The Amazon Affiliate program is making a lot of noise these days and many people are generating passive income using it.
This guide is your inside look at Amazon’s affiliate program. I’ll show you how it can be a win-win for you and the people you’re connected with, and walk you through the steps to become an Amazon Associate.
Let me start from the very first and give you an explicit explanation of what is Amazon Associates.
Table of Contents
What Is Amazon Affiliate Program?
Amazon Associates is one of the world’s most popular affiliate marketing programs.
It allows content creators, bloggers, website owners, and influencers to earn commissions by promoting Amazon products through customized affiliate links.
Here’s a simpler way to explain how does Amazon associates work:
The Amazon Affiliate Program is a marketing initiative where individuals can earn commissions by promoting Amazon products.
It’s designed to be mutually beneficial, where affiliates drive traffic to Amazon, and in return, they earn a commission on any qualifying purchases made through their referral links.
For example, family influencers can promote family products on Amazon such as toys and home appliances, and earn commission for each sale.
Now you might ask:
How Much Is The Amazon Affiliate Program Commission?
Well, it’s tricky to give you one specific number because it varies depending on the product category.
Here’s the general idea:
- Commissions range from 1% to 10%. Only the Amazon Games have a 20% commission.
- Luxury items or Amazon’s own products sometimes have higher commission rates.
- Everyday items or lower-priced goods tend to have lower commission rates.
To find the exact commission rate:
- Go to the Amazon Associates website.
- Click on ‘Commission Rate.’ This will list all the categories and their corresponding percentages.
Also, Amazon sometimes offers special promotional rates during certain periods, meaning you can get more commission during special events.
How Much People Can Make Using This Program?
Earnings from Amazon’s Affiliate Program can vary widely based on a few key factors such as your niche, the traffic you drive to Amazon, and the commission rates for different product categories. Here’s a general idea:
- Starting Out: If you’re just beginning and generating minimal traffic, you might earn around $100 to $500 per month, maybe even less.
- Moderate Level: With consistent traffic and good conversions, you could earn between $500 to $2,000 per month.
- High Earners: For those with significant traffic and excellent conversion rates, earnings can range from $2,000 to $20,000 per month or even more.
Now let’s get to the main part:
How to Sign Up For Amazon Affiliate Program?
Before you learn how to join Amazon Affiliate Program, you need to have some qualifications, meet a few criteria, and follow a specific process:
1. Amazon Affiliate Program Requirements
- You must have a website, blog, or social media presence and your content should adhere to Amazon’s policies
- You must be at least 18 years old to join the Amazon Associates program. (If you’re under 18, you’ll need a parent or legal guardian to sign up on your behalf.)
- There are promotional limitations
2. Sign-Up Process
- Go to the Amazon Associates website and click on ‘Sign Up.’
- Enter details about your traffic strategy and choose your unique affiliate identifier.
- Provide your payment details.
- Complete identity verification.
- Submit your application and start promoting.
Once approved, you’ll gain access to Associates Central, where you can start creating links and earning commissions. Now the question is how to do so.
How to Start Earning Income From The Amazon Associates Affiliate Program
Getting started with this program is pretty easy, all you need to do is follow these steps:
1. Log into Associates Central: Once again, go to Amazon Associates Central and sign in with your account.
2. Find Products to Promote: Browse Amazon and select products relevant to your niche or audience. You can use the search bar in Associates Central to find specific items.
3. Generate Affiliate Links:
- Click on the product you want to promote.
- Use the ‘SiteStripe’ toolbar at the top of the page to create your unique affiliate link. You can generate text links, image links, or both. Then, copy the generated link.
4. Share Your Links: Insert your affiliate links into your website, blog, social media posts, or email newsletters.
5. Track Your Performance: you can use the analytics tools in Associates Central to monitor the performance of your links.
5. Earn Commissions: You will earn commissions when someone clicks on your affiliate link and makes a qualifying purchase. Amazon handles transactions, shipping, and customer service.
6. Receive Your Income: Amazon typically pays affiliate commissions approximately 60 days after the end of the month in which the earnings were made. For example, if you earned commissions in January, you would receive your payment around the end of March.
Amazon also offers several payment options, including direct deposit, Amazon.com gift certificates, or checks. However, this is not the final step, there is one more stage before you completely become an Amazon associate and receive the final approval:
Final Step: Amazon Affiliate Program Review of Your Performance
Amazon will evaluate your account based on your ability to drive sales within the first 180 days. You must generate at least three sales within this period to remain eligible.
If you don’t make any sales in the first three months, Amazon might review your account. Sometimes, they deactivate accounts that aren’t generating any sales within that initial period. But don’t worry—you can reapply and try again if this happens.
Once you meet the performance criteria and comply with Amazon’s policies, your account will receive final approval.
Pros & Cons of The Amazon Affiliate Marketing Program
The Amazon Affiliate Program offers several key benefits and things have looked pretty promising so far.
It’s a famous brand and you can find almost anything to promote, it’s free to join, and you can have a global reach.
Amazon also provides detailed reports and analytics. This way you can track your performance, see which products are generating sales, and optimize your strategies accordingly.
So far so good, right? Now let’s face some facts and discover the hidden side of Amazon associates:
- Low Commission Rates: Amazon’s commission rates vary between 1% and 10%, depending on the product category. This means you may need to generate a high volume of sales to earn significant income. Suppose your chosen product is 10 dollars and gives you a 2% commission, so you only get $0.2 per sale. This means you need to make 100 people buy that product to earn $20.
- Short Cookie Duration: Amazon’s affiliate tracking cookies last only 24 hours. If a customer clicks your affiliate link but makes a purchase after 24 hours, you won’t receive a commission for that sale. That’s why many users decide to switch to some of the best Amazon affiliate marketing tools that offer longer cookie duration.
- Strict Compliance Requirements: The Amazon Associates Program has strict rules that you must follow. Failure to comply, including proper disclosure and link placement, can result in account suspension or termination.
- Limited Payment Options: Amazon mainly pays affiliates via direct deposit, Amazon gift cards, or checks. PayPal is not supported, which can be inconvenient for some affiliates.
- No Control Over Product Availability and Pricing: As an Amazon affiliate, you have no control over the availability or pricing of the products you promote. Out-of-stock items or price changes can impact your earnings.
- High Competition: The popularity of Amazon’s affiliate program means there is a lot of competition, making it harder to stand out and earn commissions.
- No Recurring Commissions: Amazon does not offer recurring commissions, so you only earn from the initial purchase made through your affiliate link. You won’t earn from future purchases by the same customer.
- Regional Limitations: Amazon’s affiliate program is divided into regional marketplaces (e.g., Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk). You need to sign up separately for each region and generate affiliate links for each, which can be cumbersome.
- Approval Process: Some affiliates may find the approval process stringent, especially if their website does not meet Amazon’s criteria.
- Payout Thresholds: Amazon has minimum payout thresholds that must be met before you receive your earnings. If your earnings don’t meet the threshold, your payment will be delayed.
- Policy Changes: Amazon can change its policies, commission rates, and terms of service at any time, which can affect your earnings and strategy.
- Limited Customization: Amazon provides limited customization options for affiliate links and widgets, which may not fit seamlessly with your website’s design.
- Mixed Opinions About Amazon Analytics: Some users have reported technical issues, such as broken links or widgets, which can be frustrating. There are also complaints about the lack of timely customer support when issues arise with the analytics tools.
So, what’s the decision? Is Amazon Associates worth the time and effort? Let me give you a tip:
Here’s a Better Suggestion to Earn Money: AlgoRift.
One of the best ways to boost your affiliate earnings is by connecting with top brands and creating effective partnerships. That’s where AlgoRift.ai comes in.
AlgoRift.ai is a platform designed to streamline the process of connecting Brands in the U.S. with a diverse network of affiliates—ranging from content creators and bloggers to social media influencers.
AlgoRift.ai offers several advantages over the Amazon Associates program, making it a compelling choice for affiliates and sellers:
- Higher Earnings Potential: AlgoRift provides a competitive commission structure that can result in higher earnings compared to Amazon Associates. Affiliates will earn a %20 commission per sale, which sounds much more promising than Amazon’s %2 commission you will receive after 2 months, right?
- Advanced Tools: AlgoRift offers advanced analytics, performance tracking, and collaboration features that help affiliates optimize their marketing strategies and boost revenue.
- Exclusive Brand Partnerships: AlgoRift allows affiliates to partner with exclusive brands, providing access to unique products and higher commission rates.
- Seamless Integration: AlgoRift integrates seamlessly with Amazon’s API, ensuring accurate order and sales tracking.
- Custom Commission Structures: Sellers can set flexible commission rates to incentivize affiliates, driving higher sales without the high costs of traditional advertising.
- Daily Performance Tracking: AlgoRift provides daily performance tracking much stronger than Amazon Associates Analytics, allowing affiliates to monitor clicks, conversions, and earnings in real-time.
- No Initial Costs: AlgoRift offers a forever-free plan with essential features, making it accessible to affiliates without any financial barriers.
- Enhanced Collaboration: AlgoRift fosters seamless collaboration between sellers and affiliates, enhancing marketing efficiency and sales performance.
Overall, AlgoRift.ai provides a more lucrative and efficient platform for affiliates and sellers, offering advanced tools, higher earnings potential, and better collaboration opportunities compared to Amazon Associates.
Brands and Sellers Can:
- Launch and Manage Affiliate Programs: Easily create contracts for specific products and brands with custom commissions.
- Access a Vast Network: Gain exposure to a large pool of affiliates, driving more external traffic and boosting sales.
- Integrate Seamlessly: Add unlimited brands and link up to two Seller Central accounts via the Amazon Ads API.
Affiliates Can:
- Branded Affiliate Pages: Customize your personal affiliate page to showcase your style.
- Intermediary Landing Pages: Create dedicated landing pages to better funnel and convert traffic.
- Coupon Leverage: Utilize seller-provided coupons to offer better deals to your audience.
Unique Features:
- Coupon Management: Sellers can create coupons and assign them to affiliates, who can leverage these offers to boost conversions.
- Custom Contract Partnerships: Form contracts with tailored commission structures for flexible, performance-driven collaborations.
- Multi-Brand and Account Support: Add unlimited brands and integrate multiple Seller Central accounts for broader campaign management.
With AlgoRift.ai, simplifying and enhancing your affiliate marketing efforts has never been easier. Connect with top affiliates and boost your sales today!
Now, you might have heard of other plans of Amazon like the influencer program or Amazon Prime program. Let’s take a look at these programs too:
The Amazon Prime Affiliate Program
Amazon Prime Affiliate Program is part of the Amazon Associates Program. As an affiliate, you can earn commissions by promoting Amazon Prime memberships and other qualifying products. Here’s a simplified explanation:
- Promote Prime Memberships: You can earn money by promoting Amazon Prime memberships.
- Commissions: You earn $3 for every person who signs up for a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime through your affiliate link. If they continue with the membership, you also earn commissions on other qualifying purchases they make.
- Tools Provided: Amazon gives you text links and banners to help you promote the free trial.
- Track Earnings: You can see how much you’ve earned from these referrals in your Associates Central account.
Amazon Influencer Program vs Affiliate Program
You might have heard of the Amazon influencer program too. Both the Amazon Affiliate Program (Amazon Associates) and the Amazon Influencer Program offer opportunities to earn commissions by promoting Amazon products, but they cater to different types of content creators. Here’s a shorter comparison:
Amazon Affiliate Program
- For: Website owners, bloggers
- How: Create affiliate links and share through content
- Commission: 3% to 10%
- Dependency: Requires driving traffic
Amazon Influencer Program
- For: Social media influencers
- How: Create a custom storefront and share product recommendations
- Commission: Similar to the Affiliate Program, including offsite conversions
- Dependency: Leverage existing audience
Which One to Choose?
- Amazon Affiliate Program: Best if you have a website or blog and are comfortable creating diverse content to drive traffic.
- Amazon Influencer Program: Ideal if you’re a social media influencer looking for an easy way to monetize your existing audience without needing to build a website.
Wrapping Up
The Amazon Affiliate Program is a great way to earn money by recommending products you love. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to this or if you’ve been at it for a while—Amazon’s trusted brand and fame has your back. Just start sharing the products you’re passionate about and see where it takes you.
FAQs
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions about the affiliate program Amazon:
Q1. How Much Do Amazon Affiliates Get Paid?
Amazon affiliates earn a commission based on the product category they promote. Commission rates range from 1% to 20%, with an average of around 4%. For example, promoting digital products like Kindle eBooks typically earns a 6% commission, while promoting luxury beauty products can earn up to 10%.
Q2. Do You Need 500 Followers For Amazon Affiliate?
There’s no strict follower count requirement, but Amazon generally looks for affiliates with a substantial and engaged audience. For social media influencers, having at least 500 followers is often recommended to show credibility and reach.
Q3. Can You Make $100 A Day With Affiliate Marketing?
It’s possible, but it depends on factors like your niche, audience size, engagement, and the commission rates of the products you promote. Consistent effort, quality content, and effective marketing strategies are key to achieving this goal.
Q4. Is Amazon Affiliate Program Free?
Yes, the Amazon Affiliate Program (Amazon Associates) is free to join. There are no fees to become an affiliate, and you can start earning commissions as soon as you start promoting products and driving sales through your unique affiliate links.
Q5. How To Sign Up For Amazon Affiliate Program Without Website?
You can sign up for the Amazon Affiliate Program without having your own website and the process won’t be any different. Here’s how to do it:
- Sign Up: Go to Amazon Associates Central and click on the ‘Sign up’ button.
- Provide Your Information: Fill out the registration form with your name, phone number, and address.
- Approval: Amazon will review your application and approve it if you meet their criteria.
