Amazon offers two different programs for content creators to monetize their platform – the Amazon Affiliate program and the Amazon Influencer program. Both programs allow creators to earn a commission on products sold through their recommendations, but there are some key differences between the two. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of each program for content creators.
Amazon Affiliate Program
The Amazon Affiliate program, also known as Amazon Associates, allows content creators to earn a commission on sales that are generated through their personalized affiliate links. This program is well-suited for creators who have a website, blog, or YouTube channel where they can share their affiliate links with their audience. Here are the pros and cons of the Amazon Affiliate program for content creators:
Pros
– Easy to join: It is relatively easy to sign up for the Amazon Affiliate program and start earning commissions on products.
– Wide range of products: Amazon has a vast selection of products, so creators can promote a variety of items that are relevant to their audience.
– Customizable links: Creators can create personalized affiliate links for specific products, as well as use Amazon’s native ads and widgets to enhance the shopping experience for their audience.
Cons
– Low commission rates: The commission rates for the Amazon Affiliate program are relatively low, starting at 1% and increasing based on the number of sales generated.
– Short cookie duration: The standard cookie duration for Amazon Affiliate links is 24 hours, which means that creators only earn a commission if a purchase is made within that time frame.
– Strict guidelines: Amazon has strict guidelines for affiliates, and if these guidelines are not followed, creators risk being removed from the program.
Amazon Influencer Program
The Amazon Influencer program is designed for content creators who have a strong social media presence and can directly influence their audience’s purchasing decisions. This program allows creators to curate their own storefront on Amazon, where they can showcase their favorite products and earn a commission on sales. Here are the pros and cons of the Amazon Influencer program for content creators:
Pros
– Personalized storefront: Creators have the opportunity to create their own customizable page on Amazon, where they can showcase their favorite products and create a curated shopping experience for their audience.
– Higher commission rates: The commission rates for the Amazon Influencer program are generally higher than the Amazon Affiliate program, and can vary depending on the product category.
– Social media integration: The Amazon Influencer program allows creators to easily share their storefront on social media platforms, making it easy to promote products and drive sales.
Cons
– Application process: The Amazon Influencer program has a more selective application process, and not all content creators will be accepted into the program.
– Limited to social media influencers: This program is primarily designed for content creators who have a strong presence on social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter, and may not be as well-suited for creators with a website or blog.
In conclusion, both the Amazon Affiliate program and Amazon Influencer program offer content creators the opportunity to monetize their platform and earn a commission on products sold through their recommendations. The best program for each creator will depend on their specific goals and audience, as well as the platform they use to engage with their audience. While the Amazon Affiliate program is well-suited for creators with a website or blog, the Amazon Influencer program is ideal for social media influencers who can curate their own storefront on Amazon. Ultimately, content creators should carefully consider the pros and cons of each program to determine which one aligns best with their content and audience.
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Thanks for this detailed discussion. I am currently an Amazon Affiliate (for about a year now). I have a YouTube channel. I get about 500 views a day across my 200+ videos. I also have an Instagram account and make posts maybe every two weeks with images from my videos. I've gotten to the point where I have over 60 affiliate links across 6 categories which I promote in the description of my videos. I'm almost hitting the limit of characters for a YouTube description.
I do have a few questions:
1) Is there some better way to organize my many affiliate links so that they don't consume so much of my YouTube descriptions?
2) I think that I will get a commission for any product on Amazon someone buys after using my affiliate link, even a product for which I'm not an affiliate. This is not true for my Influencer store. So Affiliate links may be more profitable than an influencer store.
3) You said you are both an Affiliate Associate and an Influencer. I'm wondering if I should join the Influencer program also, I could affiliate links in my descriptions for specific products I think would be appropriate for each video; along with my Influencer Store link for more general shopping. My concern would be that I don't get sufficient action on my store to be kept in the program.
Thanks
can I have the both of them HAVE IT THANKS, YOU ARE AMAZING
Should you use your personal Amazon account or create a different account?
What is the criteria to making it in the program
Hi Ana! Do you know what the rule is for graphics on social media? I see a lot of influencers post graphics with the photos on Amazon but when I did that on affiliates, I got kicked out. But now I'm an amazon influencer, so I'm wondering if it's allowed there?
Great video! I have an influencer program however, is it possible to also use the onelink for Amazon associates?
I thought amazon keeps a cache so if you send someone to the site and they buy something else or go to uk you still get commission
very helpful video!! Thank you so much!
Thankyou so much for clearing everything
I got approved for for Amazon associate, but I don't have a blog, I only have my social media. But I wasn't approved for amazon influencer. That means I can't put my links on social media, like in a post? I have no idea where to put I earn commisions. I'm so lost.
Great insight. Thanks
I want to have a storefront for the reason you mentioned at the end, I want to be able to say "check out all the books I recommend with this link". Is the influencer program the only way to do this?
Hi Ana, great video it's very informative. I am a new Amazon Affiliate and have my own website I created a front store selling male, female, and beauty products from Amazon (3 buttons). For example, the female fashion button has ten pages and each page contains 10 items eg, shirts, active, wears …, the same for the others. Is that allowed for Amazon affiliates or just for Amazon influencers? My account was Frozen recently with the right to reapply. One of the things I have to be compliant with is the URLs for the 4 social media I am registered with, how can I have access to them? Many Thanks
I was approved and made the sales but then my account was closed because I didn’t meet requirement could it be due to not having a website because all I put was my ltk. Also would link tree count as a website or no?
Can I do affiliate and influencer?
I was approved for the associate program with social media links, not a website.
Such a great video. In Canada we aren’t able to post videos as an Influencer, just photos. Can you have 2 Influencer accounts (for example: one for Canada & one for US) and link the two accounts? I have a lot of US followers so I’m thinking it would be better to have this as an option. Thank you.
This may be silly but I was approved as an influencer but do not know if I was accepted as an affiliate. Where would I find out about an affilitate account.
super helpful! thanks
Who pays influencers for the commision? Is it the brand or amazon?
Thank you for this video, Ana! I think for now, I will stick to the associates option.
cool
Wow what a great video. I was just approved into the affiliate program. I know how to paste the link and create it. Quick question though, when I am ready to post unto a facebook post what do i need to disclose on the post? Do you have an example of what I need to type in the post before posting the link so i don't get banned on facebook. You mentioned disclosing it was an affiliate program.
Hi if we make product videos before applying could we still get commission off those old videos?
Can we join the affiliate program without putting in any websites?
i wonder if a can do a list in affiliate, if i don´t want to post on my blog, but people can go to this shop list and buy things there from the list that i made but with commission. or do i need to be in the influencer program so i can do that.
ok so i tried to apply for the influencor one and I got denied within 2 seconds of clicking "sign up" lol I thought they didn't care how many followers you have? lol I only have 1, 200 on ig , is that why I got denied?
Hello… I myself am a new Amazon affiliate, most certainly learning as I go the difference between an affiliate and influencer. I am curious what has worked best for people in the beginning as far as how to share the products sense with being an affiliate you do not get a storefront. Do you or anyone on here have suggestions on website information? Did you do it yourself or pay someone to do for you? I’m really trying to figure out how to monetize on sharing products that I love that I already share for free. Any help would be appreciated. thank y’all so much.
Love it! Thanks! I am joining the 14 day challenge!