What Amazon's Affiliate Program Is and How It Works
Amazon's affiliate program, called the Amazon Associates program, lets you earn a commission when someone clicks your unique link, buys a product on Amazon, and completes the purchase. You don't sell anything yourself — Amazon handles the product, shipping, and customer service. You straightforward direct people to products and earn a percentage of what they buy.
The commission rate varies by product category. Electronics, for example, typically pay 1 to 3 percent, while luxury beauty products might pay 5 to 10 percent. Amazon sets these rates and changes them without notice. You earn the commission only if the person clicks your link and buys within 24 hours on desktop or 30 days on mobile — the exact window depends on the device they used.
You need a valid tax ID (Social Security Number or EIN), a U.S. bank account, and a website, blog, app, or social media channel where you can place your links. Amazon will not approve you if you have no platform to promote from, even if you plan to build one later.
Key Takeaways
- You must have an active website, blog, YouTube channel, or social media account before you start the sign-up process, because Amazon will ask to see where you plan to promote products.
- The sign-up takes about 15 minutes, but Amazon may take 24 hours to a few days to review and approve your account.
- Commission rates range from 1 to 10 percent depending on the product category, and Amazon can change rates at any time.
- You earn a commission only if someone clicks your link and completes a purchase within 24 hours (desktop) or 30 days (mobile).
- Amazon requires a U.S. tax ID and a valid U.S. bank account to pay you, and you must report earnings on your tax return.
Step 1: Set Up Your Platform Before You Sign Up
Amazon will not approve you without a place to promote products. This can be a blog, a YouTube channel, a TikTok account, an Instagram profile, a podcast, or a website. It does not have to be large or established — a new blog with one post is acceptable — but it must exist and be public before you explore.
If you don't have a platform yet, create one first. A free WordPress.com blog or a Blogger account takes 10 minutes to set up. Write at least one post about a topic you know well — this shows Amazon you have a real reason to recommend products. The post does not need to mention Amazon or affiliate links yet; it just needs to prove you have somewhere to put them.
Make sure your platform clearly shows your name or brand. Amazon wants to see that you own or control the account, not that you're borrowing someone else's space.
Step 2: Create or Sign Into Your Amazon Account
Go to associates.amazon.com and click "Join Now" at the top right. If you already have a personal Amazon shopping account, you can use the same email address — Amazon will link them together. If you don't have an Amazon account, you'll create one during the sign-up process.
Use an email address you check regularly, because Amazon will send you approval updates and monthly earnings reports to that inbox. You'll also use this email to log in every time you want to create or manage your affiliate links.
Step 3: Complete the process Form
After you click "Join Now," Amazon will ask for your name, address, phone number, and tax ID. The tax ID is usually your Social Security Number if you're a sole proprietor, or an Employer Identification Number (EIN) if you've registered a business. You must provide a real, valid ID — Amazon verifies this information.
Next, you'll describe your website or platform. Amazon will ask what type of content you create, how much traffic you get, and how you plan to promote Amazon products. Be honest here. Common answers include "I write product reviews," "I run a YouTube channel about [topic]," or "I recommend products to my social media followers." Amazon is looking for a genuine reason to recommend products, not a scheme to spam links.
You'll also confirm that you have read and agree to the Amazon Associates Operating Agreement, which is Amazon's terms of service for the program. Read it or at least skim the key sections — it covers what you can and cannot do with your links, how Amazon pays you, and when Amazon can remove you from the program.
Step 4: Wait for Amazon's Review and Approval
After you submit your process, Amazon reviews it. This usually takes 24 hours to a few days, but can take longer during busy periods. You'll receive an email when your account is approved or denied.
If Amazon denies you, the email will usually say why — for example, "Your website does not have enough content" or "We could not verify your platform." If this happens, you can reapply after you've addressed the issue. Add more posts to your blog, grow your social media following, or clarify how you plan to use your affiliate links, then explore again.
Once you're approved, you can log into your Associates account and start creating links when ready.
Step 5: Create Your First Affiliate Links
Log into associates.amazon.com and look for the "Product Links" or "Link Builder" section. Search for a product you want to recommend. Amazon will show you the product page, the current commission rate for that category, and several ways to share the link.
The simplest option is the direct product link — a URL that includes your unique affiliate ID. When someone clicks it, they go straight to that product on Amazon. You can also use the Amazon Associates SiteStripe, a browser tool that lets you generate links while you're browsing Amazon normally, or the Native Shopping Ads feature, which creates a widget showing multiple products.
Copy the link and paste it into your blog post, YouTube description, social media post, or wherever your audience will see it. Make sure you clearly tell people it's an affiliate link — Amazon requires this, and it's honest. You can say something like "This is an affiliate link — if you buy through it, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not hide the fact that your links are affiliate links. Amazon's terms require you to disclose them, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires it too. Use the word "affiliate" or add a disclaimer like "I earn a commission if you buy through this link." Place the disclosure near the link, not buried at the bottom of the page.
Do not spam links on social media, in comments, or in emails. Amazon will suspend your account if it detects link spam or if people report you. Only recommend products you actually use or believe in, and only to audiences that will find them useful.
Do not click your own links to generate sales or test them. Amazon tracks this and will ban you. If you need to test a link, open it in an incognito or private browser window so Amazon doesn't associate the click with your account.
Do not promote products you haven't researched. If you recommend something that turns out to be low-quality or dangerous, people will lose trust in you and may report you to Amazon or the FTC.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money can I make as an Amazon affiliate?
This depends entirely on how much traffic you send to Amazon and what products people buy. Someone with a small blog might earn $10 to $50 per month. A popular YouTube channel or blog could earn hundreds or thousands per month. Commission rates are 1 to 10 percent, so if you send someone who buys a $100 item, you earn $1 to $10. Most affiliates earn very little in their first year.
Can I use Amazon affiliate links on social media like Instagram or TikTok?
Yes, but each platform has rules. Instagram and TikTok allow affiliate links in your bio or in posts, but you must disclose that they're affiliate links. Use hashtags like #ad or #affiliate, or mention it in your caption. Some platforms have built-in disclosure tools. Check each platform's current policy before you post, because these rules change.
What happens if someone clicks my link but doesn't buy within the time window?
You don't earn a commission. The time window is 24 hours on desktop and 30 days on mobile. If someone clicks your link on their phone, browses Amazon for a week, and then buys something, you still earn the commission. But if they click on desktop and don't buy for 25 hours, the link expires and you earn nothing.
Do I have to pay taxes on my affiliate earnings?
Yes. Amazon will send you a 1099 form at the end of the year if you earn more than $600. You must report all affiliate earnings on your tax return, even if you earn less than $600. Keep records of your earnings and any business expenses (like website hosting) because you may be able to deduct them.
Can I be an Amazon affiliate in other countries?
Amazon has separate affiliate programs for different countries — Amazon.co.uk for the UK, Amazon.ca for Canada, and so on. You can join multiple programs, but each one has its own account and its own tax requirements. You'll need a tax ID valid in that country to join.