Amazon Associates Disclosure

Amazon Associates Program: Key Guidelines for Success

Here’s a comprehensive guide that synthesizes key aspects of the Amazon Associates Program, helping you navigate the rules and optimize your participation:

1. Transparency & Disclosure:
   • Be upfront: Always clearly disclose your participation in the Amazon Associates Program. A statement like “JustPickUpLines.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com” should be prominently displayed. Use #ad or #commissionsearned near your affiliate link or product review, ensuring it’s easily noticeable.
2. Tracking IDs are Essential:
   • Always Include Tracking IDs: Every Amazon affiliate link must contain a Tracking ID. This helps you monitor link performance and ensures proper commission attribution.
   • Manage Tracking IDs: You can create and manage Tracking IDs in your Associates Central account. Use different IDs for different sites/channels (e.g., blog vs. YouTube) to track performance.
3. Authentic Customer Reviews:
   • Honest Opinions: If you leave customer reviews, they must be your genuine, unbiased opinions.
   • No Incentives: Never accept compensation or incentives (cash, discounts, free products) for posting reviews.
4. Trademark Usage:
   • Correct Use: Adhere to Amazon’s trademark guidelines when using their logos and trademarks.
   • Proper Attribution: Include the statement “Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates” on your site.
   • Restrictions: Don’t use “Amazon” or variations in your domain name or social media handles.
5. Website & Social Channels:
   • Keep Updated: Ensure your website and social media URLs are current in your Associates Central account.
   • Complete URLs: Provide the full profile URL for social media accounts (e.g., www.instagram.com/YourHandle), not just the general site address.
6. Commissions:
   • New Customers: You earn commissions by referring new customers to Amazon. Purchases made by you, your friends, or family usually don’t qualify.
   • No Price Tracking: Don’t track pricing details or set up pricing alerts using Amazon’s APIs.
7. Offline Linking Restrictions:
   • Digital Only: Affiliate links should be shared primarily through websites, apps, and opt-in messaging.
   • No Physical Sharing: Don’t share links via printed material, verbally, or on the phone.
8. Public Sites Required:
   • Accessible Content: Your websites and social media profiles must be publicly viewable, without password restrictions.
9. Product Representation:
   • Accurate Descriptions: Avoid implying that items are duplicates or facsimiles of designer items.
   • Appropriate Language: Use terms like “shop the look,” “inspired by,” or “similar to” instead of “dupe” or “knockoff.”
10. Content Guidelines:
    • Original Content: Ensure all content is original and doesn’t violate copyright.
    • Appropriate Content: Don’t promote hate speech, false information, or illegal activities.
    • Relevance: Amazon Product Ads or links on your website need relevant original content.
11. Traffic Sources:
    • Organic Traffic: Drive organic traffic through enriching content on your site.
    • Restrictions: Don’t use search engines or ads to directly increase traffic to Amazon via your affiliate links. Do not bid on Amazon keywords.
12. Linking Practices:
    • Meaningful Links: Links should take customers to specific products relevant to your content.
    • No Home Page Redirects: Avoid sending customers to the Amazon home page without a specific product in mind.
    • Site Ownership: Special links should only be on sites you own and control.
13. Product Advertising API (PAAPI):
    • Proper Usage: Use PAAPI data to direct customers to the Amazon site.
    • Data Restrictions: Don’t use PAAPI data to drive traffic from third-party sites. Access to PAAPI is granted after you’ve completed three sales.