Amazon Associates Program: My Frustrating Experience and Hidden Reason of Account Closures | Best Alternative Affiliate Programs
The Amazon Associates Program, also known as the Amazon affiliate program, can be a challenging endeavor for many aspiring marketers. My journey with this program has been fraught with obstacles, leading me to question its effectiveness and fairness. Here’s a look into my experiences and insights on why Amazon frequently shuts down affiliate accounts.
My Journey with the Amazon Associates Program
When I first joined the Amazon Associates Program, I was excited by the potential to earn commissions through affiliate marketing. However, the program's stringent policies quickly became apparent. To get approved, I needed to generate at least three successful sales from separate orders within 180 days. Initially, I managed to secure two orders but fell short of the third. As a result, Amazon closed my account without hesitation and without any chance, stating in email, “After an application is submitted, we allow 180 days for your first three sales to Amazon. Please note, three qualifying sales means three separate orders and multiple items within an order do not qualify. Unfortunately, we haven’t received enough qualifying sales from your Associates links, and your account was closed.”
Determined to succeed, I applied again and, after much effort, finally met the threshold of three successful sales. My joy was short-lived, however. One morning, I received a shocking email from Amazon (associates@amazon.com) informing me that my account had been closed. The reason? Some of the thumbnails on my YouTube videos contained the Amazon logo, which was against their branding guidelines. Instead, I was instructed to download the Amazon marks and use the official “Available at Amazon” logo.
After updating my video thumbnails to comply with the guidelines, I appealed the decision, hopeful for reinstatement. Yet, only two days later, I received another email pointing to a different video thumbnail that was not even a product promotion but an educational tutorial. The suggestion to add the “Available at Amazon” phrase made no sense for that content. Amazon’s response was clear: once an account is rejected, it cannot be reinstated, and I would need to submit a new application.
This experience left me frustrated. Amazon’s policies seem rigid, allowing little room for correction or second chances. The company appears to lack common sense reasoning in handling these situations, particularly for new affiliates trying to navigate the complex world of online marketing. The behavior mirrors the mindset; as Brad Stone notes, Bezos once proposed that "Amazon should approach these small publishers the way a cheetah would pursue a sickly gazelle."
A Double Standard in Account Management
What is particularly disheartening is the apparent double standard in how Amazon enforces its policies. Many videos from established influencers contain the Amazon logo without repercussions, likely due to their significant followings and the traffic they generate for Amazon. In contrast, new affiliates are often penalized for minor infractions, leading to account closures based on seemingly trivial reasons.
Moreover, the requirement to add “Available at Amazon” to thumbnails feels redundant. The intention behind the links is usually clear from the video title and content, indicating that they lead to Amazon. This raises the question: is it appropriate to enforce such strict branding guidelines for all types of content, especially instructional videos?
The Unseen Advantage: How Account Closures on Minor Mistakes Benefit Amazon
My observations suggest that Amazon may intentionally close accounts without strong reasoning, benefiting from the continued traffic generated by affiliate links associated with those accounts. Even after closure, these links can still drive free traffic to Amazon’s platform, allowing the company to profit without compensating the affiliate marketer.
There are two primary reasons why it is challenging for affiliates to remove their links after an account closure:
Memory and Tracking: Many affiliates struggle to remember where they’ve placed their Amazon affiliate links across various posts and social media platforms. It is virtually impossible to keep track of every location, leading to continued free clicks to Amazon site.
Time and Effort: Deleting affiliate links can be a daunting task. With hundreds or even thousands of links potentially scattered across the internet, the effort required to remove them can be overwhelming.
After an account closure, Amazon encourages users to create new accounts, often prominently displaying a “Join now for FREE!” button. This approach suggests a desire for affiliates to continue generating traffic, which, in turn, benefits Amazon without incurring any costs.
My Strategy Moving Forward
Following my negative experiences with the Amazon Associates Program, I adapted my strategy. Instead of sharing affiliate links directly on social media platforms—where they could easily be overlooked or mismanaged—I centralized all my Amazon links on dedicated product pages on my website. This approach allows me to control the links better and makes it easier to remove them if necessary. By directing social media traffic to this central location, I can mitigate the risk of losing links if Amazon decides to close my account again.
Challenges of the Amazon Associates Program: A Comparison with Other Affiliate Networks
The Amazon Associates Program has several disadvantages when compared to other affiliate networks:
Short Cookie Duration: With a cookie life of only 1 day, if a user clicks your Amazon affiliate link today but makes a purchase after 24 hours, you receive no commission. In contrast, many other networks provide cookie durations of up to 90 days.
Lower Commission Rates: The commission rates are less competitive than those of other programs. For instance, I earned only 47 cents as an affiliate commission on a product priced at $33. Conversely, on CJ, I made an impressive $42 when a user purchased video editing software through my affiliate link.
Strict Terms and Conditions: The Amazon Associates Program imposes stringent rules, and non-compliance with even minor violations can lead to account termination.
Limited Reporting Tools: The reporting tools provided by the Amazon Associates Program are less comprehensive, making it difficult to track performance effectively.
Geographical Restrictions: Amazon Associates requires separate sign-ups for different countries, complicating operations. Other affiliate networks, however, do not impose such restrictions, allowing you to earn commissions regardless of the user's location. For example, my website’s top traffic comes from the USA and India. I earn affiliate commissions from Amazon only when users from the USA click my links and make purchases; clicks from India do not count.
Reapplication Challenges: If your affiliate account is closed and you decide to reapply, you must start from scratch by adding Amazon links again. In contrast, other affiliate networks typically restore your generated affiliate links automatically.
Common Reasons for Amazon Associates Program Account Closures
Running ads with trademark bidding.
Lack of disclosure of affiliate relationships.
Failure to generate qualifying sales.
Showing product prices on your website and in social posts.
Suspicious transactions activity.
Use of prohibited traffic sources.
Non-compliance with local laws and regulations.
Displaying adult or inappropriate content.
Use of Amazon trademarks without permission.
Promoting products in an unapproved manner.
Poor website user experience or design.
Redirecting traffic from one site to another.
Engaging in spammy email marketing.
Providing incentives for clicking affiliate links.
Not maintaining updated contact information.
Content duplication or lack of original content.
Posting affiliate links on unauthorized platforms.
Failure to adhere to brand guidelines.
The Amazon program's terms highly complex and difficult to understand. Moreover, It is very had to keep current with any updated terms to ensure compliance.
Insights and Opinions: Feedback on the Amazon Associates Program
Users of the Amazon Associates Program have expressed their experiences on genuine review platforms such as Trustpilot. For instance, one user on Trustpilot raises a concern about never receiving payouts from Amazon affiliate links.
A user expressed concerns about referring someone to Amazon, who subsequently purchased 35 items, yet he received no commission due to ineligible referrals and lacked any explanation for this outcome.
A user expressed concerns about starting a website and having their Amazon Associates account closed without explanation, losing access to everything, and being required to reapply.
A user expressed frustration over not receiving a commission from Amazon Associates for a large ticket item purchased through their link.
You can read here more remarks from users about Amazon Associates.
Top Global Affiliate Programs: Alternative to Amazon Associates Program
Here are some of the top eCommerce companies with global presence, similar (even better) to the Amazon Associates Program:
TikTok Shop - TikTok Shop offers a robust affiliate program and it has large international presence in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and some Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Temu - Temu is fast challenging Amazon in USA and 77 other countries. It offers much higher commission rates. Amazon recently introduced Haul; however, Temu is rapidly gaining market share.
eBay Partner Network - eBay allows affiliates to earn commissions by promoting listings on their platform, which has a wide international reach.
Alibaba Affiliate Program - Alibaba operates globally, and its affiliate program allows partners to earn commissions through promoting products from the platform.
Rakuten Affiliate Network - Rakuten is a major player in the eCommerce space, offering a robust affiliate program that connects merchants with affiliates globally.
CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction) - CJ Affiliate is a large affiliate marketing network that partners with various eCommerce brands worldwide. I am personally using it.
ShareASale - This network offers a variety of merchants for global product promotion but is now owned by Awin. Starting March 2025, new accounts will only be created through Awin, which is why the direct link to ShareASale is omitted. Check the Awin link below.
FlexOffers - FlexOffers operates globally, providing affiliates with opportunities to promote a variety of products and services from numerous brands.
Awin - Awin has a strong international presence and connects affiliates with a diverse range of advertisers in the eCommerce sector.
ClickBank - While primarily known for digital products, ClickBank also offers physical products and has a presence in many countries.
Impact - Impact is a partnership automation platform that connects brands with affiliates, providing a global reach across various industries. I also use this platform.
These companies provide opportunities for affiliates to earn commissions by promoting products, similar to the Amazon Associates Program.
Conclusion
My experiences with the Amazon Associates Program reveal significant flaws, including risks of account closures and inflexible policies, which can make it frustrating for marketers. While there's potential for commissions, many may find it unworthy of their time. I advise caution and suggest exploring alternative options mentioned in the article for a more supportive experience.
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