I know a lot of affiliates use Amazon, but I do want to also emphasize a couple of points.

Amazon has the lowest commission rates around. You can often find much higher commissions for the same product with other programs.

Amazon has only a one-day cookie. Most other programs are 30-day cookies. Amazon saves a fortune in commission that way.

While people dream that someone will buy something big during the same 24-hour period, in reality it doesn't happen very often.

Lots of other companies offer free shipping too, so Amazon Prime isn't necessarily the tipping point for someone to shop on Amazon vs. somewhere else.

Amazon has over 25 ways to kick someone out of their program, withholding all earned commissions when doing so. 25 Reasons to Get Banned from Amazon's Affiliate Program Amazon can (and repeatedly has) cut commissions without warning. Most recently in the summer of 2020, Amazon cut almost all commission groups to a 1% rate, while at the same time posting record profits. They do it because they can. They don't care about their affiliates at all.

Hi Diane, that was a very interesting read thank you. I have been with WA now for 6 weeks or so now, my first website and everything on it, is all linked to Amazon, apart from the link I have to WA. I can`t see that this is going to make much of an income for me. I sold 13 products in April and 5 products this month so far. I was reluctant to use Amazon in the first place, Maybe I should be looking elsewhere, although I do understand that a website does take time to get established, so maybe over time things will get better.

Bookmarking this too, Diane!

Jeff

Thank you, Diane. An excellent resource. Appreciated and bookmarked.
:-)
Diane

Hi, Diane

Wow, that is a goldmine of Amazon info! 👍 😊

I’m not familiar with their “unethical” practices. I know that they don’t want us to put another affiliate merchant along side of them on the same product, even though Google now considers it a “ best practice,” but that is not really unethical.

They do have the right to set their own affiliate commission rates, although I acknowledge that they have hurt many affiliates’ income.

Has anyone here ever been kicked out of their program (not including their 3 sales in 6 months rule) and why (you don’t have to say why if that’s uncomfortable).

Despite their reputation of being very difficult to work for, they definitely have taken customer service and satisfaction to a whole new level.

Are people here aware that you can “chat” online with them at Amazon Associates? I have done that on several occasions with specific questions.

They enter the chat box in less than 5 minutes and are very helpful with a pleasant demeanor. One time, the agent didn’t know the answer to my question but she emailed me back with the info the next day.

I’m not terribly “pro Amazon,” but they can still be a good affiliate opportunity for someone in the right (higher commission) niche with a “high” traffic site, especially if you mix them with other affiliate programs.

Frank