Do NOT Directly Copy Images From Amazon.

Contrary to the popular opinion of Jay (which you can find here), the Amazon Associate policies don’t give you express permission to directly copy images from Amazon.

The line that is seemingly used to show that you can directly copy images is here (you’ll have to search it for yourself under 6. Content on your Site): ”except that you may resize Program Content consisting of a graphic image in a manner that maintains the original proportions of the image…”

But is that all that Amazon says in their policies about using images? And what is the definition of "Program Content"

What Exactly Is “Program Content”?

Program content is defined within the Amazon Associates Agreement as such:

In order to facilitate your advertisement of these items or services, we may make available to you data, images, text, link formats, widgets, links, marketing content, and other linking tools, application program interfaces, Alexa functionality, and other information in connection with the Associates Program (“Program Content”).

As you can see, Program Content does include images, but how you’re supposed to obtain and use these images is the actual crucial question.

Amazon makes the content available very specifically. Just remember that phrase "make available", since we're going to be seeing it very soon.

How Does Amazon Make Program Content Available to You?

Amazon provides Program Content through very specific tools to make sure you're using their content in a way that aligns with their terms.

I’m not going to cover all of them, but the main one to focus on is the “Product Advertising API (PA API).

The Product Advertising API is the primary tool Amazon gives affiliates to access product images, data, and other content. According to the Associates Program IP License, you are required to use the PA API to retrieve product images and other advertising content.

“2. PA API Usage Requirements

(a) Description. Under this License, we may make available to you Program Content including the following:

• Data, images, audio, video, logos, user interface designs, and other creative designs; and

• Textual materials, such as textual Product information.”

They use the PA API to 'make available to you Program Content'.

Hmm, we've seen that similar phrase somewhere else within the policy, haven't we?

So, well, It’s kind of clear from the policy what you can and can’t do…

I mean, if you actually read policy, it's kind of obvious what is allowed and what isn't.

That original line that Jay referred to, about resizing images, is just talking about how it is okay, if you are using the PA API, to make your images smaller or larger, as long as you are resizing the image, and not actually manipulating it to be disproportionate.

Guys and gals, please don’t directly copy images from Amazon. It’s against the rules, and it will get you banned. Use the proper channels that Amazon provides you to use.

Oh, and one more thing - Jay, if you still think it’s okay to directly copy images from Amazon, please continue reading the policy and teach everyone that all Program Content must link back to Amazon:

“You will use Program Content solely in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and within the express scope of the license granted herein. Without limiting the foregoing, you will (a) use Program Content solely to send end users and sales to an Amazon Site and will not link any Program Content to, or in conjunction with any Program Content, direct traffic to any page of a site other than an Amazon Site (however, parts of your Site that are not closely associated with the Program Content may contain links to sites other than an Amazon Site) and (b) link each use of the Program Content solely to the related Product detail page or other relevant page of an Amazon Site and not to any other page.”

As much as it’s a pain, everyone should always take time and read through all the policies of anything that they are using for themselves.

Thanks for reading.