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How does Amazon’s approval process work?
Amazon’s approval process for the Amazon Associates (affiliate) program is relatively straightforward but includes a few steps to ensure that affiliates meet their guidelines. Here’s how the approval process works:
1. Sign Up for the Amazon Associates Program
- Create an Account: To get started, you’ll need to sign up for the Amazon Associates program by providing basic information, such as your name, address, and tax details. You’ll also need to share information about your website, blog, or social media platform where you plan to promote Amazon products.
- Platform Information: During the registration, you will be asked to provide URLs for your website, blog, or social media channels. Amazon will review your platform to determine if it meets their criteria.
2. Initial Approval
- Instant Approval: Once you submit your application, Amazon will quickly approve you for the program. This approval allows you to start generating affiliate links and promoting products. You don’t need to have made any sales yet to be approved at this stage.
- Affiliate Link Access: After being approved, you will be able to access your affiliate links and banners, which you can use to promote Amazon products on your platform (website, blog, or social media).
3. Sales Requirement During the First 180 Days
- Sales Test: Although you can access affiliate links immediately after signing up, Amazon has a 180-day trial period where you are required to make at least three sales through your affiliate links to remain an active member of the program.
- How to Earn Sales: During this period, you’ll need to generate at least three valid sales. These sales can be for any Amazon product, and you earn a commission if the customer makes a purchase through your referral link.
- Tracking: Amazon tracks clicks and sales that come from your affiliate links. If you successfully refer three sales, your account will be fully approved and activated.
4. Rejection for Not Meeting Sales Goals
- No Sales, No Approval: If you don’t generate at least three sales within the first 180 days, your Amazon Associates account will be terminated. However, you can always reapply after making some adjustments to your strategy and platform.
- Sales Tips: To meet the sales threshold, ensure that you are creating content that’s designed to convert, like in-depth product reviews, comparison articles, how-to guides, or listicles.
5. Post-Approval Review
- Full Approval: Once you’ve made the required sales within the 180-day window, Amazon will grant you full approval for your account. This means you can continue using affiliate links and earning commissions without any additional sales or restrictions.
- Ongoing Compliance: After full approval, Amazon will continue to monitor your activities to ensure compliance with their terms of service, and your account will remain active as long as you continue to comply with the guidelines.
6. Commissions and Payments
- Commissions: As you generate sales, you’ll earn commissions on products purchased via your referral links. Commission rates vary by product category (for example, books might earn a lower commission, while electronics could earn a higher one).
- Payment: Once you’ve earned enough commissions, Amazon will pay you according to their payment schedule (typically monthly), as long as your earnings exceed the payment threshold.
7. Ongoing Compliance
- Amazon’s Guidelines: Amazon has strict guidelines for affiliates, including rules about how to disclose affiliate links, not spamming links, and promoting only appropriate content. Violating these guidelines can lead to account termination.
- Affiliate Link Disclosure: You are required to include a clear affiliate disclosure whenever you use affiliate links. This disclosure must be easily noticeable and explain that you may receive compensation if users make a purchase through your link.
Key Tips for a Smooth Approval Process:
- Content Quality: Ensure that your platform has quality content, whether it’s a blog, website, or social media account. Amazon looks for genuine content that engages your audience and adds value.
- Be Transparent: Disclose your affiliate relationship in a way that’s clear to your audience. This can be done through an affiliate disclaimer on your website or within your social media posts.
- No Fake Traffic: Amazon monitors for fake traffic, so don’t use paid ads to artificially inflate your traffic just to meet the sales threshold.
- Comply with Amazon’s Policies: Read and follow Amazon’s Operating Agreement and affiliate program rules to ensure compliance.
Conclusion:
The approval process for the Amazon Associates program is fast and free. You get immediate access to affiliate links once you sign up, but to maintain your account, you must generate at least three sales within the first 180 days. If you don’t meet this goal, your account will be deactivated, but you can reapply later. Once you’re approved, you’ll be able to continue earning commissions through affiliate sales as long as you comply with Amazon’s terms and conditions.
