other feature (I am not sure about) available with WP sites, a couple of visitors have subscribed to my site. Should I uncheck my membership setting that otherwise reads “Anyone can register ” and New User Default Role “Subscriber” ? ..and should I force unsubscribe them? .. Please advise…….!! P.S: Regarding Buttons I have some inconsistency over my site that I am going to correct right away. Please have look and advise anything major discrepancy noticed.
Thanks in anticipation
Kavitha
Thanks for this information. Can I be approved for the associate program if I refer three or more eBook sales through my site? Thanks
ReplyHey,
I’ve joined Amazon affiliate program for my tech blog (automationelearn.com). However, I am facing the problem because ads are not displaying on the site.
Don’t know why. My site is a secure site, is this creating problem? What free plugin should I use for managing the ads?
ReplyUsually these are just code snippets you add to your site. What kind of ads are you trying to run? Banner ads on the site or suggested items ads in between your text?
ReplyHey,
Great article! I’m so glad I found it. I just finished creating my website/landing page for my speaking services and I’m thinking of creating a separate category for book reviews (I love reading books) and have affiliate links to Amazon books there. I do like the content I saw from your site and from all the other sites/blogs I’ve read about violating Amazon’s terms, so I just wanted to make sure I didn’t violate anything (I heard Amazon has no second-chances).
I instead was wondering how you got your site checked. Say if I was to have my site accepted by Amazon, but I forgot to put a disclaimer page on my website, and a couple blog posts were missing some affiliate disclosures on blog posts, will I get banned if I ask an Amazon Employee to see if my site is staying up to date on their policy every now and then, and they find out that something isn’t applying to their terms?
So to get the point across, are there any ways that I can have an Amazon person check my website on a monthly or bimonthly basis to make sure I stay up to date?
Thanks! (Sorry for the long comment, I get a little antsy about legalities following rules)
ReplyDo you know if Amazon requires you to have ssl? I heard that Affiliate programs prefer secur websites with https urls and will reject http urls now.
ReplyNot that I am aware of, but SSL is a good idea anyway…. Most good hosts will give you free SSL these days anyway. Check out the blog post on hosting for more info.
ReplyGreat article.
I have one question. As far my little knowledge is, when some one click to buy on Amazon affiliate site, he is taken to amazon page.
What if I want to capture his email id to create me email list?
Any solution?
ReplyI too have the same question… Did you find out if that is allowed in Amazon?
ReplyI’m not sure why anyone wants to get around Amazon’s TOS and … do what? Unbalance the playing field unfairly for their advantage?
How about when sellers engage sites to give discounts on reviews? Is that something you endorse or do you report those sellers and every review as fake? How about the actually wrong version when they reimburse (pay) a buyer for buying/reviewing the product?
Of course you can’t make your own button- you didn’t even make the correct statement on yours. Your criticism
of the correct ones was so garbled I’m not sure you understand why you don’t like them.
Which brings me to another point: I appreciate that you enjoy writing but if someone said “I enjoy swimming”, then went swimming with equivalent lack of proficiency, they may have to be plucked off the bottom of the pool soon.
Work on it. Proofread. Set your writing aside and return to it the next day. It’s better to get it out later than get it out immediately, looking like it does.
ReplyUploading Amazon’s pics is against TOS and can get you banned.
Amazon provide a picture link on any listing approved for affiliates. The pic is not great, but you can use that as you please. Make sure you no follow the link.
Plugins like AAWP and Easyazon also allow you to use pics taken from the API. So they will update if the listing changes.
ReplyThanks for the great information and precautions! I found it very useful.
ReplyNice article,
I have a question about the CTA buttons.
If I create my own button but my call to action is not “Buy” but rather “Read More”, do you think they will accept it?
Your button can say whatever you like, as long as it is not tricking people to click or displaying a static price.
ReplyDo all the rules of Amazon associate program apply to promotion of Amazon products via third party affiliate networks?
ReplyHurrah! Finally I got a webpage from where I can genuinely take helpful
data regarding my study and knowledge.
No issues at all. Very good source of traffic in the right niches.
Reply