The Creator’s Guide to Amazon Affiliate Policies: Do’s and Dont’s in 2024

Published on October 22, 2024

When Amazon Associates Policies and URLgenius your success as an ecommerce influencer is closely tied to affiliate policies like those in the Amazon Associates program, keeping up with new rules or changes to existing policies is essential to thrive and grow your commissions and followers. As a technology platform for content creators and ecommerce influencers, URLgenius has spoken to countless affiliates and gotten to know their challenges and concerns. Our goal is to be a resource for you when these policies evolve and we see firsthand how creators are working within these constraints.

This article will dive into a few policies that creators often ask about when using the URLgenius app linking platform for their Amazon affiliate links. Please reach out to us if you have questions about specific rules or restrictions mentioned in the Amazon Associates Operating Agreement or the Amazon Associates Program Participation Requirements.

Without further ado, let’s dive in!

DO! Disclose You Are An Amazon Affiliate

For years, Amazon has maintained a strict disclosure policy for members of the Amazon Associates Program. Disclosure simply means you're getting a commission when someone clicks your link and makes a purchase.

When promoting products on your Facebook profile, for example, or any other social media platform, be sure to include hashtags like #amazonaffiliate or #ad in your posts to ensure transparency. This builds trust among your followers while also protecting your account by aligning with Amazon’s terms and conditions. We recommend using Amazon's exact disclosure language and including it in posts on all the platforms where you share content.

If a piece of content with affiliate links is viewed or clicked and it doesn’t include a disclosure statement, you run the risk of having your Associates Account blocked by Amazon, and even getting fined. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and regulatory agencies in other countries also have specific policies and guidelines in place for creators that can help you stay compliant.

DO! Leverage Automated DMs on Instagram

As Amazon Associates policy has changed for DM and Amazon Affiliate links of Spring 2024, Amazon has officially permitted the use of automated DMs in Instagram reels, opening new doors for creators to engage with followers. This used to be a gray area for influencers, many of whom faced account suspensions for using automated messaging services like ManyChat and LinkDM just a year ago.

This new automated DM policy gives influencers the chance to build relationships with their audience on Instagram by using automated messages with affiliate links and useful information, without having to take the time to respond to each and every message. Note that your customer must ask you for the Amazon affiliate link, you cannot simply send unsolicited DMs to potential customers. Let's take a look at the exact language in section 4 of the of the Associates Program Policies:

You may include Special Links in emails, SMS and direct messaging from your social media Sites; provided, that such communications are solicited (i.e., opted into by the receiving customer) and are otherwise in compliance with the Agreement, the Trademark Guidelines, and the Amazon Brand Usage Guidelines.

Sending consistent, personalized messages through marketing automation also makes Amazon affiliate links more effective, as more followers stay engaged.

The Amazon Associates ecosystem is always changing. We'll keep an eye on this policy, so be sure to check this post periodically for any updates.

DON’T! Cloak Your Amazon Affiliate Links

Link cloaking, shortening, or rebranding links in a way that hides the fact the link goes to Amazon is not allowed. Let's take a close look at the exact language in the operating policies which note is section 'w':

You will not use a link shortening service, button, hyperlink or other ad placement in a manner that makes it unclear that you are linking to an Amazon site.

Link cloaking is when the domain of the affiliate link is changed to make it look cleaner or more branded by using a third party service or custom shortener. While that is not inherently wrong, you can't mask the link to hide where it's going. The format of the link needs to make it clear where the link is going (i.e. Amazon).

Amazon has its own link shortener which converts affiliate URLs into “amzn.to” links. Many influencers opt for shortened links because they are more user-friendly and make it easier to track engagement. “Amzn.to” links are also more aesthetically pleasing and lighter on character count, which make them a great choice for social media. Regular links, however, do not open the Amazon app from social media. That's why influencers love using URLgenius!

When you compose a deep link for Amazon with URLgenius, the word 'Amazon' will always remain in the path. That's important for complying with this policy because it tells the consumer where the link is going, even if you're using your brand's domain.

The benefits of branding your links include leveraging your domain's SEO authority and presenting brand continuity to your shoppers. Many URLgenius influencers use this feature! If you want to brand your URLgenius links, see the settings of your account for instructions on how to set up your domain.

Unleash the Potential of Your Creator Business with URLgenius

As long as you follow Amazon’s policies and stay updated on any changes, your affiliate strategy will be primed for long-term success. We’re here to support your creator journey with insights that keep you thriving (and earning more commissions!).

Thousands of creators around the world use URLgenius everyday to earn more commissions and grow followers. Contact us for a demo to learn more.

Check out the resources below to learn more about how app deep linking can help you unlock greater success as an Amazon Affiliate:

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