If you’re looking to monetize your online presence, affiliate marketing is one of the most effective ways to do so. And when it comes to affiliate marketing, Amazon offers one of the largest and most trusted programs: Amazon Associates.
Amazon accounts for nearly half of the affiliate marketing industry, with more than 900,000 affiliate partners leveraging its vast marketplace. With millions of products available and a high consumer trust factor, Amazon makes it easy for affiliates to drive traffic and earn commissions.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about becoming an Amazon affiliate, from signing up to maximizing your earnings.
What is the Amazon Associates Program?
The Amazon Associates Program, similar to Replug’s affiliate program, is an affiliate marketing initiative that allows content creators, bloggers, publishers, and influencers to earn a commission by promoting Amazon products. When an affiliate shares an Amazon link and a visitor makes a purchase, the affiliate earns a percentage of the sale.
How does it work?
- Sign up for the program.
- Choose products to promote that align with your niche.
- Share affiliate links on your blog, website, or social media.
- Earn a commission when a user makes a purchase through your link.
Amazon’s commission rates range from 1% to 20%, depending on the product category. Additionally, affiliates earn commissions not just on the promoted product but on all purchases made within 24 hours of clicking their link.
Requirements for becoming an Amazon affiliate
To join the Amazon Associates Program, you need to meet specific eligibility criteria. Here are some requirements for becoming an Amazon affiliate:
General requirements
| Requirement | Description |
| Website/blog | Must have at least 10 original and recently published posts. |
| Social media | Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch are eligible, provided you have at least 500 followers. |
| Content quality | Your content should be engaging, informative, and original to attract users. |
| Activity requirement | You must make at least three sales within the first 180 days to stay active |
Common reasons for rejection
If your application fails at some point in the process, these could be potential reasons:
- Lack of sufficient content (empty or incomplete websites)
- Insufficient traffic or engagement
- Improper use of affiliate links
- Failure to generate three qualifying sales in the first 180 days
How much can you earn as an Amazon affiliate?
Amazon affiliate earnings are highly variable, influenced by factors like audience size and engagement, niche selection, content quality, conversion rates, and Amazon’s commission structure. Beginners with smaller audiences and developing strategies typically earn modestly at first.
While top Amazon affiliates can earn substantial amounts, the range is broad. Influencer Marketing Hub reports an average annual income of $55,434 for Amazon affiliates. However, some studies suggest affiliate marketers may earn less than $20,000 annually. According to ZipRecruiter, the national average annual salary for an Amazon affiliate is $77,893, with top earners making over $126,500 per year.
Top performers, often with established online platforms like popular websites, influential blogs, and large, engaged audiences, can see monthly earnings ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Pinpointing an exact starting income is difficult, but optimization is key to maximizing initial earnings.
Here’s a rough estimate of earnings:
| Earning level | Monthly income range |
| Beginner | $50 – $500 |
| Intermediate | $500 – $5,000 |
| Advanced | $5,000 – $50,000+ |
How to become an Amazon affiliate: Step-by-step guide
1. Sign up for Amazon Associates
- Go to Amazon Associates.
- Click Sign Up and enter your Amazon account credentials or create a new account.
2. Fill in your information
- Provide personal information and details about your affiliate channel.
- Select the main contact for the account.
3. Provide your website or social media details
- Add the URL of your website, blog, or social media account.
- You can add up to 50 websites or mobile apps.
- If using social media, ensure it meets the 500-follower requirement.
- After adding your site and clicking “Next,” you’ll be asked if it (or your app) targets children under 13. If so, it’s ineligible.
4. Set up your affiliate profile
- Provide your store name and create a store ID.
- Select topics and categories related to your niche.
- Explain how you drive traffic (SEO, social media, email marketing, etc.).
- Complete the security CAPTCHA and agree to the conditions.
5. Enter payment and tax information
- You will have several options for getting paid as an Amazon affiliate.
- Choose direct deposit, Amazon git card, or check for payments.
- Complete tax forms (especially for non-US affiliates).
6. Generate and share affiliate links
- Log into your Associate account. Now, all your links will be tagged with your unique Associate ID.
- Go to the product linking menu in the Associates Central dashboard.
- Search for Amazon products and create custom links containing your Associate ID.
- Alternatively, you can use Amazon’s SiteStripe tool (for Desktop) or GetLink (for mobile) to create affiliate links.
- Embed your affiliate link in blog posts, videos, or social media captions.
8. Start promoting and generating sales
- Drive traffic using SEO, content marketing, and social media.
- Track performance using Amazon’s dashboard.
8. Receive commission payouts
- Amazon processes payouts monthly, with a minimum threshold of $10 (direct deposit) or $100 (check).
- You’ll be paid monthly, 60 days after the end of the month you earned the money.
If you’re looking into how to become an Amazon affiliate seller, following these steps will help you get started and succeed.
Related: How to sell on Amazon: A complete guide for beginners
How Replug enhances Amazon affiliate marketing
Replug is a powerful link management tool that enhances affiliate marketing by offering multiple features designed to increase conversions and track performance. Here’s how:
1. Affiliate link cloaking and customization
Amazon prohibits traditional link cloaking, but with Replug, you can create custom, branded short links that look cleaner and more professional. These links increase trust and click-through rates.
2. Bio links for affiliates
Replug enables affiliates to create a single bio link containing multiple Amazon affiliate links. This feature is useful for social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where users can only place one clickable link in their bio.
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3. QR Codes for affiliate links
Replug lets you generate dynamic QR codes linked to your affiliate URLs, making it easier for users to scan and visit product pages instantly. This is especially useful for physical marketing materials and events.
4. Advanced link tracking
With Replug, you can track real-time clicks and geotargeting statistics on your Amazon affiliate links. This data helps affiliates understand which products perform best and optimize their earnings by employing the best marketing strategies.
5. Deep linking capabilities
Deep linking ensures that when users click your affiliate links, they are taken directly to the product page within the Amazon app (if installed). This improves user experience and increases conversion rates.
6. SMS and email link sharing
Replug allows affiliates to create SMS-friendly short links, enabling promotions via text messages and email campaigns without the risk of getting banned.
7. Link expiration
Affiliates promoting Amazon product sales or limited-time offer can use Replug to set up link expiration for their affiliate links, preventing broken pages and seamlessly redirecting users to active deals.
8. Retargeting pixel integration
Replug lets affiliates add retargeting pixels to their affiliate links. If a user clicks but does not complete a purchase, they can be retargeted with ads, increasing the likelihood of conversions.
9. Bridge pages with custom CTAs
Replug enables affiliates to create bridge pages with eye-catching call-to-action (CTA) buttons, warming up potential buyers before directing them to Amazon.
Using Replug in conjunction with Amazon Associates enhances link performance, improves tracking accuracy, and maximizes affiliate revenue. If you’re serious and curious about how to become a pro Amazon affiliate marketer, integrating Replug into your strategy can provide better results.
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Advanced strategies to boost your Amazon affiliate income
Once you’ve joined the Amazon Associates Program, implementing advanced strategies can help you increase your earnings. If you’re wondering how to become an Amazon affiliate and make the most of the program, these strategies will help:
1. Utilize email marketing
You can use newsletters to drive traffic to blog posts containing affiliate links. This strategy helps build trust and long-term engagement with your audience while improving your chances of making sales as an Amazon affiliate marketer.
2. Create video reviews
YouTube is a powerful tool for affiliate marketing. High-quality, detailed video reviews often lead to better engagement and conversion rates than traditional blog posts. Many successful affiliates use video content to showcase products, making it a great approach for those learning how to become an Amazon affiliate seller.
3. Run paid ads
Consider running PPC (pay-per-click) campaigns on Google or Facebook to direct traffic to high-converting affiliate content. If you’re exploring how to become an affiliate with Amazon, paid ads can help you reach a wider audience and generate more commissions.
4. Build an affiliate funnel
Create a landing page that provides value (such as a free guide or checklist) in exchange for an email sign-up. Then, nurture leads through email marketing and direct them to your affiliate links over time.
5. Optimize for voice search
With the rise of smart assistants like Alexa and Google Home, optimizing content for voice search can help you attract additional organic traffic. Structuring content in a conversational, question-answer format improves its chances of appearing in voice search results. If you want to become an Amazon affiliate and make money, voice search is highly beneficial.
Related: High ticket affiliate marketing: A guide for beginners
Alternative ways to make money on Amazon
Aside from the Amazon Associates Program, there are other ways to generate income through the platform. If you’re looking into how to become an affiliate on Amazon but also want to explore additional revenue streams, consider these options:
| Program | Description |
| Amazon FBA | Sell physical products through Fulfillment by Amazon. |
| Kindle Direct Publishing | Publish and sell ebooks on Amazon. |
| Amazon Merch on Demand | Sell custom-designed merchandise without inventory. |
| Amazon Handmade | Sell handcrafted goods. |
Related: How to increase sales on Amazon: Understanding A10 [Updated]
How to promote Amazon products online
1. Comply with Amazon’s affiliate rules
Amazon enforces strict affiliate rules to maintain credibility and protect its brand. New affiliates must make a minimum number of sales within the first 180 days to keep their accounts active. Additionally, Amazon does not allow link cloaking, requiring all associates to clearly disclose their affiliation with the platform.
Amazon also has content display restrictions, meaning affiliates cannot use product images or prices from Amazon directly. Violating these policies can result in account termination.
2. Choose high-performing products
To maximize affiliate earnings, focus on high-demand products that align with your niche. Check Amazon’s Best Sellers list in relevant categories and select products with positive reviews and high conversion potential.
3. Optimize your products with keywords
Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial in driving traffic to your affiliate links. Conduct keyword research using tools like Helium 10’s Magnet to identify high-ranking keywords that potential buyers search for. Strategically integrate these keywords into your content for better visibility.
4. Create product-specific content
Engage your audience by writing detailed product reviews, listicles, and gift guides featuring Amazon affiliate links. Content types that perform well include:
- Comparison articles (e.g., “Best Laptops for Remote Work”)
- How-to guides (e.g., “How to Choose the Right Kitchen Blender”)
- Seasonal recommendations (e.g., “Top Holiday Gift Ideas for Tech Lovers”)
Related: How to Create Highly Shareable Content?
5. Promote your products across multiple channels
Successful Amazon affiliates diversify their promotional efforts by sharing affiliate links across blogs, YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest. You can easily drive traffic to blog posts or social media pages containing your links.
6. Use multiple tracking IDs
Amazon allows affiliates to create up to 100 tracking IDs, enabling better performance analysis across different channels. By tracking sales data, affiliates can refine their marketing strategies and focus on the most profitable platforms.
Pros and cons of the Amazon Affiliate Program
While Amazon’s affiliate program offers several benefits, it also comes with some challenges. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you:
| Pros | Cons |
| Access to millions of products | Low commission rates on some categories |
| Trusted brand with high conversion rates | Short 24-hour cookie window |
| Easy integration with websites & blogs | Commissions revoked if products are returned |
| Works with multiple content platforms | Payouts can take up to 60 days |
Conclusion
The Amazon Associates Program is an excellent way to monetize your content and generate passive income. By learning how to become an affiliate on Amazon, you can take advantage of one of the most trusted affiliate programs.
By leveraging tools like Replug, affiliates can boost their conversions, track user engagement, and maximize earnings. From custom short links to click tracking and retargeting, Replug offers powerful solutions for Amazon affiliates.
FAQs on how to become an Amazon affiliate
You must be at least 18 years old to join the Amazon Associates Program.
The sign-up process is quick, typically taking less than 10 minutes. However, getting approved and making your first three qualifying sales within 180 days will determine your long-term status in the program.
Replug allows affiliates to create branded short links, track clicks and conversions, and add retargeting pixels for remarketing. These features help optimize affiliate promotions, increasing overall earnings.
For social media accounts, Amazon requires at least 500 organic followers on eligible platforms like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.
You can promote Amazon products using social media platforms, YouTube, text, or email marketing. Having an active, engaged audience is key to success.
To earn money, focus on selecting high-demand products, optimizing content for SEO, and leveraging multiple channels such as blogs, social media, and paid advertising to drive conversions.
