Sign Up Amazon Affiliate Program: A Step-By-Step Guide

The Amazon Affiliate Program is a program designed for content creators and  socia media influencers to monetize their audience by promoting the vast selection of products available on Amazon.

With a website or a social media platform like Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, Pintress or YouTube, and a  hush fan base, you can sign up for the Amazon affiliate program as a referrer and earn commissions when they click your  affiliate link and buy from Amazon.

Amazon offers a wide variety of products, from ebooks to fashion wears, there is always something available for everyone. All you need is to select a niche that you know best.

Here is a guide on Amazon program sign up:

What Is The Amazon Affiliate Program:

The Amazon Affiliate Program, also known as Amazon Associates, is a free affiliate marketing program that allows website owners, bloggers, publishers, and content creators to earn commissions by promoting products available on Amazon.

Here is how it works:

You sign up for the program through the Amazon Associates website. Once approved, you can generate unique affiliate links for millions of products on Amazon. These links contain a special code that identifies you as the referrer.

You then share these links with your audience on your website, blog, social media channels (like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok), or app.

When a user clicks on your special link and makes a qualifying purchase on Amazon, you earn a commission on that sale. The commission is a percentage of the sale price and varies by product category. A significant benefit is that you also get a commission on any other items the customer purchases within 24 hours of clicking your link, even if they don't buy the specific product you linked to.

To successfully join the Amazon affiliate program, you need:

1. An active platform: You must have a live and functioning website, blog, social media account, or app with original content. Amazon reviews applications and prefers platforms that have a steady flow of visitors.
2. Original content: Your platform should provide valuable, unique content and not just be a list of affiliate links.
3. Disclosure: You are required to clearly and prominently disclose to your audience that you are an Amazon Associate and may earn commissions from their purchases.
4. Sales within 180 days: You must generate at least three qualifying sales within the first 180 days of being approved to remain in the program. Personal orders do not count.
5. Compliance: You must agree to and abide by Amazon's Operating Agreement and other program policies, including rules about how you use links and trademarks and how you display product prices.

In essence, the Amazon Affiliate Program is a win-win: Amazon gets more traffic and sales, and you, as a content creator, get to monetize your platform by recommending products you genuinely believe in.

Sign Up Amazon Affiliate Program:

Signing up for the Amazon Affiliate Program (Amazon Associates) is a simple process, but you need to meet a few key requirements (as you have seen above) and provide specific information.

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Before you even start the application, you must have a live, functioning website, blog, or social media page with original content. Amazon will review your platform, and your application may be rejected if you don't have enough content or if your site is new and has very little activity. A good rule of thumb is to have at least 10 posts or a substantive number of followers on social media (e.g., at least 500 followers).

Step 1: Create an Amazon Account

• Go to the Amazon Associates homepage.
• Click on the "Sign up" button.

You will be prompted to log in to an existing Amazon account or create a new one. It is often recommended to use a separate account for your affiliate business to keep your personal and business activities distinct.

Step 2: Enter Your Account Information

This is where you enter your personal details (Payee Information), including your name, address, and phone number. Make sure this information is accurate, as it will be used for payments.

You will be asked to confirm who the main contact person is for the account. You can select "The payee listed above" if it's you.

Step 3: List Your Websites and Mobile Apps

On the next page, you will be asked to list all the websites, mobile apps, or social media pages you plan to use for promoting Amazon products.

You can list up to 50 URLs in total. This is a critical step, as Amazon will only approve your account for the specific platforms you provide. If you want to use a different site later, you will need to add it to your profile.

After adding your URLs, you will be asked if any of your sites are directed at children under the age of 13. Answer "No" unless that is your specific purpose, as these sites are not eligible.

Step 4: Build Your Profile

This section requires more detailed information about your platform.

Preferred Associates Store ID: Create a unique ID for your account. This is the tag that will appear in your affiliate links (e.g., yourblog-20). It is best to use a name that is easy to remember and relates to your website or brand.

What are your websites or mobile apps about? In this section, provide a brief description of the content on your platforms. Explain your niche and the kind of products you will be promoting.

What type of Amazon items do you intend to list? Select the product categories that are most relevant to your content (e.g., "Electronics," "Books," "Home & Kitchen," etc.).

What type is your website or mobile app? Select the best description for your platform from a drop-down menu (e.g., "Blog," "Content/Niche Website," "Social Media Page," etc.).

How do you drive traffic to your website? Explain your traffic generation strategy (e.g., "SEO," "Social Media," "Email," "Forums," "Offline," etc.).

How do you utilize your websites and apps to generate income? This is where you explain your monetization strategy. You can select "Amazon Associates is the only way I plan to monetize" or choose other options like "Display Advertising," "E-commerce," or "Other Affiliate Programs."

How do you usually build links? Describe how you will create your affiliate links (e.g., "Manually," "WordPress plugin," or "Other").

How many unique visitors does your website get per month? Give a realistic estimate of your monthly traffic.

What is the primary reason you are joining the Amazon Associates Program? Select the option that best fits your goals.

How did you hear about us? Select how you learned about the program.

Step 5: Finalize and Submit

Complete the CAPTCHA and read the Associates Program Operating Agreement. Make sure you understand and agree to the terms and conditions. This is crucial, as violating these policies can lead to your account being terminated.

Click "Finish" to submit your application.

After submitting your application, and if accepted, you will receive a unique Associate ID and gain immediate access to your dashboard, Associates Central.

You can start creating and using affiliate links right away.

Amazon will review your application after you have made your first three qualifying sales within the first 180 days. Your personal orders will not count towards this.

Note: If you fail to make three sales within this period, your account may be closed, but you can reapply.

By following these steps and ensuring your platform is active and has valuable content, you will be well on your way to becoming an Amazon Associate.

Amazon Affiliate Commission:

The Amazon Affiliate Program offers a commission structure that varies significantly depending on the product category. Understanding these rates is crucial for any affiliate marketer aiming to maximize their earnings.

Here is how the commission works:

1. Fixed Commission Rates: Amazon pays a fixed percentage commission for each product category. This means that a sale in the "Luxury Beauty" category will earn you a different percentage than a sale in "Electronics."

2. Universal Cookie: One of the most attractive features of the program is the "universal cookie." When a customer clicks your affiliate link, a cookie is placed in their browser for 24 hours. If that customer makes any qualifying purchase on Amazon within that 24-hour window, you will earn a commission on their entire cart, not just the specific product you linked to. This is a huge benefit and a primary reason why many content creators choose Amazon Associates.

3. Qualifying Purchase: A "qualifying purchase" means the product must be shipped and paid for by the customer. If a customer returns a product, the commission will be reversed.

4. Bounty Program: In addition to commissions on product sales, Amazon offers fixed bounties (flat fees) for promoting certain Amazon services. For example, you can earn a bounty for referring customers who sign up for a free trial of services like Audible, Amazon Prime, or Kindle Unlimited. These can be a great way to earn extra income, especially if your audience is interested in these types of services.

Examples of Commission Rates by Category

The commission rates are subject to change, but here is a general breakdown of typical rates in the U.S. program to give you an idea of the range:

High-Commission Categories (up to 20%):

• Amazon Games (20%)
• Luxury Beauty, Luxury Stores Beauty, Amazon Explore (10%)

Mid-to-High Commission Categories (4% - 5%):

• Digital Music, Physical Music, Handmade, Digital Videos (5%)
• Physical Books, Kitchen, Automotive (4.5%)

Mid-Range Commission Categories (3% - 4%):

• Apparel, Watches, Jewelry, Luggage, Shoes, Handbags & Accessories (4%)
• Toys, Furniture, Home, Home Improvement, Lawn & Garden, Pets Products, Headphones, Beauty, Musical Instruments, Tools, Sports, Baby Products (3%)

Lower Commission Categories (1% - 2.5%):

• PC, PC Components, DVD & Blu-Ray (2.5%)
• Televisions, Digital Video Games (2%)
• Amazon Fresh, Physical Video Games & Video Game Consoles, Grocery, Health & Personal Care (1%)

Zero Commission Categories (0%):

• Gift Cards, Wireless Service Plans, Alcoholic Beverages, and certain digital products.

How to Maximize Your Earnings:

Here is how to maximize earnings with the Amazon affiliate program:

1. Target High-Commission Categories: While you should always promote products relevant to your audience, being aware of higher-commission categories can help you prioritize your content strategy. For example, promoting a $100 luxury beauty product with a 10% commission ($10) will earn you more than a $100 electronics item with a 2% commission ($2).
2. Focus on High-Ticket Items: Even if a commission rate is low, a high-priced item can still result in a significant payout. A 3% commission on a $1,000 piece of furniture is $30, which is a great return for a single sale.
3. Leverage the Universal Cookie: Instead of just linking to a product, create content that encourages visitors to click through to Amazon and browse. A customer who clicks your link for a specific book but then buys a television and a set of headphones within the 24-hour period will earn you a commission on all those items.
4. Promote the Bounty Program: If your audience is likely to be interested in Amazon's services, promoting the free trials can be an excellent way to earn a flat fee without a direct product sale.

Bear in mind that the commission rates can be updated by Amazon at any time, so it's always a good practice to refer to the official Amazon Associates Program Commission Income Statement for the most current rates for your region.