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Amazon Affiliate Program for Beginners [DOs & DON'Ts]

Education

Introduction

Are you ready to dive into the world of the Amazon Affiliate Program but feeling overwhelmed by the rules and guidelines? Don't worry; I'm here to help you untangle the Amazon Associates program by breaking down the essential do's and don'ts. This guide will allow you to start earning without the stress of accidentally breaking the rules.

Disclaimer: Although I am a lawyer by profession, this information does not constitute legal advice. It is for educational purposes only. Please refer to the full disclaimers linked in the description box.

Do: Make Three Sales Within the First 180 Days

When you sign up for the Amazon Associates program, you’ll need to make at least three qualifying sales within 180 days. Qualifying sales mean that the products must be purchased by someone who clicked your affiliate link and completed the purchase (including payment and shipping) within 24 hours. Failing to make three sales can lead to the closure of your account.

Tips to Make Sales:

  1. Website Traffic: Ensure your blog is attracting visitors. More visitors mean better chances of making sales.
  2. Content Distribution: Use social media, search engine optimization (SEO), and email marketing to get your content seen.
  3. Timing: Consider seasonal shopping periods. Joining before busy times (like holidays) increases your chances of sales.

Link cloaking and shortening can make your links look cleaner, but Amazon doesn’t permit this. They prefer customers to know they are headed to Amazon when they click a link. However, you can use Amazon’s own link shortener, which maintains transparency.

Do: Use the Exact Amazon Verbiage

You are required to include a specific affiliate disclosure on your website. I recommend copying and pasting the current standard disclosure provided by Amazon. This compliance is essential under Federal Trade Commission guidelines, and failure to do so can result in fines.

Include all URLs where you plan to share affiliate links in your Amazon account. This helps Amazon track where the links are being used. Make sure your affiliate links are placed on publicly accessible pages. Avoid using them in emails, offline documents, or private groups.

Use the nofollow tag on your affiliate links to inform search engines not to follow these links. This is a common SEO practice that helps maintain website integrity.

Never use your affiliate links for your own purchases or solicit friends and family to do so. Amazon has a sophisticated tracking system that can catch these activities, leading to account termination.

Incentivizing clicking your affiliate links—such as cash backs, rebates, or discounts—is against Amazon’s rules.

Don't: Use Amazon Logos or Reviews

Unauthorized use of the Amazon logo or including Amazon reviews in your content can result in account termination, as these are proprietary assets owned by Amazon.

Don't: Mention Prices in Your Content

You cannot list product prices in your promotional content unless you show the current price. Amazon wants to avoid the confusion caused by price fluctuations, and it is essential to ensure accurate pricing. Plugins like AmzLinks can automatically pull the current price, ensuring your content remains compliant.

Conclusion

The Amazon Associate Program presents an excellent opportunity for bloggers to generate income, but strict adherence to the rules is crucial. Failing to comply can result in account termination, causing a loss of potential earnings. Understanding and following Amazon's guidelines ensures you can enjoy the benefits of the program without the risk of penalties.

If you're interested in more tips about building a compliant and profitable affiliate marketing strategy, be sure to check out my upcoming video on creating a legally compliant affiliate disclosure.

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FAQ

1. What is the Amazon Affiliate Program?
The Amazon Affiliate Program, also known as Amazon Associates, allows individuals to earn commissions by promoting and linking to Amazon products.

2. How many sales do I need to make within the first 180 days?
You need to make at least three qualifying sales within the first 180 days of joining the program.

3. Can I shorten my Amazon affiliate links?
No, Amazon does not allow link cloaking or shortening. Use Amazon’s own link shortener instead.

4. What should I include in my affiliate disclosure?
You must have a specific affiliate disclosure provided by Amazon, indicating that you may earn a commission from purchases made through your affiliate links.

5. Can I use my affiliate links for personal purchases?
No, you cannot use your affiliate links for personal purchases or encourage others to do so; it is against Amazon's rules.

6. What should I do if I mention prices in my content?
Do not mention prices unless you can ensure they are current, as this can lead to customer confusion. Use plugins that automatically update prices when necessary.