How to Sign Up for Amazon Associates
A walkthrough of the Amazon Associates application, what Amazon checks, and the rules you agree to when you join.
- Section
- Amazon Associates
- Checked
Amazon Associates is Amazon's own affiliate program. You place links to Amazon, and the required statement says you earn from qualifying purchases. This page walks through the sign-up process only. For the wider picture, see the Amazon affiliate program page.
What you need before you apply
Amazon's Associates agreement and policies set a few conditions before you submit an application.
- You must be able to enter contracts. A minor cannot join.
- Your site must be publicly available. A private or locked site does not qualify.
- Your site must have original content.
- Sites aimed at children are not eligible.
The Amazon Associates agreement lets you place links on your website, social media content, app, or Alexa skill.
How the application works
- Submit an application.
- Amazon evaluates your application.
- Amazon tells you if it is accepted or rejected.
Amazon's policies say it will tell you the outcome either way.
What Amazon looks for in your site
Amazon's policies name two things about your site.
The first is original content. Amazon's policies say your site must have original content. Write your own product descriptions, reviews, and guides rather than copying text from other sites.
The second is your audience. Sites aimed at children are not eligible.
What to do if your application is rejected
A rejection is not always final. Amazon's policies say you can reapply if your application was rejected for unsuitable content.
Before you reapply, fix what fell short. Add original content. Make the site public. Remove anything aimed at children if that was the issue. Then submit again.
What you agree to at sign-up
When you join, you agree to the Associates Program Operating Agreement. A few of its terms shape how you work from day one.
The required statement. The agreement says you must use this statement: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You place it on your site to tell readers how you earn. For the wider rules on telling readers, see the page on FTC affiliate disclosure requirements.
No implied endorsement. The agreement says you may not imply that Amazon supports, sponsors, or endorses you. Write about products as an independent voice, not as a partner of Amazon.
Amazon's customers are not yours. The agreement says Amazon customers are not your customers. Someone who buys through your link is Amazon's customer after the click.
No traffic or income promise. The agreement says Amazon makes no promise about the traffic or commission income you can expect. Joining does not guarantee earnings of any kind.
Termination and withholding. The agreement says either side may end it at any time by giving written notice. It also says that if you break it, Amazon may stop paying all commission income owed to you. Read the full agreement before you agree to it.
Where you can place links once accepted
The agreement names the places you may put your links.
- Your website
- Your social media content
- Your app
- Your Alexa skill
Email has its own rule. Amazon's policies say you may put Special Links in emails and direct messages only if people opted in. Sending links to people who never asked for them breaks that rule.
One more rule applies to every link. Your Associates ID or tag must be a parameter in the URL of each link to Amazon.
What happens after approval
Once accepted, you can start placing links. Two things are worth reading next.
How the money reaches you is on the affiliate payouts page. Read the cookie window page. See also affiliate programs for bloggers and creators.