The Amazon Associates Program: 17 Pros and Cons to Consider Before Joining

If you’re thinking of joining the Amazon Associates Program, this is the ultimate guide for you. We’ll outline everything you need to know about the program, including how to get started and what benefits it has to offer.

What is the Amazon Associates Program?

The Amazon Associates Program is an affiliate marketing scheme run by Amazon. It enables bloggers and website owners to advertise Amazon products and profit from any resulting sales. The program allows participants to add unique affiliate links that point customers to Amazon on their websites or social media profiles. 

Amazon Associates Program Homepage

Signing up for the program is free. You will receive a commission if a potential customer clicks on the Amazon link on your website and purchases the item. The commission varies by product category and is between 1% and 20%.

With over 12 million products and an average hourly sales volume of $17 million, Amazon is the largest online retailer and generated net sales of $502.19 billion in 2022. 

How Does Amazon Associates Program Work?

Imagine you run a blog about books and you want to suggest a book that is available on Amazon. When you sign up for the Amazon Associates program, you will receive a unique link that you can use on your blog. If someone clicks on that link, they will be directed to Amazon.com, where they can purchase the book, and you will receive a commission on the sale.

It’s important to remember that you can advertise any product on Amazon, not just books. Everything that is sold on Amazon, from clothing to electronics, can be advertised. And the more people who use your links to purchase items from Amazon, the more money you can make.

One thing to keep in mind is that in order to take part in the Amazon Associates program, you must have your own website or blog. And you must abide by the rules established by Amazon, which include disclosing your affiliation with the retailer, not pressuring readers to make purchases, and abstaining from other deceptive tactics.

available-website-for-amazon-associates-program

Overall, the Amazon Associates program is a fantastic way for website or blog owners to make money by promoting products on Amazon. It’s a simple process that doesn’t involve a lot of work if you want to earn some extra cash.

All you have to do is post the unique links to your website or blog and wait for customers to use them to make purchases. Your ability to make money increases with how well-liked your website or blog is.

Who May Join the Amazon Associates Program?

Affiliates from all over the world are welcome at Amazon. However, not everyone is eligible to join the program. 

First, as mentioned earlier you need to have a website with at least ten entries of unique content or a social media account (either a business page or a public group page) with a significant number of followers. This is because the Amazon Associates program is intended for individuals or companies with their own websites or blogs.

If you don’t have a website or a blog, you can’t join the program.

amazon-associates-program-application-rejected

Second, your content needs to be suitable for promoting Amazon products. For instance, you cannot advertise items that are forbidden or that encourage violence or hatred. Additionally, you are not allowed to advertise goods that have nothing to do with the subject matter of your website or blog.

The third requirement is that you be at least 18 years old. Amazon requires that all affiliates be at least 18 years old, so if you are not yet 18, you can’t join the program.

Fourth, you must possess a current tax ID. If you plan on earning money as an Amazon affiliate, you need to have a valid tax ID, such as a Social Security number or a taxpayer ID number. This is because Amazon needs to report your earnings to the government for tax purposes.

Finally, you must abide by the rules established by Amazon. Amazon has guidelines that you must abide by, including disclosing your affiliation with the company, refraining from pressuring readers to make purchases, and abstaining from other deceptive tactics.

Your account may be terminated or suspended if you don’t abide by these guidelines.

It’s also important to keep in mind that, due to ethical, political, or other considerations, some nations are not permitted to participate in the Amazon Associates program. To find out if yours is one of these nations, it’s best to contact Amazon.

How Much Can Amazon Affiliates Earn with the Program?

You can make from $100 to $25,000 from an Amazon affiliate website. However, the amount of money you can earn as an Amazon affiliate varies depending on several variables concerning your website or blog such as

  • The product you promote
  • The amount of traffic a website can expect
  • The number of visitors who will click on the affiliate links
  • Guess, how many people can be the real buyers
  • Also, imagine the average price they may spend
  • And, what could be the commission rate

For example, if you promote a high-priced item and a lot of people click on your affiliate link and buy it, you will earn a higher commission. On the other hand, if you promote a lower-priced item and fewer people buy it, you will earn a lower commission.

The commission rate for Amazon Affiliates ranges from 1% to 10% based on the category of the product. For example, the commission rate for books is typically 4%, while the commission rate for electronics is typically 1-2%.

On average, an affiliate can earn around 2-5% commission on each sale. However, this can vary greatly depending on the product category and the volume of sales. So, for a product that costs $100 and you earn a 3% commission, you will earn $3 for each sale.

It’s important to note that the commission rate and earning potential can change over time, depending on the promotion or offer by Amazon. Also, the earning potential can also depend on how much traffic your website or blog receives. The more traffic your website or blog receives, the more potential sales you can make, and the more money you can earn.

To give you an idea, some affiliates earn a few hundred dollars a month, while others earn thousands of dollars a month. It really depends on how much traffic your website or blog receives and how well you promote the products.

It’s also important to note that Amazon Affiliates have additional ways to make money besides just the commission on sales. For example, they can make money for each affiliate link click and for each Amazon Prime subscription that results from their links.

How do Amazon Affiliates get paid?

Depending on their location and account settings, Amazon Associates can choose how they want to be paid. Here are a few common ways that Amazon Associates can get paid:

Direct Deposit: Amazon Affiliates have the option of choosing to have their earnings transferred straight to their bank account. This is typically the quickest and most convenient method of payment.

Check: Amazon Affiliates have the option of receiving their checks by mail. This method of payment might take a little longer than direct deposit, but it may be useful for those who don’t have a bank account or would rather get a physical check in the mail.

Amazon Gift Card: Amazon Associates have the option of selecting an Amazon gift card as their payment method. For those who prefer to shop on Amazon with their earnings, this can be helpful.

It’s important to note that all taxes and other fees related to their earnings are the responsibility of Amazon Associates, who should seek advice from a tax expert if they have any doubts about their tax liabilities.

How soon will Amazon Associates receive the commission in full credit?

The commission is typically credited to the associate’s account within 24 hours of the purchase, however, in some cases, it may take up to 72 hours for the commission to be credited.

It’s important to remember that there are some situations in which the attribution of the commission may be delayed. The commission won’t be credited to the associate’s account, for instance, if a customer returns a product or cancels their order. Additionally, the commission might be scaled back or not given at all if a customer uses a coupon or promo code that wasn’t given to them by the associate.

It’s also worth noting that Amazon has a return policy for affiliate commissions, which states that commissions will be paid on all items returned within 90 days from the date of purchase. So, if a customer returns an item within 90 days, the commission will be returned to the associate’s account.

When does Amazon Associates get paid?

Payments to Amazon Associates are made on a monthly basis, usually in the middle of the month. The monthly payment cycle begins on the first and ends on the last day. Once the payment cycle is over, Amazon will calculate the total earnings for each associate and send out the payment around the middle of the next month.

For example, if an associate earns $200 in the month of January, Amazon will calculate their earnings at the end of January, and then send out the payment around the middle of February.

happy-affiliate-earning-money-from-amazon-associates-program

It’s important to note that there is a minimum payment threshold for Amazon Associates. The threshold is typically $100, so an associate must earn at least $100 in a month before they will be paid. If an associate does not earn at least $100 in a month, their earnings will roll over to the next month until they reach the threshold.

It’s also important to note that some countries may have different payment schedules, so it’s best to check with Amazon for specific information regarding the payment schedule for your country.

How much commission do you receive from Amazon Associates Program?

The commission schedule for Amazon plays a significant part in your overall earnings. The percentage you earn can vary depending on the type of product being sold. But usually, it ranges from around 4% to 10%. So, if your website promotes goods with high commission rates, you might anticipate making more money. 

Amazon Associates Program Commission Rates

Now that you are aware of how the Amazon Associates Program operates, why should you sign up? I’ll list some of them here:

17 Pros and Cons to Consider Before Joining the Amazon Associates Program

Pros of Becoming an Amazon Associate

1. Trustworthy Brand

Amazon generated $502.19 billion in revenue in 2022, surpassing the combined sales of the next 14 largest U.S. retailers. This is a well-known, popular website. To put this into perspective, consider that Amazon made $1.38 billion per day, $57.3 million per hour, and $955 thousand per minute last year. 

There are currently 200 million Amazon Prime members worldwide and 163.5 million in the United States. Because Amazon offers free two-day (or even one-day) shipping for all orders, Prime members are more likely to shop there than at other eCommerce sites. As a result of its extensive online presence, Amazon’s reputable brand works in your favor.

2. Massive Selection of Goods

You have access to millions of products as an Amazon Associate. Since you have access to everything they offer, you will never run out of goods to advertise.

Products are available in almost every market niche. You’ll find something to market, no matter what the foundation of your blog or website is. Toys, exercise gear, clothing, music, books, electronics, food supplements, and pretty much anything else you can think of that fits your interests and passions are available. 

From inexpensive to expensive, there are a variety of product prices. This enables you to advertise to different target audiences or select low- to high-ticket promotions for various objectives.

3. Free to Join

It costs nothing to join the Amazon Associates program. There are no prerequisite traffic metrics that must be met before becoming an Amazon Associate. You can start earning money from the Amazon affiliate link without investing a single dollar of your own money. To remain in the program, you only need to make three sales within 180 days of joining.

4. Simple Joining Process

The joining process is easy and straightforward. 

First, go to the Amazon Associates Program website and create an account. Then, you will need to fill out some information about yourself, such as your name and website.

Next, you will need to choose the products that you want to promote on your website or social media. After that, you will get special links that you can share with your audience.

That’s how simple it is! You can easily register and start sharing affiliate links in just a few minutes.

5. Universal Cookie

Every purchase made by visitors who click your affiliate link within 24 hours results in a commission for you. This also applies to items for which you did not provide a product link.

If, for instance, you have an Amazon affiliate link pointing to a book on home decor and the person who clicks it ultimately purchases a furniture set, you will still be paid a commission for the furniture even though it isn’t the item you are promoting.

6. Amazon Helps You Sell More using their analytics tools

A unique tracking ID is assigned to each affiliate link. Amazon offers an analytics-based reporting dashboard that gives you the information you need to improve your promotions. 

Reports can help you better understand your target market, including what they want and what they are purchasing. You can even see what extra products your referrals are purchasing (but for which you did not provide a link). If you notice a trend and it makes sense given your content, you can include these new products in your promotions.

7. Amazon’s Upselling and Conversion Strategy

Amazon is skilled at turning visitors into customers. The conversion and upselling machine on Amazon never stops. Amazon will make every effort to persuade readers to buy more items, even if they initially clicked on your link with the intention of buying just one thing.

They are very effective because Amazon presents product categories like “Recommended,” “Frequently Bought Together,” and “Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought” type recommendations on their website by using the most recent artificial intelligence technology to analyze visitor buying behaviors.

Amazon uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to provide personalized recommendations!

8. Amazon’s efficient sales follow-up campaign

Let’s say your prospect goes onto Amazon, and they don’t continue to checkout, Amazon can follow up with them via “Cart Abandonment” emails or text messages.

These emails offer a direct link to finish the transaction and serve as a reminder of the items in the visitor’s shopping cart. These campaigns include tailored product recommendations, discount deals, and other inducements to persuade the visitor to come back and finish the transaction.

These follow-ups assist you in sales opportunities by raising the likelihood that your prospect will visit the Amazon store again to complete the transaction and pay you a commission.

9. Amazon’s Reliability and Great Customer Service

Amazon offers a live chat/customer service option for visitors who have questions or concerns about their purchase. This allows visitors to get help quickly and easily, which can improve the chances of them completing a purchase.

You don’t need to worry about customer complaints as long as the products you suggest are reliable because Amazon handles all customer service.

You provide the recommendation, and Amazon takes care of everything else, so this is where the income is passive.

10. Multiple Payment Options

The fact that Amazon offers a variety of payment methods helps its affiliates because it makes it easier for customers to purchase products. This can also increase the likelihood that customers will complete a purchase because they are more likely to find a payment option that works for them. This can lead to more sales for the affiliates.

11. Get Paid every 30 days

There are many affiliate programs in the market that pay after 60 or 90 days, but Amazon significantly reduces those paydays by requiring its Associates to receive payment every 30 days.

Getting paid every 30 days can provide you with a consistent income, which can help you improve your cash flow so you can plan and budget for your expenses. 

With an early and consistent commission payout, you will have a clear view of your earnings and performance, which can help them understand your progress and make necessary adjustments to improve your business.

Cons of Becoming an Amazon Associate

1. The Opportunity is only 24 Hours

The cookie life of Amazon is just 24 hours. This means that you will receive a commission whenever a customer uses your affiliate link to visit Amazon.com and adds one or more qualifying items to their Shopping Cart within 24 hours.

After the customer submits his order or visits Amazon.com again via a link from an associate, this 24-hour window expires. Once the window is closed, you will not earn a commission on any subsequent purchases. 

However, it is naturally possible for a customer to access Amazon.com through your affiliate link, add a product to his shopping cart, and then leave the site without making a purchase. In this case, as long as the item you are promoting was added to the customer’s shopping cart during this 24-hour window, you will still earn a referral commission if the purchase is made before the 90 days shopping cart expiration. 

2. Low affiliate commission

Generally speaking, compared to other affiliate networks, such as those promoting cloud software, professional services, or online courses, Amazon’s commission rates are lower, which can make it harder for affiliates to make a significant income.

One percent up to ten percent is the maximum commission rate for Amazon affiliates. As a result, the categories you can target, the price range of the goods your readers buy, and the volume of traffic to your site will determine whether or not this program is worthwhile for you to invest your time in.

3. Commission Rates can Change Anytime and Not in Your Favor

The fact that commission rates and programs on Amazon are subject to change at any time is one of their drawbacks. This can make it difficult for sellers and affiliates to plan and budget, as they may not know how much they will earn in the future. 

In April 2020, Amazon lowered commission rates, and it may do so once more in the future. There are no assurances that the 4% on which you rely won’t be reduced by half.

Any affiliate marketing network will, of course, be subject to change.

4. Payment Thresholds and Long waiting period

The payment threshold for the Amazon associates program is currently set at $100, which means that you must earn at least $100 in commissions before you can receive a payment. 

Additionally, payments are made on a monthly basis, and a customer’s order needs to be shipped first before your fees are earned. This means that you may have to wait up to sixty days after earning commissions. In other words, you won’t get paid if you earn a commission in October until late December.  

5. Really Strict TOC

Amazon has a strict set of guidelines that affiliates must adhere to in order to participate in the program, and any violation of these terms can result in the termination of your affiliate account. Amazon’s guidelines cover a wide range of topics, such as how and where affiliate links can be used, what types of content are permitted, and how commissions are calculated. 

Additionally, Amazon has strict rules about the use of its brand name and logos, which can make it difficult to effectively promote products without running afoul of the rules.

6. Limited marketing options

Since Amazon TOC are pretty strict, this means that you will have limited options when it comes to promoting products. 

Email marketing is not permitted. Emails cannot contain affiliate links to Amazon.com. As a result, you ought to look elsewhere if email marketing is your main means of affiliate promotion.

Additionally, if your blog posts contain links to Amazon affiliate products, you cannot send a full RSS email feed of all of your blog posts; however, sending a partial (not full) RSS email feed to your subscribers is acceptable. 

Being a member of the Amazon Associates Program has many more advantages than disadvantages. If you are willing to put in the work, the program has a lot of potentials to earn a lot of money. Here’s how to become an Amazon affiliate if you’re willing to put in the effort. 

How to apply for the Amazon Associates Program?

Your website must be up and running and contain at least a few original posts before you can apply to the Amazon associates program. If your website is active, you have a better chance of being accepted. For your YouTube channel or mobile app, you can also create an Amazon affiliate account as an alternative.

Step 1: Sign Up for the Amazon Associates Program

Visit the Amazon Associates program homepage to get started. Click the yellow Sign Up button in the header after making your language and location selections in the top menu.

On the following page, you must sign in using an existing Amazon account. You’ll be directed to a registration page if you don’t already have one by clicking the Create your Amazon account button:

After creating your account, go back to the Amazon Associates program homepage and sign in using your information. After that, you can begin completing the affiliate program application. 

Step 2: Enter Your Personal Details and Website Address

Let’s now go through the application in detail. You will be required to enter and verify your personal information, primarily your name, address, and mobile phone number, on the first page, titled “Account Information.”

Choose the primary contact for the account you are creating at the bottom of the page. If the payee listed above option is checked, you can designate yourself as the payee. Alternatively, by choosing the second choice, you can add another contact.

When finished, click Next to proceed to the list of websites and mobile applications.

The websites where you intend to advertise Amazon products can be added here. Websites, blogs, YouTube channels, and mobile apps can all be considered as part of this.

Step 3: Build Your Profile

You will be asked to fill out a form on the Profile page with some details about your website(s) or mobile app(s). Establish your Associate’s ID first. You can do this by using your name or the name of your website. Please take note that your affiliate links will also contain the ID.

Then, write a few sentences outlining the purpose of your website. Choose the topics that best describe your website from the lists provided, decide which Amazon products you want to promote, and decide which kind of website(s) or app(s) you own.

You must explain to Amazon how you’ll increase traffic to your website and monetize it in the section of the page titled “Traffic & Monetization.” The options that apply to your site can be chosen by using the lists provided: 

Consider reading the Amazon Associates Program Operating Agreement, which is referenced in the Contract Terms section, before pressing Finish.

Step 4: Select Your Payment Preferences

Once you have finished creating your profile and clicked Finish, a page confirming that your application has been submitted will appear. You’ll also discover information on using your Associate ID and utilizing the affiliate program.

Amazon will review your application once it has generated its first sale from your website. If you don’t produce three sales over the next 180 days, your application will be withdrawn.

You can wait to enter your payment and tax information even though you will be prompted to do so on this page.  

Step 5. Start Generating Your Affiliate Links Once Approved

how to Create Amazon Affiliate Links

Source: affiliate-program.amazon.com

Amazon has very strict guidelines regarding affiliate links. However, the website provides affiliates with a variety of product linking tools to choose from.  There are three ways to create links.

Product Link Tool

With the help of this tool, you can make text or image links.

  1. On your Associates Central dashboard, select the Product Linking tab.
  2. Pick “Product Links” from the drop-down menu.
  3. An ASID (Amazon Standard Identification Number) needs to be assigned to each item.
  4. Get a new affiliate link by clicking the “Go” button. 
  5. To create a URL with only images and other options, click “Get link.” 

Banner Creation Tool

Using this tool, you can create engaging banners that advertise Amazon products and deals.

  1. Open the drop-down menu for product linking.
  2. Select “Banner Creation Tool” from the menu.
  3. Pick from a wide selection of banners arranged by size and genre.

Site Stripe

The Site Stripe enables affiliates to create links directly from an Amazon page.

  1. Head over to Associates Central.
  2. Select “Site Stripe” under Tools.
  3. Before selecting the “Learn More” button to open the display settings window, read the brief description. 
  4. Set the toggle to “Enable.”

Be careful when incorporating affiliate links and make sure you follow the guidelines. The use of Amazon’s affiliate links is prohibited on a variety of marketing materials, including emails, eBooks, PDFs, private Facebook groups, and printed marketing materials.

Ready to start earning as an Amazon Associate?

Your affiliate marketing career can get off to a great start with the Amazon Associates Program. All you need to become one is a website, a social media account, or an app. You can start using Amazon once your application has been approved. 

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Rasumon Manuel
Rasumon Manuel

Rasumon is the guy behind Brainchild360. He earns a living by working from a laptop in various places, and he uses this website to teach you how you could do the same. Visit this page to read Rasumon's incredible story. If you want to send Rasumon a quick message, visit his contact page here.