How to become an Amazon affiliate
Before you head to Amazon, make sure your website or content channel is live, public, and already populated with content. From there, you can apply for an Amazon Associates account.
1. Go to the Amazon Associates center and click the “Sign up” button
1. Go to the Amazon Associates center and click the “Sign up” button
To start the process of signing up for the Amazon affiliate program, you’ll be asked to either sign in with an existing Amazon account or create a new one. If you only have a personal account, it’s best to create a new one to separate your business.
However, if you have a phone number linked to your personal account (and no business phone number), you won’t be able to create a new account.
2. Fill in your information
Next, provide personal information and details about your affiliate channel, so Amazon can track and reward your earnings.
3. Add your website, mobile app, or YouTube channel
You can add up to 50 websites or mobile apps. If you have more than one digital home, feel free to add them. These are all places where you could place an affiliate link.
Once you’ve added a website and hit the Next button, you’ll also be asked if your site or app is targeted toward children under 13 (these sites aren’t eligible for the program).
4. Set up your profile
This section asks for additional information about your website and allows you to create a store ID—the unique identifier that will associate your account with sales made through your affiliate links.
5. Explain how you drive traffic to your site or app
The next section of the Amazon affiliate account process asks you to explain how you drive traffic to your site (you can choose more than one option).
You’ll need to share how your website or app currently generates income, how you build affiliate links, your total unique visitors, and why you want to join the program.
After that, you’ll need to complete the security CAPTCHA and agree to the operating agreement.
6. Add your tax and payment information
Once you’ve completed the application, you’ll be prompted to add your payment and tax information so that you can receive your earnings.
As an Amazon Associate, you have several options for getting paid: direct deposit, Amazon gift card, or check. Payments are issued monthly, but 60 days from the end of the month in which earnings were made. So, for example, earnings made in January should be paid at the end of March.
From here, you’ll be able to start using Associates Central to create affiliate links.
7. Create your Amazon affiliate links
Once you’re accepted into the Amazon Associates program, you can start creating affiliate links to place in your content and earn commission.
First, log into your Associate account so all links created will be tagged with your unique Associate ID.
Then, navigate to the product linking menu in the Associates Central dashboard. Here, you can search for Amazon products and generate custom links containing your Associate ID, with an optional tracking ID, so you can monitor which of your affiliate links are most successful at driving traffic.
Alternatively, try these two tools to quickly generate links from any device:
SiteStripe toolbar (for desktop)
Another way to create Amazon affiliate links is with the SiteStripe browser extension. When you’re logged in, the tool appears at the top of Amazon.com product pages, so you can quickly generate links as you browse the catalog and research your options.
GetLink (for mobile)
GetLink lets you generate an affiliate link by clicking the share icon of a product page from your mobile device. You can then share a shortened link with your Associate ID embedded.
Make sure every link you promote has the potential to generate earnings by including your Associate ID.
However, if you have a phone number linked to your personal account (and no business phone number), you won’t be able to create a new account.
2. Fill in your information
Next, provide personal information and details about your affiliate channel, so Amazon can track and reward your earnings.
3. Add your website, mobile app, or YouTube channel
You can add up to 50 websites or mobile apps. If you have more than one digital home, feel free to add them. These are all places where you could place an affiliate link.
Once you’ve added a website and hit the Next button, you’ll also be asked if your site or app is targeted toward children under 13 (these sites aren’t eligible for the program).
4. Set up your profile
This section asks for additional information about your website and allows you to create a store ID—the unique identifier that will associate your account with sales made through your affiliate links.
5. Explain how you drive traffic to your site or app
The next section of the Amazon affiliate account process asks you to explain how you drive traffic to your site (you can choose more than one option).
You’ll need to share how your website or app currently generates income, how you build affiliate links, your total unique visitors, and why you want to join the program.
After that, you’ll need to complete the security CAPTCHA and agree to the operating agreement.
6. Add your tax and payment information
Once you’ve completed the application, you’ll be prompted to add your payment and tax information so that you can receive your earnings.
As an Amazon Associate, you have several options for getting paid: direct deposit, Amazon gift card, or check. Payments are issued monthly, but 60 days from the end of the month in which earnings were made. So, for example, earnings made in January should be paid at the end of March.
From here, you’ll be able to start using Associates Central to create affiliate links.
7. Create your Amazon affiliate links
Once you’re accepted into the Amazon Associates program, you can start creating affiliate links to place in your content and earn commission.
First, log into your Associate account so all links created will be tagged with your unique Associate ID.
Then, navigate to the product linking menu in the Associates Central dashboard. Here, you can search for Amazon products and generate custom links containing your Associate ID, with an optional tracking ID, so you can monitor which of your affiliate links are most successful at driving traffic.
Alternatively, try these two tools to quickly generate links from any device:
SiteStripe toolbar (for desktop)
Another way to create Amazon affiliate links is with the SiteStripe browser extension. When you’re logged in, the tool appears at the top of Amazon.com product pages, so you can quickly generate links as you browse the catalog and research your options.
GetLink (for mobile)
GetLink lets you generate an affiliate link by clicking the share icon of a product page from your mobile device. You can then share a shortened link with your Associate ID embedded.
Make sure every link you promote has the potential to generate earnings by including your Associate ID.
