Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Get Your Amazon Affiliate ID
Introduction: Becoming an Amazon affiliate allows you to earn commissions by promoting Amazon products through affiliate links. Your Amazon Affiliate ID is a unique identifier used to track your referrals and ensure that you get paid for sales generated through your links. This guide will walk you through the process of signing up for Amazon’s Affiliate Program and obtaining your unique Affiliate ID.
Step 1: Sign Up for Amazon Associates Program
Go to the Amazon Associates Homepage:
- Open your browser and visit the Amazon Associates homepage.
Click on “Join Now for Free”:
- If you already have an Amazon account, click “Sign in” and enter your credentials.
- If you don’t have an Amazon account, click “Create your Amazon account” and complete the registration.
Enter Your Account Information:
- Provide your name, address, and contact details.
- Make sure to use a valid and accurate address, as Amazon might send you payments or communications related to your affiliate earnings.
Step 2: Fill Out Your Website or App Details
Provide Your Website or Mobile App Info:
- In the “Profile” section, Amazon will ask for details about your website or app, where you plan to promote Amazon products.
- Enter your website URL (e.g.,
https://yourwebsite.com
) or mobile app name. - If you don’t have a website or app, you can also apply with other platforms like YouTube, social media, or blogs.
Select Your Preferred Affiliate Topics:
- Choose the categories that best describe the content on your website, such as “Books,” “Tech Gadgets,” “Fashion,” etc.
- Amazon uses this information to determine the types of products that are most likely to fit with your audience.
Enter Traffic and How You Drive It:
- You’ll need to explain how you drive traffic to your site. Mention if you use SEO, social media, or other marketing tactics.
- If you’re using a blog, mention how often you post and what your primary content is.
Step 3: Create Your Affiliate Links
Access the Amazon Associates Dashboard:
- Once you’ve registered, you’ll be taken to the Amazon Associates dashboard. From here, you can start creating affiliate links.
Search for Products:
- Use the search bar at the top of the page to find the products you want to promote.
- Click on the product that you want to link to, and it will take you to a page where you can get your unique affiliate link.
Generate Affiliate Links:
- On the product page, click the “Get link” button (it might be labeled as “Text” or “Image”).
- You can choose to generate different types of links: text links, image links, or a combination of both.
- For a text link, you’ll see your Amazon Affiliate ID automatically inserted into the URL.
- For an image, Amazon will provide HTML code to place on your site.
Step 4: Locate and Use Your Amazon Affiliate ID
Affiliate ID in the Link:
- Your Amazon Affiliate ID is embedded in the links you generate. It typically looks like this in a URL:
tag=yourID-20
. - For example,
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Z9ZGHZG?tag=yourID-20
where “yourID-20” is your affiliate ID.
- Your Amazon Affiliate ID is embedded in the links you generate. It typically looks like this in a URL:
Tracking Your Earnings:
- Every time someone clicks your affiliate link and makes a purchase, Amazon tracks the sale using your unique ID.
- You can track your earnings by visiting the “Reports” section of your Associates Dashboard.
Step 5: Promoting Affiliate Links
Share Links on Your Website or Blog:
- You can use your Amazon Affiliate links in blog posts, product reviews, banners, or any other content on your website.
- Make sure you disclose your affiliate relationship, as required by Amazon’s terms and conditions, and according to FTC guidelines.
Promote on Social Media:
- Share affiliate links on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. However, make sure to follow each platform’s guidelines and disclose your affiliate links.
Create Custom Links:
- You can also use Amazon’s Link Builder to create custom affiliate links that are more user-friendly. This is helpful for promoting a specific product category or for integrating affiliate links within text.
Set Up an Amazon Autopilot Affiliate Website
- Setting up an Amazon Autopilot Affiliate Website involves creating a website that promotes Amazon products automatically, using affiliate links that generate commissions when users click and make purchases. The idea is to set up the site in a way that minimizes ongoing manual work and maximizes passive income through affiliate marketing. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to set up an Amazon Autopilot Affiliate Website. Learn More
Step 6: Get Paid
Select Your Payment Method:
- In the “Account Settings” section of your dashboard, choose how you’d like to be paid (bank transfer, Amazon gift card, or check).
- Enter your payment details accurately.
Earn Commissions:
- Once you start driving sales, you’ll earn commissions based on the purchases made through your links.
- Amazon’s commission rates vary by product category but generally range from 1% to 10% of the sale price.
Achieving Payment Thresholds:
- Amazon requires you to earn a minimum amount before you can request a payout. Typically, this threshold is $10 for gift cards, and $100 for bank transfers or checks.
Step 7: Monitoring Your Success
Use the Dashboard for Reports:
- Amazon provides detailed reports about the performance of your affiliate links. You can monitor clicks, conversion rates, and earnings.
Optimize Your Links:
- Over time, analyze which products perform best and focus on promoting those.
- Experiment with different types of links and strategies to improve your conversion rates.
Conclusion:
With your Amazon Affiliate ID in hand, you can now begin earning commissions from product recommendations. By strategically placing affiliate links and sharing them with your audience, you can build a steady stream of passive income. Make sure to follow Amazon’s policies, track your results, and continuously refine your approach to optimize your affiliate marketing success.
Here’s a comprehensive list of FAQs on Amazon Affiliate ID to help you understand the basics, usage, and strategies for the Amazon Affiliate Program:
1. What is an Amazon Affiliate ID?
It’s a unique identifier assigned to your Amazon Associates account used to track the referrals and earnings from your affiliate links.
2. How do I get an Amazon Affiliate ID?
You can get it by signing up for the Amazon Associates program at affiliate-program.amazon.com.
3. Is Amazon Associates free to join?
Yes, it’s completely free to join the Amazon Associates program.
4. Can I have multiple Amazon Affiliate IDs?
Yes, you can create tracking IDs to manage and track performance for different websites, campaigns, or niches.
5. How long does it take to get approved for an Amazon Affiliate ID?
Approval usually takes a few days, but you need to make at least three sales within 180 days to keep your account active.
6. Can I use one Amazon Affiliate ID for multiple websites?
Yes, one account can track links from multiple websites, but it’s recommended to create separate tracking IDs for better performance insights.
7. What is the purpose of a tracking ID?
Tracking IDs allow you to identify the source of clicks and sales, making it easier to analyze which campaigns are performing best.
8. How can I track my affiliate sales?
Log in to your Amazon Associates dashboard to view detailed reports on clicks, earnings, and sales performance.
9. Can I change my Amazon Affiliate ID?
You cannot change your original affiliate ID, but you can create new tracking IDs for specific campaigns.
10. Is an Amazon Affiliate ID region-specific?
Yes, you must sign up separately for different Amazon regional programs (e.g., US, UK, India), and each region has its unique ID.
11. Can I use Amazon Affiliate links on social media?
Yes, you can share affiliate links on social media platforms, but ensure compliance with Amazon’s operating agreement and include proper disclosures.
12. Can I use Amazon Affiliate links in email newsletters?
No, Amazon doesn’t allow direct linking in emails, but you can redirect readers to your website where links are included.
13. Does Amazon provide affiliate banners?
Yes, Amazon offers pre-made banners and widgets that include your affiliate ID.
14. How much commission can I earn with an Amazon Affiliate ID?
Commission rates vary by product category, ranging from 1% to 10%.
15. How often does Amazon pay affiliates?
Amazon pays affiliates monthly, approximately 60 days after the end of the month in which you earned the commission.
16. What payment methods are available for Amazon Associates?
Amazon pays via direct deposit, check, or Amazon gift card, depending on your location.
17. What is the minimum payout threshold?
The minimum payout is $10 for gift cards, $100 for checks, and $10 for direct deposits.
18. Can I use Amazon Affiliate links on YouTube?
Yes, you can place affiliate links in the video description, provided you follow Amazon’s guidelines and disclose the affiliation.
19. What happens if someone returns a product?
If a customer returns a product, the commission for that sale will be deducted from your earnings.
20. Does Amazon Affiliate ID work on mobile apps?
Yes, Amazon supports affiliate links on mobile apps, but ensure compliance with their program policies.
21. How long does the affiliate cookie last?
Amazon’s affiliate cookie lasts for 24 hours after a user clicks your link.
22. Will I earn if a customer adds products to the cart and purchases later?
Yes, as long as the product was added to the cart within 24 hours of clicking your link, you’ll earn a commission if it’s purchased within 90 days.
23. Can I earn commissions on my own purchases?
No, Amazon prohibits affiliates from earning commissions on their purchases.
24. How do I disclose my affiliation with Amazon?
You must include a clear disclosure like: “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”
25. Can I use Amazon Affiliate links in paid ads?
No, Amazon doesn’t allow affiliate links in paid ads like Google Ads or Facebook Ads.
26. Does Amazon provide tools to help affiliates?
Yes, Amazon offers SiteStripe, widgets, and link-building tools to create and share affiliate links easily.
27. What happens if my account is inactive?
If you don’t make three sales within 180 days, your account will be closed, and you’ll need to reapply.
28. Can I promote digital products through Amazon Associates?
Yes, you can earn commissions on digital products like eBooks, software, and online courses available on Amazon.
29. Can I earn from sales in different regions?
To earn commissions globally, you need to sign up for Amazon’s OneLink program or regional affiliate programs.
30. What are the common reasons for account termination?
Reasons include violating Amazon’s guidelines, self-purchasing, spamming, or not disclosing your affiliate relationship.
31. Can I use URL shorteners for my affiliate links?
Yes, but make sure the link still includes your affiliate ID and is not misleading.
32. What is the OneLink feature?
OneLink automatically redirects users to their local Amazon store using your affiliate ID, helping you earn globally.
33. How do I optimize my Amazon affiliate links?
Use relevant keywords, include call-to-action (CTA) buttons, and recommend high-demand products in your niche.
34. What niches work best for Amazon Associates?
Popular niches include tech gadgets, home improvement, fitness, beauty, and parenting products.
35. Can I get banned from Amazon Associates?
Yes, violating terms like spamming, using non-compliant promotional methods, or misrepresentation can lead to a ban.