In affiliate marketing, Amazon is a top choice for many beginners looking to monetize their website or blog.
However, Amazon has strict policies that affiliates must follow to avoid having their accounts terminated.
In this post, I will discuss some of Amazon’s policies that affiliates tend to overlook or misunderstand, which could potentially lead to Amazon banning their account.
I will also provide tips on how to avoid these mistakes and stay in compliance with Amazon’s policies.
You Have 180 Days To Make Three Qualified Sales
When you sign up for the Amazon affiliate program, you have limited time to make at least three qualified sales.
You have 180 days from the date you sign up to achieve this goal.
If you fail to make these sales within that timeframe, Amazon will terminate your account.
Three sales may seem like a small number, but it can be a challenging feat for new websites with little traffic.
Therefore, I recommend you wait until your website has regular daily traffic before applying to the Amazon affiliate program.
If you don’t make the required sales within 180 days, you can reapply to the program immediately and start the process again.
Once you make the necessary sales, Amazon will audit your website, and you’ll receive an email notification about the status of your application.
You Can’t Download Or Screenshot Images From Amazon To Use On Your Website
It’s important to note that images found on the internet are copyright protected, and downloading or taking screenshots of Amazon product images to use on your website without permission could lead to legal trouble.
Instead, Amazon provides affiliates with the SiteStripe, which gives access to one product image per item for you to use on your website.
To avoid any legal issues and create a unique brand, consider taking your product images or creating custom graphics to showcase the products you’re promoting.
Using your images can help set your website apart and build a loyal following. Amazon and your audience prefer original content.
Don’t Cloak Or Shorten Affiliate Links
Cloaking or shortening your Amazon affiliate links is not allowed.
The link you receive from Amazon must show as an Amazon affiliate link.
Cloaking or shortening the link can lead to the removal of your Amazon affiliate account.
Amazon provides the SiteStripe to help you get the correct link format, an easy way to generate links for the products you want to promote.
It’s important to note that cloaking or shortening links is not only a violation of Amazon’s policies.
It can also confuse your website’s visitors. Keep your links clear and visible. So your visitors know exactly where they are going and why.
You Can’t Use Your Affiliate Links To Purchase Items From Amazon
Using your Amazon affiliate link to purchase items for personal use is strictly prohibited.
This policy means that you can’t use your own links to buy products on Amazon, and you also can’t ask your friends, family, or colleagues to use your affiliate link when making purchases.
It’s important to note that Amazon tracks all purchases made through affiliate links, and if they detect any unqualified sales or suspicious activity, they may terminate your account.
So even if tempted to ask for help to meet the minimum sales requirement, it’s not worth the risk.
You Must Declare Your Association With Amazon
As an Amazon affiliate, it’s crucial to disclose your relationship with Amazon and that you earn a commission from purchases made through your affiliate links.
The disclosure should be prominently displayed on your website so visitors can easily find it.
Amazon has specific requirements for disclosure, so be sure to follow their guidelines.
Your affiliate disclosure should be clear, easy to understand, and appear before any affiliate links on your website.
Failing to disclose your affiliation with Amazon could result in account termination.
Don’t Add Affiliate Links To Websites Not Publicly Available
When using Amazon affiliate links, add them to publicly accessible websites. You’re not allowed to use affiliate links on members-only sites or sites the public can’t access.
Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that your website is public and accessible to anyone who wants to view it.
This policy means you can’t add affiliate links to websites that require a login or membership to access.
If you violate this policy, Amazon may terminate your affiliate account, so ensure your affiliate links are restricted to public websites only.
Don’t Use The Amazon Brand Name
Using the Amazon brand name without authorization violates Amazon’s policies.
This policy includes using “Amazon” in your domain name, usernames, tags, group names, or affiliate IDs.
Amazon is a registered trademark, and unauthorized use of the brand name may result in legal action.
Therefore, you should avoid using the brand name to prevent your account from being terminated.
Instead, you can use product names or descriptive phrases to create text links that are informative and relevant to your content.
Don’t Copy Customer Reviews From Amazon
Copying customer reviews from Amazon and using them on your website is against Amazon’s affiliate policies.
This policy includes any part of a review and the star ratings.
It’s essential to create original content for your website and not rely on content from Amazon or other sources.
You can use customer reviews as inspiration for your content, but write reviews that reflect your opinions and experiences with the product.
Don’t Add Affiliate Links To Emails, PDFs, Or Ebooks
As an Amazon affiliate, you are only allowed to add your affiliate links to publicly accessible websites, not other forms of content.
This policy includes emails, PDFs, ebooks, private messages on social media networks, and attachments.
Amazon Associate’s program is so you can promote Amazon products through your website, blog, or social media platforms.
Therefore, it is essential to use affiliate links only on publicly accessible content and not on platforms that the general public can’t access.
If you violate this policy, Amazon may terminate your affiliate account, and you will lose your eligibility to participate in the program.
It is always best to comply with Amazon’s policies to ensure that you do not lose your affiliate account and the opportunity to earn commissions.
Don’t Offer Rewards For Clicking On Your Affiliate Link
To maintain compliance with Amazon’s policies, refrain from incentivizing clicks on your affiliate links.
Offering rewards or incentives in exchange for clicking your link is prohibited and may result in account termination.
Instead, focus on providing high-quality content that includes relevant affiliate links within the context of your blog or website.
Ultimately, it is up to your readers to decide whether or not to click on your affiliate links.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
As a new Amazon affiliate, it’s easy to make mistakes that could get your account terminated.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Not disclosing your affiliate relationship with Amazon
You must disclose that you are an Amazon affiliate and that you earn a commission from purchases made through your links.
Cloaking or shortening affiliate links
You can’t change the affiliate link you get from Amazon. It has to be clear that you are linking to Amazon.
Using Amazon customer reviews or star ratings
You can’t use any part of an Amazon review or the star ratings for your website.
Adding affiliate links to emails, PDFs, or eBooks
You can only add affiliate links to your publicly accessible website.
Offering rewards for clicking on your affiliate link
You can’t promote your affiliate links by using an incentive.
Using the Amazon brand name
You can’t use the word Amazon in your domain name, a tag, a username, a group name, or an affiliate ID.
Adding affiliate links to websites not publicly available
You can only add affiliate links to publicly accessible websites.
Using images from Amazon on your website
You can’t download or screenshot images from Amazon to use on your website.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your Amazon affiliate account stays in good standing and that you continue to earn commissions from your affiliate links.
Pros and Cons of Amazon Affiliate Marketing
Amazon affiliate marketing can be a great way to monetize a blog or website. Here are some of the pros and cons to consider:
Pros:
Easy to join
Becoming an Amazon affiliate is straightforward, and you can start immediately.
Wide range of products
Amazon offers millions of products across a broad range of categories, so you can find something to promote that matches your niche.
Trusted brand
Amazon is a well-known and trusted brand, helping increase conversions.
Competitive commission rates
Amazon’s commission rates are competitive with other affiliate programs, and you can earn up to 10% on qualifying purchases.
Additional earnings
If someone clicks on your affiliate link and makes a purchase on Amazon, you earn a commission for the product you promoted and any other products they buy during that visit.
Cons:
Low commission rates for some categories
Some categories on Amazon, such as electronics, have lower commission rates than others.
Short cookie duration
Amazon’s cookie duration is only 24 hours, so if someone clicks on your link but doesn’t make a purchase until the next day, you won’t earn a commission.
Hard to stand out
With so many affiliate marketers promoting Amazon products, it can be hard to stand out and get your links noticed.
Limited payment options
Amazon pays affiliates by check, direct deposit, or Amazon gift card, which may not be convenient for everyone.
Compliance rules
As discussed in earlier sections, Amazon has strict compliance rules that you must follow as an affiliate, and violating them can result in account termination.
Conclusion
In conclusion, becoming an Amazon affiliate can be a great way to earn passive income, but it is critical to follow the rules to avoid account termination.
The program has limitations and drawbacks, such as the 180-day time limit to make three qualified sales.
But the benefits of promoting a wide variety of Amazon products and earning a commission on sales can make it a worthwhile endeavor for many bloggers and website owners.
Remember to disclose your affiliate status and avoid any black-hat techniques. With patience and persistence, Amazon affiliate marketing can be a successful and lucrative opportunity for those who approach it correctly.
What program is best for you? The Amazon affiliate program or the Amazon influencer program? Check out my Amazon Associates vs Influencers vs Affiliates: What You Need to Know article to learn more.
The Amazon affiliate program is an excellent way to monetize your blog. Check out my A Beginner’s Guide to the Amazon Affiliate Program article to learn more about the program.
I hope you found my article informative. If you have questions, please leave them below.
John is the founder of Newblogr.com and has a background in retail and travel. However, his true passion lies in building WordPress websites and mastering the art of SEO. He is committed to helping new bloggers build successful websites by providing top-notch SEO services. John hopes to inspire and empower bloggers to reach their goals.
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