How to Earn Commission on Amazon: A Guide for Beginners
You can earn commission on Amazon by signing up for their affiliate program, Amazon Associates, and sharing special product links. When someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, Amazon pays you a percentage of the sale.
You don’t need to sell your own products—just recommend items that are already on Amazon. If you’ve built an audience on social media, you might also qualify for the Amazon Influencer Program, which gives you your own custom storefront to showcase your favorite picks.
In the sections below, we’ll walk through how to join the program, find the right products, create affiliate links, and start earning. It’s more straightforward than you might expect.
Key Takeaways
- Anyone Can Start With Zero Upfront Costs
You don’t need your own product or a big platform to get started. The Amazon Associates program is free to join and open to beginners with blogs, YouTube channels, or social media accounts. - Earnings Depend on Strategy, Not Just Links
Choosing the right products, creating valuable content, and sharing links in the right places (like blog posts, videos, and Pinterest) can make a big difference in your commissions. - Rules Matter, and So Does Patience
Amazon has strict policies—like not linking in emails or forgetting disclosures. Stick to the rules, track your performance, and keep optimizing. Results grow with consistency.
How to Join Amazon Affiliate Program and Create Affiliate Links?
To join, go to the Amazon Associates website, sign in with your Amazon account, and apply. Once you get approved, you can create affiliate links for any Amazon product and start earning commission.
Here’s how it works:
- Visit the Amazon Associates site and click “Sign Up.”
- Log in or create a new Amazon account.
- Add your promotional platforms — such as a blog, website, app, or social media account.
- Fill in your profile, including the topics you plan to cover and how you get traffic.
- Start promoting right away.
How to Create Affiliate Links Using SiteStripe
- Find a product on Amazon you want to recommend.
- At the top of the page, use SiteStripe, Amazon’s affiliate toolbar.
- Copy your custom link (text, image, or both).
- Paste the link into your blog post, YouTube description, or social media content.
🔔 Note: You need to make at least 3 sales within 180 days to keep your account active. If you don’t, Amazon will close the account — but you can reapply later.
Where Can You Share Your Affiliate Links?
You can post your Amazon affiliate links on blogs, YouTube, social media, emails, and more—as long as it follows Amazon’s rules.
Where you share matters just as much as what you promote. Choose platforms where your audience is already active and engaged. Here are some top options:
- Blog posts (reviews, tutorials, gift guides)
- YouTube videos (add links in the description)
- Instagram bios or Stories (if you have link access)
- TikTok video captions or profile links
- Pinterest pins linking to blog content
- Email newsletters (link to your website, not directly to Amazon)
📌 Important: Amazon doesn’t allow direct affiliate links in offline materials, PDFs, or paid ads. Always follow their operating agreement and disclose your affiliate relationship clearly (e.g., “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”)
How Do You Track Earnings and Get Paid?
Amazon gives you a dashboard to track clicks, sales, and commissions in real time—and pays you monthly once you hit the minimum payout.
Tracking Your Performance
Once you're logged into your Amazon Associates account, head to the Reports section. There, you can see:
- Total clicks on your affiliate links
- Number of items ordered
- Your conversion rate
- Estimated earnings
Use this data to figure out what’s working. If a certain product or post drives more sales, consider creating more content like it.
Getting Paid
Amazon pays commissions about 60 days after the end of the month in which you earn them. For example, earnings from January are paid out in late March.
You can choose how to receive your money:
- Direct deposit (recommended – fastest and easiest)
- Amazon gift card
- Paper check (requires a minimum of $100 and may take longer)
👉 Minimum payout thresholds:
- $10 for direct deposit or gift card
- $100 for check
Are There Rules to Follow in the Amazon Associates Program?
Yes — and breaking them can get your account suspended, so it’s important to understand the basics.
Key Guidelines to Follow
- Always disclose your affiliate relationship. Let your readers know you may earn a commission from links. A simple sentence like “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases” is required.
- Don’t use affiliate links in emails or offline promotions. You can’t send affiliate links in newsletters, eBooks, PDFs, or private messages where Amazon can’t track them.
- Avoid false or misleading claims. Don’t guarantee results, post inaccurate product info, or copy Amazon reviews word for word.
- Make at least 3 qualifying sales in your first 180 days. If you don’t, Amazon will close your account — but you can reapply later.
- Don’t list product prices unless you use Amazon’s API. Prices change often, so it’s better to send people directly to the product page.
Best Practice:
Check the Amazon Associates Program Policies regularly to stay up to date. Amazon changes rules from time to time, and it’s your job to stay compliant.
How Can You Boost Your Affiliate Commissions Over Time?
To earn more, focus on better content, smarter product picks, and tracking what works.
Tips to Increase Your Amazon Affiliate Earnings
- Create helpful content, not just product links.Write tutorials, product comparisons, gift guides, or reviews that actually help people decide what to buy. Search engines and readers love value-driven content.
- Target products with higher commission rates.Categories like luxury beauty, Amazon devices, and video games can offer better returns than low-commission items like groceries or health products.
- Promote evergreen products.These are items people buy year-round—like office chairs, kitchen tools, or home workout gear—so your links keep earning over time.
- Test different placements.Try adding links in buttons, under images, or inside callouts. Track which ones convert best using Amazon’s reporting tools.
- Use multiple platforms.Don’t rely on just one traffic source. Share affiliate content on Pinterest, YouTube, blogs, or niche forums to grow your reach.
- Update old posts.Refresh content, replace outdated products, and re-promote evergreen posts to drive more clicks and conversions.
Final Thoughts: Is Amazon Affiliate Marketing Worth It?
Yes — if you’re willing to put in the effort.
Amazon’s affiliate program is beginner-friendly, free to join, and lets you earn money by recommending products people already trust. While the commission rates aren’t the highest, the wide product range and brand recognition help you convert more visitors.
If you create helpful content, stick to a niche, and stay consistent, affiliate marketing on Amazon can be a solid way to build passive income over time.
💡 Not sure if affiliate marketing or selling your own products is the better path for you?
Check out our side-by-side comparison of Amazon FBA vs. Affiliate Marketing to explore the pros, cons, and income potential of each. It’ll help you decide which route fits your goals, time, and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I get started with Amazon Associates?
Sign up on the Amazon Associates site, complete your profile, and add your website or social media info. Once approved, you can start creating affiliate links and earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
2. Does it cost anything to join Amazon Associates?
No, it’s completely free to join. There are no setup fees or required purchases. You can start promoting Amazon products right away after approval.
3. What are the requirements to stay in the program?
You need to make at least 3 qualifying sales within 180 days of signing up. If not, Amazon will close your account—but you can reapply anytime.
4. Can anyone from any country join Amazon Associates?
Yes, people from many countries can join. You’ll need a blog, website, app, or public social media account that follows Amazon’s content guidelines.
5. How does Amazon track affiliate sales?
Amazon gives you a unique Associate ID linked to your affiliate links. When someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, the sale is tracked and credited to your account.
6. What commission rates does Amazon offer?
Amazon’s commission rates vary by product category—typically 1% to 10%, with some digital items like video games going up to 20%. Some items (like alcohol) are excluded.
7. How long does the Amazon affiliate cookie last?
The cookie lasts for 24 hours after a user clicks your affiliate link. If they buy anything during that time, you earn a commission—even if it's not the exact product you linked.
8. Can I use affiliate links without a website?
Yes, you can use social media profiles, YouTube channels, blogs, or mobile apps to promote Amazon links. A traditional website isn’t required.
9. When and how do I get paid?
Amazon pays commissions about 60 days after the end of the month you earn them. Payment options include direct deposit, Amazon gift cards, or mailed checks (based on minimum payout thresholds).
10. Can I join both Amazon Associates and the Influencer Program?
Yes, if you meet the Influencer Program’s criteria—usually a strong social media following—you can have both an Associates account and a custom storefront under the Influencer Program.
Ready to Start Earning on Amazon with Affiliate Marketing?
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