How to Get an Amazon Affiliate Link? A Step-by-Step Guide

Becoming an Amazon affiliate can be a great way to monetize your website, blog, or social media channels by promoting products and earning a commission on sales. If you’re new to the Amazon Associates program, don’t worry—I’m here to walk you through the process step by step and help you get an amazon affiliate link. We will also discuss possible situations and problems affiliate marketer have faced while getting their amazon affiliate links. So let’s get straight to the step-by-step process to get amazon affiliate links.

How to Get an Amazon Affiliate Link

Here’s a step-by-step guide. Just follow along and you’ll be able to generate your amazon affiliate link.

Step 1: Sign Up for the Amazon Associates Program

1. Visit the Amazon Associates Website:
   • Visit the Amazon Associates homepage.
   • Click on the “Sign up” button to begin the registration process.
2. Create an Account:
   • If you already have an Amazon account, you can use it to sign in. If not, you’ll need to create a new account by providing your email address and creating a password.
   • Once logged in, fill out the required information, including your name, address, and phone number.
3. Enter Your Website Details:
   • Amazon will ask for information about your website, mobile app, or social media pages where you plan to share affiliate links.
   • Enter the URLs of the sites you own or manage. You can add multiple sites if you plan to promote Amazon products across various platforms.
4. Describe Your Website:
   • Provide a brief description of your site and select the topics that best describe your content.
   • Choose the types of products you intend to promote from a list provided by Amazon.
5. Enter Your Profile Information:
   • Fill in the profile section with details about your website’s traffic and monetization methods.
   • Indicate how you drive traffic to your site (e.g., through SEO, social media, paid advertising).
6. Complete Identity Verification:
   • Amazon may require you to verify your identity by entering a phone number and receiving a PIN via a call or text message.
   • Enter the PIN to verify your account.
7. Set Up Payment and Tax Information:
   • Provide your payment details, including your preferred payment method (e.g., direct deposit, gift card, check).
   • Fill out the necessary tax information to comply with your country’s regulations.

If you’re new to Amazon Associates and affiliate marketing program, please consider reading this detailed Amazon Affiliate program guide: How to Make Money with Amazon affiliate program in 2024 – Complete Guide

Step 2: Navigate the Amazon Associates Dashboard

1. Access the Dashboard:
   • After completing the registration process, you’ll be directed to the Amazon Associates dashboard.
   • This is your central hub for managing your affiliate links, tracking your earnings, and accessing promotional tools.
2. Familiarize Yourself with the Dashboard:
   • Take some time to explore the different sections of the dashboard, such as “Reports” for tracking your performance, “Product Linking” for generating links, and “Promotions” for accessing banners and widgets.

Step 3: Generate Your Amazon Affiliate Links

1. Use the Product Linking Tool:
   • In the Amazon Associates dashboard, click on “Product Linking” and then select “Product Links.”
   • Use the search bar to find the product you want to promote by entering its name, ASIN, or keywords.
2. Create Your Affiliate Link:
   • Once you find the desired product, click on the “Get Link” button next to it.
   • You will be presented with options to customize your link. You can choose a text link, image link, or a combination of both.
   • Copy the HTML code provided if you plan to embed the link on your website, or simply copy the URL for use on social media or in emails.
3. Use the SiteStripe Tool:
   • Amazon’s SiteStripe tool makes it easy to generate affiliate links directly from the Amazon product pages.
   • When logged into your Amazon Associates account, you will see the SiteStripe bar at the top of any Amazon page.
   • Navigate to a product page, and use the “Get Link” button on the SiteStripe bar to generate a text, image, or text+image link.
   • Copy the link and paste it wherever you plan to share it.

Step 4: Share Your Affiliate Links

1. Embed Links on Your Website or Blog:
   • If you have a blog or website, you can embed your affiliate links within your content. Write product reviews, create buying guides, or mention products in your articles.
   • Use the HTML code provided by Amazon to insert the links directly into your website’s HTML, or use a text link by copying and pasting the URL.
2. Promote on Social Media:
   • Share your affiliate links on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
   • Make sure to comply with each platform’s guidelines and disclose your affiliate relationship by including a disclaimer (e.g., “This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a commission.”).
3. Include in Email Marketing:
   • If you have an email newsletter, consider including affiliate links in your emails.
   • Similar to social media, include a disclaimer to inform your subscribers about the affiliate links.

Suggested Reading: Best Email Marketing Tools to Use in 2024

Step 5: Monitor and Optimize Your Performance

1. Track Your Earnings:
   • Use the “Reports” section in the Amazon Associates dashboard to monitor your clicks, conversions, and earnings.
   • Analyze which products and links are performing best and adjust your strategy accordingly.
2. Optimize Your Links:
   • Experiment with different placements and formats of your affiliate links to see what resonates most with your audience.
   • Continuously update your content to include new and relevant products.
3. Follow Amazon’s Policies:
   • Ensure you comply with Amazon’s operating agreement and guidelines. Failure to do so can result in your account being suspended or terminated.
   • Keep up-to-date with any changes in Amazon’s policies to maintain your affiliate status.

Common Issues with Amazon Affiliate Links and Their Solutions

Getting started with the Amazon Associates program can be highly rewarding, but like any affiliate marketing venture, it comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some common problems users face while generating Amazon affiliate links, along with practical solutions.

1. Tracking Issues

One common issue is tracking affiliate clicks and conversions. Sometimes, clicks on affiliate links do not show up in the Amazon Associates dashboard, which can be frustrating when trying to analyze performance and earnings.

Solution:

• Clear Browser Cache: Sometimes, clearing your browser cache and cookies can resolve tracking issues.
• Link Checker Tool: Use Amazon’s Link Checker tool to ensure that your affiliate links are correctly formatted and active.
• Patience and Support: Data can take time to update. If the issue persists, contacting Amazon support for assistance is recommended.

2. Stock Issues

Affiliates often face the problem of promoting products that go out of stock. This can render links useless and lead to missed commission opportunities.

Solution:

• Monitor and Update Links: Regularly check the status of the products you promote. Use affiliate management tools or plugins to help automate this process.
• Alternative Products: Always have a list of alternative products ready to replace any that go out of stock. This keeps your content relevant and useful to your audience​.

Suggested Reading: Affiliate Marketing Risks and Mistakes to Avoid in 2024

3. SiteStripe Image Issues

Starting in 2024, Amazon removed the Image and Text+Image features from SiteStripe, affecting the display of images in affiliate links.

Solution:

• Manual Replacement: Manually replace the image links using self-hosted images or the Amazon Product Advertising API.
• Third-Party Plugins: Use third-party plugins like Lasso or AmaLinks, which can handle image links and create professional-looking product displays without relying on SiteStripe​.

4. Link Cloaking and Shortening

Amazon does not allow the cloaking or shortening of affiliate links using external tools like Bitly. This can be problematic for affiliates who prefer cleaner, shorter URLs.

Solution:

• Use Amazon’s Tools: Use the short link version provided by Amazon itself, which is compliant with their policies.
• Transparency: Ensure that you do not use any external link shorteners or redirect services that could violate Amazon’s guidelines. This maintains compliance and avoids account suspension​.

5. Cookie Duration Limitations

The standard Amazon affiliate cookie duration is just 24 hours, which means you only earn commissions on purchases made within a day of a user clicking your link.

Solution:

• Add to Cart Strategy: Encourage users to add items to their cart immediately, which can extend the cookie duration up to 90 days.
• Frequent Reminders: Remind your audience about the benefits of purchasing promptly, especially during promotions or limited-time offers.

6. Complex Operating Agreement

The Amazon Associates Operating Agreement is lengthy and complex, often causing confusion about what is and isn’t allowed.

Solution:

• Regular Review: Regularly review the agreement and keep up-to-date with any changes. Amazon updates their terms frequently, and staying informed is crucial.
• Community Resources: Engage with affiliate marketing forums and communities to get insights and clarifications from experienced affiliates​.

7. Restrictions on Email Marketing

Amazon does not allow affiliate links to be included in email newsletters, PDFs, or other offline content, which can limit promotional strategies.

Solution:

• Indirect Promotion: Use emails to direct subscribers to your blog or website where the affiliate links are hosted. This way, you comply with Amazon’s policies while still leveraging email marketing.
• Website Content: Focus on creating valuable content on your site that can attract email subscribers and lead them to your affiliate links

Quick Tips for Success With Amazon Affiliate Marketing

• Create Valuable Content: Focus on creating high-quality, informative content that provides value to your audience. Your recommendations should be genuine and relevant to your readers’ interests.
• Disclose Affiliate Relationships: Transparency is key. Always disclose that your links are affiliate links to maintain trust with your audience.
• Stay Consistent: Regularly update your content and share new affiliate links to keep your audience engaged and increase your earning potential.
• Leverage SEO: Optimize your website and content for search engines to attract organic traffic and increase the visibility of your affiliate links.