Here is what you need to know about Amazon’s affiliate requirements.
Disclaimer 1: We are not Amazon. We do not control the Amazon affiliate process, therefore we do not guarantee your acceptance into the Amazon affiliate program or the continued activation of your account. You are directly responsible for applying, getting approved and keeping your account active and open. But these tips will certainly help you out and make it easier for you to know what’s expected!
We have read the policies and procedures to help you understand what you must follow to get accepted and prevent from having your Amazon affiliate account shut down.
Disclaimer 2: These requirements are established and maintained by Amazon. These requirements can change at anytime, without prior notice. We highly recommend you read the terms, policies and guidelines periodically to understand changes and impacts to your affiliate account.
How to Become an Amazon Affiliate Process
Here is how the application process works:
- You apply to become an Amazon Affiliate
- You get approved as a temporary Amazon affiliate
- You become an official Amazon affiliate after you meet sales criteria and all other Amazon requirements
Now, we will breakdown each step below.
Part 1: Applying to be an Amazon Affiliate
Before You Apply Requirements
Before you even apply for the Amazon Affiliate Program, you should make sure you are ready to increase your chances of getting approved. And decrease your chances of getting rejected.
Here are the requirements you must know and meet before you join.
1. Accurate and Up-to-date Information
You must make sure your information is complete, accurate and up-to-date at all times.
This includes your information on your:
- Associates Program application
- Associates Site
Which includes your:
- email address
- other contact information
- and identification of your site
All communications will be sent to you via the email address you provide.
Be sure to provide a real email address you use frequently.
Or else, you may miss important communications from Amazon!
2. A Suitable Site
A site can be a:
- Website that you own
- Mobile app
- Or a public social media page or group
Website requirements:
- You must own the website
- Websites hosted on free domains will not be accepted.
- Example: no sites.google.com
- Must have at least 10 public posts within the last 60 days
- Must provide a good customer experience
- Amazon states this as…
- ”we check all of the Sites you’ve provided (websites, mobile apps, and social network pages) to ensure that they meet our customer experience bar.”
Website user experience explanation:
When Amazon evaluates your application & reviews your website, this is what they are looking for:
- a beneficial reason as to why a customer would seek out your site
- adds value to the customer by giving them insight on a subject or product they might not get easily
- shows original content that exemplifies these components
- gives the customer a unique experience or insight that is not available anywhere else
- well written information on a certain subject that helps you build your own unique audience
- reasons to re-visit your site, not only once, but in the future
This means that you consider things like:
- how your viewers feel when they are on your site
- can they find what they are looking for
- do you have too many ads popping up and disrupting their experience
- are they overwhelmed with options and leave your site immediately (bad experience)
- can they easily navigate through your site with easy, without 100 annoying pop ups, broken pages, broken links, etc. (bad experience)
Mobile app requirements:
- must be available in either the Google Play, Apple, or Amazon app stores,
- must be free to download and all Amazon links must be accessible without paying for access
- must have original content
- must not emulate Amazon’s own shopping app functionality
- must not host or render Amazon web pages in WebViews
Social Media Requirements:
- Social Sites that are accepted:
- Facebook (including open group pages and fan pages, but NO personal pages)
- YouTube
- Tik Tok
- Twitch.tv
- You must provide your social media page’s exact URL
- Examples:
- https://www.facebook.com/affiliatemarketinginformant
- https://www.youtube.com/c/AffiliateMarketingInformant
- Do not list the social network URL only: e.g. ‘facebook.com’, ‘instagram.com’.
- Examples:
- Your social network page or group must be established, with a substantive number of organic followers/likes
- in most cases, at least 500…
- It must be publicly available
- No closed or hidden group pages
- No social media page where either your posts or the number of followers/subscribers are hidden from non-followers
3. Unsuitable Sites
You cannot have any of these on your site.
These are considered un-acceptable sites, and your application will be rejected immediately.
- cannot promote or contain sexually explicit or obscene materials,
- cannot promote violence or contain violent materials or promote, endorse or incite potentially dangerous or harmful acts,
- cannot promote or contain false, deceptive, libelous or defamatory materials,
- cannot promote or contain materials or activity that is hateful, harassing, harmful, invasive of another’s privacy,
- cannot be abusive, or discriminatory (including on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual
- orientation, or age),
- cannot promote or undertake illegal activities
- cannot have any content directed toward children or knowingly collect, use, or disclose personal information from children
- cannot target anyone under 13 years of age or other applicable age threshold (as defined by applicable laws and regulations)
- cannot violate any applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, orders, licenses, permits, guidelines, codes of practice, industry standards, self-regulatory rules, judgments, decisions, or other requirements of any applicable governmental authority related to child protection
- cannot include the word Amazon in your website name, domain name, sub domain, your social channels handles, etc.
- cannot include the Amazon logo in your brand
- cannot violate any copyright or trademark laws
Part 2 : Getting Approved to be an Amazon Affiliate
How to Get Approved as an Amazon Affiliate
Here is what you need to do to get approved officially, as an Amazon Affiliate.
What You Must Do:
- You must get 3 sales within first 180 days
- You must use Amazon’s link shortener for all of your Amazon links
- You must clearly state you are an Amazon affiliate.
- Here is an Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer statement you can use:
- “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
- Here are more affiliate disclaimers examples.
- The recommended placements are:
- In your footer so it shows up on every page
- On each page or product review near any affiliate link in a location that customers will notice easily. They shouldn’t have to hunt for it.
- Here is an Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer statement you can use:
- You need to be open and transparent about your affiliation with Amazon. Do not hide it.
What You Cannot Do:
- You cannot use any other type of link shortener or redirect service for Amazon links.
- You are only allowed to use what Amazon provides you.
- You cannot make purchases through your own links! (major no no..)
- You cannot have your family or friends buy through links either (another major no no..)
- Amazon will shut down your affiliate account (and can ban your access forever…) if they catch you doing this.
- You can not offer any incentives, rewards, extra perks or proceeds for buying from your links.
- Example: You cannot encourage support from your affiliate links by offering to donate the proceeds to a particular charity or organization.
- Your sales have to happen naturally, organically or via (indirect) paid methods
- Your site cannot include unapproved usage of Amazon trademarked materials.
- This includes words, images, Amazon customer reviews, or other trademarked materials that may misrepresent your relationship with Amazon.
- 6. You cannot display Amazon prices on your site.
- The prices change all the time. So you cannot hardcode any prices for any Amazon product.
- You will use generic buy here buttons and links to any product.
- Once your viewer clicks on your link, they will be taken to the Amazon page to see the current price.
- You cannot copy and paste product images from any product or companies site or Amazon’s site.
- Amazon provides you with tools that create your approved affiliate links and banners with approved images.
- You must use Amazon’s provided collateral and tools to create links, promote the products, etc.
Part 3 : My Account Got Shutdown and I Don’t Know Why?
If your account got closed, then check this list for potential problems you need to fix.
In most cases, you can re-apply once you have resolved what was missing or can fulfill the requirements that Amazon is looking for.
You Didn’t Make 3 Sales in 180 Days
If you don’t make your first three sales within 180 days, what do you do?
You can re-apply.
However, do NOT apply (in the first place or again…) until you can meet the sales requirements.
As long as your site qualifies as a suitable site and you follow all the rules in regards to the promoting amazon products (short links, images and no price links, no self-promotion, etc.), then you just need to focus on getting enough traffic to make the 3 sales in 180 days, 6 months.
That’s just 1 sale every 60 days, every 2 months. Completely doable if you have a small loyal audience.
If you need more guidance on how to build your affiliate business up to this point, then check get our 5 part affiliate business bootcamp today!
You don’t have enough traffic to your site
If you get rejected for not having “enough” traffic or following on your site, how many subs do you need?
At least 500.
Also make sure your site meets these requirements:
- You must own the website
- Websites hosted on free domains will not be accepted.
- Example: no sites.google.com
- Must have at least 10 public posts within the last 60 days
- Must provide a good customer experience
You used your own link shortener to create your Amazon affiliate links
You can’t use any other link shortener or any URLS other than what Amazon provides you with their tools.
The Amazon Product Links tool lets you build customized Text Links, Text and Image links, and Image only links to Amazon products.
The Amazon banners link to Amazon product categories.
The Site Stripe lets you build your Associates links right from any Amazon.com page.
You purchased from your own links
This is a very big no no. Do not buy from your own links. Especially to get you the first 3 sales.
This is considered cheating and could ban you from the affiliate program forever.
You had your family buy from your own links
Once again, don’t do this. This is considering cheating. You must get sales naturally and organically from people online.
Amazon is watching you. Don’t think they aren’t. They have more money and resources to monitor the web than we do.
You didn’t properly disclose that you are an Amazon Affiliate
To meet the Associate Program’s requirements, you must
- include a legally compliant disclosure with your links and
- identify yourself on your Site as an Amazon Associate with the language required by the Operating Agreement.
Affiliate Disclaimer:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
To comply with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations, your link-level disclosure must be:
Clear. A clear disclosure could be as simple as “(paid link)”, “#ad”, or “#CommissionsEarned”.
Conspicuous. It should be placed near any affiliate link or product review in a location that customers will notice easily. They shouldn’t have to hunt for it.
For social media user-generated content, this statement must be associated with your account included in your posts with amazon affiliate links.
Here are more affiliate disclosure examples.
You put product prices on your page
You can’t disclose prices for Amazon products, UNLESS you use their provided API which provides real time pricing figures.
Amazon prices change all the time. So you are more likely to provide a wrong or outdated price. Then your referral with complain with Amazon about your prices.
Using and integrating APIs is very technical and is not for beginners.
If you are beginner, just keep it simple. Use generic CTAs and buy buttons. “Buy From Amazon”. “Click here for price”.
You used Amazon’s provided product images to promote product via another affiliate program
You can’t use any of Amazon’s tool content or product images to promote products for other retailers.
For example, you cannot use Amazon’s provided product image (that will be supplied in Amazon’s provided tools) and provide two “buy” options. One from Amazon. And one from Walmart.
The violation is that you are using Amazon’s “content” to promote other retailers via other affiliate programs.
If you are doing a price comparison and want to list out multiple buy options, don’t use Amazon’s product images. You can try reaching out to the company of the product you are promoting to ask for approved product images you could use.
You used random product images from the Internet
You can’t use just anyone’s images. You need to use Amazon’s images when only provided links to Amazon products.
Or you could contact the company of the product you are promoting and ask for approved media you can use in your reviews.
You included your amazon links in non approved places
You cannot include your amazon link in your emails, ebooks, PDFs, linked from your hidden landing pages, or free downloads.
Sorry, but no. Amazon doesn’t allow this.
They only allow you to include your amazon links on your approved site. (Your public website, your public YouTube channel, etc.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Social Media as my Site?
Yes.
Example: You can have a public YouTube channel that counts as a suitable site.
You can use any of these social sites listed below:
- Facebook (including open group pages and fan pages, but NO personal pages)
- YouTube
- Tik Tok
- Twitch.tv
Your social site must be publicly available.
- No closed or hidden group pages
- No social media page where either your posts or the number of followers/subscribers are hidden from non-followers
How Much Traffic Do I Need to Qualify for Amazon Affiliate Program?
You need to have enough traffic to make 3 sales in the first 180 days.
In most cases, you should have at least 500 subscribers. This number is not set in stone, because out of those 500 subs, you need 3 sales from them.
If you don’t get 3 sales from 500 subs, you will need more subs, until you can meet the sales requirements.
How do I properly identify myself as an Amazon Affiliate?
To meet the Associate Program’s requirements, you must (1) include a legally compliant disclosure with your links and (2) identify yourself on your Site as an Amazon Associate with the language required by the Operating Agreement.
To comply with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations, your link-level disclosure must be:
- Clear. A clear disclosure could be as simple as “(paid link)”, “#ad”, or “#CommissionsEarned”.
- Conspicuous. It should be placed near any affiliate link or product review in a location that customers will notice easily. They shouldn’t have to hunt for it.
In addition, the Operating Agreement requires that the following statement clearly and conspicuously appears on your Site:
“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
For social media user-generated content, this statement must be associated with your account.
What Happens If I Get Rejected Due to Unsuitable Content On My Site
You may reapply at any time once you have complied with Amazon’s suitability requirements.
However, if at any time they (Amazon):
- reject your application for any other reason or
- terminate your account in connection with any violation or abuse (as determined in their sole discretion)
You will not be allowed to re-join the Associates Program without advance approval from Amazon.
Amazon Affiliate Resources & Quick Links
Here are the important links and resources for you to use and reference for more information, as needed.
Operating Policies
https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/help/operating/policies
Operating Agreement
https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/help/operating/agreement
Trademark, Brand, and Marketing Guidelines
https://developer.amazon.com/support/legal/tuabg
Amazon Affiliate Support Tools
https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/welcome/topic/tools
Amazon Links & Banner Tool
https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/promotion/buildlinks
Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/help/node/topic/GHQNZAU6669EZS98